I can’t say for sure how much of it is due to her and how much due to us–she is our fourth child, after all–but Brynja is a ridiculously easy baby. I’d elaborate, but there’s really not much to elaborate on; she eats well, she sleeps well, she’s happy when she’s awake, she’s peaceful when… Read More Two months, two days

Petra and I braved the elements this afternoon and headed over to the öppna förskolan, or “open pre-school.”  Most towns in Sweden have at least one of these, generally run by the church or the county, where parents who are home with young children can take the kids to play and meet up with other… Read More School lunch

And not the kind from Dairy Queen, unfortunately.  It snowed all last night and most of the day, and though the temperatures haven’t been too, too cold, the weather has been nasty and blowy.  Where’s my spring?

For whatever reason, Petra’s verbal skills have always been markedly more developed than her siblings’ were at her age. Well before she reached age two, she was putting together long, grammatically correct sentences in English, and she’s gotten only more advanced since then. Olof and I are surprised nearly every day at some new thing… Read More Copycat

I have a recurring dream.  Or, my dreams have a recurring theme. Every few weeks or so I dream that I’ve found myself unexpectedly and inexplicably back in the States, and I’m struggling.  My adversary might be my old, horrible job, or my crazy and threatening ex-husband, or the mounting stack of bills that I… Read More If I had a therapist, I’m sure she’d have a field day with this.

This picture illustrates perfectly the personalities of my dogs, Asbjørn relaxed and calm* and Lucy anxious and watchful. *unless Farmor is in the vicinity — then all bets are off

For the second time this week, Kanal 5 has pre-empted a show I watch to show the hockey finals.  Curses.

I noticed at lunch that we were running short on milk and had completely used up the dishwasher soap, so after we were done eating, Tage, Petra, Brynja, and I took a short walk to the grocery store. It was clear and sunny and warm outside, and the snow is completely gone from the streets… Read More Fickle