London baby...

We went up to London today for the first time with Axel, it was sooo nice! I can still really miss it, the buzz and the special feeling in the air, walking by the Thames and just enjoy the nice weather and just be. We met up with Helena & Sanj by Tate and went to grab a bite to eat, was really nice to see them and catch up, Joe came a but later as well which was nice : )

By the Thames (I'm on the phone- hence the weird arm-ear attachment)

Sand art + the usual photo of the two of us way too up-close!

Joe and Axel playing with monkey

Tired mum on the train home



Playing with J when we got home (then Axmax has some

food and fell asleep straight afterwards - a long

day for small (and big) people : )

Thursday fun

Had a great day with Jo and Iz, so happy that we both got little bubbas at the same time (well almost). Jo brought some nice homemade cakes and then we went for a lovely walk in the sunshine, I can really smell the spring in the air!

Nursery verdict, IKEA, Dentist and other things..

So, what's been happened since Friday...

On Friday we went to have a look at the nursery in the neighbourhood, it was shite... just like our neighbourhood. We have to move before I go bonkers walking past all "street drinkers" (they like to call themselves that apparently) - that's drunks to others by the way- every day..
But it was good to see it so we can rule it out and move on in life : )

Even though J was (a bit) ill we went to IKEA on Saturday with his mum and her partner, we had to buy some stuff for Axel (hello Mr Credit card!), we where really good and only bought what we needed and was on the list - it's a first - not even the compulsory tea lights or napkins went to Brighton! So anyway, picture me all flustered using a piece of paper as a fan next to a really pasty J in his winter jacket all zipped up walking hand in hand. Oh and yes, Axel didn't really like the buggy we borrowed so he got a bit pissed off after a while, ha ha priceless!!! By the end of the trip he was screaming of tiredness so I had to run in to the Swedish food shop and throw some random stuff in my basket while an ill J was standing with a screaming Axel... It was really nice to finally be home and it will probably be a while until we try the IKEA excursion again. BUT it was nice to see J's mum and she was real happy to see Axel so that was nice.

We just chilled on Sunday, I got a nice sleep-in which was lovely then breakfast in bed. It was raining cats and dogs (like they say here in England) but me and Axmax managed to walk under a big umbrella to meet Kirsty at Starbucks, never better to sit and drink hot chocolate and catch up than when it's raining outside.

I finally went to the dentist yesterday where I got my fears confirmed, I got a hole that needs fixing for the bargain price of £90 aarrrgggghhhhh.

- And today Ruth and I walked for about 3 hours in the sunshine, it's days like these I enjoy living by the sea.



Axel trying out his new highchair and tasting some porridge

Deja vu...

I was watching one of my favourite channels - Home and Health (virgin digital box 275) whilst eating breakfast. They have all these baby programs and today when I tuned in I saw a c-section being carried out and I started to cry, flipping heck - I went through that only 4 1/2 month ago - this amazing experience (well maybe not the actual c-section but the birth of my baby). I think I have pushed it away a bit as it was a bit weird to be operated on just like that (not planned, but no emergency section either). Me and J was talking about it the other day, that the surgeon held him up so we could see him, and that Axmax was crying and looking enormous. J can't even remember this part of the operation, but I remember as I had my eyes closed and they told me to open them. Then they wrapped him up and put him by my chest close to my face and he was still crying bless him.... So wonderful and big, I must admit I'm a bit jealous of all the lovely ladies who's walking around with their bumps in the air just waiting for their big day!

Most beautiful boy in the world!

Had a great afternoon today walking in the sun with B and Bo, after being in most of the week we really needed it : ) At least I haven't spent much money this week so that's a plus as I'm pretty skint at the mo.. well don't really know anyone who's bathing in pennies end of Jan, but only a week left until we get paid.. wooohooo!

