He is one cool dude. Just look at those glasses!

But not only that. He's helpful too. Just look how elegantly he lays the table:

And yes, it's only a matter of time before he's off to work. I believe what he said was: "Bye bye" and then asked to get him his shoes :-)

All will be well // Det skal nok gå

Samuel and I went with the congregation in Vejle to a small zoo near by on Sunday. We had a good time.

To day Duncan and I have been to see the adoption consultant again. She's good, and it's a great help to have someone, who understands about adoption, feelings, nervous systems, development and family relations all at the same time! We gain a greater understanding of Samuel, of our task as parents and of our selves in the new situation that we're in.

And yes, she kept underlining, it is a new situation - even if it feels as though he has always been here 5 months is not a long time. It isn't. And we know it. Yet it's so easy to forget. And therefore easy to expect a lot of ourselves: shouldn't we have a routine by now? Why is it so difficult to start back at work? We ought to be able to put him to bed.... And many thoughts along those lines.

I think she gave us a healthy perspective. And most importantly she gave us hope and confidence. All will be well!!

Too big? // For stor?

Samuel is exploring the world big time. There's no other way to get to know it. He's good at finding things to discover. And he's good at trying what we s how him: water, light, textures, food etc.

The other day he found my slumber cardigan. A huge thing I have taken from my grandad's. It's o so cosy and warm! Apparently, it's also great fun to dress up in!

Gagaerne // The Gagas

This week we saw The Gaga's off. That's how Samuel pronounces both Granma and Grandad. For a little week we had them here to talk with, play with and teach us new songs. Well, new for Samuel and I anyway. Duncan did remember once he was reminded.

It's the first time Ian has been over since Samuel arrived, so it took a little time, before he was accepted, whereas Jean was taken by the hand around the house quite quickly. Though once Grandad was figured out, playing hide and seek was a great thrill - in fact, we've had to check out the good hiding places since they've gone home.

As you can tell from the pictures granparents are good to have at hand when huge lorrys or weird slides need to be examine. Duncan and I thought they were great too for putting up lights and shortening trousers :-)

It's becoming very obvious now that we have Samuel just how far away both our families are. Luckily my parents are down next week, and Jean is back in just four weeks! Hoorraa for trains, plains and automobiles.

July//Juli

As July is over so is our holiday - almost. We have had all of July to spend how we chose. Lovely! It's not quite been holiday as we're used to - no lounging around reading books while sitting in the sun or the shade as we please. No card playing tournaments that lasted all day. Not much in the way of spontaneous outings, and definately not much in the way of sleep. Instead we've spend a lot of time playing, sleeping in shifts and enjoying quiet evenings.

As written else where our time has been split between Vejle and our summerhouse. And a little weekend at my parents' to get some much needed sleep and rest.

We've been with friends for a couple of days.

And lately we have Ian and Jean (Samuel's English granparents) visiting. We were originally meant to go and see them in the UK, but as Samuel has been reacting as he has, we decided against it.

The end of July sees the end of my maternity leave. I start work again on the 9th of August, where Duncan takes over on leave.

What have we learned in July?

Sandboxes are FUN!

A day out to a crowded place is no use for a toddler or his parents.

Holidays are still holidays - just different!

Lego really know there stuff - when the write "From 1 1/2 years" they're spot on

Samuel has a talent for building with his Dad

Duncan's too got at the card game of 500 (he wins too much)

Anne, however, isn't too anything just because she'll win the cribbage tournament

We love, love, love our little house in "the north"

So many new words from Samuel that I've lost count.