She's Here!

Svea Katherine Nilssen arrived Monday, July 27, 2009 at 8:12 am. She weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 19.75 inches long. Both Svea and I are doing great and we arrived home from the hospital yesterday. I will be posting a whole lot of Svea on here, so keep checking in if you want to see more.

Soren Update July 17th

Another HOT week in Phoenix. I'm glad we get to go to a pool almost every day - don't know how we would survive otherwise. Things are going smoothly. We've been busy getting together a few things for the baby's arrival, but haven't done anything too exciting. I've been having a lot of fun playing around with a new camera that we picked up this week.


After a visit to my doctor on Tuesday, we are expecting the baby anytime. Whether she comes tonight or in three weeks is anybody's guess, but I am feeling pretty calm about things now that we have reached 37 weeks.


Soren's conversational skills have exploded. He is very observant and likes to talk about the things he sees around him. Today we went to my favorite Chicago style hot dog place for lunch. They had a row of hooks with hats and helmets from the Chicago area hung on them. Soren asked questions about them and talked about them for the entire meal. He seemed especially fascinated by the football helmet (which he initially thought was a motorcycle helmet). He is constantly surprising me by speaking in full sentences.


Here are a few pictures to remind you how Soren looks:

Laying in the big bed after swim class (notice the red cheeks from being out in the heat)

Playing in the backyard with his sprinkler

In his room playing with his smile buddy

Playing tball in the backyard

Great form... future baseball player maybe ;)

Soren Update July 8

It's been another fun week for us. Nothing exciting, just more time at the pool and the library to try and keep cool. We had a great time on the 4th of July - we went to the fireworks in Gilbert with a friend of Erik's from work and his family. Soren had a blast running around before the show, and he enjoyed the treats and fireworks too. Here are a few pics:

Hiding from us in the blankets

With his balloon

Running wild

Playing with his ball

And a video with a small sample of Soren's reaction to the fireworks. You can't see much on the video, but the audio is cute.

Soren Update July 2nd

We've had another week or so fly by! We stay busy with our swim class each day. Soren has regressed a little bit in his swimming skills, but we still enjoy playing with the other children in the class and getting into the water.

Highlights since the last post include a Diamondbacks baseball game (in a friend's company suite - the only way to watch a game with a 2 year old) and a captured lizard:

Biting Erik with all his strength

We enjoyed a visit from my dad and sister, Jenny, this weekend. It was short, but lots of fun. They flew in late Saturday night and stayed until Monday. Soren had a blast playing trains with Grandpa and reading stories with Jenny. He was very sad to see them go! It was a real treat to see them - since we are staying close to home this summer I didn't think I would see them until after the baby is born.

Jenny and Soren "Sleeping"

I feel like Soren has hit the famous two year old stubborn phase very hard this week. I'm sure it has more than a little bit to do with my general grumpiness due to lack of sleep and aching body. He is having a very hard time listening and his stubborn streak is showing constantly. I think I am feeling a little discouraged because I feel like he is constantly being talked to sternly and it is feeding the problem. Grumble, grumble! I feel better already now that I have had my chance to vent.

Overall, Soren is a very good boy. He loves to help me out and will help pick up toys and clean the house. He is pretty obsessed with his baby sister right now. He loves to rub my stomach and talk to her. He is learning a lot of things about what a new baby does. I hope the transition to big brother is a smooth one for him.

One thing that has really surprised me is how much Soren loves electronics. He is a potential computer addict. He has a couple of handheld computer games that I have to rip out of his hands, and he is getting very proficient on the computer. It seems strange to already be discussing limiting his time playing video games at age two!

He also loves playing with Chibi. She is very tolerant of him. Here is a sample:

I've been having some fun playing with my camera the last few days. Wanted to practice for when the baby comes so we can capture her little hands and feet to remember! Soren is my ready and willing model, so thought I would share a few...