Jakob ist 8 Monate alt...

... und es war wieder Zeit für ein Check in der Poliklinik.

Er ist jetzt genau 72 cm gross und wiegt 8.840 g. Mittlerweile setzt er sich selber hin, krabbelt überall durch die Wohnung, steht auf - und lässt auch schon mal eine Hand los... Gestern hat er sich im Bad eingesperrt, indem er sich von innen an die Tür gestellt hat. Dann hat er gemerkt, dass er nicht mehr rauskommt und fleissig geklopft :) Als ich ihn "gerettet" habe, hat er eigentlich nur überrascht geguckt.
Essen will er am liebsten selber, und wenn man schon vier Zähne hat, muss man sie ja auch benutzen. Brei will er nicht, aber dafür grabscht er uns fleissig auf die Teller und nimmt sich was "Richtiges" - Surimi-Salat mit Mayonnaise war heute dran. Mich hat fast der Schlag getroffen, denn auf einen Streich hatte er sich gleich drei Allergie-Auslöser einverleibt: Fisch, Milchprodukte und Ei. Klasse... Aber er hat's überlebt und fand es sehr lecker! Mandarinen und Tomatensuppe findet er super, aber leider bekommt er davon Durchfall. Banane will er nicht, aber dafür nagt er mit Begeisterung Knochen ab, Brot, Zwieback, Obst und Gemüse.
Die Kinderkrankenschwester war begeistert. Und wir sind es auch :)

Advent, Advent...

Wir haben immer noch keinen Adventskranz. Katastrophe! Jóhanna liegt uns seit Sonntag in den Ohren, wann wir denn endlich einen binden... "Frag Papa," antworte ich ihr immer.
Siggi ist allerdings vollauf mit dem Semesterendspurt beschäftigt, was heisst, dass er Klausuren stellen und sozusagen gegen die Zeit korrigieren muss, um rechtzeitig die Noten eintragen zu können. Wahrscheinlich wird es dieses Jahr entweder einen notdürftigen oder gar keinen Kranz geben.
Und ich? Habe eigentlich anderes zu tun, z.B. Strickmuster entwerfen. Gestern habe ich an einem Lochmuster für Verónikas Pollunder gefeilt, der theoretisch ihr Weihnachtsgeschenk werden soll. Ich  habe mich aber nicht zu grossartigen Versprechungen hinreissen lassen. Vor allem, weil Junior wieder zahnt, sabbert wie blöd und schlecht schläft - und damit ich auch. Heute habe ich mich noch einmal vormittags mit ihm hingelegt und hätte fast unsere Putzfrau verschlafen, die um 11 h klingelte. Peinlich, peinlich. Ausserdem habe ich als Mitglieds des Elternbeirats im Kindergarten den Part übernommen, Weihnachtsgeschenke für die Kinder zu besorgen. Ein paar Telefonate später waren die Geschenktütchen schon gut gefüllt. Kostet aber auch Zeit. Nun, dafür sieht es hier auch aus wie bei Hempels...
Verónika trainiert für ihre Gelbgurt-Prüfung in Karate, die wahrscheinlich nächste Woche stattfindet - Mama wie immer hervorragend informiert. ;)
Ansonsten werden jetzt die grossen Weihnachts-elternbastel-plätzchenfress-feier-abende eingeläutet, an denen man in der Vorweihnachtszeit als pflichtbewusstes Elternteil nicht vorbeikommt. Der Kindergarten eröffnet jetzt am Freitagvormittag den Reigen, Jóhanna bastelt am Freitagabend, Verónika nächsten Dienstag. Bin ich froh, dass wir niemals alle vier Kinder geichzeitig in der Grundschule (1.-10.Klasse) haben.
Frohe Adventszeit, alle zusammen!

Eine Woche voller Premieren

Jakob ist jetzt 6 Monate und 2 Wochen alt (oder so ungefähr).
Letzte Woche
- hat er seinen 3. Zahn bekommen;
- hat er zum ersten Mal echten Babybrei probiert -Hafergrütze mir Gerstenmalz, schön süss, dementsprechend geschmatzt und gesabbert hat er auch;
-  habe ich das Körbchen aus dem Kinderwagen genommen, denn er ist mittlerweile zu gross, um noch gemütlich darin schlafen zu können; und
- hat er angefangen, richtig auf allen Vieren zu krabbeln. Diverse Versuche hatten wir vorher schon, aber noch nicht wirklich mit der dazugehörigen Arm-Koordination.
- waren wir bei 6-Monats-Check in der Poliklinik: Er wiegt jetzt 8240 g und ist 70 cm lang.

