Out for a run with the stroller

Since spring is finally here I got inspired to start running with the stroller. It's great to get your workout done while little B gets some fresh air.

To motivate myself, I got some new stylish workout clothes. Who doesn't want to look cool when working out?, haha. Seriously though, it feels better to work out if you look good. Vain or what, lol! I also got a new water bottle to drink my icy cold water drinks in :) This makes you forget that you have to wear a tampon while running, which I wrote about here; Urinary incontinence.

Flexing my huge biceps

There is an outdoor gym along the path where I stop to work on my muscles. My goal is to do three pull ups before the summer is over. Right now, I can only pull up an inch, so I got something to work on...

The pull up muscles needs some work....

I also worked on my abs and lower back. I have gotten such a pain in my back after lifting little B in and out of her crib (like 100 times every night..)

My six pack is almost there...

Most of the time little B sleeps when I run, but yesterday she was awake so we went to the playground. She tried out the swing and that was a lot of fun! I know she looks pretty bored in the picture but I promise you, she laughed later!

Little B 

Tonight, my husband and I are going for a run together with the little one. Good way to spend some family time!

Xo
Little B's mom

These books help keeping her tummy full and my sanity intact!

A full Little B is a happy Little B, which automatically means more peace for everyone =)

Sometimes it seems like my ultimate goal throughout the day is to keep her belly full. 

Distraction is key to get her to eat her food. I usually read something to her and some books keeps her attention way longer than others. Little B got a book called "That's not my tiger" a couple of months ago from her granny and she loves it still.  Since then I've gotten two more; "That's not my fairy" and "That's not my piglet". They are written by Fiona Watts and Illustrated by Rachel Wells,
www.usborne.com.

Books by Fiona Watts & Rachel Wells

What's good about them is that she can touch the different textures of the pictures, like the tiger's fluffy ears or the fairy's bumpy shoes.

www.usborne.com

They are also very colourful and durable! The tiger book has been licked, drooled on, food droppings have been smudged all over the pages, it has survived a trip to Cuba where it got covered with sand and the fatty stains of sunscreen lotion . And still.....it looks good. Wish I could say the same about myself after months of sleep deprivation or binge drinking tequila (kidding I don't do that anymore).

Anyhow, I got the books from Babies R Us and www.Amazon.com. They also have a website for more information, www.usborne.com.

Happy World Book Day!

Xo
Little B's mom

Growing up bilingual, how to teach her my language

Whaatt? My child will learn English as her main language? How on earth is that possible when I grew up speaking Swedish? What do you mean she won't have a Swedish accent? She is Canadian? What???
Haha, well although I logically know this is how it is and how it will be, I still can think that it's a bit strange.

Sometimes I feel very stressed when I think about the huge responsibility I have to teach little B Swedish. I'm like the only one around her who speaks Swedish, which makes me solely responsible for her learning the language. In other words; Help!

What also freaks me out is how my own Swedish language skills can be lacking. Sometimes I have trouble finding the right words and I can mix English words with Swedish. It's like the opposite way of Swenglish and that my friends, sounds pretty darn bad!

To help me teach little B Swedish, I gathered some useful tips. Here is what I came up with so far:

How to teach your child your native language

• Read, read, read books in your native language. I mostly read for little B when we eat. 
• Talk! Apparently you have to talk to your child in your language even if people around you (like dad and cousins) does not speak your language. I think this is pretty difficult since my husband doesn't speak Swedish. I try to do it but it's a challenge. I do however speak Swedish when we are alone all the time.
• Sing. We sing a lot and listen to Swedish music on YouTube. 
• Watch programs for kids in your language. I use Apple TV to stream some Swedish programs for her.  
• Use Skype to communicate with relatives in your country.
• Apps, I know little B is probably too little for apps but I have used them. Swedish learning apps are good!
• Hire an Au Pair from your country. this is probably not for everyone, but it would help a lot! At the very least, my husband would be a happy camper having another woman around, haha.
• Spend time with people from your country and travel to your country. Pretty obvious that this would help. However, might be difficult to fulfil...

Little B with her Swedish books

Anyways, to me, it's just so important that she learns Swedish. I mean, Swedish is part of me, a huge part! I think that she will be happy when she grows up that she is bilingual! 

Xo

Little B's mom