A Fig in Sweden Portland

1 baby, 2 languages

That's Sophie counting in English. By the time I hit the record button, she was on number 3. She counts from 1 to 10 a lot, sometimes stacking blocks or cards at the same time. Evidence that it's not just memorization, but that she actually understands the concept.

Her Montessori teacher has noticed and mentioned this week to Lewis that Sophie's counting is getting really good. Lewis agreed. But he was shocked when the teacher informed him that Sophie can count to 10 in Swedish, too.

Wow.

bird

We have a new friend in Älmhult. His name is bird. He's a curious chaffinch that has started pecking our living room window. Sophie (and the cat) is particularly excited about our new visitor.

we heart daddy

i can't pronounce it, but i love it

I have decided that $50/yard for fabric is not outrageous. Not when it's Marimekko's Kevätjuhla by Finnish designer Miina Äkkijyrkkä. Because as soon as I saw it in Helsinki this summer, and then again on the wall of a nearby restaurant last week, I knew I had to have it.

(Photo: www.alwaysmod.com)

who says älmhult has no mountains?

I saw the piles and piles of snow on my way into work (and it's still snowing the rest of the week). And then I discovered chocolate-covered mountains of marshmallow this afternoon at the office!

While the white scenery is really nice right now, I prefer the marshmallow variety.