Going out is going in....

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” ― John Muir

 The magic of getting lost in nature. There is nothing like it, don't you think? That's why I love living in California so much - it's is never short of place to escape to, new trails to discover. David has been visiting us and between his visit to the hospital and a busy schedule, we needed that little hiking break. Eliza and Gina had told us about Tennessee Valley in Marin, so we decided to give it a go.

It was a bit foggy and cold, but honestly the most gorgeous hike and I decided to listened to my own advice and just let the hills and the fog roll through my soul - well ok....maybe it sounds a bit too poetic, I was also really out of breath with my growing growing belly....how am I already 26 weeks pregnant?! 

It was the first time we went there, and somehow I felt right at home.  Maybe because it reminded me of Ireland and the year I spent there? Or maybe it's just that home to me is being surrounded by majestic hills, thousands of yellow flowers and my family. The girls walked the entire way and back without being carried and I was so so proud of them! It's definitely not easy for little legs, but we're hoping that the more hiking we do, the more of a natural thing it will become for them :)



The whole crew  - a whole bunch of crazies if you ask me :) Freia's trying to figure out how she ended up with the coocoo family ;)

Firestation dinner with Nick

Big changes ahead :)

A fancy ball in the red room

BANGS!

Bangs, for the first time in my whole life! Olivia said "mama you look fancy!" and Madeline smiled so big and laughed at the same time, I think she was surprised by that change. And Troels' reaction was "Honey, I'll love you no matter what" hahaha thanks babe. He did NOT want me to have bangs....but I am sure it will grow on him. It's already growing on me a lot!

When they turn one....

It is bittersweet when they turn one, isn't it? That very first birthday. When they turn one I see both the baby and the little girl. They say so much and yet so little. I want to cheer them on to take their first steps and still want to carry them everywhere we go - because I know the days are counted and soon she'll want to do it all on her own like a big girl. So many reasons to celebrate on that first birthday, and yet part of me always feels a little sad...knowing that from that moment on the baby days are really going to slip away.

Freia turned one last week and already I can everyday I can see the chance in her, becoming more and more of a little girl. I swear it was only yesterday that her sisters turned one....now how is Olivia about to enter Kindergarten already?!
   

Of course, we had a little party because really we always try to spend more time celebrating life and all the changes it brings than regretting the things of the past. Moving forward, to infinity and beyond :) As we always do, we hung balloons and set the Danish flag on the table, we put a crown on our party girl and made our traditional strawberries and cream cake, we asked friends and family to write down what they think Freia will do/be when she grows up on her birthday post.

Traditions. I love them. They make time stand still for a moment...and sometimes really that's all you need. Take minute to reflect on life. Knowing that some things might change, our babies might grow up and we may not always like it, but really in the end - we get so much good stuff out of all that growing up. So cheers, to this tiny little girl turning one.
 

And a little video of Freia on her birthday :)
 

Minion party a.k.a Madeline and Daniel's b-day party :)

Big news number 4!

1, 2, 3... and 4 coming right up!:) We're expecting baby number 4 for mid-September!

I know, you guys probably think this is completely crazy since Freia is only turning 1 this week, but believe me - this little babe was very much wanted and planned for. Hubby and I have always wanted four kids, and having Olivia and Madeline so close together in age has been one of the best thing - so we decided that for Freia and our last one we wanted to have a similar age gap = about 15 months.

Still, it's crazy we know...but that's totally us, we love it that way. Of course I have been super tired, like brutally tired given that I am pretty much going through two pregnancies in a row. But still, I can't complain, this pregnancy has been just has easy as the first three. We're so excited and can't wait to have our family complete! Oh, and I guess maybe you guys would like to know the sex of the baby? :)

Because yes, we found out last Friday at the 20 weeks ultrasound. TONS of people have been predicting a baby boy - you wouldn't believe the number of strangers at Target that stopped me and said "Oh that belly, it's a boy for sure"

Well...all fools! We're having another girl :) And I couldn't be more happy about it! Somehow I always imagined myself as the mama of an all girls team, something inside, I just knew...poor hubby, outnumbered doesn't even start to describe it! But I know he'll be alright. More than alright ;)