Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 9, 2007

An experiment in socializing

Our little Christmas party/cocktail party went off quite well. Food, drink, and good company. It gave us a chance to be adults and have a social life if only for one evening. Ørjan dropped off Magnus at his mum's for the night which meant we also had a night alone. We haven't had one of those since our wedding anniversary this year when my mum took him for the night and we checked ourselves into the same room we shared on our wedding night. Without revealing too many details about our late-night activities I will however say that it was fantastic. I have a very loving husband that respects and appreciates my body... even at this stage of my pregnancy. Anyhow...

Last night was better than we both had anticipated. Ørjan's mum (as well as Sverre and the great grandparents) returned Magnus home and watched him for the night while we went out. Ørjan was hesitant to make a committment to attend his workplace Christmas party for over two weeks for various reasons, but I reminded him that despite all the paranoia and worries that he carries about work it was still a party and his boss, little bosses, and co-workers were only there to have a good time. We also made the decision to seat ourselves at a more social table this year which maybe was a pleasant mistake. Ørjan isn't a drinker (not even very much of a social drinker when pressured) but he appeared to have no problem pushing his limits as he challenged Oleg. I can't lean on the common misconceptions and stereotypes that Russians or Ukrainians are big drinkers, but having a Ukrainian father has given me many fine and not so pleasant drinking memories and experiences. I could see that Ørjan was intent on having a good time, but I smelled trouble when I could see him encouraging Oleg to take several more drinks and shots with him. Long story short - someone woke up with a bad headache but at least he didn't have to sleep with a bucket next to the bed! I wasn't disappointed that he decided to have a few more drinks than he could handle, but I was however worried that his condition would be slightly more altered when we returned home.

I think we enjoyed ourselves much more than last year for several reasons: A better band (it's slightly personal when it comes to last year's entertainment), a better table, and we didn't bring our worries and guilt with us this year. I've been pushing Ørjan to try to be somewhat more social (since we rarely get out due to Magnus) and I think he succeeded at it. Last year we sat at the end of the hall (which was very conveniently directly across from the food) but it was very cold and drafty. This year we sat directly across from the bar which gave us a more social view of the julebordet but unfortunately meant we were the last ones to choose our food. Speaking of the food - it was ok. Typical Christmas food (a cold table, warm table: pinnekjøtt, julepølser, ribbe, medisterkaker, and dessert which he had no room for!) eaten the same way as last year.

Now Ørjan's still sleeping off his big night and Magnus is napping. It's been a great weekend. Friday and Saturday were our very needed nights off, and today appears to be a lazy Sunday. Perfect.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Oh, time.

I have this anxious feeling that December is going to be over before I even manage to have all my Christmas cards sent out. With so many appointments and holiday-related events I become exhausted by just browsing my calendar.

  • 07.12.07 - We're hosting a cocktail/Christmas party
  • 08.12.07 - Ørjan's julebord (work party)
  • 13.12.07 - Pregnancy group (10.00 - 12.00)
  • 14.12.07 - Final family meeting at the health stastion (12.15)
  • 17.12.07 - Ultrasound at Mo hospital (14.30)
  • 18.12.07 - Appointment with midwife (10.00)

Cooking, cleaning, shopping, and a missed vacation to Prague can easily summarzie this year's Christmas. Yes, we'll be missing out on the vacation planned for December but it was easily moved until the summer for a very small fee. I thought I would be ok to travel but now I realize that I'm slightly too big and having a few more complications that I had anticipated. I probably wouldn't bee too fun and the chances of actually enjoying the vacation (without ruining it for husband) would be very slim to none. Anyow...

Friday we had to go into Mo for several reasons that couldn't be avoided at all. Kitty (our cat) had to be taken to the vet again due to another swollen paw. Apparently the dosage and suggested duration of penicillin they gave us last time wasn't enough and his infection returned. We tried our best to drain and clean this paw but obviously he needed another checkup, a shot, and more medicine which all meant yet another vet bill - fantastic. We also had to buy a new kennel cab but it was worth the extra money. Saturday was a run to every food shop in town searching for ingredients needed for some of the food I'll start to prepare for our party. Can you believe that we paid $12.00 for 2 litres of cranberry juice? Welcome to my Norway. In any case almost everything on my list was purchased and I still have time to find some substitutions. Today is Tuesday and I feel like the week is almost over. I still have af ew more rooms to clean over in detail, prep and freeze some food, and do several loads of laundry. Maybe when January comes I'll find some time to catch my breath... Only January means that the countdown is on until I go into labour.

In no time at all baby #2 will be here. It's quite possible that we'll welcome our second child before Magnus turns 1. Two babies in 1 year? If you thought my December was busy, well... consider how busy my year has been! Still, I wouldn't trade it for anything.