Vera 4 months old!

Vera is 4 months old today! Also happy 3 months old to cousin Folke today!
We've had a lovely day. I know I go on about it, but the weather is really amazing and I am so lucky that I am able to enjoy it.
Vera is bouncing away in her new toy this afternoon while I'm on a few conference calls.
Before that Mark, Vera and I went to the George Inn in Babraham and sat outside for lunch. Really hot - felt like being on holiday.

Vera and I have also been for a walk this afternoon and a nice sleep in the fresh air for Vera.

Vera had a bit of a temperature last night from her jabs, but that seemed to have gone after a few hours. She also had a bit of redness and swelling where she got her jabs. But as the trooper she is, she is full of energy and carries on regardless!


Vera and Mark earlier today:

Bounce!

Vera trying out her latest "toy". She'll soon get the hang of it! Mark is working from home today so we're off out for lunch somewhere in the gorgeous sun.

More jabs

Vera had her last jabs today, 2 in one thigh and 1 in the other. She was such a good and brave girl and only cried a little bit. Now she's back to her simley, talkative self. Amazing!

I'm doing some work on the computer, but we're off for a walk in a little bit in this wonderful weather!

Here's Vera stretching after a hard (post jabs) work out:

Finding My Feet

Another beautiful late summer's day! Vera and I have been for a long walk (1,5hrs) in Wandlebury Park with the NCT mums and babies. We finished off with lunch in good old Gog Magog Farm Shop & Cafe. Such a treat to be able to walk in a vest top and have lunch outside!

Vera has started to find her feet these last couple of days and is getting very good at pulling socks off.

Bliss

Vera and I have been for a long walk in the beautiful and warm weather. Late September, who would've thought?!  Vera is now playing on the kitchen floor (on a blanket!) And I'm doing some house work before a cinema outing with Ana and Junko

Waiting

S

We're waiting for Virgin TV today to come and pick up the Digital TV box, as we're getting a new subscription in Mark's name. True to form, they've not turned up and it's now nearly 4pm.

I've spent the day sorting out papers, photos, wrapping presents, writing cards etc. Oh the life of a house wife! Vera has slept outside for a long while and is now playing with her Steiff bear rattle.
She is really getting there with her hand to eye coordination and it's wonderful to watch how she develops and learns new skills

More exercise - this time in the gym!

Chilled Weekend!

We are having a lovely weekend, full of family time, food and friends.
Here is Vera exercising yesterday morning.

In the evening we went to Junko and Chris' for a traditional Japanese dinner. Junko had prepared Shabu-shabu which is a little bit like fondue. It was beautiful and we ate a lot! Junko is 24 weeks pregnant with a little baby boy, so we are looking forward to meeting him in January.   

Indian Summer

We've had the most beautiful day here today. Vera and I went for a walk after lunch and it was over 20 degress!
As we walked through Great Shelford I was stopped by a woman who asked me if I was the other Swedish lady in Stapleford! Her name was Louise and she lives at the end of the road with her Swedish husband and three children. She invited me for coffee at some stage as she is a house wife (very un-Swedish she admitted) and I may well ask her along to our SWEA dinners.
Village life eh!
Here are some photos from today

Exploring!

Vera is learning to grip and grasp as well as exploring how things "taste"!

Morning Exercise

Vera and I have had a nice couple of days. Yesterday we met Lu, baby Alex, Quingquing and baby Philip for coffee and a chat. I've done a fair bit of work work as well, conference calls and so on.
Mixed feelings as per usual, nice to know what's going on, but as the evenings get darker, I know that my return date is getting closer.

My back is slowly getting better, very stiff during the night, especially for Vera's incresed number of feeds (hungry lady!) and in the morning.  Trying to keep active though and Vera and I had a lovely walk in the autumn sun before lunch.

Evening routine is still a bit of a struggle, I guess Mark and I should try a bit more to get a routine. Trying to get her to sleep for the night before 10 is a challenge, but it's getting a bit earlier - at least that's what we're telling ourselves!

Here's Vera doing her morning exercises (legs moving very fast!)

Älskade unge

With unstoppable energy & appetite!

Finding My Voice

As you know Vear is a very vocal lady, trying out all the sounds she can make and her vocal strength. Impressive at times! She's also started grabbing things, clothes, necklaces you name it as well as jumping. This is truly a time of great development. No wonder she needs all this food, you'd need all the energy you can get!

Hungry!

This little lady is going through a growth spurt at the moment, apparently quite common at 16 weeks. She eats and eats and wakes up more often during the night. Hopefully, it'll only last a couple days like the last time.
It's been extra challenging as my back is still very sore. Luckily Mark is working from home today, so he's been so helpful!

