three lifetimes

My gawd. It is wednesday tomorrow. Shite. Here is me sat thinking how slowly time is goin (today I feel like I have lived three life times) but the new weekend is closer than the last, almost anyways.

Speaking of the weekend, t'was a pretty darned good one if I do say so. BBQing Saturday and Sunday, spending the majority of the time outdoors, and playing the 'Im so special card' on the seventh day, seeing it was Mothers Day here on sunday. Poor Husband. He played along so nicely, bless him.  Love, love, love. But if I can be as shallow as to say, one of the bestest best bits was getting a lovely big parcel from the mother in law, with a seasons worth of clothes for M&L. Maia loved her wetsuit, and Lily the teabags. Bit of a fail there, but I love her innocence to clothes for the moment. I am sure that in say 5 years, that will have changed. Oh dear God.

Today we went to nursery with Lily, to have a look around the place and meet the other children who are starting in the autumn. I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable Lily was when we were there, and not jsut with the surroundings, but with the staff and also the other parents who were there and the children. If I am honest, I have been a bit concerned she may not be as chillaxed as Maia starting förskolan, seeing as we have been to so few baby groups, compared to going at the least weekly with Maia. But my littlest lovely is a Wilson for sure, and I feel very proud to have two happy, secure and cheeky little monkeys to call my daughters. My daughterS! I was only just getting used to saying I had a daughter, never mind saying the plural lol.

Anyhoo, bed is calling, sleep is washing over me slowly but surely, but I am trying my hardest to keep my eyes open and paying attention to the GCB season finale. I ought to just give in, it would make thursday come alot quicker and squishy lovely cuddles with three of my favourite nieces. My other two favourites I will have to squeeze doubly hard in December <3

hello world

It will never cease to amaze me, how little sleep Maia seems to be coping with. And, I will also never realise I need to keep my mouth shut and not jinx things. Like talking about how great things have gotten regarding sleep with Maia, less wake ups in the night, later waking in the morning...and BOOM! 3.30am. After only falling to sleep at 22.00. Battles of wills, frustration to max, and me walking out for 10mins and going for a drive to clear my head.

Anyways...far to busy living life to blog atm! The summer is here, we are out and lapping up the vitamin D, making up for months of darkness and cold. Its not just the good weather to blame, but we have had an awfully busy week too. Today, thankfully, is the last of it, and its time for Maia's first physio appointment. To say it is a relief that at the moment she is symptom free from JIA, is an understatement. Here's hoping the autumn & winter doesnt affect her too much, if at all...I can pray at least. I NEVER want to see my beautifully energetic and active daughter reduced to a quiet shell, so stiff and unwilling to move, and in pain.

This time next week this house will be 4 people richer - the long awaited arrival of dear sister in law and her brood of lovelies is only days away. Two long years and one new niece later ( a new one for each of us haha), it will guaranteed be a tear-fest when we see eachother again. I cant blimmin wait! I cant imagine what it would be like seeing EVERYONE again at christmas?!

The borrowing of little Alba went as well as could be, a few tears from all three, a lot of dummy swapping and many giggles, and cementing the fact that we do not want another child lol. Two keeps us busy enough, and I dont want to lose the novelty and the enjoyment when we have little borrowers here for the day. It is something I imagine I may struggle with if I had three of my own haha. Over exposure to something fun is never good ;) It is most certainly a day to repeated - Ruaridh & Astrid you have a fab daughter!

weekend round up

My oh my, what a busy weekend we have had! I think the only time we really spent at home was when we were asleep! Lovely =) I dont think I could have every weekend like the one we have just had, but every now and again is good for the soul methinks ;)

Saturday, we went to an adventure water park. And by WE, I mean the grown ups only. Maiabus & Lilypops had a fun day and night with Mormor and Grandad, whilst Mamma and Daddy relaxed, had ALOT of fun, ate and drank well. We've promised ourselves to try and make time for just us to do something more often, but then we have found ourselves promising this  alot of times and still not really getting on with actually doing something...shame on us.

