Special Visitors

Haakon walking away from the camera to go play with Audriana's toys while she is away at school.

Playing with said toys.

Toothy grin for the camera in toy room #2.

I loved this picture...Audriana dove right into the box so that she could tell us it was "night-night" time and also so that Haakon couldn't join her.

Our amazing babysitters and mother's helpers extraordinaire... Uncle Erik and Miss Clarise!

Since Bjorn is taking a vacation to Whidbey Island to enjoy our favorite haunts, including Anacortes' 24-hour donut shop and dinner Pike's Market in Seattle, (and of course, flying around in the pretty Pacific Northwest), Uncle Erik and his friend Miss Clarise, graciously offered to come visit us for a week to help with things around the house. It was fantastic having them here and the kids enjoyed the extra attention. To say that I appreciated all their help would be an understatement! It was fun to have some adult conversation with real adults in the house! A HUGE thank you to you both (especially Clarise for all of her hard work with kids that she had only met hours previous to coming down to Jax!).

Projects

So, I am sure that you all think I am super busy chasing after two kids, growing a baby and running a household. This is true. However, it doesn't stop me from being bored out of my mind with ways to challenge myself...

I notice a few weeks ago, a box full of Bjorn's stuff that he was going to be donating to the Good Will. Among the items were a few dress shirts that were...um, well, I'm not sure why they were being donated to Good Will. At anyrate, I took a peek at the dress shirts and they looked super suitable for an experiment that I wanted to embark: dress-making! I found a website that provided a tutorial on how to turn mens' dress shirts into cute little dresses for little girls. I decided that it was a project with just enough challenge for me. Plus, if I ruined the shirt, it was no big deal and no one got hurt in the process! I picked a shirt that I bought for Bjorn when we first started dating and he needed some normal clothes for the Academy. This is the shirt:

It took me a couple of nights to work on the dress....as I only worked on it while the kids were asleep. Plus, I had AMAZING babysitters (Uncle Erik and Ms. Clarise) flown in as well (more on that later...). After a little bit of frustration (okay, a lot) with my sewing machine and then threading issues, this is what the finished product looks like:

Unfortunately for me and all my efforts, Audriana hates the dress. It took quite a bit of kicking, tackling and screaming for her to get the dress on and once it was on, she couldn't get it off fast enough so that she could find some thing pink and purple to wear! The dress was SUPER cute on her, but she has given me the green light to give the dress away to her friends...and quickly. I can't quite part with the dress yet because I still hope in the smallest recess of my heart that she will somehow fall in love with this dress and ask for more (I know I should be careful of what I wish...).

I also had the opportunity to work on a project for Haakon. Being the teething monster that he is, I have been noticing that he likes to chew on his crib railing...not only leaving marks on the crib, but chipping off paint as well. With a toothy grin and paint chip plastered to his face, I decided that lead poisoning (okay, so its probably not lead paint, but still, it can't be good to be ingesting paint chips) was NO GOOD and it was time to find a solution. After searching the internet, I settled on a website that had a tutorial on how to make your own crib railing guard. While my babysitters were in town, I took the opportunity to make a run to the JoAnn Fabric store and buy my necessities. Apparently, it is not cheap to make things yourself. Note to self: check out BabiesRUs before embarking on such projects again. I digress...

Anyways, after 2 afternoon naps and 2 nights after the kids had gone to bed: it was done! I was so giddy with excitement with my excellent sewing skills (if any of you are familiar with my sewing skills, you are aware that they can sometimes be subpar...especially if it has to do with the seam in the butt region....) that I snuck into the nursery at 12:21 AM and tied the rail guard to Haakon's crib. It was a PERFECT fit and Haakon did not wake up. I wanted to stay in the room and marvel at my handy work. But as it turns out, one can only marvel at her work in the dark for so long. So, off to bed I went and in the morning when I walked in nursery...Haakon was happily chewing at the crib railing that I had just covered! Eat your heart out BabiesRUs!! It was worth every penny to see that my efforts paid off. The finished product:

Next project is to make a rug for the new playroom (we will be converting the main toy room...yes, we have two toy rooms...into a bedroom for one of the kids). That one is slated to take a bit longer that the previous two projects. A latch hook rug using Daddy's and Grandpa Anderson's old t-shirts (and what a collection they have amassed...). Wish me luck!

