Like Father Like Son

Enzo has followed in his father's footsteps...he has gotten tattoos, just like Mattias. Well, not the same tattoos as Mattias. Enzo's are a bit more child-friendly of course.

What do you think?

Daisy Post-Op

On, Tuesday we dropped Daisy off to get spayed. For the first time ever Daisy was not happy to greet another person. She kept backing up. It's as if she knew what that place was all about. She has been to the vet several times before but not once has she ever hesitated to jump up and greet the veterinarian.

She stayed over night and we picked her up the next day. I went to pick her up alone. I thought I was going to be strong but as I waited in line for my turn, the sounds of the dogs barking and howling broke me. I thought about little Daisy sleeping all night to a barking, howling dog...how annoying I thought. Finally Daisy came out and tears filled my eyes. It was the same ole' Daisy, a little less spunky and I could see the pain in her face from the surgery.

We were all glad to have Daisy back home. Enzo missed chasing her around the house.

Here they are chillin' on the steps.

"OVAMA"

Enzo's way of saying OBAMA.

On Inaguration Day we watched our new president with joy in our hearts and the sensation of constant goose bumps.

Enzo chanted, "OVAMA", "OVAMA".

Here he is watching America's new president.

While The Sun Was Shining...

...we sat on the steps and soaked up the sun, while watching... ...Mattias wash the car...

...Enzo and Uncle Al dug up rocks in the yard...

...Mattias took a picture of the finished product...

...walked down to the lake...

...Enzo threw rocks into the water...

...and looked for birds via binnoculars...

...and ended the adventure with cruising around on his new trike with help of pappa.

"Auntiiie Sabiiinaaa"

As enzo says it. She came from Alabama last week to hang with us on the west coast for a few days. We took her to Seattle on Monday. We just walked around and enjoyed the beautiful weather...cold but sunny.

I must say, as soon as we stepped foot in Seattle we realized that the move was all right. Being in Seattle feels good, it feels right. Things are just different there than they are in Tacoma. Any uncertainties we had about being here disappeared for those few hours we were there...it was lovely!

I've Been Good

I have gotten out and found some fun activities for Enzo and I. The latest is a play-to-learn activity offered by the Children's Museum. There they sing, have free play, read books, do art work etc. I was super excited when I found out about this and Enzo was too.
I believe it is similar to "oppna forskola" like they have in Sweden. Very cool and very free...I like!!

Hanging with Rachel

Last week we went to Seattle with the Briere's. Spent the morning there playing and chatting and then went to their home and made some yummy pizza and rubbed tummies. Enzo and Rachel eating handfuls of cheese while waiting for the pizza's.

Enzo rubbing tummies with Rachel. We are beginning to believe that this is his form of affection, his way of saying "I like you."

We've Moved Again

So, about a week and a half ago we moved in with my uncle Al and his girlfriend Carmen (sambo). We're still in Tacoma, Washington, but on the otherside of town. The move was better for the whole family.

Enzo, now has his own room, which means we have our own room (for the first time since he came into our life) and Daisy can roam the house freely. We changed the guest room into Enzo's room, well we just put all of his toys and stuff in there and added railings to the twin bed which was already there... and tah-dah he has his own room. However, Carmen did say we can paint the room if we like. Since our stay here is only temporary I think we will pass on painting.

I must say he loves having his own room and he absolutely loves the big boy bed. We are so excited that he was ready to move to such a big bed. He's been sleeping great in it and he can get in and out all by himself.

Here's a pic of Enzo's room. The bedding on the bed is from what Carmen previously had on the beds in the guest room, so they are a bit girly but he doesn't know that nor does he care.

What happened on January 10th, 2009?

The morning of the 10th we took Enzo to the Aquarium in Tacoma. A couple of friends (Brie, Ian & Hannah and Katey & Rachel) met up with us so that Enzo could enjoy his birthday with friends his own age.
Then we had a little party for Enzo's 2nd birthday at my mom's house. We only invited family and planned for it to just be cupcakes. Well, Elisa showed up with a ton of pizza, which is always good...I think. I love pizza. Besides, that things went as planned. Very low key yet a lot of fun for Enzo.
Almost forgot to mention...Enzo got in a 15minute nap, only. He fell asleep 15mintues away from my mom's house and then refused to go to sleep once we got there. So during his party he was wired from being overtired and then of course the sugar in the frosting pushed him over the edge. Nonetheless, he had a blast.
Thank you to everyone who sent their love and wishes to Enzo. It was so kind and thoughtful of you to think of him on his special day.

Enzo and his "girlfriends" Hannah and Rachel

Enzo asleep (for 15min) and holding on to a playdough set he just got from Rachel and Garret.

Enzo blowing out his candle.

The setup.

Enzo opening presents...his favorite part!

Riding on a car from "Uncle" (Uncle Al) and Auntie Carmen.

PS.One more thing happened on this day. Some good friends of ours in Sweden had their first child, a son, who is named Liam. Congratulations Henke and Jessica!! Can't wait to meet the little guy. Now the fun begins! Hugs and kisses to you all!!

Turning Two

(Enzo 8 months old)

I can't believe it. Where has the time gone. This is what every parent says, I know. It's true though, time sure does fly. One day you have an infant the next day he is two years old...crazy!

