Our initial plan was to be elsewhere during Christmas, but several things made us rethink and spend this year’s Christmas with family, so Sweden it is for us this year.

It is Othilia’s second Christmas, but the first one she can walk around and touch things. We were excited for her to experience snow, but it looks like we have a daughter that prefers the summer months of Europe. Othilia is a bit reserved about snow, darkness and coldness. We put her down on the ground when we go out with her and she just looks sceptical at the snow and then reaches her arms toward us and wants to be carried most of the time we are out. We got snow for Christmas so at least us parents were happy. Pictures from our Christmas are coming below. Merry Yule and a happy new year!

Vår första plan var att vara någon annanstans under julen, men det var flera saker som fick oss att tänka om och tillbringa årets jul med våra familjer, så Sverige blev det för oss i år.

Det är Othilias andra jul, men det är den första som hon kan gå runt och röra saker själv. Vi var glada för att Othilia får uppleva snö, men det ser ut som om vi har en dotter som uppskattar Europas sommarmånader mer. Otilia är inte särskilt exalterad över snö, mörker och kyla. Vi sätter ned henne på marken när vi går ut med henne och hon ser bara skeptiskt på snön och sträcker sedan armarna mot oss och vill bäras mesta delen av tiden vi är ute. Vi fick snö till jul så åtminstone vi föräldrar var glada. Bilder från vår jul kommer nedan. God jul och gott nytt år!

Othilia trying to walk on ice.
Walking short distances was alright, but most often she wanted to be carried.
Balls are always fun according to Othilia.
We had a few christmas smorgasbord (julbord). The first one out was a vegetarian one. It was interesting to try, but let’s say that we prefer an original one with meat.
Othilia found stuffed animals here and she liked them a lot. Her hair is getting longer, we are letting it grow so up to this point no scissor has yet touched her hair.
We met with our friend Lynn (she met up with us both in Netherlands and in Czech Republic) and Othilia recognized her immediately.
The snow disappeared just before Christmas, but it would return on Christmas Eve, the day we are celebrating Yule.
Christmas smorgasbord number 2, with a lot more meat on it.
We had Christmas gifts opening several times during Christmas.
Othilia was happy to receive a flute.
We went to visit the Christmas house.
A lot of lamps and other things Othilia wasn’t allowed to touch. It was an interesting experience to walk around here with her. The Coca-cola truck was on display, a famous Coca-Cola Christmas commercial for no use, the Swedes mostly buy julmust during December.
Another Swedish tradition during Christmas is to watch old Disney clips on the TV every year at 3 pm on Christmas eve for one hour. This is the most famous clip shown during this hour of Disney.
Christmas smorgasbord number 3 on the actual day we celebrate, Christmas eve.
Ulrika and Othilia next to the Christmas tree.
The snow came back so we explored the winter landscape with Othilia.
We even created a snowman.
Our snowman standing in the dark.
Othilia would only stand on the ground next to lights. The darkness up here in the North require a few shining trees. This was not so late in the afternoon and complete darkness surrounds us.
Next Christmas tree and Othilia in our arms. At 15 months, Othilia’s word knowledge has increased and it is mostly Swedish word she knows and say right now. In Swedish she can say: mer, igen, lampa, mamma, pappa, titta, “vaärde?” (vad är det?), tack and hejdå, but a few English words are in her vocabulary (mummy, daddy and happy). She of course understands a lot more words than she can say at the moment.
And more Christmas presents to be opened. We want to thank our families for all the lovely gifts Othilia got this Christmas!

Merry Yule everyone and we are looking forward to what the year 2020 will bring. Happy new year!