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.