Tomorrow is the last day of my maternity leave. I’m excited to start my new job (at Verdande Technology), but at the same time I’m very sad that an exciting year is over!
We’ve gone from just smiling
to grasping toys
to raising upper body
to sitting in the high chair
to standing on two feet
to showing how tall she is 
It’s now up to Espen to make sure she walks. He’s got 7 weeks of paternity leave to make it happen…
I just realized today that July is almost over, here are some highlights.
Frida’s cousin came to town, so we’ve spent some time with her. This means that Frida has had to share her toys, and they seem to get along very well – even though Frida with her 8 months could easily take down 4 months old Stellatronic!
Throwing up on the couch is fun. As long as one gets to look at it for two seconds and then rub both hands in it.
Everyday activities include eating in the high chair and standing up in the couch. By the way, the couch is an excellent place to show off two teeth that are emerging.
We’ve had some great weather: at the veranda, at Bratlia (my parent’s vacation house) and at a local coffee shop…
Frida has learned how to climb. For some reason the dishwasher is one of the most exciting toys at the moment. Of course, all toys have to be tasted!
This year’s summer vacation is now over. We had a great time in Provence, staying almost two weeks in a house near the tiny village of Flayosc with a couple of friends and their daughter who is only a month older than Frida. The house had a large pool and a nice view of… nothing but green hills and villages far away
Before we went on vacation we were enjoying the summer at home. Here’s Frida chillin on a bench in the park with a friend.
Frida didn’t miss her friends at home for a second as she got to share toys all day long with an old friend of hers.
Frida had en eventful vacation! She ate delicious French food.
She played in the pool.
She played on the floor of the outdoor kitchen.
She had lots of time to play with mom and dad.
And she slept at night – which gave her parents some time to do other things.
One day we went on an excursion to beautiful Lac du Verdon, with its green lake and deep canyons.
Even though we had a great vacation, it’s always good to get back home!
In preparation for our summer vacation in France, I recently bought a Manduca. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a baby carrier. Frida is getting too heavy for the Tricot Slen, which is a long elastic wrap. Besides, as it covers the upper body, it’s warmer to wear – something we don’t need at the Riviera with 25-30 Celsius…
We’ve gone from this:
to this:
Frida still looks like her dad!
Frida’s first flight went to Oslo. She seemed to like it and slept almost the whole time. In Oslo she was happy to make a new friend.
When we got back she had her operation. She even got a diploma for being a good girl after waking up from general anaesthesia!
Her just-woke-up-face in the morning is always cute.
Find Wally… eh, I mean, find Frida!
Playing with dad, looking in the mirror.
Strolling by the water in beautiful spring weather.
Ready for skiing in Easter break!
First time facing forward in the Tricot-slen wrap.
Frida’s hairy crazy cousin.
Not really liking the pacifier too much.
Making a new friend… or maybe not!
New spring outfit – knit by grandma Brit.
Dad’s home alone with the baby while mom’s…
At the coffee shop with grandma and grandpa.
Her favorite toy is a yellow thingy.
Always happy in the wrap. Not so in the baby carriage… 
Why the surprised look on Frida’s face? Well, I celebrated my birthday Feb 14 and invited a few friends over for dinner. I guess she was wondering why I got some of the attention – she’s usually the center of attention!!
By the way, Frida was an angel all day, sleeping while I prepared dinner and charming the guests after they arrived. She politely stayed awake to see the last couple leave after 1 am…
Just wanted to show you what a proud dad looks like. Looking at her smile, I think she’ll grow up to be a daddy’s girl 
I’ve gathered some pictures of Frida. One of her taking a bath, several from when she’s lying on her back looking up at her toys, and a few showing how she can already hold her head up pretty well
Every time I’ve taken Frida to a coffe shop, she’s slept like an angel the whole time Last time I had to wake her up before we left in order to feed her, as I wanted to make sure she didn’t wake up hungry when I was running a few errands. As soon as she finished, she fell sound asleep again – just look at this:
I guess I better enjoy it while I can. As she gets older, she’ll want to run around and keep me busy!
A couple of days ago we went to E’s parents where Frida fell asleep as soon as we put her on the couch wrapped in a wool blanket that her aunt knit. Thanks, aunt M
This was the first time Frida fell asleep on her stomach. And for those of you who don’t know: babies aren’t supposed to sleep on the stomach unless they’re supervised!
The picture is not as good as other photos that I’ve posted because it’s taken with my iPhone. My Christmas present from E – once again an excellent choice for a present! What would I do during all those hours of breast-feeding if I didn’t have my new gadget?? (For others who are breast-feeding, I’d recommend the Baby tracker: nursing application that gives you feeding stats. I didn’t think it would be as useful as it has turned out to be!)