Happy Easter. Edward and Heini have been sick and the boys have been discovering their wilder side running amok around the house, but we're still moving forward.
In February, we had Daniel and Sebastian's birthday, went up north for a week and were sick. All of us, at different times, over three or four weeks. We're all better now, though.
January is about over, and there has only been two days if snow so far! Mark has been back at work for several weeks now, and he's still having trouble getting back into the rhythm of the school day. Heini works hard with the three boys at home, but manages somehow. Edward gets bigger every week, and so does his personality. He likes to be with people, and he likes to smile. Daniel and Sebastian keep up all their adventures around the house and their explorations of the park and the neighborhood.
Edward was born five weeks ago. Mark has had leave from work and now Christmas holiday, so we've been all together as a family ... sort of. Mark spends most of his time with Daniel and Sebastian, and Heini is feeding Edward all day and all night, so we don't always see so much of each other. It's busy, but we've been having a good time, all of the brothers are getting used to each other and Edward is growing quickly. Now we're all getting geared up for Christmas.
Daniel, Sebastian and I went to our ward Christmas party, and Santa Claus was there. The boys are deep into the cult of Santa (joulupukki) and ask about his visit to our home all the time. Here's a QuickTime movie of the boys accepting presents from him. That's Sebastian standing on the far left and wanting Daddy to open the bag right away. (I didn't.)
After a fast and exciting labor, a little boy was born into our family on Sunday 18 November at 19:46 Helsinki time. He weighed 3.23 kilos (7 lbs 2 oz..) and was 50 cm (19.5 in.) long. We spent 3 days in the hospital in a pleasant family room, where Heini and I could get to know the little man while Daniel and Sebastian spent time with their mummi and ukki. We decided on a first name -- Edward -- but we don't have a middle name yet. We arrived home Wednesday afternoon, and now we'll try to settle in to a new routine.
It's been a while since we've posted. Over the last few months we've been working and playing and getting ready for the new baby, which should be here quite soon.
We had a great summer holiday. Our four weeks in Los Angeles were relaxing and fun, and it was great to see family and frinds there. After a week of recovering from jetlag, we went to Suolahti for two weeks, where we all recharged ourselves in the natural Finnish setting. But the holiday is over . . . Mark is back at work.
We're about to leave for a few weeks in California. Mark's been on holiday for two weeks already, and we've just been kicking back at home. If you haven't heard the big news yet, Heini is pregnant! We expect another baby in mid November.