20 week ultrasound

As many of you already know, we are super excited to be expecting Dash-3 in early Summer 2011. Because Bjorn and I are impatient people and I like to plan accordingly, we could not wait to find out the gender of this next baby until the day of delivery (even though we really could since we have most everything we need for both gender). So we are ecstatic to announce that Dash-3 will be a.....

Can you see Dash-3's spine?

Baby's face...do you see Dash-3's eyes and mouth?

We think you can figure this one out.

...A BOY!!!!!! Looks like Audriana will have two little brothers toddling after her. We will be wishing the boys lots of luck with a ring leader of Audriana's caliber!

Family Birthday Pics

What's going on here, folks? There's fire...

Ooooh...perhaps a taste test is necessary.

Additional air power was required to blow out the fire and reinforcements were called in. Success in blowing out that candle!

"Ooooh, I love this frosting stuff....so squishy between my fingers."

"Mmm....want some, too??"

Audriana dives right in to help her brother with the frosting on the cupcake.

The damage.

Into the bathtub the two little monkeys go...

Time to open presents!

Audriana has obviously become an expert at opening presents since November!

She's checking out the goods and he's checking out the wrapping paper.

Ooooh, its a box! Who cares about the present when there is a perfectly good looking box calling his name.

Audriana jumps in too and they go for a ride courtesy of Daddy!

Haakon had his 12-month child wellness check-up on his birthday. We made it out with five shots (3 in his right leg and 2 on his left). He was such a trooper and scored an extra set of stickers for his big sister. We are pleased to report that he is looking like a healthy little man. Here are his stats:

-Height: 31 inches (75th - 90th percentile)

-Weight: 21 lbs. (10th - 25th percentile)

While Haakon is stretching out like Stretch Armstrong, he's not exactly packing on the pounds like he used to. So the doctors are giving him 4 weeks to put on some weight. If he hasn't then, we will be likely be referred to see a specialist of some sort. Unfortunately, there is not really a whole lot the doctors tell me I can do for him since I feed him tons and he subsequently eats like there is no tomorrow. So hopefully, he will put on weight at his next weight check. Keep your fingers crossed for him (and us!).

Haapy Birthday to our sweet little Haakon!

To Haakon: You have lit up our lives from the moment the doctor placed you in Mommy's arms. You have stolen our hearts with your sweet nature and mischievous smile. Our love for you knows no bounds and limits. You will never know just how much we love you, son. Happy Birthday, darling!

It seems just like yesterday that we brought Haakon home from the hospital and re-introduced him to his big sister, Audriana, and four-legged brother, Scout. No longer is he a baby, but a full-fledged toddler toddling after his big sister and her adventures.

We truly are so blessed to have Haakon in our lives. He dazzles the room with his dimpled smile. His curiosity about the world (and sister) leave us giggling in his wake. His mellow nature keeps our arms wrapped around him just one minute longer and kisses trailing along his cheeks. His appetite for food leaves us in awe and scrambling to find more. His ability to make himself fit into all boxes of various shapes and sizes continues to surprise us and running to find a camera to capture the sweet moment. His love for his sister and brother, Scout, leaves us amazed at the devotion and bond that has developed between the three of them.

There are no words that can describe the love we have for this beautiful little boy. He has enriched our lives beyond measure. And as we step into the toddler years with Haakon, we can only begin to imagine the joys and challenges that lay ahead of us!

More Christmas Pics

The inaugural ride around the house in the new wagon!

Haakon is carefully checking Audriana's new bikes for any possible defects so that it can become HIS bike!

Still checking. Ah yes, there is a defect: its got no pedals....mine! mine! mine!

Even Bitty Baby scored a ticket for the inaugural ride around the house!

PS--

I forgot to add this picture to the New Year's post. This is Haakon finally being able to enjoy his krumkake after his Grandma and sister slaved over the hot iron :) Notice the tight grip on the cookie in one hand and the other hand greedily shoving a mouthful of his first bite? That's our son! We are filled with pride :)

Post New Year Update

Helping Grandma Kris with the Krumkake...

