Sunday 29 December 2013

Christmas post #1

Babies first Christmas got documented on about 7 different phones, one compact camera and one SLR camera. Here are the pictures from my phone, more to come!


Minea opening her stocking on Christmas morning




 Morfar and Minea on Christmas day


Big family Christmas Eve dinner at Minea's great grandparents




Christmas Day dinner at home


Too cute to handle




Minea with all her gifts, she got so spoiled! This little girl has the best friends and family, thank you everyone so much for making her first Christmas so special. 


Friday 27 December 2013

The past few...


We were very lucky to be here to celebrate Jacks's first birthday with him!

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So grateful to have this time with him



Venessa trying out some chairs



A couple of the many Christmas outfits I put the poor child in, she was like Cher for a few days and had multiple outfit changes during the day







Putting up lights with morfar


The ice cream here has a measuring stick on the side so everyone gets the exact same amount of ice cream, this used to come in very handy when we were kids

Thursday 26 December 2013

Back to my roots...


Me, dad, Venessa and Minea went for a drive about an hour and a half north east to the birthplace and home of my great grandparents on my dad's side of the family. I have spent countless summer days here as a child and love knowing that my family has such deep roots in this tiny, iron age village.


The church in the background, looking for family gravestones




My great grandparents resting place


 I love old churches and the stories they tell, it was a real bummer the doors were locked




The home where my great grandparents lived, right next to the church. I wish houses were still inherited and stayed in the family. I would love to live here.


Minea was also very happy to be there. Can't wait to bring her back when she's older!

Sunday 22 December 2013

My little sister's little house


I want a house where the walls are this thick


and the floors are real wood


and exposed wooden beams




 This was so good!




Love these two so much

Thursday 19 December 2013

4 months (a little late)


Happy four months little Minea! You are changing so fast these days, it seemed you learned to grab and hold overnight and you now grab everything within your reach. Goodbye earrings and having my hair down. You've gone from being miss independent, would rather lay by yourself than be held, to enjoying being held and cuddled. I love it, you hold your face close to mine when there are lots of people around and you fall asleep easily on my chest for your morning naps, both hands holding mine.

You are loving living with your mormor and morfar and when we go downstairs in the mornings you push yourself forward, hanging out of my arms to try and see who is down in the kitchen, always greeting them with a shy morning smile.

You are teaching us all about change and going with the flow, not having expectations and living in the moment. You are keeping us on our toes with your likes and dislikes the past few weeks. Sometimes you love your car seat and sleep in it for hours and sometimes I have to climb to the back of the car on the highway or in a huge roundabout and show you videos of yourself on my phone to stop your from screaming. Some days you have long naps and some days lots of short ones, some nights you sleep long stretches and some nights you are up every three hours (which is why I’m writing this at 4 am, hello sleep regression!) I have come to learn that being a parent is so much about letting go and day by day living. I am loving every second of it!

I am now sure you have inherited both Venessa’s and Kevin’s dramatic streak, if you start crying and I’m not running up those stairs within 2.5 seconds you are clearly choking, coughing, crying and throwing your head around exorcist-style as if you are all alone and the world is crumbling around you. Suddenly you go quiet when you hear me push the handle down to open the door and often greet me with your big, goofy smile as you show me your new trick of holding onto your feet. Our little drama actress. 

Yesterday was your cousin Jack’s first birthday and we took you to the pool for some baby swimming. You love your baths so much we were pretty sure you would be in heaven and you were! 
In a few days we will have our first Christmas with you, our first Christmas as a family, it will be quite emotional for me I’m sure and maybe for you as well, it will be your first time meeting the entire (loud) extended family. It is time to introduce you to the smell of herring and the sounds of your great grandpa playing the accordion.


Sunday 15 December 2013

The past few...


Loving the highchair and kitty hat!


Playing with Jack


Taco night!


Tiny santa!


Lucia buns galore!


The tree is up and smelling delicious!


Minea watching her first Lucia performance


Swinging with the girls