Friday, 27 February 2009

Baby Bear three months today!

Our unusually clean, fresh and bright doctor's surgery
where we went earlier today for baby Bear's vaccinations


Here we are waiting for uncle Erik (my brother) who's getting the daily fix of caffein


even though Baby Bear is more than satisfied with his milk ;-)

Then we head of for a walk around town


making the most of the gorgeous London weather


You are three months old today and I am at a loss to explain how another month with you has passed so quickly. You are such a happy baby full of sunshine and grins. You are easily the size of a four or five month old baby (that’s not to be confused with being overweight – you are just very tall, which is why you can’t fit in to the clothes meant for your age.)

You are so content to just sit and contemplate the ceiling but also like to be entertained. You love it when I sing to you, to be rocked, bounced, kissed and danced around the flat.. You are trying your best to roll over but have not yet quite figured out to how. You slobber on your hands quite a lot, in fact, anything you get a hold of, you put it in your mouth!

You enjoy laying in you cot staring up at the mobile above your head. Your eyes following the colourful soft toy animals which circulate to the background music and lullaby gently coming from the mobile’s speaker.

Another new part of your daily routine is to have your breakfast, in our tv-bed, with your eyes glued to the bright coloured characters of your favourite TV show “Lazy Town” – they seem to keep you amused for hours on end – I wonder what’s going on in your mind when watching them!

You are also able to eat without any assistance from anyone, with only a blanket or pillow put under the bottle when in your mouth!

You adore your father - your entire face just lights up when he comes home every day.

You have the most adorable little chubby thighs. I absolutely cannot get enough of those thighs and my heart nearly explodes with love each time I look at your beautiful face or when you turn to give me one of your slobbery baby kisses. Love you endlessly , baby Sean!


Thursday, 26 February 2009

"He's just not that in to you"



- obviously not a typical chick flick! :-)

Warm outerwear for Mum & baby

Sean and I have just come back from a mother toddler group. On my way home I stopped by my favourite local cafe and bought a selection of salads. As a bonus, the latest InStyle had arrived in the post. :-)

Yesterday I found the perfect outdoor wear for Sean, for when we are in Colorado next month. It 's from John Lewis baby dept, but I'm yet to find myself a warm winter jacket for skiing. I've already got a couple, but am not sure if I want either of them.
I searched through the whole of Selfridges yesterday but didn't find anything I like and I won't rush to buy something new just for the sake of it. If I don't find THE one jacket I want, then I think I might stick to my red one as it will light up nicely in the white snow! :-)

A cup of java, April's edition of Instyle and a selection of salads. A recipe for a successful afternoon:-)


The local church where the mother toddler group is held

Baby Bear in his new outfit that shall keep him warm in Colorado
I can't decide if I wan't to wear either of these when skiing. From left; a green parka with hood from Calvin Klein and a red down jacket from Ralph Lauren Polo Sport

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

30 big ones


Missing: The sun and being tanned (pic from our rented villa in Portugal in July last year, when I was 5 1/2 months pregnant)



1. Where is your mobile phone? In our utility room charging



2. Where is your significant other? gym



3. Your hair colour? Blonde



4. Your mother? Out for a walk



5. Your father? work



6. Your favourite thing? Sean



7. Your dream last night? Can’t remember



8. Your dream/goal? Ultimate happiness



9. The room you're in? Kitchen



10. Your interests? Cars, music, fashion clothes and everything regarding Sean and babies



11. Your fear? birds and to die alone



12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a house with a sea view



13. Where were you last night? At home



14. What you're not? perfect



15. One of your wish-list items? A house with a sea view



16. Where you grew up? South of Sweden



17. The last thing you did? Sterilised 180 ml of water for Sean’s upcoming feed



18. What are you wearing? A pink fleece gown



19. Your TV? Off



20. Your pets? None yet



21. Your computer? HP laptop



22. Your mood? energetic



23. Missing? the sun
24. Your car? In garage



25. Something you're not wearing? Knickers and bra



26. Favourite store? Selfridges



27. Your favourite colours? Pink



28. When is the last time you laughed? This morning, at Baby Bear



29. Last time you cried? When Baby Bear was vaccinated



30. Today's plans? meeting my brother Erik, buying warm outfit for Sean to wear in Colorado and watch new episodes of Desperate Housewives that start this evening



Better health

Baby Bear having a mid morning nap today , unaware of that I used a tweezer and took a couple of hairs from him

In this moses basket, right next to our bed, is where Baby Bear usually sleeps, although judging by his size now, only for another month at the most. (Normally the TV "inside" our bed is not up like this, if it's not turned on, but I couldnt find the remote control.

