Poop!

If it's not one it's the other... Just as Erin's feeling better and both kiddie being sent off to dagis Anton's now unwell...with something else!
I got a call at lunchtime from nursery that Anton's tummy wasn't good...I'll spare you the details! ;) Back end trouble and you know what I mean...
Just had to get my stuff together and head home, hoping to get the bus at 12.10 from the square. My school is located just behind the hospital and I rounded the corner of it seeing the bus down to the square leave the bus stop...*sigh!* Thankfully the buses go quite often there so I was hoping I'd still make it down in time. If not I'd have to wait another half and hour and then of course be half and hour "late" to pick Anton (and Erin!) up...
Looking at the timetable I realised it would be a squeeze, as the next bus wouldn't be arriving until 12.12, but since the bus drivers normally don't mind to calling the other bus to wait I don't think it'd be a huge issue...and I also knew the 1st bus would be arriving earlier than 12 past...
I should make it!

Getting on the bus I asked in my nicest, softest voice (since majority of "them" are grumpy come lunchtime): "Could you pleeease ask the 154 to wait for me at the square?"
Driver, grumpy as hell!: "Well, what time is it due to leave?"
Me: "...at 10 past..."
Driver: "I'm not due in in until later than that!"
Me: "I aware of that, not until 12 past...but...I know buses will normally wait a minute or two...that's why I thought that if you call the other bus...?"
Driver: "No, can't do! One should plan one's time better!"
Me (really annoyed now): "Well, ONE can't unfortunately plan when one's children are sick!"
...and I wanted sooo bad to add IDIOT! too but didn't...even if I did feel I probably should have... :(
Arriving at the square I see the 154 start and leave just as the bus from the hospital turned and stopped at it's bus stop...*grrrr!* 40 seconds the bus home would have needed to wait, and I'm sure would have since it isn't one of those buses that leave every 5-10 minutes...if I had to take the 154 to the end of the route I would have had to wait for an hour!
I was FURIOUS!! Called, and thankfully got a hold of, Stephen who could drive us home instead but...that took about an hour out of his work. Before he arrived I stormed in to the the bus companies little "ticket office" with tears in my eyes and expressed my full thoughts on the "incident"! The woman I spoke to agreed he was an idiot! (well, sort of ;)) and that I should put in a written complaint about it... and I will!

Back to Anton... ;) He'd been sleeping since his "accident" and had also managed to have another two "accidents" after the first since it hadn't crossed any of the teachers minds to put a nappy on him! *sigh* I know he's potty-trained but come oooon! He still has a nappy at night time and has only really been dry day time for about a month or so...no need to let him poop himself!! *sigh!*

He's had no fever, no huge problems eating and is seeming well...not sure he'll poop at all today so not sure when he'll be going allowed back to dagis...we'll have to wait and see...

So...

Erin still had a fever on Friday but has been in good spirits anyways. Fever free both today and yesterday so *fingers crossed* she'll be good to go back to nursery tomorrow.

Yesterday was my name day and in our family we really only "celebrate" mine and that with a treat of a semla! Yummy! :D I think true the reason behind my name day being "celebrated" (and not anyone elses) is just the fact that we've finally recovered from all the food and treats we've eaten during Christmas and then the semla's start turning up round about the same time as my name day arrives... :) So we have a good excuse! ;)


Any hoot, mum, little sis and big sis with family all came over and we had really nice semla's, mum even thought it was one of the best ones she's had in a long time.

After all but mum had gone home I downloaded my English exam, my Final Exam!, and sat with that whilst mum and S entertained the kiddies and made us dinner. I think I did quite well...I hope...I mean... :D I know English but it's not the same thing as knowing it and being able to perform well on an exam...

I think I did well and think my "essay" ended up much better than I'd thought! :) Hopefully I'll get the result next week.

