She's 68 Months Old...5 Years and 6 Months

myBachoochie is a big girl now!!!

When I first started this blog she was 14 months old. Since then we've had so many amazing experiences...from Sweden to Paris to Philippines...from pre-school to Kindergarten...from 'Bus' (RV) trips to hotel excursions ...from only child to Big Sister status.

Now, Miss C-Jaz is 68 months - which we recently calculated with her as she wanted to compare her age with her new baby brother - introducing...Big Jayke! More formally known as Jaycob Victorinio, or in short Jaycob Nio.

There's nothing like being awake after a 2am feed to get ready for Valentine's Day for my little girl, especially when there's no school tomorrow. Her little gifts will help fill our day with baking, crafting, writing, and snacking :)

Happy Valentine's :) Love today AND every day!

From Dancing with the Stars to Q'Viva Inspired Girly Dresses

Miss CJaz could not have gotten her model-posing from me! Her cuteness... yes! But her posing abilities...no way!

We were cross-border shopping on the long weekend, and to get her in a change room with me so that I could try on my own stash of clothes, I told Miss CJaz she could bring in a few dresses. I loved 4 dresses that I saw for her, but I forgot about the possibility that she may have to choose.

Of course she loved all 4, but I didn't want her to think she could get it all just because they were pretty dresses. We had a heated conversation, and even though she left the change room with arms folded across her chest, I was able to convince Miss CJaz to choose only 3 of the 4 dresses.

At the end of the day, Miss CJaz walked away with 5 dresses (the yellow and coral dresses being separate purchases). I got great deals for her dresses...all on sale :)...and I got 3 from my favorite store...Gap (even though they didn't choose her for their casting call).

I love my Girly Girl and dressing her up!!!

Love

Her eyes opened, and the 1st thing she said was, "Happy Mother's Day!" Biggest. Smile. Ever...on her face and mine :)

My Girlie Girl

Mini mani-pedi's...sun dresses...hair accessories...purses...lipgloss...

Miss C-Jaz is a girlie girl, and it honestly was not my intention to make her one!! She isn't a total girlie girl because I can say that she loves playing rough with daddy, throwing the football around or kicking a soccer ball. And even if she's playing with My Little Pony, it's become a hobby with daddy to make it The Adventures of 'Pony-Transformers'.

At 4 years and 11 months, Miss C-Jaz has read her 1st book (though very small) all by herself!

Girlie or not, Miss C-Jaz continues to entertain us, to love us, and to give us lots of 'family hugs'.

4 Years Old Going On 13

It was a Mary Kay day...I had my 'Check Up From the Neck Up' with my sister, a new Mary Kay consultant, and Miss C-Jaz couldn't help but take part in the make-up trial.  I had my eye shades, blush, and lipstick samples.  Miss C-Jaz took over my blush & lipstick palette, and she cutely applied the product with a little more finesse than a 4 year old should have. 

She's been a great little helper for my sister with Mary Kay, and for myself as a Stella & Dot consultant.  No wonder she's the little stylist fashionista that she is. 

The Battle of the Hairbangs: Romulan versus Rachel Berry

I think Miss C-Jaz tricked me with her intention behind getting me to cut her hair to give her bangs.  It started about a month and a half ago when I was cutting Daddy-oh-ee's hair.  Out of the blue Miss C-Jaz started talking about how she wants me to cut her hair really short (like her bff's hair), and with her hand she motioned that short meant right under the chin.  Inside, I was freaking out.  Outside, I was trying to use reverse psychology stating all the different things I could possibly think of that she had expressed to me in the past...

"Oh, well I thought you wanted to grow your hair out like Repunzel?"
"But if you have short hair, we can't curl it anymore."
"If you cut your hair, it won't be like mine."

And to each of these, to no avail, Miss C-Jaz said, "Oh, it's okay.  It can grow out."  How mature of her...at four years old...

Well, a few weeks passed, and I was cutting Daddy-oh-ee's hair again.  Miss C-Jaz did not forget.  She was pretending to be my next customer awaiting her hair cut.  So, finally I sat her on the bar stool in the washroom.  Daddy-oh-ee would be in for a surprise after his shower and his new cut.  I sprayed water on Miss C-Jaz's hair, had my comb in one hand and scissors in the other.  The cutting part wasn't going to be a problem.  I was prepared to cut her hair to sit above her shoulders, then to show her it was super short, I would take my hand and brush her hair against her neck with the illusion of much shorter hair.  Besides, it wasn't like I was cutting her bangs like I did a few years ago prior to leaving for Sweden making her accidentally look like a Romulan.

Remember those bangs, and ignore the raised eyebrows and ridges along the forehead!!! You'll be seeing this hair cut soon...