I took this photo with my mobile phone today, the most beautiful boy in the world (well J is pretty nice as well : )





oohhh.... and I made some muffins last night to cheer us up, wanted to make some cupcakes but I couldn't be asked to look up the receipt so I made muffins instead with some shite icing on top, I didn't softened the butter enough so I managed to break our mixer so there was some nice special surprise plastic bits in it and after swallowing a piece in the beginning my muffin orgy went downhill ha ha... We had two each tonight without the crazy icing. And yes.. I do know they look a bit funny, but as my mixer broke we just had to make do with icing blobs and not actual smooth icing like you see in magazines : )



We are going to look at a nursery tomorrow for Sept, gonna be interesting to see an English nursery, probably quite different from our Swedish ones!

Important day

We woke up this morning feeling a lot better, J went to work and me and Axmax prepared to go out, the whole family (i.e the 3 of us) had a important meeting today at 11 with the registrar office - we have now given notice of marriage and have a year from today to get hitched! The big day is on the 17 July and I'm soooo excited : )

The registrar asked us some questions about each other and we signed that we're not related in any way, got some paperwork and some inspirational brochures. We are planning parties, rings and invitations at the mo. Watch this space!

Theory testing

What a Monday, we have just chilled out the whole day, Axel has done a bit of catching up on his beauty sleep and I have done some form-filling and some putting into folder sorting. Not the best weather to go out it - yes Duncan- I said crap weather.. did you see the hail?? : ) so we have stayed in, out flat is really nice today, warm and cosy. I have also been able to do the dishes, a load of washing and catch up on my book and this is where I got thinking.

I got a theory I would like to test on you my friends - before I was pregnant and had Axel I read quite a bit, the majority of books where of the more serious - none trashy - kind with a few criminal books thrown in and an odd Harry Potter once a year. When I got pregnant with Axel my dad and his wife gave me a couple of books when they where here visiting, I started reading the first book - called "Skam" (I think) in Swedish (translated to Shame in English). It was all good in the beginning, but then it just went bonkers and all psychological and freaky and scary. I felt so bad about this book, had nightmares and was almost in a bit of shock. I happened to mention this AWFUL book to my sister A and asked her if she thought that dad + wife was out to hurt me in any way ha ha. My sister was of course concerned and asked a bit quietly what awful book I had been reading, when I told her what book it was she laugh and said that it was one of her favourite books and told me that the whole serie are really popular in Sweden. She also - of course- declared ME bonkers : ) BUT I was preggy and never before have I cried sooo much over the orphan adverts that are on the telly sometimes. Now to the real theory - after the "I'm so sensitive" blow for 9 months, I think my brain has gone back to the teenage years again! Never before have a real good shallow book been so good, I can not stand any stories that are more difficult than a chick flick book, and criminal books do not interest me at all.. There are only two books on my birthday list for J - two awfully shallow books about romance and fancy flats "for one" in London (like anyone that work in a crappy bookshop can afford a flat in west London my arse!!!). My friend B got a Heat mag subscription from us last week, I know she is ashamed - but I say - don't be, blame it on the baby...

Mrs Shallowness obviously have a dear friend - Miss Tiredness! Gonna go to bed before 9 tonight ; )

Tired mum on a monday morning..

Axel was up from 3.30 to 5 this morning (night), I soooo tired now it's unbelievable, and I have some phone calls to make this morning to CSN (Swedish student loan company) and to our landlord as the external wall in our bathroom is falling to pieces and need some TLC. Not gonna do anything special today, might go for a walk, think we both need to get some fresh air! I have put Axel down for his 9am nap, but he wont have any of it, hope he falls asleep soon, must be super tired after last night as well.

Cold and baby rice...

Axel is a bit snuffly today, I was up about once a hour last night comforting him bless him, so hard to breath properly through a stuffy nose. I like Axel to get some fresh air everyday so even if we're both tired me and Axmax went for a walk to Boots to buy some Olbas vaporiser (for babies) and some nappies, I had some coupons that I got in the post from pampers, plus I had some coupons from Boots as I have a store card, so all in all - I saved £8!! I love when you get a bargain, so satisfying : )

We had planned to give him a bit of baby rice today, he was in an ok mood so we tried with some baby rice with banana flavour, he really seemed to like it, so gonna give him some tomorrow again, so exciting : ) The photos are from before we open the jar, it got a bit messy after that ha ha..

