Arent aunt snuggles the best?

This little cutie is my soon to be 6 months old nephew Owen. He is so stinking snuggly!

We made it!

12 hr train ride solo w both littles and we are here for our week in Iowa! Hope you all had as wonderful Christmas as we did!

Lucia

I wrote this last Thursday, was going to finish and post on Friday. But then it seemed so trivial. Still kind of does, but here it is anyway. 


Some of my favorite memories growing up in Sweden was celebrating Lucia day. It's a BIG deal over there, and I'm not even sure why since Saint Lucia was Italian? Regardless, it's a big deal. Everywhere on December 13th it is celebrated with a Lucia train, lusse bullar (safran buns) girls in white dresses and candles in their hair. Daycares, schools, offices, churches, they all have the Lucia train. 

Girls dress in long white gowns, boys either in long white gowns with a star hat, or as santa's or little gingerbread men. 

This year we got to be a part of TWO Lucia celebrations thanks to the Swedish Christmas market and Jasper Swedish class. 

On top of the Lucia train there's also singing, dancing around the christmas tree (so much fun!) and of course a swedish 'julbord' Christmas table- filled with amazing things to eat. Swedish meatballs, ham, different potato dishes, like 20 different kinds of cheese and bread, heaven I tell ya. 

I was going through an old photo album and found this gem

That's me in a Lucia train in elementary school in Sweden. The boy to my right is Robin, my good friend in Sweden's,( Sofie) twin brother!

And here we are all grown up at his sister's wedding last summer in Sweden

This morning, to celebrate Lucia day we ate saffron rolls by candlelight. Not quite the same as doing it in Sweden since in Sweden it would still be black and night outside till 8:30-9 AM and if we wanted to do it in the dark here we would have had to be eating by 6:15. Not gonna happen, no matter how cozy it is.

I'm just so incredibly sad and really at a loss for words about the elementary shooting in Connecticut. When I first read online at Tindra's doctor appointment (poor girl has a double ear infection) about there being a school shooting I assumed high school. And I felt immediate sadness. Not shock, but sadness.

Then I continued reading in the parking lot of Walgreens waiting for T's meds and read that it was an elementary school. And that 20 young kids were brutally murdered. And the sadness turned into shock, anger, fear, panic, and major anxiety. I have felt a heavy sense of sadness and anxiety since hearing this horrible news. Loosing my faith in humanity. 

I hugged Tindra close and watched the clock and news all afternoon. I called Drew even knowing he was in meetings all day. I called my mom and we cried together on the phone. I wanted so badly to go get my own kindergartner out of school. I just wanted to hug him.

I ended up leaving 20 minutes early to pick him up. The anxiety just got too much and I couldn't sit at home any longer. I needed to see my boy. I hugged him so tight and for so long. And he let me. I think he sense that I Needed this.

Last night as we were praying for the children and their families he said "And God, please give them a big hug when they get to you." And I lost it. Full on ugly crying for the 3rd time yesterday.

Today as the news showed a list of the names of everyone lost, I read the names out loud, tears streaming. I needed to say the names out loud for their mamma's. I just can't imagine the horrors they are facing, wishing they could wake up from their worst nightmare. 

Today as I am feeling like our world is turning to absolute shit and that everyone is evil ( I know everyone Isn't but when sometimes like this happens, it feels like there is more evil than good) and I read about THIS. A Blog post where people are sharing their stories and needs, and so many others offering to help any way they can. It's restoring my faith in humanity seeing strangers give so freely to others, no questions asked, not expecting or wanting anything in return. 

If you have a real need this holiday for some help, go here and share your story. Or if you are able to help someone out. I'm helping a couple different families, and it thrills me to be able to do so. Or even if you just need to read about kindness of strangers, go HERE. 

DIY Baby food

When I started thinking about giving Jasper baby food (FIVE YEARS AGO- WHAT?) I knew I wanted to make my own, but thought it would be difficult. Wrong. It's not. Sure it's a little time consuming and kinda messy, but difficult it is not. 

