Double Team

Hammie's double chin and I'm-the-center-of-the-universe attitude may reek of America but don't forget that she loves socialized health care and remains passive when it comes to global conflicts. That's right, she is both Swedish and American and can play either card at her leisure.

What to be today?

Well, maybe 50% American but still proud of it

hmmmmm, socialized health care

Santa's Little Helper

We hope everyone had a great Christmas. Hugs and kisses from Santa's Little Helper will be personally dilivered State side before the new year.

Fish win out over Santa Clause

Hammie met Santa last weekend. She thought he was ok but didn't see what the big deal was. Fish on the other hand are awesome! Why pay attention to show odd old guy in a red suit when you can stare are fish.

Santa tries to win over Hammie with gifts

Looking towards the light

Friends

Dig In

We've begun the messy task of introducing Hammie to food. We are generally met with skepticism and Hammie needs only a taste to know that she prefers mom's breasts. Despite trying to make the food more appealing by mixing breast-milk with the mashed vegetable of the day (we've tried peas, potatoes, and carrots so far) Hammie is insistent she would rather wear vegetables than eat them. So it goes. It's a messy process but her facial expressions provide plenty of entertainment.

Not quite sure what to think

At least the spoon tastes good

Balancing Hammie: The Next Level

As Hammie grows our tricks take a step up. I'm still barred from trying out the flying Hammie but I reckon it's only a matter of time as Hammie becomes more aerodynamic every day.

Balancing Hammie: Level Two from Walker and Lina on Vimeo.

Some Pics

Hammie does her Three Stooges impression

Hammie rocking her emo-hairdo

Hammie gets a good night kiss from her mom

Pass the Hammie

Who wants to cuddle with Hammie? She is looking forward to meeting everyone in the States this winter and is hoping to stock up on hugs while still in Sweden. By the way, Hammie loves comments as they serve as reminders that her fan base wants more regular posts.

Hammie is waiting for someone to snuggle with

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween from our little pumpkin. Thanks to Richard and Tesa for the sweet costume.

Girl Party

Hammie had a couple older girls over the other day for a little impromptu party. The event was chaperoned but our little party animal still managed to drink too much and vomit on herself.

Hammie looking up to her older friends, Siri and Mira

Dad tries to keep the party under control

Nothing is more embarrassing than trying to impress the big girls and then vomiting on yourself

Baby Pictures

Here's a dose of cute that should get you through the week.

Hammie takes a road trip

Last weekend Hammie wandered farther from home than ever before. We had an appointment at the US embassy in Stockholm and our little trooper dealt with the 6 hour drive like it nothing more than a diaper that needed soiling. Piece of cake.

We stayed with some good friends, Silja Marit and Flemming, that have a little girl named Miriam that is about two months older than Hammie. Nalani and Miriam seem to enjoy each others company and spent hours "playing" together. It's sure to be a life long friendship.

On the way home we stayed with other friends (Andreas, Jenny, and their son Noah) in Örebro. Andreas and Jenny showed us some super climbing areas and Noah tried to teach an uncooperative Hammie how to crawl.

It was a great weekend. Thanks heaps to our hosts.

Miriam, Flemming, Silja Marit and Hammie

Hammie and Miriam surprised to see a camera

A breakfast feast with Andreas, Jenny and Noah

Noah takes a flight with Air-Dad

Moffe and Crew

Last weekend we headed down to Ronneby to visit Hakan, Tina, Ida, Anna, and Leia. We had a great time and played several rounds of pass-the-Hammie.

Moffe (aka Hakan), Tina, Ida, Anna, and Hammie

Hammie, just one of the girls.

Moffe, Leia, and Hammie

Hammie stocking up on hugs with Tina

Daddy's Little Muppet

Hammie has a sweet "muppet" suit that we can only use when it's quite cold out. Early attempts to don the outfit caused unwanted warmth and created one unhappy muppet. But now that the Fall has come to Sweden the cutest muppet ever will be making regular appearances and the warmth of her fur will be more than welcome.