So, Miss C-Jaz's hair was cut, nice and fresh, no resemblance to being a Romulan, and I thought I was out in the clear.  Nope!  Not today.  I was prepping her today, reminding her that we were going to make Daddy-oh-ee look more handsome with a haircut.  (If I don't 'prep' her mentally with reminders, sometimes she's is very uncooperative and stubborn.)  Then, all excited she said, "Of course!"  Again, all mature sounding.  "And we can cut my hair too!  I'll get bangs."

Daddy-oh-ee overheard this and tried his own way of reverse psychology.  Fail.  Her mind was made up.  "Don't worry Daddy, it won't look ugly."

Here we go again.  Inside, I was freaking out for real...bangs?!  Outside, I didn't say much, other than, no matter what, you're always pretty.

I felt like the people in Matrix who downloaded information at an instant.  I retrieved information in my brain from all my previous experiences getting a hair cut and tried to envision the various techniques I've witnessed sitting in the hairdresser's chair.

I must proudly say, that I did it!  I've come a long way from the Romulan bangs to a more pleasing style.  A style that I truly believe Miss C-Jaz was envisioning in her own mind, which was truly her intention behind getting bangs...

Yes, Rachel Berry.  As soon as Miss C-Jaz saw her bangs in the mirror, she couldn't stop looking at herself.  "Mommy!  I look like Rachel Berry now," she exclaimed with so much enthusiasm.  She was running around, showing Daddy-oh-ee, Gamma, and Gammpa.  Miss C-Jaz was going back and forth between mirrors.  She was happy with her new do, so now we'll see how long the looks lasts for her.  Soon after her shower, she had a hair pin in her hair keeping the bangs away from her eyes, which is great!!!  In the end, the bangs are a super cute look for her, and yay for my 'mad skillzz' (as my bff commented) as the personal hair dresser for Daddy-oh-ee and Miss C-Jaz :)

The 'asymetrical romulan' look.

The 'Rachel Berry' phenomenon.

The cutest little mature 4-year old I know.

First Day of Montessori Pre-School, or 'Khool' as Miss C-Jaz Would Say

"Mommy! I can say 'sss...school'!" Miss C-Jaz says with the biggest grin.  "I didn't say 'kool'.  I can say 'sss...skin', not 'kin'.  I can say 'sss...swimming', not 'pimming!"  She laughs, and bounces, and wiggles.  It's the best sound, the best sight, the best reason to smile.

Miss C-Jaz has officially participated in that big social event and kick off for a new school year that we all call 'The First Day of School'.  For her, the next 3 weeks are about integration: a shorter period of time than her regular schedule.  Some of the goals are to settle into a new routine, to meet the teacher, and to get to know classmates. 

It was definitely a great day for Miss C-Jaz, and as much as J and I wish we could've been a part of her big day, she was in great hands with Ganma, and so my account is based on what I was told as I had my own First Day of School to conduct with my own class of Grade 1s, another story in itself that tested my abilities as a teacher in a way I hadn't anticipated.

My day with my new class ended at 12:15, and as soon as I got out of my staff meeting I called Ganma, excited to see what Miss C-Jaz's reactions were to her new environment and new experiences.  For at least a month, we've been talking about her school and her new teacher, Ms. N, to prep for this big day. 

At times c,onversations went like...
"Miss C-Jaz, do you remember Ms. N when we first met her after we came back from Sweden?"
"Ahh. Yah. I 'member."
"Do you remember what she looks like?"
"No. But I'm gona see her soon."

Other times it was to build excitement like...
"Who's going to school on Tuesday?" I'd say in a sing-song voice.
"Me-ee.  I am!"  Miss C-Jaz would respond mimicking my tone.  "Yesssss!" she'd say thrusting an arm up into the air.

Thankfully, it was a very good day for Miss C-Jaz.  Ganma said she was brave.  She went into her classroom no problem.  When Ganma and Ganpa left her, she was seated amidst the other kids, and by the time they returned to pick her up she was seated right beside Ms. N.  Apparently Miss C-Jaz told me that she moved purposefully so she could be near Ms. N while also having a good view of the doorway so that when she saw Ganpa poke his head in a few minutes before the end of the class she said, "My Ganpa is here everybody.  Bye! I've gotta go now." 

Over the phone when I called Ganma I could hear Miss C-Jaz say there were lots of boys in her class and only 3 girls.  Supposedly, 2 boys were crying for their moms.  "But, I didn't cry Mommy," was what she said to me over the phone.  "I didn't have to potty, too," which is always a good thing, right?  Later in the evening she told me that there should be a separate class for girls and for boys, and she also said that Ms. N was like Mommy because she's a teacher.  It always amazes me the connections she makes and to see how her brain works.

Miss C-Jaz definitely enjoyed her First Day of Pre-School!  She has tomorrow off as part of her integration schedule, so hopefully Thursday is another day of 'grrrreat success'!

