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.