Und Jóhanna hat ihren ersten Pickel bekommen. Damit ist der offizielle Startschuss für die Pubertät gefallen.

Jakob hat "halben Geburtstag" :)

Jakob ist heute auf den Tag sechs Monate alt. Zu seinem Pech hat er sich heute Nacht total erkältet, schnieft und niest am laufenden Band, zusätzlich zu dem speicheltriefenden Zahnungsgesabber - die beiden oberen Vorderzähne lassen bitten. Daher haben wir die letzten Nächte auch nicht wirklich gut geschlafen.

Heute Vormittag haben wir uns mit anderen deutschsprachigen Müttern und ihren Kindern getroffen. Kinder treffen findet Jakob besonders toll. Zur Feier des Tages habe ich ein paar Schoko-Croissants spendiert - nur das Ständchen hat gefehlt... ;)

Die Baby-Wippe können wir jetzt getrost einmotten (bzw. verkaufen), die findet er nämlich doof. Wenn er sich in einer halben Liegeposition befindet, trainiert er mit Vorliebe seine Bauchmuckies und setzt sich auf. Dafür kommt jetzt der Bumbo-Stuhl meiner Nachbarin zum Zuge; ein stabiles rundes Schaustoffteil, in das man Babys setzen darf, die noch nicht richtig frei sitzen können. Junior findet die neue Perspektive ziemlich spannend.
Als ich ihn heute Mittag in dem Teil fotografieren wollte, stellte sich heraus, dass der Fotoapparat spurlos verschwunden ist. Hoffentlich finde ich ihn bald wieder! Es wäre wirklich schade um die schönen Bilder der letzten Monate.

Vorsicht, Strickwut- Gebiet!

Höchste Ansteckungsgefahr!

Jóhanna hatte am Freitag schulfrei, und da sie mich schon seit Wochen löchert, dass ich sie in die höheren Künste der Stricktechnik einweihen soll, habe ich die Gelegenheit ergriffen, und ihr Zu- und Abnahmen beigebracht. Jetzt wird fleissig für einen Wellenschal geübt. Der soll dann natürlich auch in Blautönen gehalten sein, also haben wir schon mal nach einem passenden Muster gesucht.
Heute hat sie bestimmt eine geschlagene Stunde an meinem Laptop vor dem "Random Stripe Generator" verbracht; ein wunderbares Spielzeug für farbenliebende Stricker/innen:
http://www.kissyourshadow.com/stripe_maker.php

Gleich wollen wir noch mein Wolllager durchwühlen, um die passenden Farben zu finden - dann wirds ernst. Endlich kann ich ihr beweisen, dass man Mathe doch für etwas braucht, und wenn es nur darum geht, Maschenzahlen zu berechnen!

Verónika ist auch vom Strickfieber gepackt und übt schon seit einer Weile mit roter Wolle auf Schalbreite. Von ihrer Patentante hat sie ein quitschbuntes Garn mit silbernem Glimmerfaden bekommen; auch das soll  -in Kombination mit einem flauschigen Wollfaden- zu einem Schal verarbeitet werden.

Ich habe mittlerweile auch schon ein paar schöne Projekte im Auge; werde aber vorher noch Experimente mit Filzen machen. Eine Anleitung für gefilzte Pullover hab ich mir schon besorgt. Leider gibt es die nur für Kindergrössen; aber das Vergrössern dürfte ja nicht wirklich ein Problem sein.
Jetzt werde ich erst einmal ein paar Proben mit verschiedenen Garnen und Nadelstärken stricken und in die Waschmaschine stopfen. Spannend!
Zu meinem grossen Pech habe ich vor ein paar Tagen die Webseite Ravelry.com entdeckt... Auch ein schönes Spielzeug - endlose Projekte, Anleitungen und alles, was das Stricker-Herz begehrt. *seufz* Soviel Zeit müsste man haben!

Zwei Socken gleichzeitig auf Rundstricknadeln stricken

Ich bin gerade völlig begeistert von der Möglichkeit, zwei Socken (oder jedes andere Stück, das man doppelt braucht) mit zwei Rundstricknadeln zu stricken. Ich habe eine tolle Anleitung hier gefunden:
http://anleitungen.bestrickendes.de/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=39&category_id=25&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=175

Es sieht am Anfang etwas verwirrend aus, aber der Kommentar und ein Versuch haben mir geholfen, mich nicht mehr zu verheddern. Der Trick liegt darin, zu verstehen, dass man, wenn man mit Nadel 1 stricken soll, in _beiden Händen_ Nadel 1 hält.
Das ist echt der Hit - jetzt kann ich wieder loslegen, weil ich mein "zweite Socken Syndrom" nicht mehr fürchten muss!