Weekend in London

This weekend Mark, Vera and I went to see Terese in London. We arrived early afternoon and had some coffee and catch up at Terese's. Then we went to the Colonel Fawcett pub (used to be the Camden Brewery back in the days when we frequented it). Peter and Fredrik popped along and it was lovely to see them again. Once home we had some lovely pizza for dinner and lovely evening.

Today the sun was shining so we went for a walk along the canal in the sun and stopped off for coffee in Primrose Hill and a drink in Camden. Terese's friend Siobhan came along for a bit too.

The downside of the day was me doing my back in trying to get up from the sofa this morning carrying Vera. She's getting heavy now with her 6.2 kilos! It's been moderately painful and very difficult getting up from chairs. I've also been walking at a snail's pace all day, taking in the surroundings.

Here are some photos from our beautiful sunny Sunday

On our way to London!

Another Appointment

Mark, Vera and I were at Addenbrookes today for an appointment at the Dermatology Department with a plastic surgeon re her strawberry mark. The plastic surgeon did not see any reason to treat it as it is not obstructing her sight and the best final result is achieved if we allow it to disappear by itself. Also, the only treatment that they are able to offer is oral beta blockers which would mean a careful monitoring of her heart. At this stage, there is no medical reason to go down this route and it is not a decision to be taken lightly.

She then asked another dermatological consultant to have a look at Vera and she told us that she did not believe that it would grow much more. She did offer us a so-called SOS appointment, whereby we can return to the department for a new appointment without a new referral, should things change. This is very re-assuring for me, as that means that we can just call up if we feel that it is changing suddenly. They also measured and took photos.

Mark and I asked about topical treatment, which for some reason is not used by this department. It is however used by the Ophthalmology department. As the two consultants in dermantology want to make sure that it is not affecting the eye at all, we will now get a referral there. We will then have the opportunity to discuss topical treatment with the ophthalmologist.

It is all very long winded and complicated, but I am pleased that it is being followed up.
The main thing is that Vera is not suffering at all and any stupid remarks are just that...stupid...

A Taste of Work

Today I've been in at work for all day meetings, so Mark was looking after Vera. It was good to see everyone at work and I enjoyed the training I did for a colleague over from Belfast and planning the integration of the company CSR just acquired. It was nice to feel that my brain is still working! The downside was that it felt like someone had just fast forwarded 2,5 months and I was back at work, stuck in traffic on the motorway trying to get home as quickly as possible. It really made me more determined to make the most of my oh so precious time with Vera, until that day.

Mark and Vera had had a ball of course and he put me to shame by cleaning the whole house too!

I'm waiting for a cute video to post here (hint hint Mark!)

Hold On

Firstly, thank you Anna for your wonderful comment to my last post. I know it's difficult whenever you have to go back to work and I will make the most of the time I have with Vera until that day.. I have colleagues in Singapore and the US who have 8 + 4 weeks and 6 weeks respectively, so for them 6-7 months is an eternity.

Sweden is really brilliant and I just really hope that everyone is aware and grateful for the amazing opportunities that are offered when it comes to parental leave, work life balance etc.

After an hectic day yesterday, Vera and I are catching up on this and that today. Vera is happily bouncing in her BabyBjorn bouncer, blowing bubbles and chatting away.

She is now able to hold on to things and move them around, mainly to her mouth so that she can taste and bite. She's not able to grab things yet, but I'm sure that's not far off.

Here are a few photos from today when she is checking out her new favourite teething ring.

Mixed Monday

This morning Vera and I went to Linton again for our baby massage group, which was good! We did the tummy today and Vera seemed to enjoy it and was a very happy girl.
On our way home, we picked Mark up who was on baby sitting duty for the afternoon.

I had meetings in the afternoon with my boss, who was over from the US, about what is happening at work and what will happen when I am back.

I don't want to think about returning to work, but unfortunately I have to and have tentatively set 5th Dec as my return date. Mark will be home throughout December and Vera will start childcare in January.
So early I hear the Swedes say! But unfortunately the UK has not got as generous parental leave and pay as Sweden...and needs must

On a more positive note, Vera is a darling and very smiley and chatty and warms my heart every day.
I tried to sing her a lullaby tonight to get her to sleep and she just fired off one of her sweet smiles that says that I'd much rather be up and play with you than lie here in my cot. I started laughing and my singing quickly stopped!

Here are a few photos of Vera "exercising" in Sweden