Sunday, and we were invited for lunch at the Wattses. A lunch which went on to victoria sponge making and eating, then on to dinner and even supper. We actually stayed out past bedtime! Wowzers lol. But then again, when things are so easy with people and the day just floats on by with minimal effort and happy children, why stop??

With this new sense of freedom, came forgetfulness and the camera was left at home. Ho hum, worse things happen I guess. At least I managed to get a few snaps of playtime in the garden yesterday after we picked Maia up from nursery. Being so close to the water makes for some chilly winds unfortunately, but its still pleasant in the sun and when you are walking with a 17kg toddler and 10kg baby in a pram that weighs god knows what, its not that surprising that I started working up a sweat haha.

Today, the sun is shining bright, and Maia and Lily have a friend (very much Alba shaped) coming to play at 9am whilst mamma and daddy Watt are busy for the morning. I  never thought I'd find three easier than two, and at the risk of jinxing myself, our two and Alba get on really well. And I hope today is no exception!!

.......I shall let you know if I survive

friday inspiration

Today I feel invigorated, happy and inspired. Sometimes you cant see the forest for the trees, but now I am stood basking in the loveliness of a grand, luscious and green forest. Oh, and the little birds are chirping too.

This morning I have cuddled my girlies extra much, just because. It feels like such blessing that just Maia and Lily came to us. Plain old us. Me and Mark. Mark and I. The Mamma and the Daddy. Today the world feels so much bigger that what we are, but these three incredible people are MY world. And that is bigger than any physical ball in the vastness of space. Like the infinity of space, its hard to comprehend just how BIG feelings can be towards your family, unless you go there. Experience it, soak it up, let it churn you around and spit you out, and come out shining and understanding from it.

To me, being a mother is no more a job than being me is. It feels easy, comes natural and is the essence of who I am. That does not mean that I dont find it hard, have times when I curse myself rotten for doing things ''wrong'', struggle with tantrums, little sleep and puzzling work and family life together. I cry with frustration sometimes.

I wonder, how much easier being a parent is when money is not an issue. When you a free from the constraints and pressures of having a job and earning a wage. To spend time with your children wholly and completely, not being on autopilot and multitasking by planning and puzzling things in your head at the same time as pretending to be a dog crawling on the living room floor. Being able to live in the here and now. Drink up the wonderful experiences that children give you. Yes, tantrums included. To be free to go on bug hunts, get ridiculously muddy, wet and happy playing in the pouring rain.

 Remember how the summer holidays felt when you were a child? Endlessly fun, exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Imagine that being your reality.

Do what makes you happy. Be the change that you want to see around you.

source

Red day

Excuse the bad quality photos, but I am so freakin chuffed to have found an adapter memory card reader that I can slide my teeny tiny 1GB phone memory card into! Wooohooo! Luck be to me who is lacking in the technology department with regards to mobile phones. We really ought to get contract phones sorted...

Anyhoo, today is a red day. Jubilations all around for extra family time. The day has gone incredibly fast, but then time flies when you are having fun. And it tires you out. I am sat here now, all mushy headed and comfy, knowing that we have all had more than our fair share of socialising and fika:ing in a 24hour period. But what the heck, you only live once ;)

I am actually waiting for the washing machine to finish (which  I expect it already has) and once that load is hung and another put on, its off to bedski for me. Last night was a great night. Lily done 18.45-06.30. Just like old times, halleluuujah. Maia, made morning at 04.30. And, seeing as I got the THIRD lay in in a row, I really ought to try and stay ahead of the game. There be only plus points if I dont need to get up teehee =)

Oooooh and only 2 more sleep until saturday, when me and Mark get some much needed and longed for grown up time <3

Lily 8.5

This is what eating by yourself looks like hehe. Bless, I actually think she looks rather neat compared to a certain sister when she started trying to eat by herself ;)

Lily's 9months day is slowly creeping up - two weeks on friday! To say time has flown would be an understatement. More like it lit a rocket up its a$$ and went at the speed of light. Fast. There's still an awful lot of gummage going on, not even a hint of a toothypeg even though I have been convinced time and again that perhaps there was one lol. She'll be more like me and get her tooth at 11months or so, and then there will no doubt be an explosion of the buggers and we will have ten rounds of hell before they are all broken through.

