Things I Am Looking Forward To

We are in for a life changing experience...we think and hope for anyway. If I haven't said it before, this move is HUGE! Everyday I try to get my head around what is going on and what is going to happen in a matter of two months (actually less than two months). I started to think about all the things this move will bring about and all the things I am looking forward to, both in the very near future and in the little farther away future.

Here's the start of a long list of things I am looking forward to. This is in no particular order:

1. Enzo has 9 more days of preschool. This means having him all to ourselves again plus Mattias gets to spend 9 days alone with him, while I am working.

2. Mattias has 10 days of work left! Thank God! I will have my hot swede back without all the grumpiness and tiredness from working the night shift. Sidenote: Must say he is truly great for doing this. I hate to complain about the job since it has brought in some good money to help us on our way to the West.

3. I have 18 more days of work left! YES! This is a bit bitter-sweet. I will miss my colleagues, especially our go-to guy Stefan. He's my B.U.D.D.Y at work. Have a hunch he'll miss me too...he's only mentioned it a few times. The bright side of the matter is, I will be with my hot swede and my Enzo. Not to mention days closer to our trans-atlantic move.

4. Moving west and finding our niche there.

5. Mattias finding a great job thus allowing me to be a stay-at-home mom and to study a little on the side. This also allows us to try for baby nr.2. Yep, we're are baby-crazy and so wanting Enzo to have a sibling.
*Think this one was really 4 things I am looking forward too...oops!

6. Taking advantage of all the nature and outdoorsy activities the Great Northwest has to offer.

7. Seeing my family (parents, uncles, aunts, granparents, cousins etc) on a more regular basis.

8. Stepping into the somewhat "unknown" and finding our way and making our place in it all.

9. Throwing our computer out. It is old (4 years old) and slower than a snail on a good day. We are going to transfer over everything to an external hard drive and anticipate the day we get a new computer.

10. Purchasing bikes for the family. One thing we will miss when we move is biking EVERYWHERE. This is our number one source of transportation, even when we had a car. Now that we have sold our car we are serious bikers... rain or shine baby!

11. Exploring North Tacoma by form of foot and biking. We love to walk as well...it's the european way along with biking that is.

12. Finding great parks for Enzo and Daisy to run free.

13. Teaching Enzo how to ride a trike and then a bike. Or maybe we hop over the trike and go straight for the bike.

See, the list is long and I've only started. I'll stop here for now. More to come.

These Boots Are Made For Walking And Dancing

We bought Enzo some new rain boots with warm and furry lining for his cold days at preschool. Just in case you have forgotten; he is outside all day at preschool...rain or shine. Their motto is: "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." So we are equipped!

We tried on the boots last night and he started to bust some moves. Think he likes them! I realized that I have made the mistake of videotaping him sideways and can't figure out how to turn it right side up...so hope you can enjoy the video anyway. Oh yeah, it's a bit dark as well but I just HAD to share it with you. ENJOY!

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

(photo is from flickr)

My husband is always showering me with comments of my beauty and sexiness. Lately, I tend to feel ugly, old and fat, and I just don't understand what he is seeing. Not sure if it has anything to do with me soon turning 30yrs old or my failure to stay discplined.

You are probably wondering, disciplined in what or for what? I have a tendency to OVER indulge in things that I really like, specifically candy and sweets. I can sometimes do this to the point where I feel nasty afterwards...such as my breakfast post, read the post below. This in turn makes me feel...yucky! Why haven't I learned my lesson?? I want to lose 5-10pounds, just like the next girl, but my eating like a horse puts my working out in vain...what a viscious cycle. Maybe writing this down instead of just thinking it to myself all the time, MIGHT just help me stick to my guns and say NO!

You would think it was drugs I was referring to. Well for me it is, sugar is my drug. But I do, I REALLY do, like food too. Love some good food, like the wonderful dish my brother in-law made this past weekend (fresh salmon with risotto and a creamy orange sauce...MMMM!!! I seem to have a easier time saying no to over indulging in "food" then I do the sweet stuff.

Ok, I am vowing today to stop going overboard! I am taking a step towards "normalcy" with my sugar levels that is. Would love to feel hot and sexy, like my husband always sees, when I hit the BIG 30! Wish me luck! I have a little more than two months left until I am 30. yikes!

Breakfast of Champions...