I can't believe my baby is growing up!!!  *sigh*

Spoiled in Stockholm

I could spend my days raising our daughter
with time to choose how to enjoy our days
and time to be
a wife
a mom
a chef
a cleaner
a writer
a student
a thinker
in the way I wanted
working hard yet with no stress of having to work
living in a European city
where children were held in the highest regard.

We lived minimally having so much
of the best selections of food and clothing and unique toys
in a home still under construction
that smartly met our needs.

We walked clean streets surrounded by water
exploring cobblestone roads amongst old buildings and hidden spaces
alongside people who took pride in healthy bodies and subtly bold fashions
including countless moms and dads pushing high end black strollers.

We perused gallerias with stores on end of stylish clothing
choosing from an array of 'saluhalls' and healthy foods
made of fine ingredients
making McDonalds seem fresh and clean.

We experienced the coldest of the longest winters
that made one of the best Christmas seasons and celebrations
and in the long warm summery days we longed to feel the heat and service-style of Vegas.

We felt lost many tumes in such a foreign city that was differently similar to home
though it allowed us to define our own family,
to articulate our support system of parents (godparents) and siblings (aunts and uncles),
to appreciate our friends
and surprisingly experience so many of them as they tried to bring us a piece of home.

Each time we showed off the city like a native we experienced it like a tourist.
We walked the streets of Paris and EuroDisneyland
explored Shiphol and Arlanda.

We accepted a journey and welcomed uncertain adventures.

We took the leap of faith
finding God in a whole new way
believing in His better plan for us
that with the Spoils of Stockholm
there is comfort in a current moment of uncertainty
trusting that what I don't know will soon be revealed
accepting that my path is necessary
and to complete it willingly will be fruitful.

Love and faithfulness has never left us
(since those words were uttered by a friendly stranger in our all-inclusive Mexico honeymoon)
through trying times before Stockholm showed its purpose.

Sweden is forever in our hearts while the bain of an existence.

Forever I am grateful for the 'Spoils'...
privileges from a hard working man dreamed to life.
We tasted a life that inspires an ultimate goal
fueling a path
and we can 'will' a dream to reality.

We learned hard and grew strong.
The life lessons worthwhile
the experience surreal.

In the end,
Home is truly Sweet Home
and change is good.

We accept this new journey
and welcome its uncertain adventures.

Pure Glee and Joy

Unposted...Drafted February 22, 2010...

...I was changing the bedsheets for the last time tonight, and I couldn't help but watch, as if for the first time, her usual routine of bouncing and giggling, arms flailing with legs like spaghetti while falling and laughing and periodically spouting gibberish and cohesive sentences.  Miss C-Jaz loves loves loves to play on the bed while I try to fix it.  It was entertaining to watch her let herself fall onto the bed after she walked in tiny steps 'round and 'round in a circle.  She'd stop after belly flopping onto the bed, her left cheek lying on the bed looking up at me.  A smile and a ripple of giggles would form at her lips, and her eyes shone with pure glee and joy. 

I wondered so many things at that moment.  Mostly I wondered just how much Miss C-Jaz could comprehend the events of the past few days and as if she understands what is to come; she talks as if she gets it.  "Mommy, can I see Elmo in my luggage?"

"Sure.  We're bringing him home to Canada, right?" I ask in hopes that she won't want to take him out of the tetris-ized box-luggage.

"Yesssssss!" Miss C-Jaz hisses with a fisted hand and arm raised high in the air.  "'Tanks', Mommy!"...

"God Jul"...It's Snowing in Sweden

The snow in Stockholm is amazing!!! It feels so soft. It smells so fresh. It tastes so clean. (Yep, I ate some that I skimmed off the top from the balcony. I should've added some syrup or something.)

Miss C-Jaz has yet to play in the snow. As soon as we get her a snow suit, and as soon as the snow fall stops because it's incredibly windy and stings the skin, then we'll be out making snow angels and seeing how high the snow comes up to Miss C-Jaz.

Last night before bed we looked out into our patio and could not believe the amount of snow that had piled up.  I thought why not bring in some snow in a big mixing bowl so we could play with it?  What was I thinking?  Someone got carried away and splashed snow, which landed on me, but at least it's just water in the end.

 

The snow just kept on falling ... and falling ... and falling.  Whenever we looked out or the windows we could hardly see the SkiStar.com mountain because the snow was falling in all directions and crazy fast.  I feel like I haven't seen snow before.  With our view of the highway, it was obvious no one was driving any slower, which was even more crazy.  Thankfully, we didn't see any accidents.  Every time we opened the patio door today to check on our mounds of snow, the wind would whip into the room and spray us with snow.  It was funny because Miss C-Jaz would back away from the open door covering her face.

