The Prickly Pair

Dinosaurs vs. mammals

2011-11-06T11:59:00.002-05:00

This Halloween we witnessed a reenactment of the late Cretaceous period, a dramatic time in the history of our planet. Dinosaurs (like the T-rex seen below) ruled the Earth, but their days were numbered. Clever little furry mammals (like the generic mouse species below) were waiting in the shadows for their chance to flourish and replace dinosaurs as the dominant land animals.

Per turns three

2011-09-25T20:28:00.001-04:00

Visit from Grandma Jane!

2011-09-25T20:19:00.001-04:00

The writers of Prickly Pair are behind on summer uploads. Now that Autumn is well underway, we thought it was high time to get caught up. One highlight of the summer was a visit from Grandma Jane!

Living it up in Cape Cod!

2011-08-25T12:19:00.001-04:00

Per and Elsa enjoyed a beach- and shuffle-board-filled week of adventure on Cape Cod. After returning from said adventure, the writers of Prickly Pair have no creativity left over for puns, witticisms, and clever expressions. So, this will be a post without captions. Thankfully, in this case, the photos speak for themselves...

Musical genius

2011-07-15T21:02:00.001-04:00

Summer Family Photo

2011-07-15T20:27:00.001-04:00

Hang Ten

2011-06-13T12:51:00.004-04:00

Nothing quite like the feel of the wind in your hair, an open expanse of rug out in front of you, and a vacuum cleaner under your feet...(it's now impossible for me to vacuum without this new "attachment").

Just for the grandparents

2011-05-22T20:31:00.004-04:00

Elsa's trip to Minnesota was highlighted by grandparental kisses, smiles, laps and arms-a-plenty. The Prickly Pair has never seen so much Elsa in one post...

Poaching eggs

2011-05-22T19:56:00.003-04:00

Egg Hunters take your marks.....get set....go!

(Per takes his Egg Hunts a bit more serious than the others...)

Per's early lead in the Hunt is stymied by a game-changing spill.

Per pauses to consider multiple baskets next time...

Meanwhile, Elsa is bored on the sidelines.

Hey, don't leave those empties in the park.

Dressed in our Sunday best...

10 for '10

2011-01-21T16:16:00.017-05:00

Seeing as how we are in between the Golden Globes and the Oscars, we thought it would be a perfect time to look back at Per's year in film. Here are his top 10 roles from 2010 (in chronological order):

10. March. Falling Down

9. March. The Constant Gardner

8. April. The Egg and I

7. August. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

6. September. Man in the Mirror

5. September. Crash

4. October. Man on Wire

3. October. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next

2. November. Its a Wonderful Life

1. December. Cool Runnings

Elsa, subdued

2010-11-24T11:35:00.003-05:00

We have it on good authority that Elsa returned home from a trip to the doctor's office with not one, but two ear infections. She decides to stay home from daycare to mope around the house (and show off her ability to sit up on her own).

Here she is, in subdued form...

Well, almost sit up...

What's black and white and Per all over?

2010-11-20T14:21:00.011-05:00

Before we unveil Per's 2010 Halloween costume, let's harken back to last October (insert back-in-time harp chords here). Ahhh, yes, how could we forget Per's one-year old physique?

This year, Per decides that black and white are indeed flattering colors ("slimming", to use Per's words), but decides to go with a more upbeat theme. Introducing "Happy Feet-Bergman".

Per's black and white obsession also extends to his Halloween possé.

Per's usual level of exuberance (augmented by sugar)

Per's exclusive black and white affair is touched by a shade of grey.

Per decides to make a break for it.

Tune in next Halloween when Per dons a Ding Dong costume...

Thomas-O-Lantern

2010-11-20T14:18:00.005-05:00

Per picks the theme for this year's pumpkin...

Per turns two

2010-11-01T21:36:00.006-04:00

Yes, Per is now two years old (if one were to ask his parents, they might say that they can't believe he's ONLY two, given the time that seems to have passed since the day of his birth).

With the usual cast of characters gathered for his pancake party, Per blows out his candles. All seems to be going well until Per really gets rowdy towards the end of the party...

Apple Picking

2010-11-01T21:31:00.005-04:00

Although no actual apples were picked on this day, Per and Elsa enjoyed a cool, crisp September morning out of doors at Wiard's Orchards. Unbeknownst to their parents, a carnival separated the front gate from the orchards. So, rather than photos of pony rides, blow-up bouncy houses, and fun slides (none of which showcase what the day was supposed to be all about), here are two rather subdued snaps from later in the day (post snow-cones)...