Stephen's not been sleeping well at all last night so today will be a chill-out-at-home-day and that's fine by me, I'm still getting used to sitting in class and concentrating all day long so a nice quiet day at home is perfect! :)

MissE

Soo...missE was fine all day long, giving us slight "trouble" at bedtime (i.e. having napped too long at lunch she was not tired) and didn't go to sleep until just before 10. She slept a bit uneasy but eventually settled in our bed.
My alarm went off at 5:40 and I was knackered having more of my sleep interrupted again at 4 by Anton, who also wanted and got to sleep with us. *yaaawn!*
He woke too and shortly thereafter Erin was crying for me...feeling hot! 38.7 C. No nursery today either... Stephen stayed at home today, I really can't miss too much of school this early on.
Anton was happy about getting to go to nursery for a few hours in the morning, even if Erin wasn't going, he's missed his friends! I normally keep them both home when one is unwell even if it is ok to leave just one there - of course as long as the other one doesn't have a tummy bug or similar! He's really missed his friends this week and playing with just Erin at home isn't really enough anymore... :)

We'll see how she gets on...she'll be home tomorrow too to be on the safe side and we'll get in touch with the doctor if the fever returns...hmmm...

Erin...

Yesterday Erin was just seeming "off" in the morning, no fever but a slightly elevated temperature so I told Stephen I didn't think she should go to nursery...he (and Anton) stayed home as I went of to school. Erin was fine 'til sometime after lunch when her temperature shot up to 39.7 C ! Poor baby...after getting something to reduce her fever she was soon feeling better but after dinner, of which she ate really well she started to warm up again...
Around 7 I checked her temperature again and it was up to 39.7 C again! More meds to take the fever down and into bed, later we had to give her a bit of cough medicine too but then she slept through the night, most of it beside me - feeling nice and cool. Weird...

They're both home again today and I've stayed home 'cause S had to go and no fever yet so if she's all "clear" they'll be going to nursery tomorrow... I just don't get these weird fever spells, apparently there are more kids at "dagis" who've had them but that doesn't really explain it...
Fingers crossed that she's ok today! :)

So, first day back...

Monday was start of term and the beginning of my "nanny-course" (barnskötarutbildning), I was not impressed... Even before I applied for the course I call them up to make sure that the teacher's were "proper", right for the job and not who-ever. I did this since this is a course that isn't a regular course (it sort of pops up when "needed") and I didn't want to end up with a course scraped together with people who sort-of know what they're doing... I was reassured (from different people) that this course would be of excellent quality and and that Lena, our teacher, is well-experienced and very much liked.

On Monday I was expecting a short introduction of the course, school, teachers and classmates and then we'd be going home again some time after lunch...but noooo... It was a right mess, poorly planned and we were there all day!
Lena's on sick leave, to begin with it sounded like for a indefinite future, then when I asked about it again more directly...for 4 week (at least?!)...my heart began to sink...
What-if she doesn't come back at all?!
WHAT have I gotten myself into!?
Can I still go back to my "old" school?
How much have I already missed of what those courses??

Most of Monday was spent waiting and waiting and going round the school being shown where the chemistry lab (we're not doing chemistry!!) is and other totally irrelevant information. He did however NOT tell us where the loos were and where we could heat our food if we chose to bring our own lunches...but we know where the chem lab is! *sigh!*

After the long torturous day was over I went to speak to the student counsellor to see what my options were to return to Erikslund...she said I really needed to decide this week and I might not possibly get the same subjects I'd want, due to "my" space probably already been taken by someone else. She told me to speak to the principal too since she would be able to tell me more about Lena's sick leave and what her plans were if Lena doesn't return...

I did! :) ...what a day!... The principal eased my mind a little bit and said that he quality of the course would not suffer even if Lena was to be off for a long time but they were not at all worried that that would be the case, Lena is initially off sick for 2 weeks (not "forever", or a month!) and she'd also spoken to another school that have promised to help out with "proper" teachers if and when needed. She said that she'd also come and talk to the class the following day (which I think she should have first thing on the Monday!) since I knew I wasn't the only one being a bit nervous about the course being of lesser quality...