Neues Design

So, ich habe beschlossen, mich hier ab und zu wieder zu betätigen und meinen Blog wieder aufleben zu lassen, da ja nicht alle Facebook haben oder dort schreiben wollen.
Heute habe ich ein bisschen am Layout gebastelt und den Titel verändert, denn wir sind ja jetzt nicht mehr das Dreimädelhaus... Ich werde sehen, dass ich so gut es geht, immer mal was schreibe, wahrscheinlich aber nur auf deutsch, weil es einfach schneller geht... ;)

Back to normal

Dear friends,

just a short note that I'm back from Germany, girls go to school again, I'm attending a few lessons as well as I still work part time at the rehab-ward and one day a week at a local babystore.
Much to do!

I still had no time to spent for sorting out some nice pictures and I don't know when I will be able to do it; but if you want to see Júlíana, you have the chance to admire her as the breastfeeding week's cover girl. Surf on over to

www.brjostagjafavika.org

Read you soon!

Very First Harvest

As I told you in spring, I've never done gardening before.
In german there is a saying, wich could be translated like this: "The dumbest farmer harvests the biggest potatoes". Seems as if there's some truth in it, because I digged up some really big ones the other day!













And Júlíana loves her new girly-pink colored "toys". She examined the potatoes throughly before petting them. The real stuff is as usual much more interesting than any plastic toy one can buy in a shop!


This is today's work after one hour plocking berries with the girls: 4 jars black currant jam (left w blue locks), 6 jars red currant jam (right). Sooo yummie!!

Verónika is Driving Me Crazy!

Verónika seems as if she doesn´t know what to do with her time. She is walking through our flat and preferably does one, or the other or both options:
- shee pees everywhere she sits and plays
- she cuts apart (with scissors) or carves into (with knifes) everything she finds interesting.

Our wax tablecloth already has several holes, the sofa as well, even her favorite clothes have holes because she cut out the flowers printed on them. The children´s room smells pee (and we don't know where it comes from...), she carved into her wooden bunkbed bedframe, and today she carved a hole in the linoleum floor of our living room.

For the first time, today I felt the strong urge to land her some good slaps in the face.
I have no idea what to do or how to react to this kind of cutting and carving drive of hers. Suggestions anyone? (Only those who have kids reply please.)

*GAAARGGG*

Finally back to blog

Ok this is just a formal posting, letting you know we're back home and I wanted to break the ice concerning my blogwritings. Strange enough, it's quite difficult to get one going again after a long pause.
In short, Siggi's school ended may 20th, Jóhanna's last day in school was june 10th and Verónika left kindergarden for good june 30th. After enjoying hanging around at home endlessly in their pyjamas, we went north to visit my german friend Elsche on her farm and Siggi's family, wich means his sister Jóhanna in Akureyri and his mom in Svarfaðardalur (a valley southern of Dalvík). I have to admit I really liked the idea of going back home from holidays - or at least something that would be labelled as "holiday", but which in my opinion is something really different. The relaxing factor was missing completely and I felt really crappy most of the time.
As we moved several times and changed our location, Júlíana never got completely secure and familiar with a new surrounding. She was so busy during the days, that she was more or less nursing all night and I felt quite drained in the mornings. So being back home meens back to familiar environment, usual routine and own bed. That's quite something!

We took lots of summer pictures and I still have to prepare an album for you to take a look at.

But now I'm back to work as well, taking housekeeping tasks more seriously than ever, trying to organize school and leisure time activities in advance as well as working for my little knitting business - that's a lot I admit, but I like it.

Read you soon!

New Homepage

I have been working a lot on my new homepage recently, where I introduce my little company for the always growing cloth diaper fan club.
The site is not complete yet; I'm letting Siggi reading over the pages, because I want a professional look and not loosing customers due to grammar mistakes.
The page is (still) only available in Icelandic, but you can take a look at the pictures and see what I'm doing. I'm also preparing an english summary.

www.123.is/kindaknus

If you see something you like, send me a line and we can negotiate about a price.

Today, I'm going to bake and prepare for Jóhanna's birthday party. Wizards are invading our flat tomorrow. Julia and me are planning a rallye, sending them through the neighborhood to fetch things we need for a potion. Parents will be gladly fetching tired kids! Pictures to come during the next weekend.