Here are a couple pics of the muppet and her dad. Our little muppet's head was kept warm thanks to Silja's homemade hat (thanks again Silja).

Friends, Family, and Hammie

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I'm waiting on my new camera to arrive as my last was a loner from my sister (thanks again Heather). So until the new camera arrives I figured I'd post a few older shots of Hammie meeting various people.

When it comes to sharing Hammie with others Lina and I are quite relaxed. I've heard stories of mothers that holdup in their apartment for the first 12 months of a child's life for fear the baby might catch a cold. While I agree that it's a good idea to take exposure to sickness into account, it's not worth barricading yourself in your home and bathing every visitor in hand sanitizer. We do try to make a conscience effort to avoid sickness spreading places, like bus stations, and often inquire as to the health of our friends before dropping in for a visit. The avoidance of public transportation just makes me feel like I'm back in the States but it might be a good idea with swine flu and the like, it is the season to get sick after all. Regardless, we willingly throw Hammie at almost anyone that wants to hold, play with, or juggle her. People seem to enjoy her company and vice versa. Of course when a diaper needs changing or Hammie becomes whiny folks are more than happy to hand our little girl back to one of her parents.

Here are a few pics of various friends and family getting to know Hammie.

Cousin Boel entranced by Hammie's evil red eyes

John, Lina, and Hedda get acquainted with Hammie

Uncle Peter

Swedish Grandmother

American Grandmother

Hammie finds Martin's lap is a great place to take a nap

Hammie Video: The Early Days

I just got back from the States. It was only two weeks but it was rough being away from my girls. By the end of my trip I had a hard time looking at vids and pics of Hammie as it tore at my heart strings. During one of my long layovers (5 hours in Chicago and 8 hours in Brussels) and with less than a day before I was reunited with my girls I went through my Hammie vids and threw some together. These clips are from Hammie's first four weeks of life. Hope you enjoy.

Hammie's Early Days from Walker and Lina on Vimeo.

Hammie Tricks

Hammie and I are currently working on a few tricks. Balancing Hammie is perhaps the spectacular as it contains a degree or danger to add some excitement. Fortunately Hammie is solid as a rock and after a little more practice we'll take our show on the road.

Hammie Tricks: Balancing Hammie from Walker and Lina on Vimeo.

Mormor and Hammie

Ingela was up visiting for a couple days. Nalani is her first grandchild and she needs a Hammie fix every now and then. It has been nice having Ingela around as Lina is able to do things while Nalani hangs out with Mormor (aka grandma). Here a couple pic of Hammie and Mormor.

All tuckered out

Hammie models her new pants with a little help

Hammie and Daddy

Cutest Baby Ever

Back when she was one day old

Getting to know each other

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Hammie's Big Adventure

There has been a lot of firsts for little Nalani. Yesterday we took her to a restaurant for the first time. It was a festive occasion to celebrated Lina's birthday with Hakan, Tina, Ida, Anna and Peter in tow. Lina and I took turns eating while the other tried to cajole Hammie to sleep. No dice. Good food and good people apparently supersedes sleep. Good times.

Today was dubbed "Hammie's big adventure" as it was the first attempt to go out climbing with her. We actually chose a place with no developed climbing as the point was really just to get out in nature. It was a big day for Hammie as she got rained on, went off-roading in the baby carriage, had run-ins with ants and mosquitoes, breastfed outside (good job mom!), and helped discover chanterelle mushrooms. Quite a day.

I did manage to climb a little as I put up a cool problem I'm calling "Hammie's Big Adventure" and scouted some more potential climbing.

Hammie tucked into her off-road vehicle

Hammie and mom braving the rain and mosquitoes

Dad on the first assent of "Hammie's Big Adventure"

Our little hero all tuckered out

A chanterelle feast is our reward