After letting it all sink in a bit and after yesterday being better, still a bit muddled and peculiar - but better and speaking some more with class mates etc. I'm going to stick it out...
I really want to do this course and there's no guarantee that it'll be back next year and I also need the points towards my "diploma"...
It'll be fine! It'll have to be!

Better now...

:) Less grumpy today. ;) Still not in the mood for my English assignment but...oh well...

Home with Anton and Erin...she had a fever yesterday morning and has to be fever free for 24 hours before they'll have her back at dagis. Anton's home too, for company. E has been fever free since yesterday afternoon but seems to have a bit of a "cough" or whatever you might call it...at night time. She's a little bit sniffly but not phlegmy but still her throat seems to bother her in the evenings for a bit...sounding a bit tight in her breathing but not astmatic or croup-like...hmmm... We'll just wait it out and see what, if anything, comes of it.

Today's an absolutely beautiful day, blue skies and sunshine = cold! :) Promises of even colder weather have been made over the next few days. All of the snow we got is now gone and apparently we're not getting any more, at least right now.

School's starting again on Monday. Good! Been feeling a slight onset of cabin fever being "stuck" at home for most of the holidays. I could well have been doing stuff outside of home but just haven't gotten around to it (bad excuse I know!) ... That's probably why I've been feeling like such a grump too I guess.
Looking forward to the course, slightly nervous about new class mates and what-if the schedule is terrible and kiddies will be stuck at dagis all day (they'd love it! I'd just miss them to bits!) but also exited to do something new rather then re-doing what I've already done, even if it was 10 years ago.
I'm sure it'll be just fiiiine! ;)

Should be studying...

...English... :)

Thought that perhaps I could delay it another moment by practicing on my writing skills...? ;) The teacher "instructed us" (via e-mail it's a distance course) to meet up with a friend and decide to speak only English for half an hour to improve on our speaking skills. :D If I write rubbish for half an hour that should be about the same thing...shouldn't it? ;)

I'm sooo not in the mood for it, only thing "interesting" thing I've got to do is a book review - due next Friday. "Tuesdays with Morrie" and 500 words which is nothing really (last book review I did in Swedish was 1300 words!?) and that just makes me grumpy, like it's not worth bothering about...

So why in the world am I doing English?! Because I need the points, I need the grade and it's an "easy" one to get since I speak, read and write it every day...but it's not easy to keep motivated when it's not even slightly challenging...

Sounding a bit grumpy? :) Well... I am... :P
So I'll stop here before I go on a rant about nothing and I'll return when I'm in a more suitable mood. ;)

In 2008...

How many ...
People did you kiss? Mainly three - Stephen, Anton and Erin. I'm sure my sisters and parents may have gotten a kiss or two as well... :)
States did you visit? Countries ok for you Americans? ;) Went to Scotland i September.
Places did you live? Same place as last 2 years...
People did you date? I don't think you date after getting married, barely did before either! :/ :) We have had a few "dates" without the kids though...so alright then... I dated one person, Stephen! :)
Books did you read? Oh, I've read plenty.
Worst - "The Game" by Neil Strauss - book club choice! :/
Best - Jan Guillou's "Ondskan"! Then a few Paulo Coelho books, really liked "By the river Piedra I sat down and wept"...
People were living with you? Stephen, Anton and Erin and parents-in-law over Christmas.
Animals were living with you? Just our two cats, Ossie & Charlie

What was your...
Favorite movie? I've only been to the movies once this year...I think. :) Stephen took me to see the second Narnia movie (what was it called?) I like that one. :D
Favorite concert? No concerts this year.
Worst experience? Having to send Anton (and S) to the hospital in an ambulance when he had croup.
Happiest moment? I've had a few good moments but probably going back to Edinburgh again. :)
Biggest change? My hair colour! :D From dark brown to blonde!
Biggest surprise? That going back to school wasn't as tough as I had thought it would be...

