The Holidays part 1

(THIS POST WILL BE DIVIDED IN 2 PARTS, THE NEXT ONE IS COMING UP)

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas so far.  We have had an amazing Christmas ourselves with all the family together in Bergen for the first time!  You see, Jonas' family is divided between the east and the west of Norway.  The tradition forever has been one year in the East, one year in the west.  But now, the family has gotten bigger!  Meaning that first, Olav and I came to the picture and second, Iben and Olivia came along as well!! So, we have to divide ourselves to see our own families as well, so, then, you know, it is a bit more complicated, since the best would be we didn't have to divide ourselves at all, but, different cities... different countries... different CONTINENTS make us do that.  Anyways, this year the east moved to the west and all the family was together for the first time as I mentioned before.  And most importantly, Iben and Olivia, the two little cousins, enjoyed the holidays together (how cool is it for two girl cousins to be born on the same year??). 

We had to pull some McGiver tricks to be able to fit the whole gang, but with the help of our amazing neighbors Steffi, Yolanda and Anne that let us use their apartments while they were away for the holidays, we managed smoothly.

Jonas' family is one with many traditions.  I love that about them, and I think I have adopted these traditions with open arms.  I thought this "traditions thing" was a Norwegian thing, but turns out, the family I fell into is even MORE traditional (when it comes to celebrations).  Christmas is no different, so, we have had 5 DINNERS IN A ROW starting the 22nd of December (my birthday).

So here are a few pictures of these last days.  Hope you enjoy them!!

22nd of December

Birthday Celebration (I turned 31!)

My two favourite girls in the WORLD!

 

First of many meals to come.  To start off a bit light,

we have "Svineribbe" or Port ribs with potatoes and 

red cabagge.  Traditional Christmas dinner in the 

eastern part of Norway. Served with beer and Aquavit.

The family (Nicca is behind the camera, babies are sleeping)

Jonas made me a "tres leches", very typical dessert in Costa Rica.

23rd of December

"Lille julaften" or "little" Christmas.

 

We start the day with walking off last night's meal!

 

"Rakfisk" or "ROTTEN fish". With beer and Aquavit THANK GOD!

(No, no, no, it is actually pretty good!)

 

Just had to show the beautiful table and the red painting 

on the back that is one of my mom's and looks AMAZING!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

We wish you all a happy Christmas.  We will be here, making new traditions and memories, having lots (LOTS) of meals, lots of family time and lots of fun.  Enjoy these times, because that is what matters, to be with the people you love.

An to my family in Costa Rica: See you in only 15 days!!!!!

Christmas present ambition.

This is Olivia's first Christmas.  We didn't get her anything (except for a very cool T-Shirt!), she doesn't need anything, and she is probably getting some presents from friends and family, so, we decided we will hold off with presents this year, and after Christmas see what else she needs and get it for her.  But I can't not have something for my baby under the Christmas tree... so I decided to knit her a sweater?!?! It is not only super advanced for me, but I also decided to change the yarn and needles recommended, so I am sort of improvising with Jonas' help on the math department.  Geez! Who does this!?

This one to be more specific!

 

 

here is my progress so far!

As if I was going to finish it on time... oh well, I will spend every free minute knitting it so it is done by Saturday.  Wish me luck!  So, I should stop blogging and start knitting while Olivia sleeps!

8 months.

Olivia is 8 months today.  It is amazing and so exiting.  I already miss my little baby but I am loving my big baby now.  She is learning so fast and so much.  Everything is going as it should and she is healthy, funny, smart, and the sweetest-coolest little person in the world.  I adore her and can't think of my life without her anymore.  Everything is just so much better!

Congratulations Olivia!!!!!! Te amo!!!!

Flink!

Flink is a Norwegian word that means clever, bright, good at something.  It is a fantastic word, and it is very used.  People are very good (flink!) at letting you know if they think you are good at something, and it is a nice boost of confidence when you receive such a compliment!  So, this is a post for my mother in law Nina, who is the "flinkest" and fastest knitter I know!  I had bought some cotton yarn in hopes of knitting Olivia a summer sweater to take to Costa Rica.  Then I realized I would probably not finish it on time since I had already taken on many other projects due Christmas!   So I asked Nina if she could help me out.  That was less than a week ago.  And look!

Tusen takk Nina! Du er så utrolig flink!  Genseren er perfekt og den skal passe en stund!

Vi er glade i deg, Dani og Olivia <3

By the way...

For those who don't know, I have another blog that I've neglected for the longest time, but now I'm back on track!  Check it out! It is about the non-baby related stuff!  Sort of a playground/dream cloud/brainstorming space/recipe archive/etc!

I want it all, so what?

Feliz cumpleaños mami. Te amo.

It's my mommy's birthday today, so I'm gonna have to write this post in Spanish,  it's what come's from the heart. 

 

Mami, espero que pasés un día muy especial.  En menos de un mes ya no volvemos a ver y podemos celebrar en persona.  Solo te quería decir y recordar lo mucho que te amo y lo mucho que aprendo de vos cada día.  Para mí, no hay mejor mamá en el mundo, y soy la mamá que soy gracias a vos.  Me enseñaste a dar amor, a que los besos y abrazos nunca sobran, a que uno es más que mamá, es compañera, y una compañera para toda la vida.  Espero ser eso para Olivia como vos lo has sido para mí.  Te amamos con todo el corazón.

Y ahora un regalito:

No, no, no, no!