(With no signs of upper or lower incisors, Elsa is dubious about the whole apple-picking adventure)

Dreams really do come true...

2010-10-09T21:41:00.004-04:00

One can only wonder whether the Per-to-Thomas ratio in the first photograph is the same as the Thomas-to-Per ratio in the second....

Mug shots

2010-10-09T21:00:00.005-04:00

It's now been brought to our attention that Prickly Pair viewers not only want more Elsa, but they want more of her with Per. With an infant that still doesn't sit and a toddler that doesn't sit still (see "Bouncing around the room" post), the logistics of this become more and more difficult, but hopefully these pics will do for now.

That's why I wish again...

2010-10-03T10:14:00.011-04:00

Every August Per packs up his family and travels across the state to spend some leisurely time on Lake Michigan. And this August was no different. While the rest of the family takes in some much needed R&R, Per works on his sand dykes and levees. Add to the mix Grandma Jane and Aunt Kari (a.k.a. "Kiwi"), and Per has a small (but very attentive) audience.

Taking a booze cruise on the Kalamazoo...

Back at the condo feeding self and feeding ducks...

Swimming with Pops...

Taking in the city life of Saugatuck (Per notes the horses in Saugatuck smell better than they do in Colorado)...

Once again, Elsa hogs the spotlight.

Or Elsa...

2010-09-25T12:40:00.004-04:00

The staff writers at "The Prickly Pair" have been receiving complaints that Elsa has not been featured enough in the newer entries. So, to assuage viewer anxiety, we are running a prominent piece starring Elsa only.

Her classic flirtatious look

Working on her sad face

Despite the high level of emotion in the previous snaps, Elsa spends the lion's share of her time staring off into space - watching her brother perform.

Shelf Life

2010-09-18T19:43:00.004-04:00

With pops off following monkeys, Per decided to spend the month out west with his aunt Michele (a.k.a. 'Shelf') and crew. So, he packed up his trusty dog Asa, his mama, and his new sister Elsa for the long haul westward.

He took quickly to the relaxed atmosphere of the west. In one short month, he took up yoga...

Playing the air piano with Ummi...

Horseback riding..

New age cooking...

And, combining the last two (apparently, it's a Colorado thing).

Per also was able to finally catch up on some reading.

Oh wait, you ask, isn't this now a prickly PAIR?

I almost forgot. Elsa was there too...

Name That Kid

2010-07-23T18:23:00.007-04:00

Can you guess who is who? (looking at earlier posts counts as cheating...)

1. The first puzzle is in the banner of this blog - Two kids on the same boppy

2. The second puzzle was the first day home from the hospital - Two kids in the same blanket and on the same bed

3. The last puzzle is that disgruntled (but contented) look of a well-fed, 2 month-old kid

Note Blog Title Change

2010-07-19T14:45:00.004-04:00

Without warning, Per gets knocked from the center of the universe on May 18th at 7:42 AM by an 8 pound, 7.5 ounce bundle of sweetness and light (9 months of references to "baby in mamma's tummy" and "baby's room" apparently don't count as fair warning)...

Bye-bye Guatemala

2010-05-08T13:33:00.002-04:00

Janitorial Series - Part 3

2010-05-07T19:56:00.008-04:00

As Per always says, leave a country cleaner than you found it. In the third of our janitorial series, Per is able to apply his custodial skills in Guatemala. And, he is able to branch out a bit to gardening...a talent we hope he applies to our backyard this spring.

Blankie fiasco

2010-04-29T17:20:00.012-04:00

Per would like to emphasize that his trip to Guatemala was, on the whole, quite pleasant and relaxing. However, he did suffer one sleepless night after losing his beloved blankie to the Guatemalan ruins. With a bit of coaxing, Per agreed to share his photologue of the incident below.

Warning: these photos have not been censored - they detail a dramatic and heartwrenching story that may cause emotional distress in some of our younger viewers.

Per talks Pops into downing a few cervezas at the bar atop the ruins.

After one too many, Per loses his blankie over the edge. Pops' hand keeps Per from following the same path as blankie...

The gruesome scene from above.

The gates to the ruins are locked and closed for the night. Per weeps tears of true sadness. Although Per wants to sleep at the gates of the ruins, we finally drag him away from the scene kicking and screaming.

