Long Weekend Round Up

I've had two days off work, Friday and Monday, and a "bonus day" today as I've been off sick.
On Friday, Mark and I did some Christmas shopping and then popped in to see Mark, Ana and Ariane.

On Saturday we were meant to go into London to see Terese, but as Vera was a bit under the weather, quiet and off her food, we stayed at home. It was lashing down with rain as well, so quite pleased to be indoors.
I made two doughs for ginger bread, one for a house and one for biscuits.We also did a bit of Christmas decorating, can't help myself!

On Sunday, we went to St Albans to see Fiona, Dan and the gorgeous Robbie. I can't believe we haven't seen them for so long! Robbie is so cute, a very happy, chatty boy - nearly one year old.

After lunch we went to Harpenden, where they had a Christmas market. It was mobbed with people, we walked around for a bit, browsed in the shops and I picked up another Christmas decoration. Vera was not herself all day, so we headed back after the market. She was not normal chatty, smiley self.

Once back, I rolled out and baked my gingerbread house and we had a relaxing evening.

On Monday, I went to the hair dresser's. I enjoy going to her house, cat on my lap and browsing her wedding photos as my colour was developing. In the afternoon, early evening I decorated my Gingerbread house. Got a bit of help with the sugar glueing from Mark though

I got a text from Fiona saying that she had to rush out of the class room to be sick at lunch time on Monday and at 9pm last night, I was sick too and it went on to be sick until 1-2 am. As a result, I felt like an old dish cloth this morning and have stayed in bed all day... I don't know if we brought the bugs to St Albans or where we picked them up, but anyhow, the joys of children & bugs!

 My cinnamon sticks from Singapore and Swedish Christmas ram

 Cute and cheeky Robbie!

 Fiona reading to Vera and Robbie

 Mark reading to Robbie and Vera

 Vera on Sunday, tired and quiet.

 My Christmas decoration from Harpenden

 Vera and Santa fell asleep on the sofa

My finished house!

Birthday Boy

Today is Mark's birthday and in true Eliasson tradition we "surprised" him with cards, presents, cake (muffin), coffee and candle in bed.

Vera enjoed helping daddy opening cards and presents and the unexpected treat of eating muffins in bed. Only a small piece of course!

Her language and speech is coming on leaps and bounds. This morning she was saying Thank You "ank yu" and Please "piiis".

Eye-ssss

As soon as Mark or eye lift up our glasses, Vera excitedly says "Eyessss"

I've also baked a few chocolate muffins for Mark's birthday tomorrow!

Time flies

A year ago...

Meeting Santa

We've had a great Sunday that started with a visit to the Crafts / Christmas Fair at the local primary school, just up the road. I bought a cute little tooth pillow for the tooth fairy in the shape of an elephant and as we bumped ointo one of our neighbours, I felt compelled to buy a commemorative program from the Stapleford Jubilee celebrations - don't ask! We also had a visit to Santa's grotto, but Vera didn't like the look of Santa one bit and turned away and cried! She got a little gift that daddy had to get as Vera refused to go anywhere near Santa. She's only little and how on earth would she know that a massive man in a red outfit with a big beard and a deep voice sitting in a dimly lit room, is a friendly guy who brings presents!

After our visit to the crafts fair we walked around kicking autumn leaves and took a few nice photos.

Later on we met James, Liz and Ben for Sunday lunch at the Red Lion in Whittlesford. Vera and Ben had lots of fun running around slapping chairs and windows.

Vera is picking up new words at a great speed. The latest are "eyes" and "nose", both with a cute lisp. Note to self, need to keep up the Swedish so that she also makes that part of her active language.

 Vera and the autumn leaves

 Bad photo, but Ben and Vera having fun running around and slapping things

Baby Ariane

Today we got to meet baby Ariane, 5 days old and a beautiful petit little lady! She ate and slept and cried just a little, little bit when her nappy needed changing. Ana & Mark were so chilled and relaxed considering the life changing week they've just had. I just remember waddling around like a sleep deprived zombie and getting to grips with breast feeding. It does bring back memories and also shows what a journey Vera has been on for these last 18 months. From a little baby to a cheeky toodler! I look forward to seeing Ariane grow up!

Vera and I started off the morning by going to Scotsdales. They had a Santa and Santas grotto there, but the queue was 1 hour long and as Vera is still too young to get the concept of Santa we made do with the Christmas section and the pets. Vera was yelling at some parrots and the fish and then we got a few greeting cards and another Christmas decoration. I just can't help it! I'm so excited!


Vera checking out one of the many Christmas trees at Scotsdales

 Ana and Ariane

Me and Ariane. It was the best feeling to hold adorable Ariane, sleeping babies are soooo peaceful! Apart from sleeping and when she weas tiny, wriggly Vera has never been happy just being held, she's always off!

Ariane

Vera in the Christmas lights section, she was patting the lit up seal and the lit up polar bear

Spotty / Prickig

The Brits love their charities and events and today is one of those days - Children in Need day:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008dk4b/features/about

They're having a few events at nursery and all children were asked to wear something spotty today. They had been baking cakes that they will be selling (not really sure to whom) and they were going to go up to to the main offices and meet Pudsey the Bear.

We're just back from watching the CSR teams run a Fun Run on the Science Park, where hundreds of runners take part to raise money for Children in Need. I like these events as they bring people together and brighten up November!

Here's Vera in her spotty top before nursery.

