Santa comes to Young-Uns

Santa Claus came to Young-Uns yesterday, and Lars was so excited.  He can't wait to see Santa on Christmas Eve.  Have fun with this one, Santa!

 Leif was happy to see Santa as well, and he probably had a prioritized list of what he wanted in spreadsheet format, with special instructions for each,  (Really, they are orders--be sure to follow his orders, Santa, or else!)   The kid is definitely demonstrating both of his parents' influences!  (Gampa Gampa, your love of spreadsheets will carry over for generations.)

There are plenty of photos I'd like to upload to a photo album, but I may leave that until the holidays.  Heck, I haven't gotten to the annual holiday card either!  I...  just...  can't... get... to... it.

A cold has been spreading through the house (but Mikael has yet to succumb to its pressure).  And with Lars getting six teeth over the last six weeks, we're pooped.  Eventually, we'll complete that to-do list.  Right?

With the tragic events as of late, we remind ourselves of just how lucky we are to have these healthy, happy children.  I regularly find myself playing or dancing with them and thinking, "YOU ROCK!!!"  Appreciate every moment with the little people in your life.

Why, he's bipedal after all!

Beast walks!  Over the last 24 hours, he has demonstrated his three-, four-, and five-step moves to the MN clan -- Great Grandma, Mam-maw, Gampa Gampa, Auntie Pat, Uncle Ron, and us.

Good times.  :)

Healthy as a horse

Our tiny buddy, Lars, had his one-year appointment last week, and he's finally growing.  We were concerned for a while that he might be malnourished, but he's made it around a corner and is getting stronger.  Phew!

Head size: 51 cm ( > 99.99 percentile )

Weight: 29.4 pounds ( > 99.84 percentile)

Height: 32.25 inches ( > 99.18 percentile )

Okay, I don't know if you believed that intro.  The kid ain't sufferin'!

Updates...

Lars finally has the beginnings of a third tooth.  He loves to wrestle, and if you get close enough to him while he eats, he'll feed you or try to shove his binky in your mouth.  If I'm lying on my back, he lifts up my shirt and puts his finger in my belly button.  Happy, happy, happy kid.

Leif continues to crack us up.  So caring.  He's tucked me in bed the past couple nights, helps empty the dishwasher, picks up all his toys, feeds his brother...  Oh, we are making headway!  The kid is stubborn and often is at the table for 90 minutes while he refuses to eat his dinner.  He's learning, though, that his parents are BOTH more stubborn than he is!

Below are some shots that I've enjoyed lately. The small ones are cell phone shots -- low resolution!

Leif and I went to a ropes course with a group of our friends.  Leif had his first experience climbing a wall.  He was a great sport -- definitely the youngest kid by three years -- and enjoyed climbing on the logs most.

A couple great shots Auntie Pat took over Labor Day up at the 40.  I LOVE these!  They sort of got lost in my email.

Last weekend I had the boys to myself while Mikael was at the 40 hunting (Thanks, Uncle Ronnie, for the deer!  :) ), and I was just tickled when Leif was willing to ride in the shopping cart race car with his bro.  FINALLY!!!  I think we made it around a corner...

Here's a recent shot from a party at some friends'...  Another shot I love.

There was another nice family shot, but it very well will be our holiday photo.  I'll post Halloween pics soon, and maybe I'll find some photos with Mikael in 'em!

Fall is in the air

It's been a while since I've updated this blog, so there are three (Yes, three!) links toward the bottom of this post to slideshows for those of you who are interested in the adventures of Master and Beast.

Much has gone on...  Mikael and I both have new positions, Leif returned to preschool, we've vacationed in Ely and then at the Shack for the 2012 Berglund Viking Classic, birthdays were celebrated (Queen Irene is now 96), and then there's the daily non-stop chase of Lars as he gets into EVERYTHING possible.  Sad things -- I lost a friend to cancer, and Barb Hurtt (Leif's beloved "Bob") is moving to Colorado this week.

A couple cute shots of the boys from the past couple months follow.

There are LOADS more photos at the links below.

August/September 2012

Off to Ely

Berglund Viking Classic 2012

Leif and Lars are both doing well.  Leif continues to get leaner, and he asks question constantly.  CONSTANTLY.  We take the boys on a walk at night and "run" Leif.  It's sort of like having a dog.

