New childminder

Vera is at a different childminder today and tomorrow as Terina is on holiday. Vera knows the new child minder, Lisa, as she is Terina's sister-in-law and they spend a lot of time together. There were no problems at all leaving her there this morning, she just sat down and started playing! Lisa's daughters were very excited to have another girl in the house. They're at school, but were looking forward to playing with her when they got home.

Lisa sent me a message a short while ago saying "Mummy just to let you know I'm having fun playing with George" Isn't that sweet!

Here's the photo she sent

Vera really is great in how she adapts to new people and environments!

Present from Brazil

A present to Vera from Lu, Nick and Alex who spent Christmas and January in Lu's homeland of Brazil

Barry

Vera's friend Barry and her present from her uncles in Edinburgh!

Pippi!

Here's Vera in her beautiful Pippi dress, a Valentines gift from mormor, morfar & moster Catrine & family! Vera is a very lucky girl!

Spring

has very nearly sprung. Vera and I went for a lovely walk today. It has been so warm of late and today was another gloriously sunny day!

 Vera wondering what on earth mamma is up to?

Messy

Vera during lunch time. Hand clapping while eating leads to mess!

MK

An outing to Milton Keynes was on the agenda today. Milton Keynes is famous in Britain for its many roundabouts and I lost count of how many we went through.


Anyway, enough about roads! We started off in IKEA with some lunch. Vegetarian lasagne for Vera and meatballs for Mark & I.

We bought a shelf, some more stuff for Vera (amazing how much is needed for such a little person!). Also visited the Swedish shop, but still as disappointing as it's only IKEA own brands.

The reason for our day trip was to buy a a rear facing car seat. Almost impossible in normal shops as legislation in the UK isnt as strict as in Sweden so most seats are forward facing. In any case, we visited a specialist shop and purchased one, which was installed there and then. Vera had a great time and even stretched her arms out to the sales woman and got a cuddle from her. She's very funny and I'm so glad she's used to people and likes meeting new friends. She smiles at everyone!

After a day of shopping and driving, it was nice to come home and chill out. And enjoy a nice bath in Vera's case!

3 hours in London

This morning I went into London to the Swedish Embassy to collect my passport. Train from Shelford to Tottenham Hale at 07.26, this line is very quiet compared to the King's Cross line so no problem getting a seat. Then tube to Warren Street and a bus to Baker Street, followed by a walk to the Embassy. Passport collection took 5 mins and then the same route back! As much as I dislike being stuck in traffic, I much prefer it to wrestling on a busy tube with people staring into space.

Was back at work by 11:45 so not bad going all in all!

I picked Vera and Mark up from nursery just after 5 and she's had another fun day, being outdoors in the lovely spring weather and practicing her standing up. She's quite skilled at getting up and then carefully sitting down again. This now includes the bath tub since a couple of weeks back.

She's also found the stairs so stair gates are on their way!

There is nothing more peaceful

Happy and Sad

Mark stayed at home today. Vera's been up and down. Happy and sad.

Pancake Day

As we can't enjoy semlor today, we're celebrating Pancale Day, all in aid of stuffing ourselves before Lent. Not that we're observing Lent!
For you non Swedes, here's some information about semlor

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Traditions/Reading/Swedish-semla-more-than-just-a-bun/

Vera also tried a bit of pancake, both with strawberry jam and blueberry jam. We didn't let her try the classic lemon and sugar combination. Maybe too much for a pancake novice!

It's getting lighter and warmer here. Rumoured to be +18 degrees on Friday! In anticipation of spring, I have bought Vera a pair of shorts. Aren't they cute!

This is another great eBay find. I have always loved bargains and I love buying good quality baby clothes on eBay, better for the pocket and the environment. In this case though, they were brand new. It's nice with new clothes too of course, but at the rate she is growing, my bargain buying makes sense

Sunday - not a day of rest!

I've been in to work for 4,5 hrs as the slave driver boss I am ;-) We have such a tight training and testing schedule when the team members are here from the regions that we had a bunch of stuff to go through. We had lunch catered though and quiet roads going there and back so not too bad...

When I gotb back Mark assembled some flat pack furniture - as you do. All part of the ongoing baby proofing of the house.

Vera and I went for a walk in the gorgous sun. A few bulbs have started to come up and it's getting lighter. Can't wait for spring!

A few photos and the first time Vera's bottom teeth have been captured on camera I believe!

Exploring

Wherever I can stand...

Fresh air and fun

Vera had a bit of a temperature this morning but was feeling better early afternoon so we went for a walk. A bit of fresh air and fun is the best medicine!

Fun on the swings!

Daddy was nearby, but Vera held on tight

What do I do all day?

Well at the moment we're in the middle of end user testing of our new migrated ERP system. Here are some of my team members from Asia and the US today:

This was the gand last night when we were out for dinner at Cote restaurant in town