Today, we have been walking. From the living room to the kitchen, kitchen to the girls bedrooms, then back to daddy at the sink in the kitchen. Hello bad back. The crawling thing I think is something that may be just left out. She spins around with squeals of delight in the same spot and pushes off backwards, but so far, actually moving her knees once she is up on them seems like far too much effort hehe. She has rather perfected the commando crawl though. Go Marine Go!

Happy monday

It may be windy and rainy, but today is a good day. I feel all cosy, happy and chilled out. I almost dont want to take Maia to nursery, just so I can cuddle both my babies all day long and play and draw and just be.

The Weekend went by far to quick, as it always seems to do. Saturday Mark went rafting for the first time this season, all the guides went out to scout the river. You swedes out there who fancy a bit of extreme sports, check out this. Or indeed any of you wonderful people, get booking those flights and come see us and throw in a bit of wilderness too ;)

Yesterday we went swimming for the first time with Lily. To say that she liked it is an understatement. Not a single peep out of that lady that wasnt giggles or squeals of excitement (she quite likes the slides and jacuzzi). Not even any protests getting dressed/undressed and normally that is something that can be heard up on top Mount Everest, I'm sure.

So here's to a new week, new beginnings and lots of fun! Happy Monday

how NOT to take a family photo..

Now that the weekend is here, you may be feeling the urge to get the camera out. Snap a few moments to treasure for ever of your darling little one doing something adorable, or try a hand at taking a family snap. Timers at the ready, balancing camera just so, and you are ready to go...

As you can see, I failed miserably last week. To say the least. Here are some Do's and Don'ts that may be useful in ensuring you dont do the same :

1. Use the sodding autofocus. As you can see, all shots are slightly out of focus haha. Muppet
2. Good light!  Bejeezas, how could I mess up the two most BASIC and IMPORTANT things?!
3. Make sure children aren't in charge of any remotes to set of the camera. Not a good look, Maia. Its ment to be DISCREET ;)
4. Dont try and do this half an hour before bedtime. Ridiculousness. Child strangling child and screaming makes for unattractive photographs.
5. If it absolutely must be done half hour before bedtime, then make sure Daddy understands how deadly serious you are. Face pulling a la Daddy Wilson = Big no no. Naughty.
   

And if at first you dont succeed (even after you hit 200+ photos)  try try and try again another day. Perhaps I will try again this weekend,  perhaps not. I'm still rather put off from last time lol

creativity

Our dear little apprentice Jenny is competing in a competition. So this is me chillin, playing superiour whilst Jenny gets creative on Matilda. How cool is my pose btw ;) ? Also, check out the super retro specs!

Well this friday seems to have sprung up rather sneakily, just like all the others... I cant quite fathom how quickly time goes, and to be perfectly frank, it is making me feel rather old. I mean, when I was younger, all I'd ever hear was the grown ups complaining on how quickly time goes... and now I am one of them what does the complaining. Lets go all Lion King and put a label on it - its The Circle of Life.

Today we are running errands with mother, in this beautifully miserable rain. Today is actually a good day would you believe, in spite of the rain. Lily has slept all night, brief waking but easily settled without bottle at 22.24, so it feels like we are gettin back on track. Dear Maia did wake from a nightmare, but with daddy cuddles she quickly dropped back off, and so did he. Waking up to a nice big bed to myself was rather nice haha =) I feel human again!

So who out of the brits (or should I say non swedes) will be adopting the traditional Fredagsmys?