...oops, I mean my breakfast! Today, for breakfast I ate Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake. I indulged, bite for bite. How did this come to be? I must say this is not a usual thing for me. Last night I decided to bake a cake for my colleagues, just cause. Baked it, despite the fact that I was kind of tired and not really in the baking mood anymore. This is probably why I wasn't happy with the results. So, I ate the disappointing cake, yet delicious, this morning. No, not the whole thing but several bites. I did, however, make a new Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake, (a recipe which I found at Bakerella) for my colleagues this morning. Enzo gladly helped in this early morning baking. I am feeling rather disgusting now...it always finds a way to bite you back, right? Indulging like this is probably the reason why I am not skinny...so be it. That's another discussion for another day...

Declare Yourself

Watch and take action! What a GREAT video!



Go to www.declareyourself.com or google to find out the deadlines for registering in your state.

I've already voted and I'm in Sweden...don't drop the ball!

We Say Farewell!

We sold our beloved car. I know it's just a car. But this is the car we bought when we knew we were going to be three, and no longer just two. This was the first car we purchased together. This was the car we thought we would always have until it died on us. This was our car, a part of our life!

This move is starting to tear at me. Our life, the life we have had thus far is slowly disappearing! I can see it, soon we will be sitting on the floor with just the walls to comfort us. If this is my reality, imagine how "home" will feel for Enzo in a few weeks. Good thing children are resilient.I am sure he will find comfort in knowing we are still here, even if all the stuff is gone. I am starting to have a little anxiety, this move is becoming more and more a reality! Which is good but it is also downright scary!! I know we can do this, I know it feels right in our heart of hearts, but it will tear at my heart and I will shed many tears before it's all over and done with. Not only are we saying goodbye to all our stuff but we are also saying goodbye to our life here in Sweden. Going to cherish the next two months here as much as possible and look forward to what's in store with great anticipation.

Think this is enough blogging for one day...phew! Until we meet again...

Going Noah Crazy

We went to Karlskrona again. We are packing in as many trips as we can before we head out...we're heading there again this coming weekend. This time we spent the weekend at Mattias' brother Andreas' house. It was a fun weekend for Enzo with his cousin NOAH! Noah is almost 3 1/2yrs old. Enzo copied everything Noah did and loved it.

A little lunch outside on the steps.

Fika at Enzo's great-grandparent's house. Noah took it upon himself to dish out cookies to Enzo. Not to mention the day prior he had given Enzo three pieces of candy which Enzo stuffed into his mouth and spit out quickly when I saw what was going on.

Uncle Andreas and the boys. Åsa(Andreas' wife) taught Enzo to call Andreas, Andy-Pandy!

Two little monkey's jumping on the bed...one named Enzo and the other Noah!


And a little driving...


A little snack before bed time.

Cruising the neighborhood on a trike and a bobby car.

Kram(hug)

And Then it Was Another Visit To The ER

Won't say much about this visit, for fear of Enzo, one day, when he's able to read, accessing this blog and finding out I posted something so private about him. Just hope emergency room visits don't become a regular thing here...ugh!

Does Your Child Eat This Much?

My little/big Enzo loves to eat, especially breakfast! He can chow down. On this morning; it was two homemade whole wheat waffles with homemade applesauce in between. Nothing but the best for my boy!
I've always made Enzo's food, ever since he started eating. It never dawned on me to buy him jar food. Have you ever tasted baby food/jar food...YUCK! I am not knocking on those who chose to give their child baby food, cooking and pureeing isn't for everyone...so, please don't be offended. Of course he has had store bought products, such as fruit purees but for the most part I have done it all. I personally enjoyed it and can't imagine it being any other way...it was greatly rewarding. Couldn't have done it without my wonderful food processor, that's for sure! I hope to be able to offer this to all my children, that is, when we decide to expand our family of three someday.

Important Talks To Be Had and Some Reading

Caught Mattias and Enzo discussing some important things, ok you got me. Not so important things, more so just looking at each other. But it gave me a small glimpse into what the future holds for father/son talks.


And a little reading time together...

Growing Up Way Too Fast!

Enzo's new thing when we go grocery shopping is to push his own cart! He carefully places each item in his cart, gracefully gets us to the check out line and happily places each item on the belt. Well, truth of the matter is, he can barely reach up to the belt so he kind of throws the items up there...this is where I have to come into play and make sure things like eggs don't become completely shattered. I must say he is a good driver, being careful not to bump into displays or people! I try not to get too involved with his shopping because it's his thing, instead I stand back and watch him with such pride! He is mimicking what he has seen us to do for the past 21months of his life and he does it so well. I love that he wants to help and do his share in the family, what parent would complain about that. Our baby is growing so fast, right before our very eyes!... Can someone please stop time????