I wanted to make his food because I wanted to save money and know Exactly what was going into my baby's body. When I started researching it I found even more reasons for making baby his baby food. Like for instance, apparently jarred baby is boiled at a really high temperature to kill bacteria for longer storage, but in the process of killing the bacteria it takes out many of the nutrients, vitamins and taste. So, less tasty, less healthy baby food for a higher price? No thanks. 

So once I decided to make baby food, the HOW came up. I borrowed a book from my SIL who was a nanny at the time, but of course can't remember the book now since it was 5 years ago, but I think it was purple if that helps at all? 

When I took the pictures for this post I went to sprouts and bought all organic fruits and veggies to puree. I think I spent $35 total and the food lasted about 2.5 months. Pretty good deal I'd say! I made butternut squash, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots and apples. 

 For the squash I just cut in half, scoop out the seeds and bake upside down in water for about an hour. Then scoop out all the inside, put it in the blender, add a tiny bit of water depending on what consistency you want and that's it! After it's pureed I freeze in ice cub trays. Once it's frozen, about 12 hrs later, I plop the ice cubes out and throw them in freezer zip lock baggies. 

 For sweet potatoes just wrap in foil, bake until soft, unwrap and throw in blender. Some people probably scoop them out, but a lot of the nutrients are in the skin so I do it all. 

For Peas just throw in boiling water for a few minutes then blend.

Apples and pears I boil till soft then throw in blender.

See so easy? 

I made another batch of baby food yesterday morning and this time added some spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, basil and garlic to various veggies and fruit. Who wants to eat bland food all the time? Not my babies!

If you have any questions feel free to ask below- I can't stress just how EASY this is!!

This weekend was CRAZY busy! But most of the time I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thursday night I met up with a bunch of the moms in Jasper's kindergarten class for dinner and apps at a fancy bar/restaurant in Cherry Creek. 2 things about that, 1) I need to remember that I'm a light weight now and these drinks were STRONG, 2) I got carded. Which was Super embarrassing. FIne if you are out with people your own age, but when you are out with a bunch of PTA moms most probably in their late 30's early 40's, you do Not want to get carded. Oh and 3) sweet potato chips with white cheddar sour cream and chive dip are to die for. Seriously.

Friday I was a chaperone for Jasper's field trip to Disney on Ice- they ended up having so many chaperones that we all just took our own kids and met his class at the pepsi center. How crazy is that? 21 kids in the class and I believe 15-16 chaperones? I was nervous how Tindra would do since she doesn't like to be just sit and be held for very long. She wants to roll around and explore, but thankfully it all went great and we all had so much fun! We went two years ago to Disney on Ice also, I think Jasper had a much better time this year. Maybe because he's older? 

Friday evening we went to Bass Pro to see the santa. I had heard it was good, but I was shocked how much there was to do there! Which is a good thing because we got there at 5:45 and were given an 8 time slot so we had some time to kill! They had toys, a carousel, crafts and a huge aquarium to entertain the kiddos. The time slot thing actually worked out good because we were then only in line for maybe 10 minutes. 

Saturday we had some errands to run in the morning than we had a few Swedish friends over to make some pepparkakor and choklad bollar- gingerbread snaps and chocolate balls. The kids ended up getting bored after 20 minutes of baking and all ran outside to play in the 20 degree weather. Swedes do love the cold! The kids were having so much fun playing that the baking party lasted till after bed time. Jasper was so exhausted after his friends left he went straight to bed. About 30 min after he was asleep I remembered he hadn't eaten any dinner- just cookies and chocolate balls. Whoops. Mother of the year!

Sunday was our busiest day with Jasper's soccer game and his Swedish class celebration (more on that later) and yesterday both kids had a little runny nose and cough. FUn huh? 

How was all your weekends? 

Anyone done Christmas shopping? 

Can I get a do over?

This morning was horrible. 

We over slept.

Then Jasper tripped and fell on the brand new open washing machine which I'm Pretty sure is now broken. But at least he's fine.

Tindra bit me while nursing again. HARD.

Then we couldn't find Jasper's homework.

Or shoes.

