two months : två månader : june 25, 2007

so, little miss swindu princess is now all of 2 months old! i think i've forgotten what its like to be 2 months old, so i can experience it thru vanya now...she is cooing and gooing, making sounds and answering all the tough questions we pose to her. too bad politicians don't take advice from babies, cause they are the smartest in the world and don't discriminate anyone..because love is multi-color-cultural.

the many faces of vanya

realtime : hangin in the crib

realtime : kicking on the playmat

little miss vanya is about 6 weeks old here and kicking to her hearts content on her ikea playmat..wonder how many swedish babies have this same mat? ikea is king here, ya know.

realtime : feeding @ the hospital

this was vanya's formula feeding as soon as we were awake at the hospital.

real time @ hospital

week seven : vecka sju

nearing the two month mark, so now baby vanya can focus her eyes and observe her new world!!! she kicks back in her crib watching the danish designed elephant mobile sent by aunty ingrid in seattle :)

week six : vecka sex

baby vanya enjoying a break wearing a nice blue hand me down from keri & sheena, sitting atop the boppy from aunty christy covered in aunty tina's cover. her feet resting on MY blanket from 34 years ago!!!! and her new best friend, ingamar, the pink bear from our 86 year old next door neighbor. this girl sure gets a lotta stuff from love around the globe - she thanks you for making her start in this work, that much better :)

week five : vecka fem

yeah, i look like a go-go dancer..but how else does one dress for a pediatrician appt?

week three : vecka tre

doesn't she look like the sweetest thing?

week two : vecka två

baby vanya bundled up after a warm bath in a soft towel brought by her grandma from paris! oh la la!!!

week one : vecka ett

baby vanya enjoying the papasan sent by aunty christy in arizona & keeping warm with grandma hilda's hand knit blankie :)

21 days in the world

little miss vanya has grown in leaps and bounds now in her 3rd week of life.

she's become a lot more curious of her surroundings and makes certain sounds she likes to share...some are skreakishly loud..and one wonders why baby's can't scream in quiet? as they say that 'tomorrow is another day' makes major sense in babyland...as it was like a switch went off and vanya just became a bit more mature once it was 21 days...ahhh yes. good for all!

she's become cuter...so we now will keep her as the receipt is no longer valid to return her back to nykopings hospital. :)
heh heh....

miss piggy

Hai (亥) is the twelfth sign of the Earthly Branches. Its animal representation is the Pig ( 豬). In Chinese culture, the pig is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig means the kid will be awesom e and will be immortal, and will also be very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest.

In the continuous sexagenary cycle, every twelfth year corresponds to Hai, and is commonly called "the Year of the Pig" (豬年).There are five types of pig, named after the chinese elements. In order, they are:Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.
there are different kinds of pigs in relation to elements of the earth...so vanya being born on may 25th is:
18 February 2007 - 6 February 2008: Fire Pig

The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. They are a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, they are often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; they won't let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.
It is important to remember that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of them, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the countryside. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.
There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their character. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. They are not weak, however, and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them.

Gemstone : Topaz

forlossning : delivery

vanya was born on may 25, 2007 at 2:25 am

i was having contractions all day on the 24th, starting at 11am...but didn't think anything of them till 1am on the 25th..when they became unbearable... even though i was still pretty calm thru it all, JP wasn't as he knew very well what was soon to come.

having arrived at the hospital at 1:05am...even the midwife there, seeing my calm demeanor thought i was having false pains and just wanted to check the babys heartbeat. she couldn't find it..so she then thought to check to see if i was even dialated. that was when her demeanor complately changed...she looked at both of and said sternly...you are going to have this baby right now!!! you are 8cms! and birth is at 10!!!. no time to think. it was go-go-go. i opted for accupunture & laughing gas for my pain treatments and that was it. after some intense pushing...vanya arrived at 2:25..even though at first i was certain she was a he...and when i found out it was a she..i screamed like crazy, while looking at JPs face!

goes to show you, that every womans pregnancy is unique...and no matter what instincts or predictions you have of what you're going to have....it can surprise you!!!

and they called her....

VANYA

kannada meaning: "of the forest" : "exotic garden"

swedish meaning: none, but a classic feminine name

russian meaning: masculine origin, pet name for 'ivan' or 'ivana'

our meaning: just sounded so pretty and fresh. the international connections just made it that much more appealing.

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i was convinced for some reason that i was having a boy...so i wasnt giving much attention to girl names. but 'vanya' was on the top of the short girl name list and looks like it worked. received only compliments on the name from everyone who now knows about this new being in the world. so that is a nice feeling...and we all know that having a nice sounding name is important in life...always trying to avoid any weird name calling in school and a neat name can always be a great conversation starter.