The Results :

au naturel

Lots of  fun this morning, wake up dans la maison was AFTER 6am today! Hallelujah but maybe we are making a little progress. Or, I have just junixed us for the next 3months, who knows ;)

Exicting day at work today, a bit of in-house creating and photographing, hence the freshfaced uncoiffed moi   in  the pictures =)

Have a great wednesday (god I cant believe its here again?! ) and I'll catch u all laters <3

oops!

Uh oh...I'm in trouble. Here was me thinking Mark had fallen asleep in with Maia, so in I went to wake him up, and up pops her sweet little head, followed very quickly by out stretched arms and "maaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmaaaaaaa" and the fake tears....oh dear. Mark wont be pleased with me lol. Oh well, not much I can do about that one now


So, here's me, cuppa in hand, awaiting "Swedens Ugliest Home" ( a home make over show ) instead. This week its a mature couple who emigrated from Iran in the 80's and still live in a mash up mix of east meets west circa 1988. Interesting! Wonder how it would feel if Maia or Lily ever set us up for something like that, hang it all out there for the whole nation to see...If that isnt a perfect exucse to re decorate and buy new things for the house often, I dont know what is. What a dreadfully hard task at hand!

Tomorrow I am borrowing the super cute Alba for the day and I get a taste of what its like with three under three...wish me luck!

Happy monday

Some mornings are made to make you happy. Like today, and despite the fact that it is a monday. Its quite hard to be miserable when we actually had some snow on saturday and today we have this glorious sunshine and blue skies. And isnt the last picture above  a fantastic view to have from my bedroom?? hehe. 

Another action packed day it is then. Currently awaiting playdates to arrive in a few hours. Yesterday we had the JG's and SA's (shorthand hyphanated surnames lol) here for fika and it was a mad 2.5 hours with five kids running around, but all in all it went rather smooth. Practicing for when Kerry & the Girls arrive in 3.5 weeks! I cant blimmin wait <3

Having to jump in the shower with  Maia, who is just terrified of the thing, I ended up washing my hair last night and thought that I would try out sleeping in my rollers to save time this morning....and lo! It was not as uncomfortable an experience as I was expecting and I slept rather well in fact. That ever wonderful husband of mine even got up with the kidlets this morning and let me lie in until 7am. *HEAVEN*

Anyhoo, off I go to straighten things out after yesterdays escapades. Didnt do all that much after our guests left, it was a case of dinner shower and then bed for all but Daddy.

How are you spending your monday? Have you a busy week ahead?

sunday spruce-up

Good Sunday Morn' to you all! 

A somewhat sunny Sunday morning, and I am in housewife mode - I want to clean, preen, puff and fluff my way around the house today. I want it to sparkle & shine without being overbearingly neat (so not me). You could say I was in the mood for a spring clean, but having just moved here 3 weeks ago, the house isnt all that much in need haha. No, its more of a case of the houseproudiness of just having moved in has worn off, and the daily clutter of things have become the norm again.

Dear Husband is still asleep, and Lily is down for her nap. At 5am Maia tip toed into our room wanting help to get undressed so she could go potty, and after that there was no going back to bed. Lily Lightsleeper woke up ofcourse, but we've had lots of giggles on the floor practicing commando crawling and getting up on our knees. How my little Lilypops has grown <3

Yesterday I felt the urge to try and snap a nice new family portrait, what with planning on actually printing and putting some pics up lol. I had thought that it could be the Piece d'resistance on our wall, but instead it turned into a masterclass in what NOT to do....hmmm. Dont worry, I will be posting a guide to make sure you do not repeat the mistakes we made ;)

What are you all up to this sunday? Are you going outside for adventures, or staying in and being crafty? Perhaps just crashing on the sofa and chilling out?

friday fun

"Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin Adjan! Miiinnnn!"     Translate : My Adrian! Miiiiiiinnnneeee!

To say Maia likes playing with Adrian is an understatement. There is about 4weeks between them in age, and they are into the same sort of things. It is incredible how easy a time me and Linda get it with these two together - stick them in a room and they just get on with it. No fighting, pushing or whining. Until yesterday that is...