Despite the constant snow, Miss C-Jaz and I were able to go out yesterday morning, off-roading in her Zooper stroller.  I bought enough groceries to last us till the weekend or at least until J would be home on holidays.  We stopped by the toy store and picked up some more gel window decorations for Christmas.  We still have our stars from a little while ago, but we found Santa and posed him waving with both hands, which Miss C-Jaz pointed out he was juggling the Ho Ho Ho's.

Since the gel decos were 2 for 1 we picked up the Swedish greeting for Merry Christmas.  Oh, and I put up a paper tree, something I saw in an art store window.  In brighter light, each tier is a different pattern of scrapbooking paper: trees, God Jul, and stars in a mixture of green and red.

 

The snow continues to fall as of now, and I think back home in Vancouver it's nice enough above zero and raining.  One thing I don't mind is not driving in the snow.  From our window you can see one side of the street lined with cars buried in snow.

 

As I finish this post off, it won't be long until J is 'home for the holidays', at least home with us.  I'm hoping to find a last minute getaway somewhere, but it's so tricky online with the Swedish sites, and I don't trust the Swedish travel agents.  Anyway, here's a shot of Miss C-Jaz from this afternoon running around wildly while playing with her hair that I've been trying to grow out, especially the bangs.

"God Jul!" 8 Days and counting.

'Tis the season...

If you've been sharing in Miss C-Jaz's adventures far from her Vancouver home to her current Stockholm residence through my eyes, we love that you come along for the ride. You'll notice my writing frequency has diminished on account of Miss C-Jaz napping less regularly and in shorter amounts of time, which is usually my quiet time. She's also been falling asleep much later so it's harder for me to stay up.

Aside from all of these reasons, Christmas is coming which means J gets to be home with us, then hopefully despite the British Airways mess, Mita and Wowo will be here followed by Nang and Unco Edge. So, my goal is to get Miss C-Jaz's stories out at least once a week. I'm also working on a new site, so I'll be trying to focus most of whatever time I get towards that.
Stay tuned!!!

As of today, Miss C-Jaz and I have completed 5 'Today's letter is...' (A to E). Her routine is still similar but all the times vary now. We'll be Christmas shopping soon to spoil Miss C-Jaz and also looking for a snow suit. Most importantly we'll be getting ready for a Swedish Christmas dinner and for family to visit, hopefully.

Wishing everyone a safe and memorable season. You'll be seeing us soon!

Today's Letter Is 'B' & Old vs New Daddy

It's getting harder and harder to find times to write.  If Miss C-Jaz has her nap as usual, by the time I'm half way through house stuff, she's up, which is what happened yesterday.  We had another day like home-school preschool: playing 'tea set', molding play dough, reading, writing, and drawing.  'Today's Letter Is' big 'B' and baby 'b', and it was definitely a lot more easy to come up with words starting with the letter 'b'.  If you use your imagination you can see the big 'B' Miss C-Jaz tries to form with her body.

She was a little more whiny yesterday evening having had a shorter nap, but she was really good when I was making Greek lasagna, which I'm going to admit tasted amazing.  Saturday we had great South African cabernet sauvignon with my sad creation of Thai Green Curry, unlike the one I made a while ago - I had the wrong main ingredient.  So, Sunday I needed to redeem myself.  At the last moment I decided to try a recipe, which I ended up altering as always, and I knew once I tasted it that "my chil-li would bring all the boys to the yard"!!!  I really enjoy cooking now, and it's even better when Miss C-Jaz is happy and helpful in the kitchen. 

On the weekend Miss C-Jaz had a couple of time outs, which J and I hate doing especially if she's crying, but she gets her warning and when she doesn't listen or comply I sit her on the last bottom step of the stairs.  We keep her in our peripheral vision, and she's actually really good at sitting on the last step.  If she's still upset she might call for me to pick her up or she might stand on the last couple steps holding the railing, but immediately I sit her down either silently or with a quick reminder of why she's having a time out and what she must do to make amends.  The most recent was her act of spitting towards J.  She's been interested lately with spitting in general.  I've told her she should only spit in the sink or in the shower, and she doesn't quite understand that it's rude to spit at people.  So, when she spit towards J we gave her a warning and why, but she did it again.  That meant time out.  It lasted for a couple of minutes, but it felt like much much longer.  J and I were nearby in the kitchen area, and Miss C-Jaz was crying and calling out; it was heartbreaking.  In a whisper J said, "One of us is going to give in."  We hung in there, and soon after Miss C-Jaz was ready to apologize.  She understood the act of spitting towards people was not a good thing.  Lesson learned.

Whatever Miss C-Jaz does, she's the cutest, yummiest thing.  When we started our day yesterday, she woke up and saw me in J's side of the bed and asked in whimper, "Where's my old Daddy?"  I thought to myself 'old Daddy'?

"He's at work, Babe."  Then, it sounded like she was going to cry.

"But, I want my old Daddy!  I need him.  Where's my old Daddy?"

Repeating myself  I told her, "He's at work."

