Looking up

It has been a tough few weeks; colds, fevers, teething, minus temperatures outside and not daring to go to playgroup (those dreaded tummy bugs are still rampant).  We have also had our downstairs bathroom  renovated which disrupts things.  I really am a slave to our routines, something I never thought I had in me.  But the twins need it and I need it to get through the never ending sameness of being a mummy at home.  On the one hand you are never alone but on the other hand it is a lonely life at this time of year. My student friends are all qualified teachers and my working friends have crazy busy schedules.  So weekday visits are now few and far between.  But we still have lots of fun and I keep reminding myself it is only for a few more months.  I know this is a precious time and I do try and appreciate the miracle of it all.  Just somedays it is harder than others.

The twins are doing great.  Emilia has had a fever for the last couple of days; I know this is bad, but me and Jens quite like Emilia with a fever.  When Emilia is ill, her temprament calms down.  She wants to be cuddled, she doesn't moan as much and she seems really content.  Anybody who didn't know her would have absolutely no idea that she was sick.  We don't like the fact that she is feeling bad of course and do everything we can to help her.  But our Emilia is high maintenance and it is nice to get a little break from that.  Her fever had gone today and she was still calm, so who knows, maybe calm Emilia is now here to stay.

Eva is a crazy, wild child.  She tried to dive bomb, headfirst off the back of the sofa the other day.  We cannot take our eyes off them for a second!  She babbles all the time and seems to really love life.   She is not too keen on Emilia though, which is a shame as Emilia wants to kiss her and play and Eva just doesn't want any of it.  Hopefully that will change soon.

My Mum and Dad are coming for a visit next Wednesday and I am really looking forward to seeing them and getting a bit of a break.  I am so lucky to have a Mum who will get up at silly o'clock on grandchild duty; she doesn't want to miss a second :)

Emilia

Me and Emilia just got home from a visit to the hospital.  She has been given the all clear on her hips :) Her x-ray looked perfect and the Dr was pleased with her walking progress.  It is such wonderful news.  

So my little one needs to keep practicing.  They are both so close to being able to walk alone, it is just a matter of confidence now.  I am pretty sure they will be walking all the time when Grandma and Grandad come for their visit in March :)

Emilia has started talking a little bit more, she has started to say Mamma!  Easily one of the most beautiful things I have heard in my lifetime.  She only has eyes for me at the moment, I know it is a phase that will pass but it is a phase I am basking in.  She has started to give us cuddles and kisses too and there is only one thing in life that compares to that - cuddles and kisses from Eva ;)  I love my little girls so much, they are an absolute delight.

Eva is learning new things at a rapid rate now.  She can point out lots of body parts and is able to learn the names of different pictures.  She understands book plots and reacts to the events in some books.  Her favourites are "The tiger that came to tea", "Mog the forgetful cat" and "Jag är inte sömnig".  These books are really quite long but the twins are mesmerized by them.  I can recommend them to anyone (thank you Aunty Sheila and Flor for sending them to us).

The whole family has been ill this week and today I have started to feel like myself again.  Wanja, farmor and farfar have been such a great help, meaning I only needed to do bedtime alone once.  Jens is off today so we have the next three days to all get fully better.  But like I said to the Dr today, if a cold is the only thing we have to moan about then I think life is good and we are very very blessed!

Baby rhythm

As predicted the girls had a great time at baby rhythm! Emilia went around the group, waving at everyone, haha, she is such a social little thing, really brimming with confidence.  As always it took Eva a little longer to get used to a new environment but towards the end of the session she was also sat in the middle of the group, charming the pants off everyone :)

They got well and truly into all of the activities.  My babies sure have rhythm!!

Here are a few pictures:

A perfect day

Eva, my big girl, has fallen asleep by herself for the last two days, alone in a bed.  I have been in the room with her and given her lots of reassurance and it has worked.  It only took about 10 minutes today and it has left me in a state of shock and awe.  We have been cuddling and rocking Eva to sleep for the last 5 months and I guess this week she has been ready to make the transition from needing us to going it alone with support.  I have done it in our spare room upstairs so as not to disturb Emilia and when this new routine is more established we will start working on the night time sleep.  At the moment, as long as she is tired enough, she falls asleep whilst drinking her välling and then we transfer her to bed.

We have had such a perfect day.  It started with a visit to the Nurse, followed by playgroup.  Then both girls napped for 2 hours, at the same time :) after lunch and then the rest of the day was filled with lots of playing and laughing. Putting them to bed went really smoothly too.  Jens is working lates and he is off tomorrow :)  We are going to baby rhythm at the library tomorrow which I am really looking forward to.  I am sure my little girls, who are real music lovers are going to have a great time.   

Changed again

So I think I have afternoon nap sorted and then Eva refuses to sleep in my arms.  Eva refuses to go to sleep in her bed and should anyone hear the heart wrenching cries you would understand that leaving her to cry it out is not an option.  The pram is the only option, but then Emilia sleeps better in her bed, so now I have to have the monitor in the window (it flashes blue when there is sound) and walk up and down outside the window for about 10 minutes until Eva goes to sleep, keeping my eye on the monitor.  Then I bring the pram into the hall and have to be quiet until she wakes up.  It is all quite comical really but I don't know what else to do.  Eva's will is so strong but she is helpless to the calming effects of the pram :)  I really hope this is just a phase that will pass.

We bought the twins some crayons.  All they wanted to do was eat them, but it was fun anyway and we got a scribble out of Eva that is now on the fridge :)

A beautiful morning.  Eva is holding onto "Monkey" her new best friend.  Grandma Brown got Eva attached to Monkey over Christmas.  Even though we have issues with daytime sleeps, we are convinced that Monkey comforts Eva in the night and helps her go back to sleep.  She carries him around by the tail and gives him cuddles.  It is very sweet.

Love you Pappa:

Homemade rice porridge (rice pudding) for breakfast on Sunday morning.  DELICIOUS:

Our story

We had a Dr's check up at the hospital a couple of weeks ago.  It has been on our to do list to make a picture showing "our story" to go up on the wall of the neonatal department.  We finally got around to making it and donating it.  Hopefully it will give hope to all the families going through the same ordeal. We spent a lot of our time reading other peoples' stories.

Here are a few pictures of it:

The Dr's appointment went well and she was, as always, super happy with the progress of the twins.  

Whiskey

We found a new home for Whiskey.  Each time I thought about spring I was filled with dread about all the animals Whiskey would be bringing home, so I put an advert out last week and she was picked up on Sunday.  She has gone to a lovely family and it was clear that they adored her.  It feels really weird her not being here but I know I have done the right thing.  So Eva, I am sorry that we couldn't keep your cat but I am sure Emilia won't mind sharing Guinness (who is big enough for both of them).

The twins are doing great.  Emilia has now taken 4 steps in a row, she is very wobbly :)  But she thinks it is great fun and I think her belly laughing and squeals of joy are stopping her from perfecting the art.  Eva is still very hesitant, she takes the occasional step but something is holding her back.  I am being showered with kisses and cuddles daily though, so who cares!!! They will walk when they are ready :)

My girls are ADORABLE!

Here are some pictures from Sunday.  We played out with the new sledges on the fields behind our house.  Whiskey was with us for the last time.

Goodbye little Whiskey, I am so sorry we couldn't keep you.