A tired mum

Last night I went out to the pub for the first time since I had Axel, met two friends in the centre of town and when I walked there (without my every prop - the pram) I realised that people can not see on me that I just had a baby and not in a weight kind of way, but just in general, I don't have a sign on me saying "mother" and I'm wearing the same clothes I had before I was pregnant. It felt so odd, my life has changed so dramatically but to others I'm just like before. And if I would have met someone that I hadn't seen for a year or so they wouldn't even know we had a baby, and still he is my everything at the mo, him and J. I didn't really wanted to go but J pushed me gentle out of the house with encouragements and reassurance that they would be just fine (Axel was already asleep when I left so he totally missed the whole event). I had a really nice time with the girlies really trying not to talk about Axel as that is pretty boring for others to listen to. I think it went quite ok, but I was thinking about him all the time and left just after 10 to go home, I was sooo tired by then and a bit drunk.. I must be the cheapest date ever - only had 1 1/2 pint of beer and felt really giggly. I have now pumped and dumped twice even tho I'm pretty sure it would be ok to feed him now I don't want him to have to taste Italian beer in his morning feed. I had a slight headache this morning but I got a sleep-in to 9 which was nice and after some water, tea and a headache pill I feel much better. J is doing the big weekly shop at the mo, the weather is lovely and I crave some fresh air so gonna quickly get ready so we can go out. Love the weekends when I can be close to both of my boys!

Axel rolled over today!

Axel loves to sit and stand up (with our help of course, he is not that advanced ha ha) but we try to get him to do some tummy time as well to encourage him to start crawling. And today when we he was on his tummy, he decided to roll over to his back, and he did !!!! I'm so proud, can't believe his can roll, my beautiful clever boy : )

I must also say how good this blog is for me, I don't think I would have written this information down if I wouldn't have had this blog. And I must admit that I have already forgotten when he smiled for the first time, but I think he was around 5-6 weeks.. So blog = positive : )

We are off to celebrate Birte today which will be fun and we are practising sleeping "inside daytime", it's a bit rainy today so it's a good time to practice, he was a bit upset to start with but think he has fallen asleep now (again as he only slept for 30 min to start with). I want him to sleep for another 30 min ideally, but a small step forward is better than nothing! I bought some new clothes online from Dorothy Perkins that I'm wearing today so feel quite nice, just need to get rid of my preggy tummy!


Yesterday evening - playing with daddy.



Just after he rolled over this morning!

Out and about..

We had a great day out and about today, the sun was shining and not too cold. We strolled around in Brighton and then met up with Birte, Thomas and Bo for some lunch at Wagamama as they where out walking as well. I love that restaurant and was really impressed with their service, we got a great table so both prams could fit and good changing facilities.

Great night and Good morning!

Had a great evening, Axel is getting into his usual routine and last night he fell asleep at 19.30 (nice nice), I woke him up at 22.30 to "dream feed" him and then believe it or not... he slept to 7.15 this morning (this has only happened a couple of times since he was born so we get super excited every time it happens - he usually wakes up around 4 for a quick feed which is great as well!). After some morning milk J took him and I slept to 9 when J came in with a tired Axel, he really is resisting to sleep at the mo even if he's tired, this week I have had to "swing" him to sleep before his daytime naps. I don't as I love to see when his lovely eyes closes and the cute snoring starts : ) They are both sleeping now and I've just had some breakfast all by myself, a great start of the day!

Pictures taken yesterday before bedtime, he loves to stand up and do NOT want to lie on his back anymore even tho I try and try, the baby bouncer is still ok which is good as I'm a bit worried for his back with all this standing and sitting! We try to have some tummy time every day as well, he is ok for 5 min then he starts screaming, not his cup of tea, but he is really good at it even with his big head ha ha. He also loves the TV (as you can see on the first photo) and J keeps asking when we should get him a computer, he is hoping he will be a nerd just like his dad lol.

Playing with his toys before PJ and bed time, he really likes his new Panda he got from auntie A this Christmas : )

We are gonna fix some stuff in the flat today and then go out for some fresh air - bring on Sunday.

Have a great Saturday night!