Did you ...
Break a bad habit? Nah...
Start a relationship? Nope, but a few friendships I hope. :)
End a relationship? No.
Change jobs? Well, I went from being a full-time mom to being a full-time student (as well! does one ever stop being a full-time mom??).
Change living situations? Nope
Lose a loved one? I didn't, but S lost his beloved granddad.
Start a new hobby? Studying? :) No, no new hobbies.
Have an addition to the family? No.
Get married? No.
Get divorced? No.

So, what are the things you want to see happen in '09? Are there things you want to change in your life? About yourself? Comment!!

I want us to be healthy, safe for harm, moving forward on this path we're on...
I want to do well in school, loose some weight, get my drivers licence. Be less stressed, not bother too much about what others think, make more new friends, be a good mom and wife.

X-mas and New Years...

In-laws, Sam and Carol, arrived on Dec. 21st. It'd been 1½ since I had last seen them. Stephen has been over both last December with Anton and then in the spring for his granddads funeral...
Anton got to go with S to pick them up at the airport and had "warmed" to them on the way back, for Erin it took a few days to stop pouting and start being her regular happy, smiley, imp-like self! ;)

We spent the night before Christmas Eve at my sisters so that we'd be able to get the whole x-mas experience from the get-go. Food prepping and turkey in the oven over night etc.
Christmas Eve rolled on quite quickly with more food prepping and dressing kiddies and parents and the arrival of Vaari (Finnish for granddad) & Anja and then watching the traditional "Kalle Anka" on the telly and finally Christmas dinner. We managed it well I thought! :) TONS of food and loads of people in S&B's not overly large kitchen.
Then getting the kids to tidy up the play-room "for Santa" (behind closed door) and *surprise!* that Santa (i.e. vaari!) would knock the door almost immediately when they were done! ;)
Granny and Granddad who normally don't get Santa visiting them got loads of photos taken of him and Granny even got to sit on Santa's knee. :D
No tears from kiddies this year either :) and Anton even got the other ones to sing "Blinka lilla stjärna" ("Twinkle twinkle little star") for Santa. :)

Loads of gifts were exchanged... Anton and Erin got toys and clothes and sweets and more toys... I got perfume (Hugo Boss - Deep Red) from S and kiddies. :D My sisters had gotten me a "ratt-muff" :) and paid for the, making up an explanation here, pre-driving school-training that the "pupil" (me) and "teacher" (Stephen) have to take before being allowed to practise... :/ Any hoot...greatly appreciated gift, totally time for me to get my license! Mum had gotten me a gift card for 7000:- (i.e. 10 driving lessons with instructor)!! *in tears by then* A HUGE gift!! I was left speechless...! :)

Back home again from sis's on Christmas Day and even more gifts waiting for us back here... :) Toys and books and more sweets. :)

Sam and Carol when back home again on the 28th and it was such a good visit, really hope it won't be another 1½ before our next "get-together" :)

Our munchkins went to nursery on Monday and Tuesday while I tried catching up on my English homework.
On Tuesday evening we took a drive to Trollhättan to celebrate my aunt M who turned 50! :) Nice to meet up with cousins and relatives one doesn't see very often. :)

We had no plans for New Years and were just going to chill at home but then invited Big sis and family to join us in our chilling, they came and we hung out and snacked and had our own little fireworks display about 8ish. Nice! :D
Our neighbours must have suffered a small mental breakdown since they spoiled out mood a little with a very peculiar fit of rage over a smouldering box left after the fireworks in our garden. It's not supposed to smoulder afterwards and the smoke caused by the box was totally unintentional but they didn't care about that...shouting and swearing at us (or Stephen, who kept remarkably cool)...VERY weird!
After the "fire" was put out we did our best to ignore the incident...think we did quite well. The Ben&Gerry's ice cream helped! :D A&E fell asleep about 10 and our guests started homeward just a little before midnight. :) The children didn't even stir for the approx. 20 minutes it took for all the fireworks to end and then S and I fell asleep too. :)

Best wishes to you all and hoping you have a wonderful 2009!