Little Miss Active

Isabel now wriggles and moves around as if on some high energy drink. Constantly on the move, desperately trying to crawl. I captured her a few times this morning while she was still stationary but she did have her customary smile and snotty nose. This has been her look since the day she was born.

Incredible to think that Anja literally did not have one sniffle until she was about 1 year old. Isabel has had about one week where she did not either have a snotty nose, cough or some other ailment. Generally healthy but constantly fighting off some bug!

I will not gloat over Ireland's win today !!

 

 

PLaying at the Weekend!

Randy took a few pictures when we went for a walk over the weekend. He just sent them over, thanks Randy!!
Just like her sister, Isabel was a huge fan of the swing!

 

Isabel and Frida

When Kaisa, Frida and Anna were over on Saturday morning I couldn’t resist trying to get some photos. I did try getting all four girls together but was very unsuccessful. These two of Isabel and Frida were about the best. Frida who is about six weeks older than Isabel has these huge blue eyes and I’m not kidding bigger eyelashes than Anja. Incredible.

 

 

Weekend Update

We have had a busy weekend here with visitors. Kaisa and her two girls visited on Saturday morning while I went for a run (it’s been a few days and my waist is starting to notice). Steef and Ginette who are only 6 weeks or so away from having their first baby were over for dinner on Saturday evening and then Randy and Lorraine for visited for breakfast this morning. Phew...It was a great weekend. It almost felt like spring since it hit the 50s today.

Shown below are a few recent pictures of the girls. Have none of Isabel’s teeth yet. Not sure I’m that good with a camera!

 

 

 

Kite Time

I forgot to post this cool picture of Lynne and Anja playing last weekend. They look like they were having fun despite it being about 15F at the time!!

 

Isabel has Teeth

It has been a few days, sorry. I was actually travelling this week for work and have only just returned. The big new from our house this week is that Isabel pushed two teeth through while I was away!

Quite exciting to see her reach this milestone. She is such a happy baby right now. Particularly since we are all cold free. This has been the first time I think since Isabel was born that she is without some sniffles.

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!! I didn't get any cards, which is probably a very good thing since Lynne didn't send any. We did all enjoy some valentine chocolates after dinner this evening. Some dark truffles and chocolate covered cherries. Yum!!

Had an email today from Candi. You'll remember she looked after Anja while Lindsay was having Ruby! She checks in here regularly so just saying Hi. It was good to hear from you!

Sheri here this Week

The week is going well thus far. Thankfully we are over half way there. Lynne is feeling much much better I'm glad to report.

Sheri, from Hangman's Hill, is here this week on her biannual visit to Purdue. She is actually out to dinner tonight with Lynne and others from Lynne's department. Pleasure as always to have you Sheri, thanks for the bread/cake!

Davey and Sam have upgraded their blog in anticipation of their world tour. I know I said they were going ages ago but the slump in the housing market is obviously inhibiting a rapid sale of their house. We wish them luck over the coming weeks. They are very anxious to get going.

Nothing else to report, we have had lots and lots of rain this week, I may have to boat down to Indy to work tomorrow!

Kristina is doing well in her first full week, her husband has expressed interest in my home brewing and may wish to come watch some weekend! I must break out the kettles, it's been way to long since I last brewed a batch!

Later!

Lynne out of Action

The weekend activities were muted this weekend since Lynne was quite ill. She spent many hours Saturday in bed and was even bad enough to take herself to the urgent care Sunday morning. For Lynne that means she was quite ill.

Doctors seemed convinced that she had a case of food poisining, bacterial. She started some antiobiotics yesterday and after some rest she is starting to feel better. She has lost lots of weight which is not really that surprising since she is still nursing Isabel and has not eaten in a few days.

Whilst she is now eating more, it is still restricted to bland foods.

Weekend Update

Thus far a couple of things this weekend. Lynne has been out of action this weekend. She has picked up some stomach bug/virus and has essentially been sick and sleeping since Friday afternoon. She is asleep as I write. All three girrls are sleeping in fact!

Anja and I went to Ruby's first birthday party this morning. It was a lot of fun and Anja seemed to get more fun out of it than Ruby. She certainly had more cake and opened more presents than Ruby did.

Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday and we are having a few friends over. An excuse to eat junk food and drink beer really. Hope your weekend is going well.

More snow....

We have more snow here in West Lafayette and we are now ready for spring. About 8 inches fell Thursday night, enough for Anja and myself to build a snowman Friday evening!! No comments on my building abilities!!

 

Changing of the Guard!

Thursday was Lindsay's last day with us, we got some shots of her with the girls on her last day, we will miss her. I have also posted a picture of Kristina in action. I'm sure there will be more to come, possibly even a few that Kristina will take herself. we are certainly hoping she will, she has a keen interest in photography.

 

 

New Nanny

Well we have a new nanny, her name is Kristina. She is very nice and has even started to come each day this week to help Lindsay with her last week. This will really help her to get to know the girls and the routine while Lindsay is here. Particularly Anja who initially was very "anti new nanny". She declared on Saturday evening after we had several girls over for an interview that "she did not like any of the ladies and that she wanted Lindsay to stay".

Kristina officially starts next week. She is pretty young with seemingly lots of energy. She is getting married in May to Sean and they are currently building a house in the local area. She is taking a part-time business degree (online I believe) which should be finished in two years. She has a strong interest in photography and eventually wishes to have her own portrait studio.

We welcome and look forward to having Kristina help make our hectic lives a reality!

I have posted a few pictures of Isabel from this week.

