life, week 41

darker mornings, yet again

Every morning she asks to see baby. She always calls him that, baby.

A summery colored bouquet of carnations from my darling husband.



First a pram walk on the hunt for autumn colors and awesome light...

...and then a delicious lunch in the sun on the terrace whilst Sverre was still sleeping in the pram. 

these two

She had breakfast on a cloud before she biked to kindergarten with her pappa.

Big sister to the rescue. Her singing scared away the screaming.

Shower time for mamma, play time on the bathroom floor for mr S.



She wanted to be a cat for kindergarten costume day. We made do with things found in our wardrobes: Sara's black tights and black socks, mamma's black long sleeve t-shirt and a black tail. The face paint she got in kindergarten made the black cat costume complete.

Just woke up from an epic nap. Time for coffee!

Snug as a bug under the beautiful blanket knitted by aunt Mari.

Brought to us by my in-laws, all the way from the garden at Åsly.

Early afternoon nap time. Well, at this stage anytime is nap time.

Friday night laps in the living room. Also first evening alone with my little ones. All well so far. Yay!

Saturday 1 am: trimming my fringe whilst waiting for Sverre to fall asleep properly // there is a first for everything, right?

Sunday stroll (with freshly trimmed fringe, by yours truly) to shake off the lack of sleep fog, listening to Spilled Milk podcast and looking forward to homemade meatballs dinner at my parents' this afternoon.

I like these earthy color tones.

Good night! (I hope. Fingers crossed.)

- - -

Week 41: October 5-11

darker mornings, yet again // October 14

Wednesday October 14, 8:45 am

I'm home alone with my two little ones today; Sara is still sick and Sølve had to go back to work. It's the first time I'm home alone with them a whole day like this; excited to see how it will be. We are off to a good start though: we are all sleeping in. Glad I caught a quick glimpse of this golden morning light before I fell back to sleep. (Was too tired to find the DSLR, so I made do with the iPhone.)

(At 10 am when I wrote this, I was nursing Sverre and Sara was still sleeping. She hardly ever sleeps this long.)


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 13

Tuesday October 13, 8:45 am

She is still under the weather and can not go to kindergarten today either. So thankful he is able to stay home from work most of the day. We will try our best to make the most of this unexpected family time.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 12

Monday October 12, 7:40 am

Blurred and tilted. Just how I feel this morning after a night of way too little sleep.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 10

Saturday October 10,  8:35 am

Striped pyjamas for the win!


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

things I like lately

a black and white view from the mountain cabin on our hallway wall - I love the graphic, almost abstract feeling of it 

- Hatting bread rolls with butter, alfalfa sprouts, salami, romaine lettuce and cucumber
- Minde risbrød (chocolate with puffed rice)
- things I've worn eight millions times
- 14 surprising things about parenting in Sweden
- the baby blanket my sister knitted for Sverre
- we have framed and hung the big photo print (50*70 cm) I mentioned last week - I'm very happy about it
- we have just started experimenting with juicing and we both love it - Sara not so much (yet?). I'll share our favourites when we have gotten more into the swing of it
- juice made of Norwegian apples (Discovery) - oh my! so yummy! Also made me think of my dear friend Hanne in Bergen who loves Norwegian apples more than anyone else I know
- watching Elementary on Netflix whilst nursing - I'm totally hooked!
- Chef's Table on Netflix
- lighting candles every evening
- I made spinach kale soup the other day and it was surprisingly good - bonus: Sara liked it too (she is normally no fan of greens that are green)
- platedate i Kulturhuset på P2 på fredager
- høstlista
- a bouquet of carnations from Sølve
- lapinblu on instagram
- Somewhere Slower
- real talk, real moms via A Daily Something

- - -

Things I don't like lately

- the uncertainty of how much sleep I will get each night. This is the essence of having a newborn/baby, I know, but I can't seem to let go of my wish to be in control of my life.
- trying to cut down on sweets and failing terribly

darker mornings, yet again // October 9

Friday October 9, 7:15 am

My morning routine now also includes turning on all the panel heaters. Soon I'll start lighting the wood stove. The wet, windy and chilly version of autumn is here.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 8

Thursday October 8, 8 am

I'm trying my best not to let these newborn days be all about sleep, or rather the lack of it. But some nights make my mind extra foggy and it is hard to see beyond this very basic need.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 7

Wednesday October 7, 7:50 am

It was a windy night. I listened to the trees dance vigorously as I drifted in and out of sleep during the night time nursing sessions.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

life, week 40

Fingers crossed that he is in for a long morning nap, because this very tired mamma has some sleep to catch up on.

As I was nursing Sverre I noticed the sun shining on the chair and the plant, and I promised myself that I would go out for a walk later. (The weather was just as beautiful yesterday, but I did not manage to get out of the house.) 

