Busy Day

Today's been busy! In the morning we went to our new parent class, where the theme today was library services. We each received a free book bag with a few books for babies. There was also a rhyme and sing-a-long session. Neither Vera nor I are too good with nursery rhymes :-)

I have to say that I have been so impressed with the NHS (Landstinget) and all the local support services provided since Vera was born. There is so much available and everything is free: first aid courses, baby yoga, new parent groups etc.

In the afternoon we've been visiting Clare and her baby girl Alice who also live here in Stapleford. Karolina and her baby girl Hannah were also there. It was lovely to see them and their babies and have a good chat and some home made cake!

Here are some photos from this evening of Vera who is one month old today!

Vera 4 weeks and gaining weight

Vera was four weeks yesterday, hard to believe!

Today we've been to a baby clinic to see our health visitor and to get weighed. Vera weighed 4.2 kgs - up half a kilo since her last weigh in. This is great news, but in a way not surprising as Vera eats often and a lot!

One of the ladies working in the baby clinic assumed that Vera was a boy because of the outfit she is wearing and the fact that her blanket had green and blue animals on it. Hmmm. Not sure I like this gender stereotyping...

Here is an article on the subject that some of you may find interesting:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jun/19/peggy-orenstein-pink-conspiracy-cinderella

Grantchester

As the weather is so nice (and who knows how long it'll last!) Mark took the day off today and the three of us have been enjoying some quality time together.

We went to Grantchester for lunch today - which is a lovely orchard where we have been taking some of you when you have been visiting us.

http://www.orchard-grantchester.com/

Sleeping soundly after refreshments - thirsty in the heat!

The trees are full of apples

A Perfect Day!

Today we've had a brilliant day! The sun's been shining and we've had temperatures of 30+ degrees!

Vera has been wearing a pretty summer dress for the first time, one of the many genrous gifts we've been given

Terese came to visit from London after lunch. We went for a short walk then popped into the Rose for a drink. Once back home we had a lovely BBQ. It's been a brilliant day and we've greatly enjoyed being outside in the sun the whole day!

Terese & Vera

Grandad Jean's Painting

One of the things that Vera loves to look at is her grandad Jean's painting

Sunny Saturday!

We're very lucky to have some gorgeous weather here in Cambridge at the moment and this evening Mark, Vera and I have been for a nice walk around the village.

Here are some photos of Vera from earlier on today.

Midsummer

Not much of a Swedish midsummer celebration for us today, we'll have to make up for it next year.

Here's Vera supporting dad when he was working last night

Smiling!

Baby Massage

Vera and I have been to baby massage today. We managed to massage the legs before it was time for food!
So I guess we'll have to practice the rest at home and join a proper course to learn the rest!
We also met another Vera, whose mum I know from antenatal pilates - which was very cool.

Now Vera is having a post massage /food chill out with her legs smelling of extra virgin olive oil!

Another Rainy Day

Today has been a quiet day for us. We went down to the post office to send off Vera's Irish Passport application.
We attempted an afternoon nap for Vera and mummy - which lasted 3 minutes before it was time to eat again.

 All this eating is showing!

Spending Time Together

Vera and I spend a lot of time together like this, which is very cosy!

She is awake more and more everyday and taking more of an interest in us and the world around her.
Not a great photo, but you can see that she is getting rounder and rounder!

But there is nothing like a little sleep after eating...

Three weeks old

Can you believe it!? Three weeks already! Today has been a hungry day for Vera, but she managed to tear herself away long enough for us to go for a long walk.

Sunday 19th June - Father's Day & Visitors

Sunday 19th June was Mark's First Father's Day!

In the evening we received a visit from Ana & Mark, who brought with them champagne for mum and dad and a lovely baby gym for Vera

Here are Ana and Vera

Vera in her Gaga Bean Bag

Vera received this bean bag from our good friends Emma and Aoife as a present. Emma is the mum of the beautiful twins Arthur and Sarah and recommended this as an alternative to a baby bouncer.

Vera liked her present - she had a good look around and then a little snooze.

Daddy's Girl