Today I will take a few hairs from Baby Bear’s and my own head (or fingernail if you don’t have any hair!) and send it Rapha Centre, where they will analyze it.
I have been using them for a couple of years now as I had previously suffered badly from IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), and send a piece of my hair to them every 6 months or so. Like they say ; “the hair holds a “picture” of you, which is why a forensic scientist can obtain DNA from hair regardless of it being bleached, dyed or permed.”

I have started to be bloated and constipated lately and am not sure why cause I haven't changed my diet really. I do have some medication and other supplements that I'm taking and it could be that they are no good for me, not sure. I am also sending in a sample of the formula (breastmilk substitute) that I'm feeding Baby Bear with.
Because at the Rapha Centre they will ask you if you take any medication or supplements as they want you to send that to them as well, so they can test it.

They then look at cellular energy levels, what is happening to your body and where the imbalances are. They will then use a combination of Celloid minerals and supplements to help bring the body back to balance.
I must say my experience with them has been great and anyone who is feeling a bit out of balance should get in touch with them (pls note; I am NOT being paid to mention them!)

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

I CAN RESIST ANYTHING BUT TEMPTATION ;-)


Morning, lovelies!! Some of you know by now about my love affair with Starbucks...right? Well, if you don't, I'm telling you now - I am obsessed with Starbucks!! Even Bear doesn't know how many times I pay a visit at our local store gulping down a hot beverage haha - Well he will know now, because he reads my blog!
I swear they lace those Frappuccionos and Cappuccinos with crack or something...that's how addicted I am to them. Even if its raining or snowing out there, I will put the rain protection cover on the pram and still get my ass to Starbucks for my much needed fix.

So upon waking up this morning, I loaded a new play list on my ipod consisting of some Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen and a couple house music tunes, waited for Bear to go to work, strapped Baby Bear in the sling and off we were, for my very much loved 'Grande Wet Soya Cappuccino'.

No matter how hard I try to like my own home brewed coffee, it's just not the same as my good old Starbuck's Cappuccino! I just can't make the switch... And it doesn't help of course with the very hard limescaled London water, that's for sure!



The very much addicted Frappuccino

Monday, 23 February 2009

Period, Crazy Bear and Beaconsfield

Sean this morning in his new outfit from Baby Gap that I bought him over the weekend.





Good morning! Or can I just say, it's not such a good morning actually... I woke up with stomach cramps not knowing what's going on... Well would you know it, after one whole year's break, I've now got my period back.. grrrrrrrrrrr..



That also means I have to start using contraceptive pills so that I don't become pregnant as I would like to give my body a break, until at least the end of the year or the beginning of next, when we will start trying for a sibling to Sean.



I mentioned the other day that Bear and I will be spending one night in a hotel in the beginning of April, about a week after returning from our skiing holiday in Colorado. Bear's mother is coming down from Scotland to stay with us, and she has agreed to babysit for the night (she have four children herself and with that comes experience!).


And it's now booked and confirmed - we are staying at the Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield, which also happens to be the chosen area for Bear and I when we are moving outside London in a couple of years or so.

It's a joint decision and we have already been spending time in the area quite a lot and have looked at a couple of houses for sale there, just to get the feel of it. What's really good about the town except it's beauty, charm and excellent schools for Sean, is the straight train journey (with only one stop, Gerrards Cross) in to Marylebone is only 25 mins.


Here's some info of where we will be moving to once we decide to leave central London: (thank you 'Google' and 'Primelocation' for the following info)


"The beautiful town of Beaconsfield is located in Buckinghamshire in the Chiltern Hills. With its historic Old Town and bustling New Town, surrounded by Green Belt and ancient woodland, Beaconsfield is a wonderful place to live and work.

