Happy Mother's Day!

A few motherly and grand-motherly souvenirs from the last few months...

Sasha Noé!

BY NOW it is rather old news, but this set of 2-children under-sleeping parents has been digitally challenged these last many weeks... Our apologies! We have been feeling slightly overwhelmed!

On March 6th our "Little Guy" was "officially" named in the presence of his four grandparents, as they gathered in Göteborg, visiting from Finland and France.

Sasha Noé Rugiero-Dubee is his name! 



The name Sasha has its origins as nickname to Alexanders across the Russian-speaking world. Since more recently, Sasha (and variations thereof) is used as first name for men (and sometimes women) in Eastern and Western Europe, for (mainly) women in North America, and for the offspring of certain North American mighty (Trudeau, Obama). 

Our choice, however, has nothing to do with background and all to do with the singsong sound of the name Sasha - in our ears gentle, strong and beautiful. And as proud papa JD puts it: "because this is his name!"

The name Noé is Portuguese and French version of Noah, a common ancestor to us all - Bourés, Dubees, Rugieros and Salmis, all our family and friends, and most Earthlings! Noé is also a fitting name for a son of the Swedish West Coast, and of the Climate Change Era... 

Sasha, helper and defender of mankind, and Noé, protector of all species. And as his sister, Stella Taís, equipped with active footballer sambista feet, and beautiful long piano weaver fingers... 

Who knows what adventures Sasha Noé will embark upon?

Good News II has arrived!

On February 4th, Stella's little brother arrived - hungry for milk and kisses!

All went well and mother and son came home 2 days later to meet Stella and grandparents Dubee, who are in Gothenburg this spring to support and delight with us!

"Little Guy" arrived weighing just under 4 kilos and measuring 52.5 cm, and by now is not far from 5 kilos. He is a talker and a charmer, but not much of a sleeper (at least not at night!).

We are very thankful that Fred and Tupu have been here with us since early January.  They have been super helpful making sure that we could get some rest and welcome Little Guy in the best conditions. Stella also LOVES to have her grandparents around!

We were also very lucky to get a special visit by Tonton Matti, all the way from Shenzhen, China.

How many children are as lucky as ours to have an uncle working in a toy factory?!

We are now looking forward to the visit of Mamie and Papi Rugiero, who will be with us from February 24th to March 7th.

Lots of love from all of us! (Kaarina, Stella, Jean-Do and "Little Guy" - official name coming soon...)

Lots of love this December 25th

The Gruvesäter family were kind enough to invite us 3.9 to their home for Christmas Eve.

We enjoyed the traditional Swedish Julbord of multi-coloured herring, smoked ham, homemade meatballs, sweet mustards, knäckebröd, cheeses and salads...

...followed by the yearly national TV event: "Jul med Kalle Anka" = Donald Duck!!

By 16:00 when the one-hour TV special ended, the sky had darkened, and suddenly a very special guest appeared...

Santa was very kind!

C'est quoi encore le numero de Mamie et Papi?

Finally, here comes a little film of Stella to celebrate Christmas. Not much Christmas in it, but LOTS of Stella...

Note: The "I wanna be kiss-ed by you" bit was a spontaneous performance this evening.

Hyvää Joulua!

Joyeux Noël!

Feliz Natal!

God Jul!

Merry Christmas to all -
and to all a good night!!!!

long time no see

It has been too long since we last posted some photos. Much happened, people have been growing, the weather warmed and cooled and the planet spun more than a few times.

a little zenning-out on the balcony...

Stella was kind enough to pull out cushions for 3 - Papa and Maman should enjoy the sun, too!

Stella with "Baby Alexander" - practicing being a big sister

a couple of weeks ago, out on the pier a few minutes walk away from our home - enjoying the view of the harbour...

together with Leia, visiting from Geneva

talk about a mini-Jean-Do...

and most recently,

enjoying "fika" with Isoäiti - surprisingly tasty despite the temporary gluten and laktose-free diet-test.

Busy days!

Much new popping-up!


Besides the white peaks and valleys, also many words...

På Svenska:
Välling (morning & evening warm cereal-milk drink) & titta (look!)

In English:
Moon, Bus, Car, Book, Apple, Ear, Eye, No, Yeah!

En Français:
Bain, Pain, Dodo, Lapin, and her absolute favourite (these days): Encore!

only second to...
да (DA)!!!!! (в русском/in Russian)


Her activities include:

helping out with the dishes (as often as possible)

adventures in the playgrounds around town

trying exotic spring flavours

football coaching

reading all the books she can get her hands on

...and lots and lots of laughter!!!

And these two were taken this afternoon...

The Turtle dagis class had their first graduation ceremony!

Already such a big girl!!