Enzo is there, he's turns two today. As I mentioned before, we will spend the morning at the aquarium and then the afternoon, after nap time, we will have cupcakes and sing Happy Birthday. Very low key but nonetheless making the day all about him.

I could write down all the things Enzo has accomplished in his two years of life but I am sure it would bore you. So, I will just say, he has won our hearts over a thousand times. Loving him is so easy! He is the most amazing boy and we are so thankful for him.

Happy Birthday Enzo, we love you!!!

Hugs and kisses from Mamma and Pappa (or Amma och Appa, that's what he's been calling us lately).

ps.

Farfar and Nenne, here is a picture of the cool, retro kitchen you got Enzo for his birthday. He says, "Tack".

An Early Birthday Gift

Taking Elmo for a ride on his new car.

Saturday is right around the corner and so, today we found some gifts we had been looking for, more or less that is. This cool, metal race car is one of those gifts. Enzo, got to cruise around in his new race car. We really wanted to get him a new ride-on since we sold his other ride-on when we realized we wouldn't be able to squeeze it into one of our suitcases for the move. I think he'll have lots of fun on this one though.

Off To A Good Start

This week things have been moving along. On Tuesday we had a playdate at The Briere's and then on Wednesday we went to the Children's Museum and had a blast. Enzo has been a lot happier since we started doing activities more for him. He has even warmed up to my family, which is good. See him, below, sporting my mom's reading glasses. Let's just hope he doesn't need glasses one day.

Saturday is the big day...Enzo turns 2yrs old. Yippie! FYI, we aren't going to have a party this year. I am actually kind of bummed but time got away from us. We are, however, going to go the Aquarium and then just have a birthday "fika" (cake and ice cream) at my mom's in the afternoon.

Before, During and After

Ok, I am here again...slowly but surely getting over the jetlag and my innate disposition to stay constantly busy. I do this despite the fact that I have been so tired and have had by far the worst sinus congestion ever.

I have been wanting to give everyone, near and far, a little update about what we have been up to and how we are doing, so here it goes.

Pre-America arrival we departed friends and family, shed some tears and then squeezed ourselves into seat 25d and 25e on a jumbo jet to get to the USA. Yes, 25d and 25e are middle seats. I am sure you are wondering how we managed with a nearly 2year old and a dog in a fully packed flight, but we did. We got little shut eye, that's all.

Since we arrived we have been going full speed ahead. You are probably wondering why. Well, we wanted as quickly as possible to create an environment for Enzo that would feel like "home", at least somewhat resemble the "home" feeling we had. The other reason is because, there are a lot of logistics that need to fall into place so we can feel like we "exist" here, such as getting an almighty cellphone.

We thought that when we arrived things would be a lot calmer then what they were prior to our departure. Boy, were we fooling ourselves. Things have gone up a few notches. The good news is that we are here. We are starting to feel a bit better about things. Mattias more than I...who would have thought. I know we have only been here a week, so I need to just relax, I know.

How's Enzo and Daisy? Enzo is doing well. Slowly adjusting/getting to know my family. He hasn't allowed for anyone to pick him up yet, other than Mattias and I of course. But I am sure that will all change with time. I think he is a bit frustrated with things at times. Considering he is used to us going out to the park and playing with other kids and due to how hectic things have been lately that hasn't been a reality for him these past

week(s). Poor guy. Next week, my goal is to get him signed up in a couple of groups, such as Little gym, a storytime group and a singing group. Let's not forget the Swedish playgroup as well. Other than that, he is doing great. My poor mother sure would like to hold him and hug him...hope he comes around soon.

Daisy on the otherhand, things are little less exciting. She is mostly confined to the downstairs where we are staying since the two dogs don't seem to get along (the lady, Marva, who we are staying with has a dog as well, also named Daisy...go figure!). Marva's dog Daisy, actually bit our Daisy in the neck. Literally puncturing the skin. It was really scary to see our dog hurt like that. However, Daisy being the tough girl she is, showed no signs of pain. She bounced back up and was ready to go....she sure is resilient. Mattias has been a great psuedo-veterinarian and doctored Daisy's wound. For the sake of more battlewounds and possibly her life we think it's best to keep them separated for now.

Well, I think that is all on this end for now. I will leave you with some pictures of the week gone by.

Happy New Year to all!!!

Enzo eating a blueberry muffin from Uncle Al. Yep, my family is now trying to buy his love and affection :). This muffin got Uncle Al a hug!!

Enzo got two Brio train sets for Christmas, two identical ones that is. Mattias builds new train tracks just about everyday, I swear Mattias should have been an engineer, definitely an architect anyway.

Riding the carousel at the zoo yesterday. They had polar bears, frogs, lions, pigs, you name it on their carousel. Very cool.

Went to the zoo with Katey, Little Rachel and Baby Garret. We had a lot of fun, although it was rather cold!

Enzo sitting on the stairs in one of our dream houses in Seattle.

We have become Costco members and while browsing through the store, we stumbled upon these... Anna's pepparkakor. My absolute favorite pepparkakor. Yippie for me!

We have made Enzo his very own play corner.

Sorry Sweden, but I don't think there is a store there that could top this produce section. Look at how well it's put together. Gotta love Metropolitan Market, we do! Things like this make you love America!

Squeezed in the middle, wanting to get some shut eye.

Farfar and Enzo moment on the train.

Dana and Mia saying their good-bye's at the train station.