The Cousins

Shown below is an updated picture of Ella, Thomas and James, our neice and two nephews. These are Keith and Sam's kids who live in Esher which is very close to London, not far from where Lynne grew up.

Thanks for the picture Keith, cannot believe how quickly they seem to be growing!!

 

Weekend Update

Sunday afternoon and it's been a little more busy than usual around here. Yesterday was a jumbo nanny interviewing day. We had six scheduled but a few didn't turn up so the load was lightened. I guess they didn't like the way I spoke with them on the phone.

We met several great girls yesterday, many of whom we would be happy with. We had some tough decisions last night but I think we and teh girls will be very happy with our choice. We have yet to call each candidate so there will be more updates later on our new nanny.

Still really cold here, well below freezing. Took this picture of Iasbel this morning. She is really getting into her solid food and as you can see is starting to get very steady when sitting. They each have the nasty cold/virus that is going round. Ruby has also been quite ill this weekend. It's tough being a parent and being quite helpless when watching the kids not feeling very well.

Not much else to report, have a great week.

 

Weekend Ahead

Hope you are all tucked in. It is still very cold here in Indiana and we certainly will not be venturing out much this weekend.

Today I had lunch with Feng and spoke with Håkan in Sweden. it was good to catch up with both since I have not seen or heard from either in a while. Both keeping well, each looking after their kids.

Tomorrow is going to be a jumbo interviewing day. We have five nanny candidates coming round. We have been running an ad in the local paper which has resulted in many enquiries and some very well qualified. We are looking forward to meeting them all tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Lindsay Will be Leaving us.....

We have some sad news indeed but not that surprising if you have been watching the updates over the last week.
Lindsay will be leaving us shortly. As she has outlined in their blog, she needs to devote a little more time to her family given Ruby's recent peanut allergy diagnosis.

Lindsay has worked with us now for over twenty two months. Over that time she has literally allowed our crazy lifestyle to happen. We would not have been able to keep up with my job in Indy and Lynne's job at Purdue if we were not totally assured that Anja and Isabel were not being looked after in a manner that we could be fully comfortable. Lindsay did this and more. She has been such a great Nanny to the girls, we literally could not have asked for one additional thing. I know it may sound impossible but if you know Lindsay you will know and believe it when I say that she cared for our girls with as much passion and love as she did her own little Ruby. Hard to believe but I think very true.

Almost two years is a long time and peoples lives change. When she started with us we only had Anja but we now have Isabel and they have Ruby so both our situations are a little more complex. She is graciously staying with us while we try finding a replacement. More on that later but for now......Lindsay I know we will say it many times before you eventually leave us but we love You, Mike and Ruby and we thank you sincerely for what you have done for us over the last two years!

Paul, Lynne, Anja, Isabel & Daisy of course!

 

Cold in West Lafayette

Not really that much happening here in this neck of the woods other than the cold. Today it's truly beautiful outside. Clear blue skies and sun shining magnificently, only problem is that it's really cold. Today we have 0F or -18C with the wind chill. Cold enough to keep one inside that's for sure.

Lit up a big open fire last night and kept warm and snug. Same today, we are exploring DVDs and what's on TV although Anja is dominating with requests for Cinderella.

Anja came into the study yesterday morning announcing that she had acquired a new dress, my polo shirt. It was cute, particularly since my socks were pulled right up over her knees!

Keep warm everybody and have a great week.

 

 

Peanut Allergy

This has been a busy, worrying and very stressful week for Lindsay and Mike. Ruby had quite a severe reaction last weekend to a small amount of peanut that she was exposed to. She has been on medication all week but they learned yesterday, after a definitive allergy test, that she is indeed very allergic to peanuts. This turn of events will have a significant impact on their lives. They have outlined some of these changes on their blog.

These recent events will also have an impact on our lives but right now we are just hoping that Mike, Lindsay and Ruby can quickly adopt to the changes that will be necessary.

They will of course be able to make the necessary changes since anybody with children knows, one can search very deep to do whatever it takes to ensure our children are cared for.

 

Tindra Wikström at Two Weeks

We received an updated picture deck from Håkan and Eva-Lotta today. they have named their little girl - Tindra. It's Swedish for "To twinkle" or "To sparkle".

She had jaundice but appears to be fine now.

Congratulations to you all once again, hope you are getting some sleep!

 

Real Food......Yum !

The highlight of the weekend so far, Isabel had her first taste of solid food. As the pictures below show, she was very hesitant at first but this morning she was very happy with her her new delights.

Other than this it has been a relatively quiet weekend. Lynne was ill yesterday, 24 hour bug, so we have been keeping low. Watched some football with Matt last night so I'm tired today! Took the Christmas down this morning. Not much else planned for the day, I may go for a run but I may just as well snooze!

Have a great week everybody!

 

 

Friends Children

Here is another set of adorable looking children. My friend from work at Lilly, Feng, sent me pictures today of their beautiful daughters, Nina and Stacy! Their dad, Jin-Rong, is an associate professor at Purdue just like Lynne so we almost have mirror image families with their two girls. Nina is a little older than Anja!!

 

It's a Girl!!

Congratulations to Eva-Lotta and Håkan who became new parents yesterday, yes on Jan 1st. They had a baby girl. We have no names yet but I'm sure they will be forthcoming! Yes new parents....very exciting indeed!!

Håkan...be sure to send us the blog address ....::))

 

Happy New Year & Family Tree

Happy New Year everybody! Hope you all had a very enjoyable New Years Eve evening!

This morning we assembled our family tree. This was a small fun project we decided to do over the holidays so that the girls could know everybody by name!! Individual pictures can be seen in an album.