Yesterday in pics

I just love this pic! Sean's milk bottle in the coffee cup holder

My jewel trying out the new car seat

Arriving at Stoke Park

and we took the car seat with us for the restaurant, as Baby Bear is still too small for the baby high chair My back was hurting from squeezing in to the back of the otherwise two seater car!

I ate a mushroom soup and a caesar salad with the dressing served on the side (sometimes in certain places the caesar dressing can have an overwhelming fish flavour from the anchovy paste)

Bear had butternut squash soup with a side salad and prawn in dill sandwich

After the gym we walked over to the main building

Can't wait until the weather get's warmer so that we can start going here more regularly because even if it looks quite nice, it was really freezing cold !

Welcome Wednesday!

You might remember that Bear works from home on Wednesdays. :-) Well, I am sitting on our big cosy sofa wearing my grey Juicy velour tracksuit and my ('ridiculous but so cute' according to Bear) slippers, Baby Bear on my lap and my large Starbucks cup with English breakfast tea + lots of milk in it, and the laptop in front of me. In the background I'm listening to the radio, Magic FM, whilst Bear is sitting at his desk in our home office, working his way through a lot of emails.

Once he is finished we will be going for a drive to Stoke Park, our country club (see previous posts from there) where he plans to use the gym whilst Baby Bear and I use their lovely facilities, whether it is the playgound or just walking around in their beautiful surroundings. We will then have lunch in one of their lovely restaurants. Oh I forgot to mention that we finally bought a car seat. It might seem crazy as it's for babies up to 9 kilos. Sean is already 7 kg's so with any luck it should hopefully last us to the Summer and then we will have to get a new one.

I now have to drag myself away from here and go and put away all the food that was delivered to us this morning.

This is what it looks like in our kitchen after the Tesco driver has dumped all the food he delivered. Not sure why it didn't come in bags today like it normally does...

Swedish Mum 'n' babies gathering

Giving you some pictures from earlier today. 3 new Mums and their babies came to visit me and Sean. We were all due to go to the Swedish Church for the toddler group, but because we hadn’t seen each other since towards the end of our pregnancies, we had a lot of catching up to do and therefore ended up staying in just chatting, 'compared notes' and swapped ideas on babies/motherhood and such like.

People think I’ve gone mad when I say my feet have grown half a size since becoming a mother. No, my feet are by no means swollen, that's not what I mean. They are just bigger than before. And then to hear that two of the three mothers that visited also have bigger feet since having a baby, was quite reassuring to say the least! :-)

So there were two baby boys and two baby girls, all gorgeous in their own way and with their own character. I am such a baby lover these days, it’s like I’m hooked on them. When I’m out walking with the pram, and see another Mum and pram ahead of us, I tend to walk a little faster and catch up with them, just so I can catch a glimpse of the baby. Sometime I even start talking to the mother, and actually find that most times it’s very welcomed, and that other new Mums normally feels the same.

Oh and one of the Mums, Viki, had the most gorge pram ever! Made by Emmaljunga, (same make as I have), only 40(!) years earlier! Would you believe it??

I'm soooo jealous! ;-)

" I don't want to sit here Mummy, I wanna sit next to the girls of my age!!"


Sean in different trousers (GAP) after an "accident" , but with the same body suit from RL that Daddy bought him

Sean was very content in between the two girls

From left to right: Elliot 5 weeks, Maya 4 months, Sean 3 months, Polly 8 weeks


def some flirting going on here! :-)

A more gorge pram than this will be difficult to find!

A beautiful Grape Hyacinth plant that Viki brought for me

.

Random ramblings

A much more energized me earlier


Sean will no doubt be delighted when he gets to enjoy this swing

Tonight's dinner simmering - a very hot chili con carne

I think this pic speaks for itself

Today I’ve been running around like a headless chicken. I'm totally exhausted actually. I’ve been to M &S to buy kitchen utilities. I then had to go to Boots and buy milk formula for Sean. A whole box of it is coming with tomorrow’s supermarket delivery, but I just haven’t got enough to last us throughout the night. I know, bad planning!

I’ve done three(!) loads of washing and hung it to dry(I don’t use the dryer, only for sheets), I’ve been to check out a nursery in St Johns Wood and walked back from there.

I then went to the Swedish shop where I bought cakes and biscuits for tomorrow's Mums' n ' babies gathering in our flat. After that I walked to Marble Arch to see a friend as promised, and helped her with downloading programs and decoders that enables her to download movies. She kindly gave me a huge swing for Sean which I had to balance on the pram whilst walking back home really slowly.

Then realised that I have no kidney beans for tonight’s dinner, chili con carne, so after taking Sean out of the pram, and taking my shoes off, I then had to put him back again, shoes on again and pop out to our local shop. I had to empty the dishwasher and remove a vomit stain from the sofa. I have only just now slipped in to my cosy gear and prepared dinner which is now simmering on the cooker.

And during the course of the chores, Sean has pooed three times, of which two I had to change the clothes he was in because it had gone through the nappy. I’ve also sterilised his bottles and dummy twice and tried to keep him entertained so he would’t cry, whilst cooking. I certainly know what the concept of being a “full time Mum” means...

Sorry for rambling, perhaps not making much sense today. Only thing I guess is that tomorrow is another day!

I 'm off to bed now

Night night from a very tired Catharina

xx

Bluebells and butterflies

Sunday morning at ours!

Earlier Bear popped out to get us fresh bagels, coffee and the Sunday papers as usual. I know..we're so predictable, but we like this routine! :-)

Note the beautiful roses in the background ,that I picked up from our local market yesterday - £3.50 (circa 45.00 SEK) for a dozen, not bad, eh?

So we have entered a new month today - We are now one step closer to turning the clocks one hour forward (at the end of March) and saying goodbuy to wintertime, yay!

I really look forward to Spring. It's such a wonderful time of the year. What I mostly like about it are the flowers, such as Bluebells, the cherry blossom on the trees and the sounds of singing birds outside your window. Oh, and not to be forgotten is the first butterfly emerging from its winterlong hibernation to inform us of Spring's approach.

I love the butterflies. To me they are a symbol of a new start, something fresh, being inspired to start NEW with many things, incl Spring cleaning, which for me includes clearing out my closet, including my knicker drawer (throwing away the ones I haven't used for 12 months) which I do every year.

Later we aim to find a car seat for Baby Bear so that we can all go for drives as the weather inproves.

Here I give you a little peak of Sean in our bed last night. Luv n kisses!!

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!

"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

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!)

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

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"

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.

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

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!

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! :-)

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! :-)