Then she asked an odd question, "Where's my new Daddy?"

"You're new Daddy?  You only have one Daddy."

"Where's my new Mommy?"

"Well, you only have one Mommy...me!  And, you only have one Daddy."

"Oh!"  So, Miss C-Jaz left it alone for a bit, but I couldn't figure out what she meant until the end of the day, and she asked me again, "Where's my old Daddy?"  Then, it hit me.  Over the weekend, Miss C-Jaz and I were helping J up the stairs, and he was kinda injured from all his working out so he hung his arms over our shoulders.  We were saying to Miss C-Jaz, "We need to help Daddy up the stairs...," then I added, "...because he's 'OLD'."  But, I was just kidding.  So, when Miss C-Jaz heard old, the opposite for her is new, as opposed to young I guess.  Whatever she meant at least now I know where it came from, I think.

I can't believe I'm able to write at this moment, but my time is almost up...Miss C-Jaz was up early today for our last Swedish class...YAY!!!...and she's been having a good 'stroller nap'.  I even took her from Stureplan to Segels Torg for Rum for Barn and a special show, which was supposed to be ideal for younger kids, but she would not wake up.  It's been almost 3 hours since then, but I did find a possible lead for an English-speaking pre-school.  I saw a small handful of kids, and 2 adults (male and female) asking the little kids if they had to pee first before leaving.  I couldn't pass on the chance of asking the adults what school they were from.  I received some valuable information IF we were to stay on here longer than planned.

I think I've been quiet long enough in my attempts NOT to make one shred of noise that would wake up my 'NEW' napper.  Well, time to do some house stuff, and before we know it, 'OLD' Daddy will be home.

Like a Home-School Pre-School: Today's Letter Is...and Today's Recipe is the Easiest Playdough Mix Without Cream of Tartar

Where do I begin?  It's been more than a week since our weekend of having to move to the loft next door because of a 'Swedish fail' (a term J coined referring to things or situations, witnessed or experienced in Stockholm that are unheard of back home in Vancouver).

I was determined to have our usual weekend of wine, comfort foods, and family hugs.  We managed to move, sanitize, and re-organize everything on the Saturday, but it took all friggin' day.  The cutest part of our day was being mooned by Miss C-Jaz's plumber crack (on account of her pants being too big) as she cleaned the coffee table and stored her books.

 

Sorry, Miss C-Jaz!  I had to.  You're too cute!

At the end of our Saturday ordeal, we had amazing 'Indisk' food: butter chicken, lamb biryani, and garlic naan bread.  Miss C-Jaz had fun moving, but we were glad to have the move over and done with so we could move on with our lives and have our chill Sunday.

Last week was our second week into 'Operation Re-Newed Potty Poop-N-Pee'.  The first week, Miss C-Jaz was wearing Easy Ups and starting to pee in her pink Baby Bjorn.  The second week, she started wearing her H&M underpants and was constantly peeing in the potty but pooing standing up wearing a baby diaper.  She only had a couple accidents on account of me being too slow to act on, "Mommy, I need to go pee on the little potty," and on account of her having too much fun with Daddy, playing hide-and-go-seek with her cell phone.  Miss C-Jaz can verbalize when she needs to go poo, and she's tried to do it on her potty, but she asks for left over baby diapers to do her deed in.  This past week has been different, in her third week Miss C-Jaz is almost there with being potty trained.

One morning last week, she just said to me, "Mommy, I wanna go poo on my Dora potty on the big potty."  I thought, okay, we'll try it again.  So she sat there, talked a bit, asked me to hold her hand, and she just did it!  She was so happy because she knew J and I would be so happy for her.  She was clapping her hands saying, "Yayeee!  Nana did it.  When Daddy come home...I tell him that I pooed in the big potty, and he say, 'Yay!  Nana did it.'"  Since then, she's been taking care of business.  The only time she wears Easy Ups is for going out and for bed time.  So far, knock on wood, she's been just fine during nap time with no Easy Ups.  (And in the middle of me writing...as I sat on the couch with Miss C-Jaz napping beside me...I felt my right butt cheek go warm and almost comforting...until I realised...SHE PEED IN HER SLEEP!  Oh, well.  I grabbed some kitchen towels, soaked up the puddle, woke her up, then stripped the Ikea couch cushions, and was cleaned up in no time.  She was so cute..."Sorry, Mommy.  I didn't mean to."  'Course it's not her fault, and I told her so.  I reminded her for next time that she should pee before naptime.)

My proud little pooper!

It's been a great week for 'Operation Re-Newed Potty Poop-N-Pee', and today's been a great day compared to all of the days last week combined.  She's had a few more tantrums than usual, more whining, and more late naps last week, which also meant little or no time for me to write, and any late nights I had I used to research our Disneyland Paris trip.  (I think I might want to be a travel agent...)  We did have a good adventure at Rum för Barn last Tuesday, which will be for another blog, but today was a lot of fun learning.