Then a nearly full bowl of cereal was dropped on the clean kitchen floor by a certain 5 year old.

Who also refused to get dressed.

I then snapped at him. And now, hours later, still feel so horrible. 

We were running late for school so I had to go sign him into the office. 

(Instead of teachers getting him out of the car if we are on time) 

Wearing bright blue leggins (as pants!) with cheetah print shoes. And gross day 6 hair.

Had to pass half the PTA moms standing outside the office chit chatting away. 

Then I came home. Cried into my lukewarm coffee. 

Not about the now messy kitchen. 

Or about the fact that the PTA saw me looking like a hood rat. 

But that I had snapped at Jasper. I felt like a mamma failure. Which is the worst kind of failure.

So I would like a do over of this entire morning.

New traditions

I saw this on pinterest last year, but it was too late to start it so I filed it away to do this year. I just needed a few extra books (thank you scholastic book orders!) and we were good to go! Every night we have been reading a Christmas book in the dark with only our Christmas tree lights on. So cozy. Definitely a Christmas tradition we will be continuing. 

Last night I was making Jasper and I some cold hot chocolate (what he likes to call chocolate milk- he doesn't like it warm/hot yet) and came into the living room for these sweet scene. Jasper reading Tindra one of his Christmas books. Made this mamma heart melt for sure. 

Parade of lights

Sat night was the first time we have ever gone to the Denver lighted parade. I have No clue why! It was spectacular! Actually I do know why, last year it was about 4 degrees, and I think years before that we have been traveling. But this year, it was a nice 40 degrees at night (almost 70 during the day!) and perfect!

We decided to catch the light rail by our house and take it downtown instead of dealing with parking/traffic and it was definitely the right decision. Even though we almost didn't make it on because it was PACKED. Standing room only, and barely even enough room for that. Also, thank you Denver for passing 64, now people don't even try to hide the fact that they are carrying pot around. It's lovely. (Sarcasm if you didn't catch on to that) 

Taking public transportation always makes me miss Sweden and wish we were living there. Someday!



Jasper loves parades and even T enjoyed the lights! She fought sleep the entire time and ended up being awake for almost 7 hrs straight! 

7 months...or 7 1/2 months

I'm thinking I held out writing this because I'm completely in denial that you are already 7 (now almost 8) months old. You are supposed to be a newborn still!! 

Teeth. You finally popped two! And they are SHARP little razor blades. If those were shoving their ways through my gums I would be handling it a lot worse than you that's for sure. Also, you bit me for the first time last week. And DAMN that hurt. You didn't just bite me. You bit, pulled and twisted. I might have screamed so loud your dad came out of the shower. 

Food. You absolutely love to eat. If it's been at least 10 minutes since your last nursing session you will Not turn milk down. Like you never have. Not once. And food? Doesn't matter if you just ate, that you will never turn down. Your favorite purees (mamma made!) are sweet potatoes and squash. Your favorite finger foods are bread (duh) green peppers and pears. Oh how you love to chew on your pears. 

Sleep. Still a great sleeper, even with this teething mess. Your typical schedule, wake up between 6 and 7, lately getting closer to 7 more often (yay!) go down for a nap right at 8:30 when we get home from taking Jasper to sleep. Nap 1.5-2 hrs. Then take another 1.5ish hr nap in the afternoon then in bed by 7 at the very latest. Can't complain! Now if I could just start going to bed before 11:30-midnight we will be good to go!

Play. You love to be on your belly with toys in front of you so you can move around. You will hang out in your doorway jumper or excersaucer for 15-20 minutes at a time (maybe a little longer if Jasper is entertaining you) but otherwise you just want to be on the floor so you can move!

We just had your shots last week and you handled them So well. Maybe 30 seconds of crying and as soon as I snuggled you were fine. 

You have become a total mamma's girl. I mean you always have been, but now you Really are. At times I can't even leave the room with out you getting upset, but that's okay with me baby girl. 

Stats: 

27 1/2 inches long, 85th %

Weight 15 lbs 1 oz. 16th %

Head 17.5 85th% percentile