Beaconsfield’s location has played a major role in the success of the town. Situated exactly half way between London and Oxford, the commuter town of Beaconsfield has been named the most expensive property hotspot outside Kensington and Chelsea.It's transport links certainly play a large part in its continued success.

The town is located on less than 40 kilometres north west of the centre of London (M40). The town's train station run regular trains in to London Marylebone and in addition, Heathrow airport is less than an hour away by car"

Sunday, 22 February 2009

Fab tune and 'global traveller' trend




Empire Of The Sun - "Walking On A Dream"


This song is what's being played continuously in our household (and on my ipod) at the moment. I only heard it for the first time the other day (and I fell in love with it immediately) when watching Matthew Williamson Fall Winter 2009/2010 collection, where it was played in the background when the models where walking down the catwalk.


PS. I love Matthew Williamson and the new collection really featured the 'global traveller' trend , with little hints at safari through animal prints and stone hues. If you have time, and an interest in fashion, it's worth while watching the whole clip - and those fab bright colours that Williamson is famed for.

Saturday, 21 February 2009

Sunny Saturday

Today I'm wearing black long sleeved tight top from GAP, white skinny mama jeans from Topshop Maternity, boots Kurt Geiger, sheepskin coat, belt from Hermes and on my arm is my Chole Paddington


It was the perfect weather to take Baby Bear out in the pram for a long walk along the canal to look at some of the most expensive houses in London

We stopped by our local market, Church Street, where you can find some great bargains and beautiful antiques

We ended up having lunch in Carluccios, St John's Wood. A favourite spot when the weather allows to eat al fresco


Currently coveting






Friday, 20 February 2009

SWEDISH BABY KIDNAPPED IN AMERICA




This story has really touched me... A little innocent baby, 1 year old Thor, has been kidnapped. His Swedish mother Mia, who lives in LA, has been in a custody battle and only just recently won sole custody for Thor due to Andrew’s (the father) aggressions, the restraining order issued against him and the refusal to take care of his son.
Mia was finally given the green light by the court, to move to Sweden with Thor under the condition that she travelled to the States several times a , so Thor could have a relationship with his father.

A warrant has just been issued by a judge for Andrew's arrest. Mia just went to court and all of his rights as a parent has been stripped.The judge also demanded the police to find, arrest and charge Andrew with kidnapping.Thor has not seen his mother since Valentine’s and what makes this even worse is the fact that apparently Thor is still breastfeeding. He must be so scared and confused... My heart goes out to Mia and her family ♥

Swedish passport & FREE Birth Preparation CD

Outside the Swedish Embassy this morning



Firstly, it's Friday everyone - yay! I am ALWAYS so excited when the weekend is about to start. Not that I have to get up in the mornings to go to work anyway, but just having Bear at home ALL day, for two days, and to be able do what I love the most - spending time with my two favourite boys-is more than enough to make me happy and excited. :-)


And it's been a good start so far. Sean woke earlier than normal this morning, around 4.30am, but Bear gratefully fed him, and then he went straight back to sleep. I woke at 8am with what looked like glorious weather outside, went and made tea for Bear and I and brought it to bed where we had a lie-in for about 20 mins before he had to go to the city for a meeting.


I phoned Mum and got hooked up using the video camera on MSN, which is part of our daily routine, so that she could watch Baby Bear and "talk" to him. I also looked up couple of new mother/toddler groups in the area, signed up for one and was put on a waiting list for the other.

Finally, before going out I did some research as to where and in what hotel Bear and I will stay sometime in April, when his Mum is coming down from Scotland to visit and baby sit. Will come back to that later.


Baby Bear's Swedish personal ID number that I applied for a few weeks ago (which is necessary to have in order to apply for a Swedish Passport), arrived yesterday. I therefore took him to a very crowded and busy Embassy, located only around the corner from where we live, to send off the relevant papers and have a photo taken of him. 1 hour later, with £40 less in my pocket, we are now back home.


Last but not least, I'm giving away a cd with the title "Effective Birth Preparation" (Voted by Practical Parenting - Awards 2006 - Pregnancy Product of the year). So if you are pregnant, live in the UK and think you'll have use of it, send me your details. First one to reach me will receive it in the post next week. You can read more about the CD here.