I hope it lasts for a while.  We seem to do things in phases like semesters.  When we first came here we did our daily walks by the water.  Then when the rain and darkness came we had short day trips to the grocery store or into the city for Swedish classes.  Now, the temperature is starting to drop and being outside makes it difficult with on-and-off rain and chilly breezes.  We shall try to venture out to Rum for Barn, but today was fun and felt like home-school preschool.

We started "Today's letter is...", where we write out a big letter, its baby letter, and the sound it makes.  Then, we draw and write words that start with that letter.  Check out Miss C-Jaz below forming the big letter A with her arms.

After we were writing (see her scribbles above behind her head), we decorated with stickers, she 'spelled' out words with her foam letters, she played with her tea set, cooking steak and chicken, and she built homes with her block thing-ies all the while listening to her little pre-programmed music player.  The house on the left, below, is supposedly for J and I, while the house on the right is for Miss C-Jaz and Bo.

After lunch with lots of fruit, she tried to go down for a nap at her usual 'two two-teen', but that didn't happen and she wanted something else to do, and it hit me...playdough.  I did a quick search online and found the easiest recipe for playdough WITHOUT cream of tartar which so many recipes had.  We were just fine without it. 

The Easiest Playdough Recipe WITHOUT Cream of Tartar...
1.5 cups of flour plus 1 to 3 tblsp when neading
1/8 cup of salt
1/2 cup of water
7 ml or 1/2 tblsp of oil
Mix well, adding a little more flour if sticky or a little more water if tough.

"And das it!"

By the time we finished playing with the Cream of Tartar-less Playdough, it was almost 4:30 pm.  She did eventually fall asleep, but the pee incident woke her an hour later.  It was a really great day.  She was so cooperative, eager, and pleasant.  She had a few minor moments, but I'm just hoping for more days like today.  It reminded me of a day teaching with minimal or no issues in classroom management.

Miss C-Jaz is growing so fast, and I worry about her in every way, whether she gets enough of everything.  We were reading my 'Your Toddler Month by Month'.  She was looking at the pictures while I read aloud.  The important thing at her age is natural learning, doing different activities that help her motor skills and verbal skills, with minimal feelings of anxiety.  I'll explore this in a later blog, but today Miss C-Jaz was engrossed in activities that fed her imagination, creativity, and comprehension with minimal anxiety.   A+ for today!

F.Y.I.

It's been a busy weekend and a busy couple of days.  Tomorrow is Swedish class too, so hopefully I get to write soon.  Lots to update on Miss C-Jaz's Swedish adventures ;)

Wishing Sheldon's Method of Trying to Make One's Head Explode Actually Worked

I was so looking forward to a weekend of wine, comfort foods, a mini 'make-over' for J (mostly hair cutting and wardrobe updating), and just our usual weekend fun.  I suppose we will still have a version of this whilst we sanitize the 'surfacely' clean loft next to us (a mirror layout of our current loft) so that we can move in to it. 

Sound ridiculous? 

Oh it is...in so many ways, but really this lovely situation is all because of one person at J's work who has not one shred of competence or professionalism.  And, yes, this is me being NOT Ver-y-nice in a very nice way.  I have much more to spew, but I won't.  The bottom line is that this said person canceled the company's lease on our loft thinking it was the residence of another employee in the aforementioned loft next door to us.  The entire action of switching lofts is redundant (as Sheldon Cooper may comment) and supposedly the mistaken cancellation cannot be reversed for legal reasons.  So, fine.  I'll move my stuff, and the only reason I may be pleasant about it is for Miss C-Jaz's sake.  She shouldn't have to be around a grumpy and bitter me because of said incompetent person who can't even feel my wrath as I try to make her head explode (again...as Sheldon Cooper may do if in such a predicament - try this link for a visual).  And besides, if I focus on doing what I need to do, then I won't have time to think about said unprofessional person, which would only make the entire redundant process more difficult and more drawn out. 

Well, setting this situation aside, Miss C-Jaz had a good day.  We walked to see her ducks, then we 'groceried'.  She fell asleep for her nap and I swept and tidied, anxious to write until J called (during his work hours), which is not a good thing as already I've mentioned and will cease from mentioning further. 

Did I mention that Miss C-Jaz can now sing Sheldon Cooper's favorite comfort song when sick? I'm still trying to catch her in the act. 

"Soft Kitty...Warm Kitty...Lit-tel ball of ferrrrr.
Happy Kitty...Sleepy Kitty...Per per per."

Anyway, I made another great dinner...Chicken with Dijon Mustard Sauce and Chunky Mashed Potatoes - the easy and yummiest mashed potatoes I ever made.  Cooking back home in Vancouver never came so easily.  I hope this streak lasts for me.