Friday feeling

I have been feeling a bit low and confused this week (typical January feeling), getting stressed with the smallest things and super sensitive, things are nagging me. It had gone to the point that I had no nails left, the anxiety had to stop, I really like my nails the way they are thank you! So last night J and I sat down and decided on lots of things about the future (work wise- gonna get a job in the autumn and then see if I apply to start the midwife course autumn 2010, or just have more babies instead and do the midwifery after that ha ha ).
But even more exciting, our wedding arrangements!!!! WE are really happy now and think (well, what ever) that everyone involved will be pleased! I'm sooo happy that I have the best, most stable and sensible boyfriend in the whole world : ) And it all clicked when my sister suggested something that was right in front of our noses but too close for us to see, thank you M! It feels like a stone has been lifted and I can breath again, all in all a lovely Friday feeling. Axel is much happier today (even after his last jabs) and I met the girlies for lunch which was really nice. J should be home in a couple of hours and then it's the weekend!

Hven 2004, Paradise!

Axel 17 weeks today!

The week has flown by, tomorrow is Friday and then the weekend! We have a long list of things that we should do, hopefully we will have time to do some of it and still be able to chill out and just be, just the three of us. Axel is having his last jabs for a while tomorrow afternoon, feels good that it's the last one as he gets a bit teary afterwards for a couple of days but hopefully he will be able to recover quickly with some TLC from me and J : )

We had a great day yesterday with Jo and Isabelle in Lewes, went for a walk and then to Cafe Nero for some late lunch. Isabelle is so little and cute (only 7 weeks), you realise how much they grow and develop, 10 weeks makes a big different!

I'm still thinking about applying to the midwife degree, I'm not hundred percent sure, the course is in Eastbourne (about an hours drive in rush traffic from Brighton). Gonna be tricky when Axel is so little as we don't want him to be at nursery for long days. The last day to apply is on Thursday next week so not really much time thinking about it, and feeling really stressed at the mo with everything, so maybe I should just relax and try to enjoy today and tomorrow instead of worrying about this autumn (you are so right Jessica!).

Anyway, Axel is sound asleep here next to me and when he wakes up we are heading into town to see if I can find some jeans for myself as I only have one pair which is not a good idea when I always have a puky baby on my hip : )

Axel woke up on the wrong side of the bed today..

well actually all week really!! I think he is upset from all the travelling poor thing and he is getting his first teeth as well which doesn't make it any better (so early, but it's really hard and you can almost see them!!) I bought some teething gel which I think helped a bit, he is sound asleep now bless him.

I have been thinking about my future, feels a bit bad that I don't have a job to go back to and I'm not sure what I want to do.. except studying to become a midwife. I have always wanted to become one and I'm super jealous of my friend Rachael who is studying to become one at the mo.. I want to do that as well. The course is 3 years long here in England, but you do not have to be a nurse like in Sweden. And the NHS pay you for the degree and give you about £600 a month so I don't have to take any more student loans which feels good. The question is - can we live poorly for another 3 years??? Arrhhh, it's really hard!

I find it really hard to find time to blog at the mo with Axel being so demanding (rightly so, I'm on MATERNITY leave and not blog leave, but still.. he is glued on my hip at the mo which leaves little room for anything else!) Hopefully he will feel better soon and be able to entertain himself for short periods... one day : )

2009 is going to be great!!!

New year 2008-2009

trying out the new door bouncer

Axel thought it was quite fun for about 5 min then he got really angry bless him and now he is sound asleep on his side in his cot (with me checking on him every 10 min). He hates lying on his back now days so I use pillows and rolled-up blankets to prop him up on his side, he really like it and falls asleep in 30 sec when I do that. He's been really grumpy today, don't think he likes to travel!



We went out and about today, and manage to meet A & D who was also just strolling in the sun, so we walked into town together and went to the Swedish cafe and had waffles and tea, so nice to catch up with them and see Syd, pretty little boy : ) Then on our way back we bumped into Charlie and then Val and Chris in Sainsburys, talk about a small world (and no, we don't live in a little village). Look forward to catch up with the rest this week and so nice to be home and sleep in our own beds and unpack and stop living out of a suitcase!!

Name party picture

A great day with my family celibrating that Axel is here with us and that we have chosen to call him Axel Leif (after my dad).

We are back : )

Crazy!!!