Hammie Update: Two years old and life is good

On July 25^th Hammie doubled in age.  Despite my earlier reluctance to have a party for a two year old I realized nothing I could say or do can keep grandparents from pampering their only grandchild.  So it goes.  Hammie once again was the honored guest at two different parties, each with presents and strawberry cake.  The cakes were delicious and I've decided as long as I get some strawberry cake Hammie can have as many parties as she wants.

We’ve heard stories of “terrible twos” but it’s hard to imagine the word terrible or any of its synonyms being applied to our little girl.  Mood swings can happen, the worst of which are complete with face-to-the-floor wailing, but they are short lived and do little more than provide chuckles for her loving parents.  Yes, I think it’s ok to laugh at your kids sometimes.

Talking is Hammie's new favorite thing as scarcely a minute goes by without a comment or question, intelligible or not.  She deftly navigates between Swedish and English and it’s safe to say that folks in the States better brush up on their Swedish if they don’t want a frustrated little girl repeating the simplest of phrases in a progressively louder voice until eventual breakdown.  Guessing works well and I’ve gotten pretty good at it as everyday brings new words that are not quite pronounced properly or best described as Swenglish. 

The potty-training that went so well in February has taken a serious setback as the folks at daycare (we call it dagis here in Sweden) don’t have the manpower to follow Hammie around and tune into her bowl movements.  With dagis closed for July we’ve taken strides forward once again but I fear it’ll be back to square one with the return to dagis.  She is beginning to get the hang of it and certainly understands the concept so we’ll see what happens.

One of the perks of Hammie being older is she now has an added independence and I don’t feel like I need to have my eye on her every minute.  If she needs help she will tell me and she will often entertain herself for long periods.  Of course Hammie’s every improving mobility is literally taking her to new heights and a lack of supervision has ever growing consequences.   I’d like to think Hammie processes decent risk analysis but it is better to not leave things to chance, and she is after all my daughter.  I have my eye on her every other minute.

All in all things are moving forward as they should and I still contend that we have the greatest kid ever.   Hammie can’t wait to see all her fans and show all her new skills/tricks. For those in the USA, Hammie will be making an appearance State-side in September. 

Big hugs from the cutest 2-year old ever.

 Officially Two

 Hammie better not get used to cakes or her dad is going to gain 20 pounds

Presents

Flower Girl

Another picture from Midsommer

Glad Midsommar

Happy Midsummer!!

Check out this link and scroll down for another picture of Hammie that a local reporter took.

What's that on my Belly?

One day Hammie came back from daycare with some body-art.

 Check out my belly!

 Hammie points out that her belly now has eyes

The belly-art was so cute we left it for 3 days before bath time washed it away

The Åland Trip

A couple weeks ago we joined our friends Kalle, Frida and Isa for a week of climbing on the Finnish Islands called Åland.  This was Hammie's first time in Finland and after the week she decided it would be ok to come back sometime.  Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Hammie takes a break from her artwork to enjoy the scenery 

 The cabin we rented for the week was perfect for two little families.  

 The crew in Åland.  Lina, Kalle, Isa, Frida and Hammie

Hammie could go on swinging forever but I think dad is getting bored

 Hammie discovered dad's stash of dried fruit and proceeded to stuff her face

Taking a stroll

 The flowers were in bloom and those outside the cabin we rented felt the wrath of Hamzilla

 Swinging is a big hit

Hammie tries to find a hiding place

Leaving a Mark

Hammie is very into drawing at the moment.  When out climbing we bring along some chalk and Hammie proceeds to mark up the landscape.  She occasionally offers lessons where she hands us the chalk, directs us to a blank piece of rock and tells us what we should draw.  Fortunately her vocabulary is pretty basic so I get away with mostly drawing animals (dogs, cats, cows, horses, etc), plants (mostly trees and flowers), and a few random objects (bicycles, cars, houses, the sun).  I reckon it's only a matter of time before I will be unable to field her requests and she realizes that her dad is a horrible artist.  I just hope she hasn't inherited my drawing skills.

 Lina takes art lessons from Hammie

Hammie in France

I'm putting together some climbing videos from our time in France this March.  While the videos will be mostly climbing Hammie makes some cameos so I thought I'd post them on this blog as well as my climbing blog.

Here is the first video.  Those non-climbers may just want to search out the Hammie footage.