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!!

Pictures from the last two weeks...

On the way to France.... Stella is now able to board the plane on her own...



... and in Alicante, view from our apartment...


... Stella seems to enjoy her first beach holiday!


(Note: Stella was heavily creamed on these pictures and was exposed only to the sun for a small amount of time (for those wondering...) )

... and of course, it was easter... these below bring back memories of Jean-Do's italian heritage...

That is it for now, but more might come very soon.... until then, Happy Spring to all!!!!!!

Awaiting cousin Bubba

We are checking the news every day...

Sunny days are here and the flowers are out...

All that is missing is cousin "Bubba"!!

Happy landing in Montreal, cousin Bubba. We hope to see you very soon!

p.s. for Aunty Erin: If it helps any, I can sing in the shower...

Greetings Earthlings!

And all the best in 2009!

Steps - so many Le Papa lost count!

Stellinha has been practicing taking independent steps since early November. Her mom's eyes filled with tears the first time she witnessed Stella taking a wobbly step forward, hanging onto nothing but her courage and passion to move!

Over the last month, the steps have multiplied, and have regularly reached three, ending with a kind of dive into proud and loving parental arms... And lots of hugs, laughter and group shrieks of delight!

TODAY, however, at the local baby café (you read right... a café for babies, with Babycinnos and mushy food, diapers and loads of toys - and toddlers! More on this local wonder another day...), Stella decided to wander out on her own. And so she did. Her papa and tia Maria José were watching, and the steps were so many the amazed papa lost count!!

Here are a few walking photos to celebrate this day, taken an hour ago in our kitchen. The little walker is now soundly sleeping and we are all over-joyed!

Celebrating Second Advent (Swedish style)

Family Gruvesäter are long-time friends of ours. JD and K met Britt and Ola in Brussels in 1996, even before their engagement in Malaysia, move from Skövde, and arrivals of Sofie, Martin and Erik.

These wonderful five are always inviting us for all kinds of special family activities. Yesterday it was pepparkakor-baking!




While some of the goods were in the oven, the team enjoyed a well-deserved break for a walk in the family backyard...


Once back, it was time for tasting the results... Stella had to sneak-up on one of Santa's helpers to get her first sample.



A little negotiation...


... resulted in a tasty ending!!


Tack så mycket to the Gruvesäters!!!

Stella offers President Obama her support