Side note - I'm writing this early morning, and Miss C-Jaz in her sleep just called out Penny's name (another Big Bang reference).  Her dreams should be interesting.

Anyway, tomorrow is pancakes for breakfast, but I'm planning French toast, and regardless of this coming weekend's pre-determined events, we're going to have our weekend! 

From Beginning to 'Slut' (Swedish for 'the end'): A Ver-y-nice Day!

The cuteness that I wake up to.

"I comfy cosy! Cover me wid da beng-ket pease, Mommy. Cover my arms too."

Today, after she peed in her potty, which she is starting to do well I might add - though she forgets to tell me she needs to pee during the day, so I still have to instigate it and we have to work on number two sitting down since she likes to stand - I ask her if she's ready to go downstairs for breakfast.

"No, Mommy.  I want to cuddle with you in da bed!!"  And I think to myself, how do you say no to that?  Well, you just don't.

So, we cuddle and chill for a  bit, but with sunshine finally filtering into our window we venture to Sickla for a good 4 hours there are  back.  We were excited for our Shake It! smoothy from our favorite kiosk, Naked Juice Bar (the yummiest drinks and the nicest staff), but it was closed since they were relocating to another part of the mall.

We almost settled for a pink pre-made-open-to-germ-infestation smoothie at 'Cranky' Coffee House by George, which would've been better if it was Cookies by George, but the rudeness of the non-looking Swede dude behind the counter deterred us for the better.  Too bad for you, 'Cranky' Coffee House by George (cranky because none of the staff look happy)!  You lost a great customer in me - and I used to go to Starbucks about 5 times a week.  I wonder if they even have anything good?  'Cranky' Coffee House by George sells smoothies that are not made fresh and they sell Gevalia coffee that I can buy from the grocery store.  So, what's the Coffee by George?  I really don't want to say much, but I was irked by the worst customer service ever (not that I should be surprised since I am in Sweden) - almost ignored and spoken too devoid of eye contact.  I was even dressed up Swede-like in the comfiest tights with my Zara pea coat and Scorett stiletto boots.  Am I that intimidating?  Anyway, to give the benefit of the doubt, maybe the dude couldn't speak English.  But, still!!!  I'm still working on my Swedish.  He's just lucky J wasn't with us or he would've been put in his place.  Regardless, Miss C-Jaz and I, as a result of our first AND LAST experience with 'Cranky' Coffee House by George, enjoyed a Happy Meal (of nuggets, apples, and OJ), a fried apple pie (like back in the 90s), and a smoooooooth chocolate milk shake (Nang's favorite).  Miss C-Jaz ate so well and so slowly, always looking around and squirming while reading her Happy Meal book, that we must've been sitting in the restaurant for 40 minutes.  McDonald's hardly displeases!  So, that's me being Ver-y-nice.  Even Miss C-Jaz was cute about it.  She said, "Mommy, I don't like the pink one (smoothy)!"

We had a fun day, as we always try to do.  Miss C-Jaz loved the walk.  I even got a cute top to go with my tights.  I'm skinnier now than when I was home in Vancouver, so I see all the hype about tights since I'm confident enough to wear them.  I was able to shop a little when Miss C-Jaz was snoring away in her Zooper, and I had a zippy walk home with daylight ending early.  My boots were made for walkin'!  Love them, but love my husband more for getting them for me!

We chilled a bit at home after Miss C-Jaz emptied a few items for me from ICA - she's a self starter!  Her hair was all dis-shelved from her hood and she was a tad disoriented but happy from her hap as she oh-so-cutely picked up a pack of small garbage bags, held it up in her right hand with her left grasping the bottom kitchen cupboard, asking, "Mommy?  I put it here?"  She was so  nonchalant - it was a charming site and a scary one because she's definitely growing!

While Miss C-Jaz watched a bit of 'Tan Tan Tan Tan...', her nickname for The Big Comfy Couch, I prepped dinner, and it was amazing!  Sukiyakilax, or Salmon in Sukiyaki Sauce.  I altered the recipe I found, as always, and with just enough sauce, the salmon had great flavor and the veggies were crunchy.  As I finished cooking, my wok looked a bit picturesque.  It's as good as it looks salmon lovers!!!
        

From beginning to slut, our day's been full of mini adventures.  Overall it was a day of minimal whining until bedtime when she randomly acted out with a kick and some scratching at Daddy as he joined in to watch Tinkerbell.  I don't even know what compelled Miss C-Jaz to be so rough - maybe she felt disrupted from her Tinkerbell movie.  When I attempted to discipline her apparently..."Mommy!  You made me cry!"  I had turned off her movie because she didn't stop with the attitude, and I replied, "No.  You cried on your own.  You know you're not supposed to kick and scratch.  Remember Molly and Lunette today?  Molly hit her friend, and Lunette got hurt."  Miss C-Jaz continued with some fake crying.  "I'll be here when you're ready to say sorry."  It was fascinating, in a few moments, MissC-Jaz returned to her usual cute self, and at eye level I heard out her apology that started in a whisper.