Lars can now stand in one spot on his own, and the kid makes a beeline for the stairs whenever possible.  We can't leave him alone.  He's a picky eater, and I remind myself during his "episodes" of sweeping all the food off his tray that he's healthy and will not always live off of meat and cheese.

We are getting used to the constantly hum of Leif talking and Lars babbling and shouting.  It is not unusual to hear Leif's stern, "NO, Lars! No."

I am traveling to New York City on a regular basis, and Mikael is handling the chaos well.

I'd write more, but I'm tired.  I am sure I've missed plenty!

Summer time 2012!

Peoples, there are two links to separate albums at the bottom of this post! (I added the exclamation point for all the grandparents with different levels of comfort using this blog.  :) )

Here is a shot of Lars's two manly mentors in the backyard.

We have discovered the public pool and now understand why so many families spend their summers visiting them.  It's been part of drive to help Leif conquer his fear of the water.  So he has gone to four weeks of swimming lessons through daycare (and will start another two-week session next week), and we head to the pool on the weekends.  His first four days of lessons he spent crying, and now he's swimming with a kick board and willing to jump off the side into the water.  Phew!  Lars, well, just enjoys the water.  He likes to climb all over us, flap his arms, splash, and sputter.

Lars is wearing Leif's old swimsuit but is definitely more sausage-like in it.

This week was Lars's nine-month appointment, and he was a happy little chump for the doctor.  We know it's a surprise to you all, but he was off the charts in his measurements.

Height: 31 inches
Weight: 26 pounds 13 ounces (just checked and Leif was 24 pounds 13 ounces at nine months!)
Head circumference: 48 centimeters

The kid is crawling around efficiently these days and is into everything that Leif never was.  Let's see...  Outlets, power cords, dead bugs ("Umm Yumm!" says Lars), mulch ("Umm Yumm!" says Lars again), and grass.  Who needs a dog to pick up crumbs when you have Lars?!

He's regularly finding himself stuck under chairs.  Fortunately, measuring cups and spoons keep him pretty busy.  I spread out toys all over the floor in the different rooms and figure he'll be able to entertain himself as I get ready for work.  Most often we find Lars with "Erf" in his mouth.

Lars continues to blow raspberries with his food.  UGH!  Just when I think a spoonful is safe and I carefully place it up to his mouth, he puts those lips together and blows.  I've asked our cleaners to focus on cleaning within a five-foot radius of his highchair whenever they visit.  Amen!

Leif has been super entertaining these days with his constant questions and commentary.  We are always thankful that he is such a nice kid and well behaved (not that we are biased!).

Photos from our trip to Salt Lake City can be found at the following link:

Fun in Salt Lake City

Grammy and Lars...

A shot of Mikael and me at Silver Lake on a family walk...

Additional photos from this last month are at the following link:

July 2012

Mobility

Lars's modes of travel on all fours...

Method 1 (circular motion)
Push up to sit
Dive forward to belly
Move torso in desired direction
REPEAT

Method 2 (backward motion)
Lie on belly and push up into Cobra pose
Push backward with arms
Adjust legs
REPEAT

NEW!
Method 3 (forward motion)
Crawl

A more efficient form of mobility has arrived.

Leif best guard his beloved monster trucks.  The living room becomes a battle ground for toy territory!

Happy 4th birthday, Master Leif!

Yes, we have a birthday boy in our midst today!  He asserted that, "I am a big boy, but I am still a little boy because bigger big boys are bigger than me."  Well said.

Four dozen cupcakes were created for this once-in-a-lifetime event (literally)!  Leif was a great helper -- he picked out the colors of frosting he wanted, performed multiple taste tests to validate the frosting's overall quality, AND helped pick up the sprinkles (one by one with his licked pointer finger) when they didn't make it on top of the frosting.  Geez, he even went so far as to try out the cupcakes.  What a generous kid!

Below he shows off one of two trays filled with goodies.

He's on to the next classroom at school AND a booster seat in the car.

No camping this weekend to celebrate -- a temp of 95 degrees and high humidity just won't cut it.

Deep thoughts on the potty

A short note.  I'll add more at another time with photos from our trip to Salt Lake City and this coming weekend's camping outing.

Leif cracked me up tonight.

"Mama, is this diarrhea?"

