Post holiday blues

Being back in London is bittersweet. On the one hand I was looking forward to being back in my own flat and my own bed, and it is nice to see Una and her dad reunited after 3 weeks apart. On the other hand I had such a lovely time in Sweden and it was sad to say goodbye to my family and friends. Life is so different in Sweden, in some ways easier. A better quality of life. I know the grass is always greener and there are many benefits to living in London, a city I love, but I couldn't help to think I would love to spend a couple of years in Sweden while Una is young, I think it would be great for her as the nurseries are so good (and unbelievably cheap!) and she could spend more time with her family. It's difficult living in a country that isn't "ours". Since James is from Ireland Una doesn't have any grand parents around in London, though she has her aunts at least. I want to make much more of an effort to go back to Sweden more often, during the winter as well, so that Una can feel that Sweden is her country. At least we do go to Ireland a bit more often, so she gets to spend time with her family over there, which she loves. Who knows what the future holds and where we will all end up!

Una enjoying sitting in a high chair in Maria's kitchen!

Our Swedish holiday, part 2.

As I wait to leave for the airport to fly back to England I thought I might post a few memories from our holiday. It has flewn by, as it does everytime. We've spent the last six days in Stockholm, staying with my friend Maria. When we arrived late on Tuesday they picked us up from the airport and drove us to their flat, where they had prepared some nice kvällsfika. Our beds were made up and the flat looked so nice and cosy with candles lit. It was a real warm welcome and I knew then that we would have a great time here, which of course we did. We've been for long walks, taking coffee and (low carb) chocolate muffins with us to stop and eat along the way. We've cooked lots of delicious and healthy food, last night we made low carb pizza, which was surprisingly delicious. Each morning we've had scrumptious breakfasts of boiled eggs, berries with greek yoghurt and pots of coffee. Una has continued to explore solids. She is developing a bit of a sweet tooth, she loves yoghurt mixed with fruit, and likes porridge. She is coming around to savoury foods but it has to be very smooth or she is not a fan. She has changed so much in these last three weeks, she is quite good at sitting up now, though she topples over when she gets bored. We had borrowed a highchair from Marias friend and Una loved sitting in it, I'll have to get one as soon as I'm back in London.
Maria has spent lots of time with Una, giving me a hand whenever I've needed it. On Saturday I invited my aunts and my oldest brother and his son over for dinner. We had a lovely afternoon together with lots of good food and laughter.
Coming to Sweden is a holiday for the soul, I always do lots of thinking about my life, the future. Sometimes you need a bit of distance from things to be able to process them and sort through your thoughts. I had to buy a notebook so I could start to write down all the ideas and epiphanies I was having. Now I am ready to go back to London and I think Una is too. I think she misses her daddy.

Our Swedish holiday, part 1.

Travelling with Una is a breeze, she is so chilled out. We arrived at Gatwick early and Una had some lunch in Pret, some carrot that I had brought, no baguettes yet!

The flight was quick and easy, Una enjoyed the view and slept in my arms.

We had a four hour wait at Arlanda in Stockholm before catching our connecting flight to Umea. Una took a nap to make the time pass quicker.

Finally, on the Wednesday, we arrived at my mums house. Una enjoyed some quality time with her Mormor, we took walks with the dog and had lots of fika. My mum had dug out some of our old toys from when me and my siblings were little, so Una had lots of retro toys to play with!

Time away

Una and I are enjoying our holiday in Sweden, despite the crappy weather. We've spent 8 days with my mum, they just flew by. Now we are in Umeå, my hometown. We are just about to head out to go in to town for a coffee. I am terrible at posting while I'm on holiday so you'll have to bear with me. If I get a chance I'll post some photos, but I doubt there will be many posts until I'm back on the 10th of September, I am too busy spending time with dear friends and family.