Be the first one to send me your details, and you'll receive this Self Hypnosis CD for FREE!


Thursday, 19 February 2009

The Simpsons and curried lentil soup

A Good Evening greeting from us to you!


This is us, Sean fast asleep in my arms and me watching The Simpsons, wearing Bear's big shirt and my comfy slippers . This morning I took Baby Bear to watch a movie with friend and her baby. It was arranged for mother's and babies, and it's on once a month. A great opportunity to take your little one along, and without the fear of disturbing others in case they decide to poo poo and need changing, scream out loud, vomit or just need to be fed.

I've also met up with another Mum and baby this afternoon. She couldn't believe it when I told her Sean's weight, because her daughter weighs the exact same but is 2(!) months older!

Now we're waiting for the curried lentil soup that I have prepared for dinner which needs to simmer on the cooker for another 20 mins. See you tomorrow! Don't know about you, but I can barely wait for the weekend to start! :-)


Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Mission 'Cashmere' - Complete

Grabbing coffee for Bear and I this morning after our power walk (bad quality pic taken with mobile phone - appologies)



Blogging with Baby Bear on my lap. Note the stain on my right shoulder (see previous post re Sean's reflux problems and the milk stains on most of our clothes, mainly on that exact spot!)


And so the mission I set myself earlier is completed - 100% cashmere black v-neck jumper found. Details: Marks & Spencer (Autograph tag), Pricetag: £50.00



My beautiful baby boy



Good morning! Isn't it a lovely day today? The sun is shining brightly through our windows, and Bear is working from home :-) After I've finished blogging, Bear and I are taking Baby Bear for a walk around the park.

I just have to post these brand new pics of my darling baby boy, my treasure; Sean. He loves to make eye contact, he smiles in response to other people's smiles, and sometimes even vocalise his pleasure at seeing people he recognises, and amazingly enough, that simple interaction is still every bit as awe-inspiring!

He currently has got a bit of a reflux problem where he can easily lose a third of his lunch (or a third of his breakfast or his after dinner snack) if we don’t get him successfully upright and burped as quickly as possible, so it's not unusual for me or Bear to be seen with white stains on our jumpers, usually on our right shoulder which is where he leans his head when we burp or hold him.

Speaking of jumpers, I am today making it my mission to find a plain 100 % cashmere v-neck jumper with no label in the front or any visible stitches etc, for a maximum of £50. Will let you know how it went. Watch this space! :-)

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Health Centre, weight update and Uncle Erik


Erik loves spending time with his nephew




Me and Susanna met at the Health Centre today as we were both weighing our sons. Sean have put on 2 kg in one month and now weighs a total of 6.6kg. Basically, he has doubled in weight since he was born which is insane if I allow myself to think about it.


Whilst in the waiting room a new Mum came through the door, looking battered as if she's getting no sleep at all, and had with her what looked like a doll, a teeny tiny baby, no more than a few days old, and it had me thinking back 12 weeks ago when Sean was that little. As much as I would like him to stay that size forever, I also enjoy watching him grow and hitting each milestone.


Well at least, we think he is — we don’t check lists of such things nearly as often as we used to (and maybe he is better off for it). But we do see him lifting his head as he should and starting to grab at things that are interesting etc. All I can say is that I can't wait for when the day comes when he says Mummy (or 'mamma' in Swedish).


Uncle Erik (my brother - SEAN'S uncle) has been visiting this afternoon (pic above), and now I'm going to sit down and read the latest issue of TATLER , and have a large cup of tea.

As Oscar Wilde says “I believe that it is customary in good society to take some light refreshment at five o’clock.” - and I couldn't agree more! :-)



March 09 issue of Tatler



Tagged and featured


I would like to say a big THANKS to Stina for featuring me on her blog! She is another London blogger (but unfortunately for you English speaking readers, her blog is in Swedish) Go visit http://www.stinailondon.com/ for really great uplifting posts. She actually reminds me of myself and how I was 10 years ago :-)

Another thing is that I have been tagged by Sophie, where she challenges me to come up with seven facts about myself.

