Godt Nytt År

In two days' time, our countdown will go to double-digits... amazing, isn't it?!

I wish for you both, Tommy and Hanne, a new year filled with many blessings, new beginnings and lots of love. I wish for all of your family and friends, acceptance and heart-warming wishes that they envelop you both as you expand your family in the spring. And I wish for Sanna, a healthy, wonderful start to a beautiful life with her parents in 2009!

!!Love & hugs!!

GOD JUL!

We wish you all a merry merry Christmas!! or God Jul as we say it :) Thanks a lot for the wonderful presents, for both us and the kids! Look at this, its magic!!!! We went to the Cathedral yesterday for the Christmas service. There we did light to candles. One for Julie, our true Angel on Earth that is making our dream come true - and a light for little Sanna, the Miracle created by Team Minnesota. Big pink hugs from our side of the ocean. Have a peaceful holiday and enjoy the good life.

From Hanne & Tommy

I hope you're asleep... Santa's on your doorstep!

Merry Christmas!

We opened the boys' packages from Norway a little early because Alek left on Monday to spend time with his father. The boys' initial reaction to socks was "eh, socks" but since putting them on, they love them! We may have to peel them off of Henry's feet this morning to wash them as he's worn them two days straight - and even wore them to bed last night. Giggle. They all wish to send you their thanks and blessings for a fabulous holiday with your family & friends!!

We will save the other gifts for tomorrow morning to open when we open all else from underneath the tree.

I hope that you have safe travels, Hanne & Tommy, as you venture out to spend time with your families. What a special holiday this will be for all of you!

God bless.

Belly Comparison

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

24 weeks

I hear this is a good milestone... surely it must be, as any week we pass from now until 40 weeks will be! Twenty-four is also my favorite number, and with Christmas thrown in this week - it will be a splendid one!

So, what have baby and I been up to lately?

We started out taking the boys sledding...



while they were on the hill, however, I took it easy in the warm car, watching them from a distance, sipping my cocoa - don't want to take any chances ya know - it had nothing to do with the cold weather, honest.



and then baked Christmas cookies (you can see that baby girl got her hands in the flour too!) Notice Vikings game on in background... JP was gracious enough to be my photographer as I tried not to stand in the way of his game!



and finally, finished off singing Christmas songs again at the Joy, Joy, Joy concert.





...it's the most wonderful time of the year!