It was the classical scenario haha. Each child going in a different direction when trying to cross the road and get to the shop. Little ones in the prams screaming blue murder too, not wanting to just sit still (there is 3weeks diff in Lily and Elias). And all along the walk, trying to get them to hold hands or walk by eachother ended up being a shove here and an almost kick there as both were over tired and hadnt slept ( Maia was up at 4am remember lol and this in the afternoon) . Once in the shop, they were both super quick to gobble up some sweets from the open pick&mix display, and the already sour shop assistant was starting to develop a twitch with them ''running'' around. I must say tho, this shop was small, and it would be crowded with the cashier and ONE other person, let alone 2 adults, 2 toddlers and 2babies. Ha. Bet she was glad when we left ;)

Well back indoors, a film, Emil i Lönneberga, went on. Classic Astrid Lindgren - nothing can be better! Takes me back I tell thee, takes me back....sentimental cow haha. With two big kids chilling, two babies taking it easy, mamma's got some tea and pancakes and good old natter, and we left tired, happy and relaxed. Perfect!

Maia and I ended the day as it started , together. Some reading in bed and then snuggles in bed that made me  fall asleep, and Mark woke me at 20.30. Promptly walked from her bed into ours and then got up at 6am! Lily got up the once, Maia none. Feeling very refreshed today! Just a shame Marks been called out to work already for a leaky roof...at 6.15am poor sod!

4m, really?!

This is what 4am looks like. It would be almost pretty, if it weren't for the fact that I had a screaming toddler to attend to and try and make sure she doesnt wake the baby up. That I succeded in, atleast. Failed miserably at getting the toddler to sleep again. All because I gave her the ''wrong'' dummy. I swear, those things are sent from the devil himself and he is having a whale of time laughing at the choas it leaves us parents to deal with. Smug git. I think it is time for them all to just magically disappear. *P*O*O*F*

It shall be interesting to see how the rest of today goes...no doubt Maia will collapse around 14.00 and want to sleep for several hours and we will have another tantrum when we wake her up until she goes to bed. Which, because she is in said tantrum, mean routine will go to pot and perhaps we will have her settled by 9pm. If we are lucky. And that is not taking into consideration Lily being woken up.

She's another kettle of fish altogether. I realized last night I am very quick off the mark to run into her room to sooth her or give her a bottle when she wakes, as we are terrified she will wake Maia up who then wont sleep. Vicious circle, I believe it is called. 

How to break that circle without causing too much disruption to the rest of the household?

early summers eve

I can almost smell the musty, sweet & earthy aroma of freshly cut grass. I can imagine the taste the cold refreshing glass of rose, feel the warmth of the midnight sun, and the comforting embrace of a soft throw. I can see myself in leggins and an over sized jumper, curled up in a chair on the balcony, the birds and crickets humming in the background. 

To say that I want summer now, would be an understatement. It feels tantalizingly close, seeing as we are in May and all, but the mercury doesnt fare much above the 10C mark, and even if it may come close, there's a most bitter wind blowing. brrrrrr! What a weather forsaken place to be right now lol.


The Swedish summer is something to experience. As with all seasons in Sweden, making the most of the time of the year is always top priority. Did you know, that in Sweden there's this thing called "Allemansrätt" which is basically a right to roam. You can pitch up a tent anywhere you so desire, pick the berries and mushrooms that grow, as long as you respect the nature, animals and other possible people in your vicinity. So what are you waiting for? Get a camper van, fill it with family and/or friends, and head on over this way. You will not be disappointed.


Now 'tis the time for a cuppa and curling up on the sofa with the husband. Friday has come round super quick, and for once we start the weekend without any plans...it feels rather strange but good =)

busy morning & definition of stupid

This is what the definition of stupid looks like this sunny Thursday. I have double booked myself quite spectacularly.


