Life

Ok so, we are still recovering, or at least I am, from the Yosemite trip. While we didn't take Elsa and she got spoiled at Grandma's, it was still a lot of planning and lifting and loading and unloading and setting up and it really wiped my pregnant body out! It was nice for Jonas and I to get away even though we just got back from Hawaii, there is something about wilderness and camping that really helps him relax.

So let's see what else is going on, .....? We are totally lost when it comes to a second girl name. I just can't understand why it's so hard for us this time around. Boy names no problem, but man, we have gone through a whole list, Tova, Alva, Wilma(<--Jonas likes I don't), Emma (Jonas likes, I say too similar to Elsa and way to common in the US), Stina (then people say oh like Christina, and I'm like NO nothing like that, just Stina ughh), and then we like Stella. I liked Stella for Elsa but Elsa was our one girl name we were definite about which is why we have our Elsa. Then some old Danish lady on our Yosemite trip said Stella was white trash, hahahaha, even if it was, we are so far from White Trash I don't think I'm going to let that comment bother me. So I think Stella is on the short list, and maybe Freya and Greta? So anyhow, I think we will have to wait and take a look at this girl and decide in the hospital.

I met with my friend from High School today and we got a coffee and went to story time at the local kid book store with our daughters. We are both due the same day, but she is having a boy. It was funny to talk to her, she's scared to have a little boy, commenting that little White boys are the minority around here, and tend to have more social problems, which since she was a Jr High teacher in Palo Alto, you gotta believe her.This led to our conversation about private school all the way, the bad apples in public school can't really get kicked out, they can at private school, thus you are ensured that your kid is surrounded by a better group of kids. Of course there is the whole money thing, but as my friend stated and it was a good point, kids can always get grants for college, so we are saving for Jr High and Highschool, not college! But saving is so difficult here, it just is.

Anyhow, I am so happy to have another girl. I'm not sure we would have a 3rd though. If we were to have a 3rd it would be because we didn't feel that our family was complete. My OB told me that the midwives have a 80:20 rule that goes like this "if your first 2 kids are the same gender, that there is an 80% chance that the 3rd kid will be the same."  So Jonas and I would be sold that we would have a 3rd girl and that is ok. But again,  I am tired, this pregnancy is not exciting, I just want it to be over. We both, my girlfriend and I,  were saying how the novelty of pregnancy is just gone after the first time, the aches and pains, running to the bathroom, being so tired, the clothes and the limitation on foods and drink choices haha!  Also in our case we have to consider the fact that our family is international, we go to Europe if not every year, every other year and it is expensive to buy the tickets, difficult to manage unpredictable toddlers on a plane, along with all the other things. So I don't know if we will have a 3rd. I guess only time will tell.

We have one more trip we are running with the Scandinavian Club in mid July which is a mellow weekend of canoeing and camping up in the Russian River area. I am looking forward to it, it will be fun, but after that it's time to prep for baby. Then I get to dedicate all my free time to the fundraisers in December for the other non profit I volunteer for. I'm crazy!

Yosemite

So as most of you know I still volunteer for the Scandinavian Club, and of course it's not just for little things, it's the big stuff, like the 3 day trip to Yosemite that we just got home from. I'm tired, but it was worth it. So many nice families went, and they really appreciate the work and effort Jonas and I put into this trip. Elsa just woke up from her nap so this update is cut short...sorry.

Where to start?

Rewind.... Maui, Hawaii, a place I've gone and now gone 3 times with Jonas and never had a bad time. It's impossible. People are so friendly, weather is always perfect, and it's Hawaii! I think we decided we have to go every year, for our sanity. It's the only place we can go and really relax. We love you Sweden, but it's hard traveling with a baby on that long flight with the huge time change, very different foods, and face it, staying with family is not a vacation. It's probably more stressful. I know I can't stay with my family in one house for more that about 2 nights before I feel like I'm 10 years old and have to get outta there! So one day hopefully next Spring we will go again and take our girls.

First Monday home I took Coco to get spayed, finally, no more messes! But man this dog is driving me nuts. She is amazing with Elsa and our neighbors kid, but whenever I leave her gated in the kitchen when I have to leave, she gets anything she can off our counters and eats it! Today a box of crayons( can't wait to see how that comes back. Out!) Monday it was an entire box of oatmeal packets, paper, food whatever she can find!

Otherwise all is well. My aunt and uncle from Denmark are visiting so we have a full weekend, Of hosting the family, going to my brothers and then they are taking us all out to dinner. Phew! My aunt and Mom stopped by today, my aunt keeps saying you aren't pregnant! Yes, 6 months now starting on my 7th, wow but you're so slim! Awesome neighbor friend said the same thing to me yesterday, you look so in shape! Today at music class, I love your hair, you look great! I'm sitting here thinking what in the heck is going on!? Well I have been lightening my hair with good ole faithful, Sun-In! I always think I look better with really blonde hair and and a tan, which I have from Maui. BUT, only gained 9lbs, and I really haven't popped yet, I'm tall, I can conceal this mid section pretty well still. Like I told this random couple we befriended at the pool in Hawaii, I'm in the " is she fat or pregnant" phase :) I'm also not lounging around, I'm picking up a 25lb toddler, running errands, going to meeting, and just very busy and I walk the dog almost every single night. So I'm not sedentary in anyway, but whatever, it's nice to hear these things when you know the scale is only going to continue to go up. I'm quitting my cheap gym and going to join the Y because they have child care and a pool!

Elsa is a water girl! She loves to be hosed down out in the yard, play in the kiddie pool, and the sink! She is also talking more and more, papa, Mama, Coco, gamma, boo boo for boobie, beebee for belly and well wee wee is self explanatory. Gah for go and shoe is the newest along with wow! She also enjoys taking her wipes and trying to help mommy clean her wee wee, the cabinet, her arm...whatever she can.

Next week we are going to Yosemite with the Scandinavian club. Jonas and I are in charge so I've been busy getting supplies together. Before we know it, it will be June! Baby girl is kicking up a storm, all the time! Do we have another little firecracker on our hands? I wouldn't be surprised! So here are a bunch of photos, last one is a recent conversation via text with Jonas, ;)

Out in Front of our hotel one evening.

Elsa playing in my friends yard with a water sprinkler

mmmmm ice cream sandwich

best friends

water baby!

Calvin and Elsa

our view every afternoon at the pool in Maui

I want to go back now!

So tired

I know I need to update the blog but I am so tired tonight. We had a fabulous and relaxing time in Maui, but as soon as we got back it was back to the routine. Jonas was in Seattle Monday for a bid meeting for his job and he is currently in Las Vegas for work, so I'm flying solo. Also my Aunt and Uncle from DK flew in today so I was down at my parents house saying hello. Then I also had a meeting today at our venue for the fundraiser for PCA and on top of it all I am still working on and getting ready for the YSC Yosemite trip which is 2 short weeks away! ooof...so I'm sorry I will hopefully get a break this weekend to do a full pictures included update!

I did have a doctors appt Tuesday, all is well, haven't been gaining hardly any weight, which I hope to continue as the baby really starts to grow now. Also I told my Dr that I was hoping for either Aug 19th or 20th for c section. This way the baby stays in the most time possible. And we thought we had decided on a name but not so sure anymore, liking something else.