That night, Pops and Per pour over a map of the ruins and come up with a search and recover plan.

The next day, with new resolve, Per is off to find his blankie.

Gates be damned - nothing will stop Per from his mission.

Per searches high and low, near and far - no rock is left unturned.

The end of the day is drawing near as Per climbs one last wall...

When he gets to the top, he sucks in his breath at what he sees.

A dramatic moment takes place as boy and blankie meet.

Per cautiously approaches, suspecting a trap.

Unable to resist any longer, Per reaches out to his long, lost blankie.

Reunited at last, Per vows never to let blankie out of his sight again.

Next time we may think twice about drinks on a terrace overlooking Guatemalan ruins...

Per heads south of the borders

2010-03-22T21:38:00.010-04:00

For spring break this year, Per decided to try something a little bit different. He stood over a map of the world, spun around once, and let his drool fall where it may. It landed (mostly) on Guatemala - and so Guatemala, it was. As any good traveler, he immediately began to prepare...

He does some preliminary readings to get his bearings...

brushes up on his Spanish...

and hops on the plane - excited for his next adventure (see Trip to Minnesota Zoo for details from the previous adventure).

Per arrives in Guatemala refreshed and ready to bargain for textiles, meet the natives, and tour some ruins.

He surveys the ruins (in this case a 16th century Spanish cathedral) and wonders why it took 500 years - he does similar damage in a week.

Lucky for Per, the café above the ruins has yet to be ruined.

Per recruits Pops for a tour of the rainforest.

Momma wisely stays back to make sure the suspension bridge will hold.

Per meets Mr. McCaw in the forest and lures him down with his expert bird call ("tee-tee-tee", with back of hand on mouth to imitate a curved beak).

After a hike in the rainforest, Per retires to our porch for a much-needed snack.

Again, Per settles in to his ride as he tours the quaint streets of Antigua.

As they should, all of Per's days in Guatemala end with a dip in the pool.

More Per-spective on Guatemala coming soon...

Janitorial Series - Part 2

2010-02-07T09:21:00.005-05:00

Despite the vigor with which he vacuums, Per actually prefers the more contemplative of his janitorial chores. Mainly, sweeping. It is not unusual to find him standing alone, broom in hands, staring wistfully out a window. Perhaps longing for the bouncy-chair days long behind him? The days when we stuffed him into a sling? Or, perhaps he still regrets not setting all those zoo animals free when he had the chance?

Janitorial Series - Part 1

2010-01-31T12:38:00.003-05:00

In addition to being a Train Conductor, a Zookeeper, and a Professional Dog Walker when he grows up, Per also plans to add Janitor to the list. In the first of our janitorial series, Per demonstrates his abilities to get into even the darkest the corners of our kitchen...

Per visits the Minnesota Zoo

2010-01-31T12:21:00.011-05:00

Over Christmas break, Per decided to visit the Minnesota Zoo. He had big plans to set the animals free and take them all to Ethiopia (his old stomping grounds - as he refers to it). We tried to explain to him that most of them (indeed, none of them) were from Ethiopia, but he was dead set on his mission - that is, until he realized that he hadn't had a snack in over 2 hours...

Long time passing

2010-01-13T09:25:00.005-05:00

Boy, have we been remiss! I look back and see that now 3 months have passed and we've not made a single Per Post. It's a wonder you are even still checking the blog. Well, to make up for time lost, we plan to catch you up quickly with videos and photos in the next few weeks. But just to whet your appetite (and remind you what our son looks like), here are some late fall/early winter photos.

In mid October, Per experienced real hard drugs for the first time. He was given his hit and then placed in front of a hallucinogenic machine to "keep him occupied" until surgery. Here he is drooling and distracted just before the hospital surgeon punched some holes in his eardrums. I'm not sure this is the best way to convince our youth to say no to drugs...

Per all dressed up for Halloween. With Per's physique, however, the bones weren't fooling anyone...

A rare glimpse of Per as he'd not want you to see him - a softer side, serving tea at one of his tea parties.

And, of course, no holiday season would be complete without one of Per's famous souffle's...

Once the Christmas packages come rolling in, Per had more fun with the packaging than the actual goods.

Per contemplates the thought of a long, cold, Michigan winter....

Per helps out with the chores

2009-10-21T09:25:00.002-04:00

All aboard!