Updating My Page

Yesterday and today, I've been working at my blog page. I uploaded some new photos for the girls' tickers and rewieved the "about me" section. finally I can announce, I got an ICQ, Yahoo messenger and AIO nick, so there are several ways to contact me. For keeping track of all different messenging names, I downloaded a nice little tool called Trillian (www.trillian.net), where one is able to chat with different instant messenging programmes. Very neat.
Now everybody, send me all your nicks and numbers, and chat with you soon!

Three Molars And My First Working Day

Last night, I only slept for two hours. Júlíana was restless squirming over me, couldn't sleep because of her stuffed up nose, had fever to a kind of boiling temperature and was sucking my breast constantly for comfort. At four o'clock in the morning I've had enough and went over to sleep in the girl's room for getting at least some rest.
I got roughly two hours sleep until 6:15 h, when I had to get up to take a shower and get ready for my first working day at the rehab ward. Interesting enough, everything went smoothly, though I felt like a sleep-walker and had difficulties to keep my eyes open. But a nice nurse's aid took me with her today and supervised me about two patiens we were caring for.
When I came home, I felt extremely drowsy, but stayed awake to keep track of the girls, who were packing bags. Jóhanna and Verónika went to stay overnight at my friend Birgit's and her daughter Daniela. Jóhanna has never dared to visit someone for a sleep-over, so this is a real premiere for her. She was very excited and felt ready for this experience. (And now (22.30 h) I just got a SMS, that kids are sleeping.)
Siggi and I had the plan for using our almost children-free evening to do something nice together, but in my state of being it was completely out of the question to do something else than go to sleep. I nursed Júlíana and gave her some fruit mash, when I suddenly saw a few white edges in her mouth. I took a closer look and felt with my finger, and discovered, that three molars were palpable in her mouth. No wonder she had difficulties sleeping last night!
When Siggi went off with the girls, Julia took care of Júlíana (who didn't sleep either during the day) and I had a "nap" until 21.00 h.
Now Siggi sleeps at Júlíana's side and even I'm longing for my bed again, to catch up with my sleep deficit.
But I have to tell you about my little company next, everything is going smoothly!

Job Interview

Siggi and I decided, we'd need more money and I'll work part time during his summer holidays.
I found an interesting job advertisement at the rehabilitation ward of the university hospital (Endurhæfingardeild LSP Grensás) and talked to the head nurse. She was very interested and asked me to pay a visit just the next day. I took my school papers with me and went to see her.

Nurse: Welcome to our ward. We are very interested in summer jobbers.
Elena: Well, I can work from the 1.may until 16. august.
N: (scribbling) great!
E: But I'd like to work short shifts, from 8 - 13 h because of my arthrosis and my baby. And only three times a week.
N: (taking notes) Uhuummm.
E: During school time until the end of may I can only work tuesdays, fridays and saturdays.
N: Sure.
E: And I need 3 weeks off in july, because the kindergarden is taking summer holidays.
N: No problem. Let me see your papers.
(Reads my grades from school, takes a copy.)
E: It's in fact two years ago I worked at the geriatric ward, I need training on the job again...
N: Fantastic, I hire you.
E: (surprised) Er... ??? Are you sure?
N: In the mornings we have most to do, and you'll have an interesting learning facility here. I'm happy I have you here!

In fact I was really surprised she wanted me with all my special needs requests... But hey, they always need staff at the university hospital. This ward cares for and rehabilitates people after a stroke. They are half paralyzed and need to learn again daily life activities (ADL). Fine training area for me to polish up my practical knowledge.

Yesterday I went to my ward again, got a locker and working clothes, and another nurse's aid showed me all facilities in the house.
Next friday I start working. I'm happy to say I'm really looking forward to it. Having a working place again, getting to know new people, friendly co-workers already welcomed me. I'm determined to use my time to learn as much as I can.

Jóhanna's Greatest Victory

It's unbelievable, how much medication can change.
Jóhanna has been taking her anti-depressivum for 4 months now and seems to be a completely different child.
She plays happily in the garden, on the kindergarden playground across the street or walks the doll pram around in our neighborhood.
Om wednesday last week, she decided she'd be very brave and walk alone to school!
What a change!
Now, she also walks alone back home, but still calls from school to check wheather we are at home, waiting for her, or not. (Of course we are, but she needs this last inch of security.)
We are all so happy and proud of her!

using the next ten minutes...