I stated, "No, Leif.  That's not diarrhea."

"Well, it has to be diarrhea.  I really want diarrhea sometime."

Ready to head for the water

Guess who received a canoe for Father's Day?  Yep!  Mikael was definitely surprised when he saw a truck pull up in front of the house with a canoe on it.  :)

Save us...  Lars is one happy baby, but he is LOUD.  And what is up with these 4:30 a.m. wake-ups?  He starts yelling in his crib and doesn't let up.  (He is in his high chair right now and continues to talk.  It's been two hours of this, and it's only 6:30 a.m.)  If he's not yelling, he's blowing raspberries with a full mouth of food.

Leif is excited to fly today!  Look out, Delta passengers!

June 2012

Summer is off to a start!  It's been a while since I've posted, eh?  I'm taking a lunch break today to address this!

Leif continues to lean out, and I can't believe I can see ab muscles.  Some of his undies are too big now, and I need to stock up on the Hanna Andersen ones.  He is super excited for his birthday on the 29^th, and I'm still trying to figure out IF and WHAT we will do for his birthday.  Cupcakes to school on that day.  CHECK.  Anything else...? 

We were up in Minneapolis for Memorial Day weekend. Svea and Stephanie were in town.  Here's a shot of the kids at the Minnesota Zoo.

Lars definitely enjoyed the attention lavished on him.  He continues to grow.  His first tooth came out (bottom right in the center), and now he seems to be feeling better.  I'm guessing he's at least 25 pounds of LOVE at this point.  The kid is still so happy but is starting to get a bit peeved when he's put down for bed at night, and we don't remain in the room to hang out.

Lars is scooting all over the place backward on his belly and can turn a mean circle.  He's been up on all fours, so we expect him to be crawling soon.  He'll aim right for Leif's toys and Leif.  (Sorry, Leif!  You best guard your toys!)  The kid is determined. 

It was  cheesy -- a three-year-old preschool graduation ceremony -- but it was CUTE.  The kids performed some songs, and Leif stayed true to his performance style -- looking around the room and not paying any attention to what his classmates and teachers were doing.  I'll post videos soon of his fine performance.

We are headed to Salt Lake City on Wednesday!  Leif is pretty excited to get on an airplane and continues to tell everyone at school about it every day.

Below is a link to some additional photos...  That's it for now.  Enjoy! 

June 2012

Lars's six-month appointment

"Lars" is certainly an easy name to pronounce.  We didn't consider the challenge of writing the possessive form, though.  I now know that we need to add an "s" at the end.  "Lars's" is correct, where "Lars'" is not.  So there!

Baby book entry for Lars's six-month appointment

Length: 29 inches (above the 97^th percentile)
Weight: 23 pounds 6 ounces (above the 97^th percentile)
Head circumference: 47 centimeters (as expected, it's off the charts)

Happy as ever.  Goooooooooooo, Lars!

Am I allowed to be enamored with my sons?

Maybe I still can't believe that we have a second kid and am amazed at their big personalities or maybe I travel too much and miss seeing them.  Anyway, please forgive my "obsession" (can't think of a better word ) and enjoy the photos through Mikael's and my eyes.

It's SO COOL to see the Ls together.  I feel like the luckiest person in the world!

Below are several shots from daycare.  (Young-Uns is FANTASTIC, by the way!)  As you'll see, they both enjoyed Ethel the Easter Bunny!

I seem to recall a different view of Ethel when Leif was in her lap just a couple years ago...

Both boys are in their "Easter" outfits.  I thought they should be dressed as brightly as possible for their Easter parties.

And below...  Wow.  We just love the personality that is coming out.  Note: Lars may end up being the first non-blue-eyed person in the Berglund family.  We're seeing green emerging!

Off to San Francisco for a 40-hour trip.  More time will be spent traveling than being on the ground.

Kiddos post egg hunt

A great shot from Gampa Gampa of the five kiddos gathered at our place this weekend.  There was loads of outdoor activity -- skate/long boarding, jump house, egg hunting, plane flying, etc.  Ingrid, Berit, Anja, Haakon, Auntie Pat, Uncle Ron, Mam-maw, Gampa Gampa, Chloe, and Stella.

Don't Haakon and Lars look like siblings?!

Good times by all!