OUCH!!

Enzo fell and hit his mouth on the side of our wooden stepping stool. Unfortunately there are sharp corners, ouch! No, we weren't those parents who went around and covered every sharp corner in the house.

The gash goes through the lip on both sides and it bled continuously, as you can imagine. We rushed him to the emergency room where a specialist was able to look at him, glue it, tape it and make it all better! He didn't really think it was all better after all that touching and pulling on his poor lip.

The accident happened around 3:20pm and he cried off and on until about the time he went to bed, which was around 7pm...poor thing! His tears were a result of pain, hunger and tiredness...not a good combo. It's a bad place to have a huge gash. He couldn't eat, which he loves to do. Drinking worked, when he could actually decide if he wanted the water or not, and if it was to be in a cup or a bottle(I poured water into three different receptacles per his crying wishes eg. a cup, a sippy cup and lastly my water bottle).

The agony we felt for every tear he shed...to see your child in pain and not really be able to help must be the worst situation to be in. Must say, it gives you a better understanding for your own parent's and their actions.

I send many kisses to my Enzo, hope you feel better soon love bug! Mommy loves you!

Time sure does fly

Saturday morning we had brunch with the mom's and dad's from my mommy group. Last time I met all of them was in January, when the kids all turned one yrs old. We are nearing two years old now, crazy! It was so nice to see everyone and to see how much the children have grown and the changes they have made since last time.

Here they are at three months... a few missing from this pic. left to right: August, Lukas, Emme, Leo and Enzo


Here they are at one years old...Enzo missing from the pic. left to right: Buster, Lisa, Leo, Emme, Lukas and August


Here they are at 21months (about). left to right: Buster, August, Enzo, Lisa and Emme

Naturalized

Friday afternoon I recieved a registerd letter in the mail. What was it? Yes, it was a certificate stating that I had become a Swedish Citizen. Now, I have dual citizenship... so COOL!

Balls of Fun

On Friday morning, we went to the FunHouse and met up with some friends. This is, of course, a place for kids to run wild. Enzo, has never been to such a place before and he was in heaven. His eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets upon arrival. All the colors, all the things to climb on...I can imagine how fast his brain must have been working to process it all. His voice reached levels I have never heard before... he was releasing joy, just to reassure me... "mom, this place is SO AWESOME!" Of course he didn't say that but I knew he wanted to. So, needless to say we had a blast and I am sure we will visit there again!

I've Been Told

People have said that when I write in English(now)I build my sentences the way you do when writing Swedish. Not only that, but I have also been told that when I speak English, I sound more like a European speaking English than an American...guess that's what happens when you have lived in another country for 5yrs. This critique is coming of course from other Americans and Mattias. So, to my American blood please bare with me when my grammar is a bit off and leaning more towards the Swedish way (yes, they build sentences quite different) and if we speak on the phone or via computer feel free to chuckle at me, I won't take it personally. Give me a month or so back home and I am sure I will sound just like you. To my Swedish friends and family, I am sure you haven't noticed a thing...right?

Cheap

In an effort to reduce the amount of stuff we will take with us on our move, we have been selling, selling and more selling.

Last weekend we had a stand at a flea market/swapmeet... what an EXPERIENCE! As we arrived early on Saturday morning, I was in a bit of a daze. Taking in all that was surrounding us, ie other peoples junk, and then trying to make sense of all the stuff we were trying to arrange on a small table. Then my wonderful husband surprise me! Out of nowhere he becomes Mr.Flea Market in the flesh... he takes CHARGE! He's enthused, excited and ready to wheel and deal. I happily hand over full responsibility to him and focus my time on Enzo instead. Why am I surprised, I shouldn't be. This is so typical my Mattias. He is always, Mr.Handy, Mr. Fix It, Mr. Organize, Mr. I can do it, Mr.Mattias! Not to mention he willingly stayed the whole 7hrs while Enzo and I went home to eat lunch and nap. I must say, when we came back to pick him up, his head was in a fog. Think it was too much Mr.Flea Market after a while...poor guy!

Let me get to the point of this posting...
While we are already selling our rather new and nice belongings for relatively cheap, some people still have the audacity to try and bargain down a dollar. A measly dollar! Come on! I just don't get it...how can they be so cheap! This lady actually offered me 50cents for a new baby towel and two bibs...she was dead serious! I rather give the stuff to a homeless person or a family in need than to someone who is just plain old CHEAP! They should be ashamed of themselves.
Maybe that's what the whole flea market thing is about... stretching your dollar.