... until our soup is done.

Finally we bought a compost bin. I'm really proud to say that I'd like to try out something I've never done before: gardening.
I told Siggi I'd like to try out and plant some vegetables, and as we have so much eco-waste I convinced him it would be great if we compost ourselves.
Now the girls have a rewarding programme going on; if they give a helping hand in the household, they'll receive a star. After 15 stars they may wish an activity and spend time with me alone. So, taking waste out is a big sport nowadays.

Yesterday, I spent the whole afternoon in the garden and began to cut trees and branches - muscles hurt today. My aim is to plant some carrots, potatoes, raspberries and perhaps parsnips as well.
But as we haven't worked in the garden the whole 8 years we live in our flat, there is a lot to do, before I can even dream about sowing.
But I'm very enthusiastic, worked a lot and I'm very proud of myself.

Soup done, write on later.

So much to talk about...

... so little time to write!
But now I try to run over the last two weeks in (hopefully) not more than 20 minutes, I need sleep!

22:13 h
First of all, we celebrated Júlíana's birthday on sat. 5th april (or was it the 6th? my brains are still missing.)
We had a nice big ricecake with pears and vanilla cream, something Júliána loves of course.

Jóhanna crafted a birthday crown for Júlíana with a lot of fairies, and forgot almost to write "Júlíana 1 year" on it.

I got a gift, I got a gift! So... what to do with it?

Unwrapping? How does that work? Aaah, ripping and tearing, my favorite... I can do that already!



And we had guests of course; my friend Birna with both of her daughters and Verónika's godmother Birgit with her partner and daughter.
Verónika demanded, that we'd play the chocolate game again, and everyone had fun.

left to right: Verónika, Birgit, Birna, Birta Clara, Erna Cari, Jóhanna at the edge.


left to right: Erna Cari, Jóhanna, Albrecht, me


22:36 h, twenty minutes over.
Blogger always needs such a long time to upload images... Promise to write more tomorrow.

Juliana's First Birthday (Postponed...)

Júlíana one year old!

Unbelievable, how fast time is passing! Our little girl already celebrated her first birthday!
It seems to me as if her birth took place just yesterday...

We spent a nice day (but windy) more or less outside, as she enjoys exploring the park. When she fell asleep in the afternoon, I grabbed the chance to bake chocolate muffins, and she liked them a lot - though I used dark chocolate in the dough and almost no sugar!

Concerning a little party, we plan to invite some guests next saturday.

On april 1st we had to show up in the clinic for her birthday check.

Sitting on the scale, which reads 9,585 kg.
She is now 77,5 cm long and wears size 80 / 86.

But due to an accident on sat. 29th we had no time to organize presents or baking in advance etc. Siggi's mother payed a visit south, because of the confirmation of Siggi's nephew. She stayed at her sister's, who was a textile's teacher in the old days. I promised both old ladies I'll take them on a trip to town, with the intention of visiting a few handicraft shops, and both elder girls wanted to follow us.
All was well so far, until we went on our way back to the car into the handknitting association's shop, when Siggi's aunt fell down two stairs and wasn't able to walk on her own. The outing ended at the emergency ward with Siggi's aunt waiting in a wheelchair, his mother keeping her company, and we all together had a picnic with coffeebread... Now, his aunt had her hip broken twice and is still staying in hospital. Need to pay a visit soon.

On sun. 30th we were invited to Siggi's brother Gunnar to an afternoon tea, because of his son's confirmation. These cakes were so yummie - and Verónika shared her blue- and strawberries with Júlíana.
(Yes, you see right, I finally got my hair cut. My horsetail was so thin I decided I'd better cut it off.)

Keeping Kids Busy During Easter Holidays

I guess you've been waiting for new posts, isn't it?
I've been busy taking pictures of the girls and needed time to write a few sentences - now I'm sitting in Siggi's school and try to update my blog.
So, here are the newest family pictures.

During holidays, I often went to the park with Jóhanna and Verónika (to make them tired, to be honest...). Jóhanna wanted to excercise with her inline-skates, while Verónika is preparing her muscles for cycling - and vice versa.
It still looks quite grey outside, no new grass in sight. Some park impressions:



































Here, they changed places. Verónika with her first try on inliners.











Definitely more practice needed, but she was very content with herself.










Júlíana enjoyed being with her big sisters all day long. And they also spend time entertaining their little sister.

Here one of my plastic containers on wheels doubles as a pram, Verónika stuffed with couch pillows.


Brushing Jóhanna's teeth in the evening.