Don't say these things to a pregnant woman...

And yes I've been on the receiving end of all of them.

"Wow you've gained weight all around, not just on your stomach." Seriously?

"You're only 6 months pregnant?? Wow you're big!" Yes. I'm pregnant. What's your excuse?

"Hey fatty." Ok you are pretending that you are saying this as a joke but your face tells me your are enjoying your joke a little too much. Nice beer gut by the way.

"You'd better breastfeed, it's best for the baby." No shit. Some of us have a hard time with it, worry about it and feel bad about it already. Thanks for bringing that to the forefront of my mind though.

"Oooooooh you're firstborn is going to be soooo jealous and have a really bad time when the new one comes." I want the best for all my kids, this does not make me feel good. Thanks for that.

"Having two kids is more like having three kids." Ok, not something you told me when you repeatedly asked me when I was having my second. Plus you are successfully freaking my husband out.

Summary: Seriously people use your common sense.

Ah, it felt good to write that all down.

xoxo

Happy 3 Years of Marriage

Yes we have been married 3 years, together 4 years and known each other for 20 years. I am being so Swedish right now by listing a bunch of stats*.

Well it's been fantastic so far with so much that has happened - we welcomed David into our lives, bought 3 homes, moved to Spain, I recently became pregnant again... people must think we're mad. We always say this year we're going to slow down without any huge decisions or events this year, but lets face it - that's just not 'us'.

So looking forward to another year of marriage with all the excitement, the ups and downs and the surprises it brings.

lol, xxx

* I was recently asked by a Swede how far I live from Madrid centre and answered "20 minutes-ish". She looked at me funny and realised later that my answer was incomplete. The answer she was looking for, in it's correct form, was 15km. Stats are a fundamental part of life in Sweden, you are basically a moron if your answer to "how big is your flat" is "it's a 3 bedroom flat". Not good enough, you need to say "it's 120 sq metres" and only then may you tag on details such as number (and hopefully size) of bedrooms and bathrooms.

Claire knows everything.

So last year I met Claire in Madrid and she got me all excited about meeting her and then she up and left to England. Turns out there's a lot to learn from her.

She was "banging on" about the book The Help with my other friend Jenn (who hasn't and isn't allowed to move) and when I finally started reading it a year later I couldn't put it down and read it in 3 days. One of the best all time books I've read.

She was also "banging on" about what kind of rain coat to wear for dropping her kids off at school and I was thinking it probably really doesn't matter... that was until recently when I've been driving by the school next to David's daycare.

I mean seriously, these ladies look like they've sat in hair and makeup for 3 hours before dropping their kids off. They dress like they wouldn't look out of place at an expensive coctail bar. So next year I too will be scowering the internet for branded outfits for start of school.

So I'm racking my brain with what other useful stuff she used to say so I am better prepared for life. I vaguely remember something to the tune of "I can' wait to hear how you guys are in a years time with 2 kids." I gotta say, that now has me worried :)

Claire you are like my wise little yoda.

Summer in Sweden 2011

*Click here for pictures*

An action packed summer visiting Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and friends with David!

Started out with 1 week on West coast with my parents followed by 2 weeks in Skane and a final week back with my parents. So nice to see the families again and we were so warmly received!!

David had a blast thank you to all!

And thanks to Sweden for the extra 4 kg weight I am carrying and for reminding me what rain looks like.

Miss you all,

Carin, Michael and David xx

... wanna be in my gang, my gang, my gang?

So my husband has left earlier than me for Sweden leaving me and David in a city evacuated due to Bank Holidays... or so we thought!

Went to the park (with lots of patient coercing with David as have done my back in and can't pick him up) and found an entire motorcycle gang. Without a word they followed each other up and down paths and hills like a school of fish - it was so cute so I had to share.

Other highlights include David's food coma from chocolate cookies and that I can finally put him to sleep without a crying fit of rage (him not me). Solution: let him sleep with Mack the truck.

It's a GIRL!

Despite not being medically trained even I could see clear as day that it was a girl!! I long had suspicions as I didn't feel nearly as ill this time round and my food cravings are much crazier. It left my husband for once at a loss for words and both of us giddy with excitement, we started talking "names" straight away.

Pregnancy is definitely different this time around, I am breaking all sorts of rules on eating and drinking (e.g.) salami (whoops but the cravings were so strong I forgot!!) and diet coke (double whoops - fake sugar AND caffeine). But so far the girl's measurements are perfect which left me quite relieved!!

Also different is whether we are again going to torment people around us by refusing to share name ideas... it probably seems a little selfish and immature but I guess it's really it's so that you don't get influenced/put off too much by others. In my sensitive hormone state it might be best to keep quiet.

So next week we are off to beautiful Sweden to see our beautiful respective families. I have been trying to talk to my hormones about not having any inexplicable fits of anger. I just feel like they are as bad this time round as my breastfeeding hormones which essencially turned me into a pissed off lioness... family be warned, but that's what they are there for right??

Speaking of irrational anger I am super pissed as I type this that my store bought pizza tastes like IKEA packaging. I really need a good pizza and now feel robbed. Shame on you Carrefour.

On a more positive and upbeat note, here she is, sticking her tongue out, waving away at us with what look like HUUGE eyes. Great bone structure, a model maybe? xx

Fun in the sun 2 - Rio Madrid Picnic