Vera's hook at nursery with her photo and that of her key person, Emily

Vera tucking into her second breakfast at nursery, Weetabix today

Feeding the Dog

Today has been another day of happy baby news! My cousin Markus and his partner Malin welcomed their baby girl to this world at 06:00 this morning. No name yet. Such joy and news like these put November darkness and traffic jams into perspective.

Vera is starting to play more and more with her soft toys. She hasnt really shown that much of an interest before and has no special tie to any of them...yet...

But now she likes feeding them and carrying them round. Her she is feeding one toy dog breakfast this morning, which also included slapping him with a spoon.

Busy Days and Bed Time

Last night we got the fantastic news that Ana and Mark have welcomed baby
Ariane Palminha Hopley! We can't wait to see her and congratulate the new family!

Vera seems to have recovered well from her cold and temperature and has her usual levels of activity and appetite. 
She really enjoys nursery and keeps busy all day. I know it's not ideal that Mark and I both work full time and the hours we do, but I'm very grateful for the nursery and all their creativity and activities.

From her daily report yesterday: their activities include sponge painting, playing in the sand, playing with puzzles, filling different containers with dried pasta, making play dough, playing with a tea set, rolling balls down the slide and shining torches in the garden.

I can safely say that I wouldnt have the imagination or energy to do all this with her!

In the evening Vera loves reading her books, she walks between Mark and I and we take turns in reading the book with her. She loves her "That's not my..." books (we have a few) and on each page there is a little mouse and she loves looking for it and pointing it out. She also loves pointing out her body parts when we say them.

This is before bed time tonight. Tall little lady, loves the flash on the camera.

In her pyjamas running and reading

Another Day, Another Party

Today Vera and I went to Filip's 3rd birthday party, this too at the Spotted Giraffe in Linton, about 10-15 minutes drive from here.

Vera played lots and was very brave on the slides. Once she'd been down the slides 15 times and in and out the ball pool as many times, it was time for food and sweets. Vera seemed to have a party sausage and sweet tooth today and scoffed all the naughty stuff. At the end they played a game, where all the kids dance to music and then sit down when it stops. Vera didnt really catch how they game worked, but had fun moving along with everyone else and sat down when every one else did. She got a small packet of love hearts for her trouble.

We've shopped and generally played and hung out in the afternoon and Vera has been very grizzly. I hope it's just that she's still a bit tired and under the weather and not the terrible twos starting early. She has one temper this young lady!

Tiny toes

 Vera's haul today, the contents of the party bag

Up, down and puddles

 The last couple of days have been a bit up and down. Vera woke up at midnight on Thurs night and was inconsolable and we brought her into us. After a lot of sobbing and kicking she finally fell asleep. I worked from home on Friday to look after her and managed a few conference calls and a lot of emails while she was "reading" books and building Duplo towers. She was full of energy during the day but got a really high temperature in the evening. At one stage she was over 40 and burning hot. You feel you pretty helpless and all you can do is to keep her cool and make sure she gets fluids. The temperature came down later on and she slept soundly all night. Woke up at 8:30, no trace of temperature, just snotty and a bit of a cough. Super baby!

Today I've wrapped and posted Christmas presents. Yes, I know it's early, but makes me feel like I'm on top of things when there's so much to do whilst juggling work.

After lunch and nap Vera and I went to Wandlebury Park for a walk and to say hello to the sheep.

 Vera resting mid walk

 Puddle fun

 Sleeping with a temperature, Friday night

Cough & Frost

Vera's got a cough, but seems well enough to go to nursery, no difference in energy levels / stubborness :)

Mark is also a bit under the weather. Speaking of weather, it's suddenly got a bit colder here, had to scrape the car yesterday and Vera is in full winter gear as you can see below!

Fireworks Night

From last week's Irish/American Halloween celebration, we move straight into a traditional British one today: Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Fireworks Night:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

There's been fireworks going off all weekend throughout the villages and tonight there's a big fireworks display in Cambridge:
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/leisure-and-entertainment/festivals-and-events/fireworks.en

We're not going. Obviously because of Vera, but also because in comparison with the fabulous fireworks you see in Edinburgh at the end of the Festival or on Hogmanay, you might as well stick to the best. Personally, unless they're massive and brilliant, like in Edinburgh, I dont really see the point.

In any case, I guess there will be more tonight and lots of scared animals as a result.

The weekend was good! Busy Saturday with shopping and buying four new tyres. Dull, but has to be done, especially with all the motorway driving that I do. I got up first at 7, Vera surfaced at 8 and Mark shortly after. During the tyre change we did a spot of shopping at the Grafton shopping centre and also had a nice coffee break. Saturday night, nice food, wine and lit candles!

On Sunday, Vera had a massive sleep in: 09:20! The morning was filled with cooking and baking and then in the afternoon, we had a wonderful Sunday lunch at Ana & Mark's. 7 days til the due date of their baby girl, so could be any time now. So exciting!

Vera in Thomas the Tank Engine in the Grafon Shopping Centre. She'd had enough of shopping and being stuck in the pram at this stage.

Cosy Saturday night.

Vera having Sunday Lunch at Ana & Mark's

Ana and Vera reading Vera's favourite books. She likes doing the animal sounds and can currently master the cow, pig, horse, bird and point to her tummy, nose, mouth, ear, eye and hand, both in Swedish and English

We also wish a BIG Happy Birthday to Denali who is 3 years old! Amazing how time flies!