"I sorry, Mommy.  For kicking.  For what I said,  I sorry.  For crying."

"So, you're going to remember not to kick and scratch because it hurts other people?"

"Yes, Mama."

"Okay.  Thank you.  Hugs and kisses please.  Then go give Daddy a gentle kiss too and say you're sorry."  And Miss C-Jaz did so with some sugary love.

SLUT!  (pronounced SLEWT)  'The End'

Sitting Pretty in Purple and Pink

Stockholm this week continues to be dark and rainy, but there's still plenty of sunshine from my Bachoochie.  We got a break from Swedish class today, but as we headed out anyway for a walk and for groceries, it started to spit rain.  It wasn't too bad, but we didn't linger much outside.  Miss C-Jaz had fun as always.  When we stepped into the door arriving home she said in a sigh, "Oh, Mommy, that was fun."  We dressed up a little today just 'cause, and I couldn't help but take pictures of Miss C-Jaz in her cuteness.  I've been able to pin up her bangs lately since I'm trying to grow them out, which makes her face even sweeter. 

Miss C-Jaz is a poser, just like Daddy. 

She's wearing her shiny Osh Kosh B'Gosh jeans

and her Joe polka dot cardigan with shiny beads for buttons.

She's showing off her turtle neck...

...and her gathered wrists and ruffle sleeves of her Zara top.

Comfy Cute!

Broccoli Trees in Haystacks & 'Operation Re-Newed Potty Poop-N-Pee'

It was indeed another great weekend in Sverige, filled with lounging, walking through Sickla Galleria, eating good food that I made - potato skillet, feta spinach lasagna, beefsteak with onions - and drinking great Cabernet Sauvignon.  Miss C-Jaz and I continued our experiments of Silly Snack recipes, and on Sunday night we made 'Trees in Hay Stacks".  It was cute and tasty but a little more involved to make also requiring a bit more patience with a two-year old wanting to mix mix mix!  Miss C-Jaz didn't want to eat it, but Daddy said it's the best recipe we've made so far.  Agreed!  It could use a few more ingredients to give it a fuller taste.  Maybe then Miss C-Jaz would eat it.  She does have taste buds that enjoy sushi, seafood pasta, and fine chocolates.

Weekends are always great for Miss C-Jaz and Daddy.  She had a great time with J, "Daddy, 'oh-nee'!  Daddy, 'oh-nee'!"  She loved walking hand-in-hand, but she loved walking on her own too just like today as she chased down a pigeon.

Being Monday, it's our withdrawal day from Daddy.  Miss C-Jaz and I went for a walk in the somewhat bright day.  She chose her Gap fuchsia pea coat with striped detachable hood and matching Polo fuchsia loafer-like shoes with green Polo embellishments.  Of course, she had to have her Carter's sunglasses to finish off her look.  She even carried her own backpack that contained my cell phone and her "Pretty a-Pencess" toy camera. 

 

We had a nice walk, but in the end it got windy.  We did our grocery shopping then headed home for her "two two-teen" nap, which didn't really happen til 3:45ish.  I didn't have much time to do my thing today but I got in some laundry and sweeping.  Miss C-Jaz finally passed out on the couch after I made yummy skagenröra with little messy helping hands.

Miss C-Jaz was more refreshed after her short, but late, nap.  She was more cooperative in the evening helping while I made dinner, reading while I washed dishes, and sitting while we decorated letters of her name for a surprise J and I had planned for 'Operation Re-Newed Potty Poop-N-Pee'.  All last week I've been considering what would get her more interested to do her business in a potty and to wear 'big girl' pants (diapers) - Miss C-Jaz likes to consider it as 'little girl' pants since she's not a baby or a big girl, as she describes.

J and I surprised her after dinner, and she was shocked and totally loving it.  This is what Miss C-Jaz saw as she came into the washroom, then we moved it to an area she wanted, just under the sink by the rug where we put her potty (so her feet wouldn't get cold).

It was so cute!  Right away Miss C-Jaz wanted to wear her new pull-ups, and she sat on her new pink Baby Bjorn though nothing happened at first.  I think it might be a little too small for her, so I might check out the potty chair version. 

Miss C-Jaz gets the whole concept of potty-ing, but we'll see tomorrow just how much it sticks.  Tonight, before falling asleep she peed in the potty then drank 5 ounces of milk and is sleeping in a pull-up diaper.  Hopefully, J and I wake up with NO dried pee areas on the bed, or worse, on our clothes.  Yes, we're in a shared bed, for now, since our current Swede loft has no practical area for a toddler bed.  Unfortunately, Miss C-Jaz can't use her Ellis convertible day bed back home...but it won't be long...5 months and counting.