Clutter everywhere, especially in Sara's corner of the living room and in her room. She doesn't quite get the concept of tidying yet.

Work in progress, one frame at a time.

We considered buying a house in this street. It is not far from where we live, so I walked by to check if I still find it attractive. The view is definitely still very attractive, the house not so much. I'm glad to say that I couldn't be happier in our current house and garden. #astridspramwalkdiaries

In-between sleeping, nursing and diaper changing I try to get out for a daily walk. I still haven't gotten into a good routine yet; it takes forever to get out the door. Glad I managed to get out today as the weather is gorgeous.  #astridspramwalkdiaries

First time walking home from kindergarten. She was busy picking flowers all the way home so she didn't complain one bit. #astridspramwalkdiaries

after kindergarten lounging

sous chef in training

I made banana muffins and felt that I had accomplished at least one thing today.

Hei there old friend. I look forward to getting to know you again, dear 40D. // The darker mornings, yet again project is on.

I often find myself stuck either nursing or with a sleeping baby on me. I try to simply enjoy it, but to be honest, I get a little impatient too. I want to do things around the house, things that can't be done whilst being stuck in the sofa. I know I will be more content if I just slow down and lower my expectations of how much I can get done these days.



The feeling of waking up by myself, not by the hungry Sverre alarm.

A moment of Saturday morning idyll. And my heart melted.

First time around the lake after Sverre was born. I have a feeling this will be one of my regular pram walk routes. #astridspramwalkdiaries

The walk around Mosvannet included four adults, two four year olds on bikes, two sleeping babies in prams plus the giant pacifier tree. #astridspramwalkdiaries

Sunday stroll with the family plus Lise the doll. There were sweet buns from the local bakery, several playgrounds and a biking record of 5 k. #astridspramwalkdiaries

- - - 

Week 40: September 28 - October 4

darker mornings, yet again // October 6

Tuesday October 6, 8 am

She called for me when she woke up. I was already up, having just finished nursing Sverre. They looked so cute next to each other in the bed. He was happy and she seemed proud. Then she proclaimed: "It's hard work being a big sister!"

about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 5

Monday October 5, 7:20 am

Coldest morning so far this autumn (4ºC), bright blue sky and feeling surprisingly rested (thank you, Sverre!). Already looking forward to today's pram walk. I think I might need sunglasses.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 4

Sunday October 4, 9 am

My view from the sofa whilst nursing. The only thing I can think of is sleep. When can I add a few more hours to the 2-3 hours I got last night?


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 3

Saturday October 3, 9:25 am

Kitchen window view as I'm making my first cup of coffee of the day. Sverre let me sleep in.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

things I like lately

from my 2009 archives // also to be found in this book published by Frankie magazine

- I have updated my VSCO grid (a collection of iPhone photos processed with VSCO Cam app) and some of my photos have been chosen for the curated grid
- I have ordered a bunch of prints from my photos, including a huge one (50*70 cm!) that will be framed. It is the first I have had one of my photos made this big - very excited to see the result!
- Fat, sick and nearly dead 1 and 2 (on Netflix)
- said documentaries inspired us to get a juicer (ordered online; still waiting to receive it). I have never made juice before - have you? Any recommendation?
- homemade banana muffins with cream cheese frosting
- just started watching Elementary on Netflix - looks promising (I loved Sherlock!)
- having a sleeping baby next to me on the kitchen counter whilst I make dinner
- need to make oreo balls again soon
- tidal pool pillowcase
- seeing Sara's love for Sverre
- picking up Sara in kindergarten and seeing how proud she is to show off Sverre to everyone
- the fact that Sølve doesn't mind grilling in the rain after dark (the steak was amazing!)
- the fact that Sverre already loves to be bathed (it took a while before Sara enjoyed it)

- - -

Things I don't like lately

- clutter, everywhere
- the lack of routine and action in my days - so much time is spent nursing and being stuck with a sleeping baby in my lap (who wakes up if I try to move him to the crib). I love this too, of course, I just need to adjust my expectations of how much I can get done during a day. Sleeping and eating have higher priority than cleaning clutter, for example.
- my hair (first world problem, I know...) - I miss my long hair

darker mornings, yet again // October 2

Friday October 2, 8:05 am

Always the same breakfast. It makes my tummy happy. Plus coffee, of course - for my mind and morals. Note to self: remember to buy more strawberry jam.


about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again

darker mornings, yet again // October 1

Thursday October 1, 8:10 am

She fell asleep a little too late last night, so she was rather tired when I woke her up. But she woke quickly when I reminded her of the fun things ahead of her today; first biking with pappa to kindergarten and then swimming with A and Å after breakfast.

about the project // darker mornings // darker mornings, yet again