A shot from the weekend

Here's a great shot of the boys with their Mam-maw from the weekend.  Then I did a couple screen captures of the boys and put them together.  C-U-U-U-U-T-E!

Lars is now eating up a storm -- nothin' like rice cereal!!!  And he has an 18-month onesie and sweatshirt on today.  Oh boy...

Leif is super excited for Haakon, Anja, Berit, Auntie Ingrid, Auntie Pat, Uncle Ron, Mam-maw and Gampa Gampa to come this weekend for Easter!

Struggling to stay caught up

My travel season is almost done, and I'm looking forward to enjoying this gorgeous spring weather with the three boys here at the house.  No grand adventures...  Gardening, playing soccer, riding bikes (really, Leif's new Strider Bike), digging in the sandbox.  It's all good.

Spring came two months early.  It's crazy to have all the plants popping up already!  The Easter Bunny will soon be here, and he/she/it will have LOADS of places to hide Easter eggs.

A leprechaun visited the house recently and caused quite a stir.  Leif reported that the leprechaun crawled through the vent, and then caused trouble overall.  He/she/it knocked chairs over, peed in the toilet, and even peed in the soymilk!  SILLY leprechaun!

The boys are doing well.  Leif is developing his throw-my-body-on-the-floor-in-protest skills and is EXCELLING!!!  We're proud.  It's best when he does this at Sam's Club.  (Is this a public display of affection toward us?)

Leif is really into "gun" everything -- gun boat cars, gun cars, gun boats, gun ships, gun tow trucks.  Wow.  He has developed an interest in fighting and recently defeated one of our tall overdam grasses in the backyard with a mere broom.  That's one tough kid.

Lars is a happy kid.  A textbook "angel baby".  He continues to be SUPER easy and predictable.  He's so freaky easy that he makes one want to have another baby!  (Ssshhh...  Don't tell Mikael.)  SUPER chubby, too.  At his four-month appointment he was in the 97^th percentile across the board (19 pounds 10 ounces, 26.5 inches, 44.75 cm), and we still thought he'd be larger.

Updates...  Lars enjoyed a couple days at Finley Hospital with a bout of RSV and pneumonia.  We had special treatment and incredibly uncomfortable quarters in the ICU.  He's rolling now from his back to his tummy and is ready to chase down Leif. Lars started eating rice cereal two nights ago.  I think he'll start sleeping through the night soon.  (AMEN to Dr. Weissbluth and his sleeping advice!!!)

Lars is diggin' his new Baby Bjorn highchair.

We have some photos posted at the following link with some brief captions:

March 2012 

We continue to be amazed at the big personalities of our two little guys and at how different they look.

By the way, when did the rules on spacing after periods change?  The acceptable spacing is now ONE space after a period.  I can't keep up...

A star is born!

Last night was Leif's preschool Sweetheart Concert.  All of the preschool classes performed a couple songs to a packed gymnasium.  Toward the end of his class performance, Leif pulled Lars' daycare daily report out of his pocket, unfolded it, and waved it at us so that we'd come and grab it from him.  :)

Does Leif have a future in the performing arts?  We'll let you determine that.  A video clip can be found at the following link:

A star is born!

You shouldn't have a hard time finding him.  Turn up the volume if you dare.

January/February 2012

All is well here.  We have adjusted (maybe...?) to the chaos and life seems to have hit a new "normal".  Who needs sleep anyway?  Sleep is for the weak!

I start traveling this week for work, and we'll just adjust again.  Lars will be a traveling man (Chicago with me and Mamaw, California with me and to meet up with Auntie Pat), and Leif is going to hold down the fort and take care of  Dad.

Large-and-in-Charge Lars is doing well.  Charming little thing.  He's full of smiles at daycare and regularly covers the gals with portions of consumed milk.  He's sleeping from 7 to 7 each night and wakes up once to eat.

Leif is proving to be a numbers man.  Besides his love for the graphing calculator, we do "Morsel Math" every few days.  It's math with chocolate chips -- we have been working on addition and afterward he eats the chocolate chips.  Leif also LOVES his tape measure.  His bunk bed ladder measures at "twelve thousand, twelve" and my head measures in at a whopping "ten hours"!  Can you believe it?!  

No more man-sized poopy Leif diapers!  Our strategy worked -- after four days of no movies Leif gave in to pooping on the potty.  Superman is a PROUD big boy!  (Yes, that IS Superman.)

