A pleasant morning

While Lois was here with us this past week, I invited some friends over to meet her and Elin. Here is our tiny guest of honor, fast asleep.

Everything is ready! The plates, the candleholder, the table runner . . . did somebody say Finials? Please note the iced coffee Lois made - I'm addicted!

There was coconut pound cake. (Mango sauce not pictured, but delish!)

And strawberries.

Our friend Joan brought some gorgeous hydrangeas.

Here we are! Okay, so only two people came . . . but we loved every minute with Jen and Joan!

Jen holds the baby.

And Joan too!

Viggo sneaks a kiss! What a sweetie that big brother is.

I tried to give Lois as many baby-holding opportunities as possible.

And I even got a turn holding my own kid. She was perfect the whole time!

Elin's first week

This first week with Elin has been more than wonderful. She is such a sweet baby!

Svea strokes Elin's head. She is so gentle with her!

Mickey Mouse and Bob the Builder join Elin for a nap (courtesy of Svea).

Snoozing under the blanket sent from the DeWan crew!

So tiny in the crib.

Just for Viggo

Hi Viggo! Here are some movies we made today just for you. You have two little sisters here who can't wait to see you. We told Svea you would be home in a few days and she said, "Viggo come home fwom twip!" We are all looking forward to having you back home with us, we have missed you!

Elin's hello to you:

And of course a hello from Svea too:

More photos of our little Elin

With Daddy.

I'm still pinching myself - another girl!

You're so beautiful.

On her way for observation in the NICU. She came to our room 4 long hours later.

Svea and Nate watch a nurse change Elin before bringing her into our room. There was a nursery right next door to us, so it was nice to have all of Elin's needs met so close by.

A sneeze!

Oh, the glee of holding Baby Elin!

Svea is pointing out Elin's belly button.

In our room there was the unexpected entertainment option of Atari, Nintendo and old computer games to choose from. Nate played "Moon Patrol" from Apple iie. What a hoot :)

Jenna comes to visit!

Getting ready to come home.

There's our pretty girl, all set to go!

Elin Carolann

Born at 1:53 PM on June 29th, Elin Carolann weighs 6 lbs. and is 19 inches long.

A trip to IKEA

Today we went to IKEA to buy some necessities for Viggo and Svea's new room. (The bedroom formerly know as Nate and I's room - we've moved everything around to make room for the baby. Or I should say, Nate has moved everything around. Thanks, honey!)

IKEA stands for Ingvar Kamprad, (the founder) Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and village in Sweden where Ingvar grew up. He started the business at age 17 in 1943. And now you've had your daily dose of Swedish trivia.


Welcome to the Philadelphia IKEA.

Somebody had an attitude today. I'm not naming names.

Svea makes a list of things we need.

Stacks and stacks of potties! Three guesses which one Svea chose!

So there's an enormous docked and dead ship right across the street from IKEA. It makes for an interesting sight, but I'm sorry to say I don't know anything about it.

Here's our stuff! Stay tuned for pictures of Viggo and Svea's new room - it is going to be cool!