1. Maia needs to be at nursery 8.45am - usually takes about ten mins leaving Maia as I stay nattering to the staff as they are so lovely.
2. Next, MOT in Umeå, about 20mins drive away at 9.20am. First I need to find Matilda's place in Teg, somehere I  NEVER drive, but having the head that I have for directions I am 90%sure I can atleast get to her street haha.
3. Opticians at 9.30am for learning how to put in contacts that I am trying out for a few weeks.

Bit of a conondrum, eh. Well, that is where Matilda comes in, bless her cottons. We are picking her up, Lily & I, then they are dropping me off at Specsavers a bit early and then going to the MOT for me. All in all, a VERY busy morning until 10 am and then we are freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to enjoy the lovely sunshine and I'm hoping for a few extra degrees on yesterday so I can maybe sun this sickly pallour into a more normal complexion.

Right so thats my tea break over, cant believe I've had to schedule one of those in this morning lol - Cheerio!

Love how easy hair is to put up the day after curling it - saves time and look great ;)

hi ho hi ho its off to work I go

Mamma is enjoying a bit of extra Lily time this morning as I am not starting work til noon. Yay for a chilled out morning and lazy getting ready, boo for very long evening work. Well I say boo, its only boo if I miss Grey's tonight, now that we have finally gotten the tv sorted after TWO weeks. We have also sorted out and ordered the internet, so once we get the xtreamer/etrayz boxes plugged in to an actual box thing what the internet comes through ( cant remember the word in swedish or english) I can show you the Before renovation pics and it will give me a chance to tidy up to show some smart After ones haha. Lived in look is great and the standard here, I cant live in a so called show home. But it would be nice to have some pics showcasing our apartment in all its lovely glory.

Anyways, husband back from shop, me ready to head out the door. One of the biggest perks of being a hairdresser is that you can go to work and do your hair, or even have others do it for you. Saves time and effort in the morning and leaves me less likely looking like a worn out mama who's tried to hard on the run to nursery and now more resembles a disheveled drinker from Union Street on a saturday night, than the yummy glamorous working mamma that was intended. I am not claiming to be either by the way haha, just paiting a picture of words ;) Right then, off I go! Toodlepip and happy hump day, all smooth riding from today to the weekend, woop woop!

During the renovations

lazy breaskfast

Well, well, well, haven't we been enjoying a bit of reverting back to the teens this weekend! Oh bum, its not the weekend is it, its blinkin Tuesday ha ha. Well anyhoo friends, today in Sweden, its a bank holiday, hence my confusion as it feels rather weekendy here ;)

So what, you ask, have we been up to? A sleep over! Gosh I really cant remember the last time I had a friend stay over?? Yes, LOUISE, this is a dig at you! Fancy being in Germany with yer hot sunny weather than here in the ever cold north lol. But yes, a sleep over, with the ever fantastic and wonderful Wattses. Not only did we get a bit of grown up time and some alcohol down us (I had one glass before anyone jumps on ''everyone'' drinking, twas white wine spritzer at that), but M&L slept the best they have had in months. I begged Astrid to stay another night ha ha, but they do have a life too, and I ought not to drag others onto this sinking ship ;)


It really is incredible what a lazy breakfast and a morning trip to the park can do to uplift the day. Having gotten some much needed GO I have been playing the dutiful housewife and sorting washing, got rubbish odd bits out of Lily's room and read LOTS of bedtime stories. A whole hours worth. Inbetween washing, tidying and potty training (no accidents for almost a week now!) we also had 2/3 JG's come over for fika. Poor mamma Milla's got her nose to the grindstone finishing her phD, and was caught at the desk today. Next time me lovely! It will be nice to see you =)

Oh, and much to my delight, I have found a folder I had saved with some renovation pics, probs in anticipation of issues with the xtreamer, so I will be gettin stuck into that post shortly. Tomorrow its off to work, and I cannot wait. But first, lots of lovely zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Lily at breakfast

Maia wanted to help with the washing, but realised it wasn't so much fun after all....