But just as she explains, it's really quite difficult to think of things to write, and also, because I've already done two similar posts before, I'm linking to them here, instead of re-writing them. Sorry Sophie, hope that's ok, but all the better I suppose because one post includes ten facts about me, and the other includes five facts - That's a total of 15(!) - i.e. eight bonus ones, haha





On our way to have Sean weighed this morning

Monday, 16 February 2009

Loving motherhood



Baby Bear in Burberry this morning


And so another week ahead of us.. This week it's half term break in schools around the country, but also a break for the mother/toddler playgroups. Instead some of the mothers, including I, will meet up in a local pram friendly cafe for baby chat, exchange of tips and just admirer each other's babies. I will also take baby Bear to the health centre and have him weighed.

As promised, I'm posting these pics especially for you, Annelie, (who bought Sean the Burberry body). Doesn't he look gorgeous? He is currently only 2 1/2 months but I am buying clothes sizes 3-6 months(!). He is growing, and we are talking very fast!



It’s already impossible for us to imagine a time before he were part of the family. This is partly due in part to his very easygoing personality: he just seem to be an expert at effortlessly belonging.

He accommodates any odd family plan without a fuss. Shopping around town for hours on end, with the pram - he sleeps. Dinner time? He is content to sit and watch a cartoon on Tele (not sure how much he gets or even sees, most likely just taking in the sounds and the colours) . Lunching or having dinner in a restaurant - he sleeps laying down on a sofa seat between Bear and I (as he is too small for a baby chair and also can't sit up straight). So basically without too much trouble, we take him along pretty much wherever we go.

Notable among his many fine features is also a complete willingness to fall asleep, especially in unusual circumstances. If we’ve taken him to a party or are out walking on Oxford Street, with a huge orchestra marching past, he sleeps. Even at home, when playing fairly loud music or turn on the vacuum cleaner for a good half an hours hoovering, he sleeps. No wonder I'm loving motherhood, right?! PUSS


Sunday, 15 February 2009

Tip for next Valentine's

A dozen red roses from Bear to me for Valentine's


Now that Valentine's is past us, I can tell you about the card I got for Bear, without spoiling the surprise. You however, will of course have to wait until next year, should you want to give your partner the same.
It was made by at US based company called the World’s Smallest Postal Service. And they really do the most heart-stoppingly adorable and beautifully-crafted Valentine.
It's service is available online, and they will write up to 120 words of your (most romantic, heart-felt) squeeze them into a teeny-tiny 1x1.5 inch letter. It will then be placed into an equally tiny envelope which is then hand-addressed, stamped and sealed with a miniature wax seal with your initial on it.

To ensure your card/letter doesn’t get lost in the post, it’s beautifully packaged – with a magnifying glass - in a larger envelope and sent to the address of your choice.

Saturday, 14 February 2009

Happy Valentine's


We have just come home from spending a night at the Radisson Mayfair Hotel in Mayfair, central London. It was sheer indulgence with room service for dinner AND breakfast in bed! :-) Baby Bear really enjoyed a long bath with me and lot's of bubbles and despite that the hotel had organised a baby cot for Sean to sleep in, he slept in the "adult's bed", cause there is nothing nicer than feeling a baby's soft skin next to yours! :-)

I am not a huge fan of Valentine's day, sometimes it's just a little too commercial for me. I believe love should be shown everyday not just one day a year. That said, I don't dislike it either, and normally I quite look forward to picking a new restaurant to try for V's day dinner.

However, since we have an addition to our household now, we are slightly more limited of things to do this Valentine's, and seeing that we already went out on Monday celebrating Bear's birthday, we are in no rush to go out again and will therefore just stay in, put on our pj's, light lots of candles annd snuggle up on our sofa with our little baby Bear, watch a movie that I've downloaded called Tropic Thunder, eat biscuits and sip on lots of cups of tea.

Here are pics from the last few days. Have a nice day today and make sure to spread some luuuuv out there! XOXO


Having cake and coffee at the Scandinavian Kitchen with my friend Helen on Thursday

Baby Bear lounging on the hotel bed

Real comfort food- Spag bol - yummy

A newly bathed Baby Bear


See if you can spot Baby Bear's feet



A typical English Brekkie served with today's paper


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