Ahhh...so that's how you do it with only ONE hand!

Can I try, Grandma?

Oooooh, delicious!

Grandpa Byron is trying to distract Haakon from the aroma of the cookies...

At the Jacksonville Zoo on New Year's Eve.

Audriana is building a box for her brother and Haakon voluntarily gets himself into that box.

Two little monkeys before bedtime!

New Year's Eve....Audriana saw Mommy's stilettos again and thought it would be fun to give it a whirl. Then she got camera shy.

But not for long.

Happy New Year to everyone! What a great holiday celebration we had in our home this year. We hosted Bjorn's family and what a whirlwind of activity it was for all. Bjorn's parents, brother, sister and grandma flew in on Christmas Eve. They arrived at the house just in time to say goodnight to the kids that evening. Once the kids were down, we were able to sit down for a wonderful meal prepared by our own chef extraordinaire, Bjorn! He made a chicken crock pot stew especially for his sister and chicken moglai, fragrant jasmine rice and steamed beans for the rest of us . I think everyone that evening would agree that the meal was absolutely delicious and left us wanting more!

After dinner, it was down to business--preparing for Santa's arrival, wrapping remaining gifts, and filling stockings. Uncle Erik was wrangled to put together the kids new Radio Flyer wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson (Grandpa Anderson was taking a little "nap". We never knew that naps could last all night long and into the morning :) Grandma Anderson, over much of December, had been furiously shipping boxes of gifts from Amazon (among other online merchants) to our house. So, she was up until the wee hours of the morning opening these boxes and wrapping gifts for everyone. We sure did appreciate all the beautiful wrapping she did the next morning!

On Christmas morning, the kids were ECSTATIC (okay, so perhaps Haakon's excitement was primarily fueled by seeing his sister's excitement initially) to see that a beautiful red wagon had mysteriously appeared at their front door! They jumped into the wagon immediately (and if you blinked, you would have missed them jumping in) and were promptly taken for a wagon ride around the house. They LOVED it! Grandma and Grandpa Anderson did a fantastic job of picking the kids presents. I have to say, though, the box arrived at the house at the beginning of December. Toward the middle of December, the kids began to linger around the box a little bit more (which was tucked away in our formal dining room). Audriana had been lovingly eyeing the pictures of the box (children in a red wagon) and could be found occasionally running her fingers along the picture of the wagon. Little did she know what was in store for her and Haakon.

They also got clothes, books from, lots of toys and a pedal-less bike from Santa. Unfortunately, Santa should have been more thoughtful and given Audriana's Christmas present to Haakon instead. He loves that bike and will try to ride it out in the back yard, despite his small size (relatively speaking, of course!). The kids also got a much beloved kitchen set from Grandma and Grandpa Te. It has become a highly coveted item in our house since Christmas. The kids spend afternoons whipping up specialties for me....the chef's specality, you ask? Water and hot soup.

This year, Audriana got the wonderful opportunity to make the Norwegian Christmas cookie, Krumkake, with her Grandma Kris. Both Grandma and grandbaby had a fabulous time whipping up these special treats (to be consumed just as quickly as they were made by the two shorty-pants in the house!). Grandma Kris surprised herself at being able to make these cookies ONE-HANDED with her granddaughter in the other arm!!! Yay...I knew you could do it!

And have to give another shout out to Bjorn (and his sous chef, Erik) for a stunningly beautiful and sinfully delicious Christmas meal. We had prime rib au jus, made from scratch horseradish sauce, yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, and beans. A meal to remember for sure! And thank you also for everyone who took their turn cooking this holiday season. We all enjoyed seeing and reaping the benefits of your culinary skills.

It was a wonderful visit by the Anderson clan. I got to spend some time with Grandma Evelyn getting our nails done. Grandma Anderson, Erik and Kari, got sneak a visit to Orlando to Harry Potter world. And Bjorn and I got to spend New Year's Eve dinner at my favorite restaurant. We really enjoyed having everyone down for the holidays. And with Dash-3 on the way, it may be a while before we can make a trip to MN over the Christmas season!