Monday, December 29, 2008

In the Night Garden



There are several episodes available on youtube-- of Julian's favorite TV show. A fantastic review is available at Strange Harvest. While it is produced by the same crew that made Telletubbies, it is heaps better. Not that I advocate that two year olds watch too much TV--- but this is something quite unique.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Pedal Tractor


IMG_5208, originally uploaded by filtersweep.

What could be cooler than a pedal tractor? Every time we walk by one parked in our neighbors' yards, Julian want to play on it. Now, thanks to his uncle and grandparents, he has one of his own. Best of all, it isn't a John Deere (not that there is anything wrong with them--- it is just that everyone in our neighborhood rides them).

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Winter Solstice



We are down to 6 hours and 11 minutes of daylight tomorrow, then the days grow longer. Consequently, all the photos I take these days appear they are taken at night.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Julian's Birthday Party


Nothing gets a party hopping like a two year old.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Hitting the big oh-two

Julian turned two today. I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. He had a fun family party today--- after being king of his daycare.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Julian Nissen



All the kids had to wear these Santa hats at daycare. Julian wore his all day long.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Crazy Kid Story

The other day, Lise complained about a spoon that was very poorly washed. She showed it to me. It had all sorts of food crusted on it. I took it a bit personally, since I generally handle the kitchen cleanup. Our dishwasher is exceptionally thorough (and slow), and very seldom does anything emerge dirty. This was a mystery to me.

I didn't really give it another thought, until tonight. After dinner, Julian was running around the kitchen with his spoon. He opened the silverware drawer and tossed it in. Everything suddenly made perfect sense.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Still Sick

I don't seem to be getting any better. I took the day off and headed to the doctor today. I have had a cough for at least a month. Today I had a massive headache, and felt generally miserable. I called my doctor and landed a 1pm appointment. As I was parking the car, I noticed a woman had backed over an embankment, and her car was stuck--- none of her wheels were touching the ground. She sheepishly smiled at me as I walked by. At least she had a sense of humor.

There were quite a few people in the waiting room when I arrived. I never quite know what to expect with the Norwegian medical system. Last time I went to the doctor, a few years ago, I saw a different doctor--- who looked like she was seventeen. Eventually I was called back and given a blood test. After a brief wait the doctor saw me. He informed me that my white count was elevated, so I was definitely sick (in case I did not know). I wanted an antibiotic, but he said that it was likely viral. He could well be right, but this cold has lasted far too long. Normally a cold lasts a week at the most. I asked him about this, and he said that if I wasn't better next week I could come back. This seemed to ignore the fact that I have struggled with this for quite some time already. I wouldn't normally see the doctor for a cold. I didn't see the point of waiting a few more days. This is not a good time to be sick, with a very pregnant wife and a two year old at home.

So here is where it gets strange. He wrote out a prescription for Cosylan, a cough syrup with ethylmorphine, and he pretty much acted like I hit the jackpot to receive it. Apparently it is illegal to drive when taking it. I would have much preferred an antibiotic. I had the prescription filled-- it is a massive bottle-- 350 ml. I'll try anything at this point. Still, I don't see how this is better than possibly "abusing" an antibiotic.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

The Snow is Gone

The other night, Julian was insistent that I take him out sledding. Unfortunately there was no more snow. No snow means I am back to ice and ice biking to work. It is definitely faster biking on ice than snow, but there is a real mental block to riding across ice. It just doesn't seem right to bike across glare ice.