We signed Leif up for five days per week of preschool next year.  He is psyched.

The boys officially adore each other.  Lars follows Leif with his eyes at all times, and Leif LOVES being the center of Lars' attention.

There are a BUNCH of photos at the following link:

January/February 2012

Amazing feats!

Amazing things are happening...

• Lars is weighing in at about 20 pounds. Gooo, Lars!!!
• Leif is now pooping in the potty.  Gooooo, Leif!!!!!
• Swervin' Ervin competed in the Arrowhead 135 snow biking race in northern Minnesota and completed it with a time of 37 hours 55 minutes.  Gooooooo, Gampa Gampa!!!!!!!

I guess Mikael and I did not make the list this time around.

Photo updates soon.

Some Christmas 2011 photos

I return to work tomorrow. (Yep, freaked out!)  Mikael has to leave for work each morning by 7:15 a.m., so I think I may be a bit overwhelmed in the a.m. hours until we develop a routine.

Dad and Mom were here this weekend for the Triple D race, which Mikael and Dad finished feeling GREAT.  Mom and I were able to pull together several meals to freeze.  I see dinners of cereal ahead!  It will be survival the next few months, especially with business travel season headed my way.

Below is a shot of a fabulous foursome -- Haakon, Leif, Berit, and Anja -- on Christmas Day at Mamma (not really sure how I should spell this!) and Gampa Gampa's house.

There are additional photos from the holidays at the link below:

Christmas 2011

Enjoy!

December excitement

Oh, our exciting lives as Iowegians continue.  (Note:  The order of presentation below in no way reflects order in time or of importance.)

#1  I return to work in one week.  While I'm excited to get back to work and see all my coworkers (GREAT folks at the office!), I will certainly be sad to release our Beast to the world!  (Note: Leif maintains the title of "Master" while Lars gained the title "Beast" -- it was a tough decision.)  Fortunately we couldn't ask for a better staff at Young-Uns.

Our checking account will also mourn the loss of twice the funds to daycare and preschool.

#2  Lars' 2.5-month checkup last week spelled out a big boy -- a nine-month torso with six-month legs:

• Height: 24.5 cm (90^th percentile)
• Weight 16 lb 10 oz (97^th percentile)
• Head: 43 cm (above the 97^th percentile)

#3  Leif had his frenulum "released" at Finley Hospital yesterday and managed to leave the hospital with a pretty severe burn on his inner lip as well due to the doctor's error.  Thrilled we are not!  The doctor will address any nerve damage or scarring if they occur.

Here's a shot of the ever patient patient beforehand.  Lars is off to the right, passed out in the stroller.

Here's a shot of Leif under the "Versed spell" as he was being wheeled away.  We explained to Leif how much he'll like this type of drug in the future, but he wasn't interested.  We considered swiping it as well but realized we didn't want to do time for such a small shot.

Leif is now taking advantage of our repeated offers of popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, and kefir throughout the day.  His pronunciation will improve overall and will lead to less frustration on his part, but we will miss his speech patterns as well.  Instead of "ninno", we'll now hear "little" instead.  Already he is able to stick his tongue out -- something he couldn't do before.  

Additional photos from the morning's events can be found at the following link:

On to frenulum-free adventures

#4  Mikael purchased a Surly Moonlander and is now ready for winter biking.  He'll be riding in the Triple D race this coming weekend with Swervin' Ervin, and perhaps he'll be Alaska-bound next winter for the Sussitna!  It's unfortunate that there will be NO snow for the Triple D race this weekend.  Heck, it's 54 degrees right now!  

I'll wait another year before I get a Surly.  Mikael and I both think winter riding could be right up my alley.

#5  We now have about 25 pounds of venison in our freezer thanks to the hunting by our neighbor Gene and butchering by both Gene and Mikael (and certainly counseling by Erv) over a couple late nights.  Yeah!

#6  And the boys are now growing fonder of each other.  Lars looks for Leif and smiles at him, and Leif will sit near him and even talk to him and show him his toys sometimes!  Definitely BFFs in the future.

 There are some additional post-Christmas photos available at the following link:

Post-Christmas 2011

Ingrid is going to email me some photos from the holidays, and then I'll post those as well.