I have never used that word as much as these past few days.  Since Olivia starter "dragging" herself all around the apartment, it's like a whoooole new can or worms was opened! She wants the fireplace, the cables, Rafa's food, the edge of the sofa, and anything that looks dangerous or dirty!  It is a lot of fun thought (for now).

The chair's leg.

"Ah?"

the fireplace!

"Ahí no Olivia! A la chimemea no!" (not there Olivia, not the fireplace!)

An on to some other interesting spot.

By the way, did you notice the gorgeous bloomers she's wearing???? I MADE THEM!!! hi hi.  From Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing for Baby.  They are so cute!  And the sweater still fits!!

Out in the snow.

December!

It's already December.  Christmas is only 23 days away!  Olivia's first Christmas!  Today I read a pretty convenient post at Hank and Lucy's regarding the subject of gift giving for the little ones.  Because it is something to think about.  I think, that there should be limits as how many toys they get.  I think part of the magic of Christmas is appreciating that special thing you have wished for a long time.  And if you get EVERYTHING you wish for, then, where is the magic??  So, as Celia wrote on her post, and I agree 100%, 3 or 4 gifts from the parents (as soon as they grow a bit more and can wish for things, before then, there is really no point, right?) is more than enough, but one of the girls commenting said:

Donna said: A friend who is a mum told me that she follows this rule for gifts for her kids: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. I think it's a pretty perfect guide! :)

I think it's a great way to live by on these kind of things.  Of course, my daughter is only 7.5 months and I have no clue about how things will turn out once she starts asking for things, but, I think, when you plan ahead and have an idea of what you want for your kids, it's easier to follow, instead of improvising as it comes.  But that's me.  So, for us (Jonas and I), this is a great idea.  For the rest of the family: as long as it's not over the top and excessive (and not too pink or "princessy", please!!!), they can give what they want :)

Nothing much.

Just because my baby is growing too fast!  I already miss her little newborn sounds, the raspberries, her "older man" throat sounds, all the things she no longer does.  I don't know what I will do when she stops grabbing her little feet!  (She has to grab them every time she eats! It's adorable!!!).  Now she is rolling and almost crawling.  She loves clapping on the floor, or any surface for that matter, she loves to hear her own voice, so she just "talks" all the time (ta ta ta da da da, ah-ah-ah!), she really wants to get up on her own and is always smiling and having a good time it seems.  Time is really flying! 

7 months.

Olivia turns 7 months today.  So much has happened.  I get amazed when I look back on what she has achieved in such a short period of time.  Short for me, a lifetime for her.  Seven months for me is just a sneeze.  For her is all she knows. 

Today I talked to one of my best friends, Eugenia.  She lives in Mexico now, but when I lived in Costa Rica, we used to share an apartment and dream about what the future would bring.  We both followed very different paths; I got married and moved to Norway, started studying Arts and just settled in what would be my new life.   She was a bit more active, had some exiting-full of surprises years where she traveled and just followed her impulses.  Followed her instincts and did what her heart told her.   Now, she found the man she loves and is expecting her first child.  We are, after many years, on the same page again.  I found myself telling her about how it is to give birth and parent a newborn.  About what we went through, as if it was so long ago and so distant because I have a big baby now.  An no, it wasn't that long ago, it was just a few months ago.  But it seems like a lifetime, because my baby grows so much each day.  She has all this to look forward to and it is all so exiting!

It is true.  It all goes very fast.  It is magical and beautiful and everything you hear.  Despite the sleepless nights and tummy aches.  It is, by far, the best thing I have ever done in my life, and I get reminded of that every single day.

Video taken today.  It's just sweet, and I know most won't get it,

but she is interacting so much more!!!!!

Ps.  I became an aunt almost a week ago! Olivia has a little cousin, Iben!  My beautiful sister in law Nicca did great and is doing great too.  Having fun and enjoying every minute of the babymoon together with the happy dad, Olav.  We love her so much already and we are very exited to meet her soon. 

Happy Father's Day!

 

To the love of my life, the best partner, father and friend.  We love you with every bit of ourselves.

Olivia, Rafa & Dani.

Short and sweet.

Jonas had a course in Stavanger, a city a bit south from Bergen, and he invited Olivia and I to come along.  It was only a day and a half, but it was nice to get out of the city and stroll around a new place.  While Jonas was busy working, Olivia and I had a very nice time just the two of us cruising the city with a bit of shopping and coffee drinking.  A nice escape.  Then at night, when Olivia was asleep, Jonas and I got to eat dinner just the two of us at the Hotel Restaurant (by the way, best service in YEARS at Hotel Clarion, Stavanger).
Places to check out while in Stavanger: nice shops at Kirkegaten, Fargegaten and Østervåg, especially Nola.  Good lunch at Food Story and Cafe Sting (and I've heard, Ostehuset too), Coffee at Sjokoladepiken (and of course chocolate too! the most amazing chilly truffles by the way).  Random concert at Bøker og Burst (although not so children friendly I figured.  All in all, it is a very charming city with lots more to do than just strolling, shopping and eating.  But on a lovely November day, that is just a perfect way to spend the day.

Anyways, next time I'm there, I would like to know, where is the best coffee in town??
Oh, and Lise, it was great meeting you there!!! Love to Jonathan!!!

early start at home

amazing hot chocolate at Sjokoladepiken

view from the window at bøker & børst

 

of course she also comes along

eating a couch and looking out

now she just wants to stand all the time

lovely place, Cafe Sting.

after nursing on the couch at cafe Sting

The sources.