Category Archives: Family

Happy 40th Birthday To Me

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Today is the anniversary of my fortieth birthday, which is celebrated accordingly in Sweden with cakes and big presents.

I can’t remember the last time I had a birthday cake, and Jo did a fine job of making a three layer strawberry & apricot affair to last us the year out. It actually felt a bit strange getting cake and blowing out the candles, as it did to have a few friends over to eat said cake and homemade pizza.

Jo had secretly arranged for Janne, Lotten, Edla and Chris to come over for dinner. It was a little bit overwhelming, in fact. Also, I think, because it is midweek I’d been expecting a quiet, early night. I wasn’t quite up for so many visitors, though I’m still glad they came.

The presents I received were absolutely spot-on. I’d been given a few items that were on my Christmas wish-list, which included The final Harry Potter book and a Fred Perry polo-shirt; the Harry Potter book is a bitter-sweet gift, since it marks the end of a long journey; the Fred Perry is an item I’ve been wanting for a while, and harks back to my Rude Boy era of the early eighties, when a white Fred Perry, black Harrington jacket, white socks and loafers were the order of the day.

The best present, one which I’d been expecting, was the Nintendo Wii. I’d not asked for anything else, despite having ideas about a bigger TV or a flat-screen monitor. The Wii was the obvious choice since a) I haven’t yet bought into this generation’s consoles b) the whole family can enjoy what the Wii has to offer.

I’ve been given an option to chip the Wii, which I don’t think I’ll be taking up. Firstly, I don’t wish to contribute to the piracy that is rife in the gaming industry, and, secondly, it feels like it won’t be a Wii, but a bastardized copy of one. I know it sounds strange, and I do not really expect anyone else to understand, but I think I’ll keep my virgin Wii.

All in all I have had a marvelous birthday, and I thank Jo and my friends for making it so.

So Small, But So Much Life

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We went to the hospital today, Jo having a prenatal screening for Down Syndrome. It all went swimmingly well, and Jo got an ultrasound to boot. Thankfully the little one has a beating heart and was very lively inside Mum’s tummy. S/he wasn’t too keen about being “photographed” though, and tried to turn away from the camera at every possibility.

Version 2 is about 7cm after just 12 weeks, which got us both thinking. Abortions can occur up to 20 weeks or so, which, when seeing our 12-week old offspring, offers a moral dilemma I had never previously thought about. You see, our little thing was definitely human-shaped, with all its organs, and even nails (what was God thinking?). Even abortions at 12 weeks became questionable in my eyes, so a further 8 weeks into the development must mean a very difficult decision.

I was thinking what I would want if we found out the baby was handicapped. Obviously it depends on the severity, but I actually found myself contemplating keeping it. I’m not sure I would able to be completely guilt-free wanting to abort something that size/form. It was all a bit to human.

Still a long way to go, so I continue to keep fingers crossed that we have a healthy baby, and Jo’s pregnancy becomes less painful.

Oh, I’ve just realised I need to make another category to put this entry in. Since we don’t have a name I shall temporarily call it Version 2.

Tis The Season To Be Poorly

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Today I’m at home with Freya, who spent much of last night throwing up into a bucket, on sheets, on towels and on herself. The joys of Winter are upon us, and often inside us, with one or more of the family having spent much of the last couple of months fighting off numerous illnesses. This time of year is onerous enough, the short days and inclement weather causing fatigue and apathy, so to have the physical and mental burden of perpetual ill-health is irksome, as well as detrimental to our economy.

On the up-side, Freya’s current malady does at least allow me a day away from work, which is particularly tough at the moment. I usually feel pangs of guilt being at home, even when I am ill, so it’s a welcome break to experience a day absent from school without those feelings.

Sisterly Love

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Well, it’s week nine of Jo’s pregnancy – little baby is currently about 2.5 – 3cm long (should that be tall?), with 2mm long feet – and I’m still trying not to think too much about the possibility of a sibling for Freya, in case anything goes wrong.

Freya, on the other hand, is taking it all very well. She often strokes, cuddles and kisses Mum’s tummy, which is cuteness beyond belief. She has been telling us all the things she can do to help the baby: holding its hand when we cross the road, holding it when it goes to toilet, carrying it to us when it cries, and feeding it.

Mum explained that for the first year or so she’ll be breast feeding. Freya ingeniously explained that she could put some food on her breast, and the baby could eat from there. Mum then explained that the milk she produces would be better for baby, to which Freya said nothing more.

Freya really is very keen on the idea of a brother/sister. I hope she gets one.

The Beginning Of A New Life?

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Jo has just taken a pregnancy test, with a positive result. Still extremely early days, with so much that can go wrong, but a hopeful Jon and Jo sit here tonight.

It explains a lot about Jo’s recent inability to appreciate red wine, and the possibility of Jo soon finding everything I say extremely funny (as with her first pregnancy) could be on the horizon. It also may see a boom in broccoli and spinach sales.

Not much else to say, really. Fingers crossed.