U2 Training

Back in March, we found out u2 is coming to Sweden this summer and in the name of spontaneity Chris bought us some tickets and realized only afterwards that we'd have a 3 1/2 month old baby. Not wanting to pass this opportunity up, we thought we'd just have to teach Emmy to take a bottle early. Thinking it might take awhile for her to get used to it, we started a couple weeks ago, giving her a little bit each night before she went to bed. She caught on a lot faster than anticipated (i think because she's the first one to take a binki), and now it's no problem! Even daddy can feed her!!! The concert's August 1st! YEA! U2 here we come!!!

This past week

This past week has been filled with family and it's been a lot of fun! Carolina's here from the States with her 4 kids and we've been spending as much time with her as we can. We've been to the ocean a couple times, fishing, to the park, celebrated midsummer and gone on lots of walks. Here's some highlights:

Grandma-package!

(water paint and coloring books)

(craft-kit)

(arm puffs)

(bow in hair)

Thank you grandma!!! The kids sooo look forward to your packages every month. Your great!

13 small monkey swinging in the tree...

Chris' sister, Carolina and her 4 children are here from the States for the whole summer! It's been fun being with them and being around other little kids that speak English. It's been so interesting to see how all the cousins act with each other. None of the cousins here speak or understand much English and Carolina's kids understand a little Swedish, but don't speak much (understandably since they live in the States). However, despite this fact, they seem to have no problems playing with each other. For some reason language doesn't seem to be a barrier for kids :) Small facts about the Malm-clan: Chris' parents now have 19 grandchildren, 13 live here in Sweden within 10 minutes of each other. Four live in America and two are in Switzerland. Out of the 19 grandchildren there are only 5 girls!!! Families are great!

Hands-Free

This is the coolest things ever. We had a baby shower for a good friend last Friday. She lives in Wales, but is here for a couple weeks and is due the middle of July. She got this carrier thing and let me borrow it during the week to try it out and I have to say, it is the greatest thing in the world! I have a baby-björn that I've been using to carry Emmy in, but I can really feel it on my back and it's not so tight around Emmy and now that she's getting older, her legs and arms move sporadically and I have to hold her tight. But, this carrier holds her nice and snug and is SO comfortable to have on (and quite stylish). I'm seriously considering buying myself one now and would highly recommend it. I'm sure there's tons of different brands and styles, and probably a lot cheaper ones in the States but the one I'm borrowing is called Looma. Check it out at www.looma.se. It's a Swedish brand. Anyway, I'm sold.

6th of June

Today is Sweden's Independence Day. It is not nearly as a big deal as the 4th of July because, well they've had a pretty calm history. Sweden's always been a "free" country and it was only until a couple years ago that they actually made the 6th of June a National Holiday (ie.paid vacation). So, no one really celebrates here (Midsummer is much bigger) and most people didn't even realize today was the 6th since it's on a Saturday and they don't get that extra day off, but our ward has started a tradition of having a little celebration at our church which I look forward to every year. It's fun to see yellow and blue everywhere and flags painted on faces and the kids run around. I still haven't learned the Swedish National Anthem, but I know the last sentence and it makes me smile every time I hear it..."jag vill leva, jag vill dö i Norden" Translated: I want to live and die in the North! :) And that's how most people here feel. They sing that last part with pride. It's just a peaceful, beautiful (in the summer) country where things seem to move a bit slower. I can't say I love EVERYTHING about Sweden, but after living here for the past 6 1/2 years (can you believe that!), I'm definitely learning to appreciate it and there's a lot of things about Sweden that I really do love (like the fact that you get 13 months paid maternity leave 2 of which the dad has to take (it's an equality thing)) Anyway, happy birthday Sweden!!!

(In case you Americans think I'm turning too Swedish (mom), don't worry, in a month from now, we're planning a huge 4th of July celebration.)

First Smiles!!!

I love this stage :)