2009-10-19T20:22:00.005-04:00

Per rides in his caravan around town - he's hoping his harem will grow with his power.

Per goes to the Michigan State Fair

2009-10-19T20:17:00.002-04:00

No longer a zero

2009-09-08T22:13:00.007-04:00

Per turned one today - successfully completing his first lap around the sun. Anxious for FCI photos (full cake immersion), we got the most brightly colored cake we could find. Things looked promising: Per was ready to go...

Grandparents were present via Skype...

The neighborhood crowd was assembled...

Per shows interest (FCI imminent)...

First sign that things are going awry...

Per makes a break for it...

FCI fail.

Regroup. Move to new location. Distract subject with present opening.

Roll out the cake again...

This time bait cake with familiar food...

Cake rejected, foiled again!

Per settles for ice cream instead...

Minor sugar high achieved. Party not a total failure.

Upon being asked how big he is (now that he is one), Per exaggerates.

He gets away with it because it's his special day.

That's why I wish again...

2009-08-16T12:28:00.012-04:00

A few weeks ago, Grandma Jane and Aunt Kari visited, and we all packed off to Lake Michigan for some requisite summer-time fun in the sun and sand.

The beach was perfect for a crawling kid with ample stores of energy:

Expanses of packed sand...

Lolling waves...

Curious seagulls...

Swim lessons, courtesy of Pops...

Beach snacks, courtesy of mom...

Buried feet in the sand...

First excavations with pail and shovel...

(who said that sand and thumb-sucking couldn't mix?)

And, gobs of time to reflect on 11 well-lived months so far.

NSFW

2009-08-16T12:11:00.007-04:00

Ever since Per learned to crawl, he's had to spend a lot more time in the tub (see grubby mitt in previous post). In the first installment of our bathtub series, here is Per standing up at the tub. A note to our younger readers, Per is a professional. Please do not attempt these stunts at home.

Orange Per

2009-07-28T22:10:00.013-04:00

He might be orange on the outside, but he's all Per on the inside.

Ethiopian Journal

2009-06-14T16:50:00.010-04:00

Per has just returned from the cradle of humankind. He met with the natives, stalked wild animals, discovered the source of the Nile, had to avoid fire from AK47s, and was forced to slaughter his own meat to stave off starvation. He now knows what true suffering feels like. Needless to say, he is happy to be back in his safe, soft, crib - complete with padded bumper.

Here is Per's travelogue...

All packed!

Anticipating the 16-hour flight to Addis Ababa...

The next leg of the flight.

Per, pleased with himself, asks whether they serve food on Ethiopian Airlines.

His mother informs him how old that joke is.

Helping pack the tarp for the big drive to the park.

Per finds lake Tana, the source of the Nile after a mere 8 months on the planet.

Suck on that, Dr. Livingstone.

Per digs his new quarters...

Checks out the wildlife...

And, takes the 4x4 for a spin.

Bachelor males, just hanging out.

Per decides he wants a pet monkey.

Settles for a sheep instead. Names him "Scrappy".

Watches in disbelief as Scrappy is slaughtered and roasted over the fire.

Refuses to eat Scrappy

Up close and personal with an AK47

Per (second from left) making more friends.

Per tries to explain to his caretaker that there ARE indeed starving kids in Ethiopia (him).

It works.

Out for a stroll.

Per and Rahel

Conducting more fieldwork.

Won't look at the cow - afraid he'll become the next Scrappy.

Tired out after a long field season.

Job done--time for drinks back at the Hilton.

Per says a final farewell to everybody.

Bouncing around the room

2009-04-25T22:54:00.003-04:00

Per gets to 0.5 base

2009-03-24T21:54:00.009-04:00

We set Per up with the cute girl that lives across the street. Here is how it went:

The introduction. Per agrees with Pops - she's cute.

Per tries to impress her with his rabbit toy...

Our boy makes his move...

Score! Hands are held.

Woo - hoo!

Sorry lady, but the rabbit stays with me...

Disgusting

2009-03-11T11:44:00.002-04:00

It's not possible to use this snowsuit and keep a straight face. It goes beyond cute, into that gooey sticky realm. Sort of like eating too much sweets and feeling a bit nauseated afterwards...

Child torture by loving aunts

2009-03-11T11:33:00.002-04:00

Christmas photo dump

2009-03-11T11:04:00.011-04:00

Christmas in Minnesota with Grandma Jane and Kari -

Visit to the Motherland

2009-03-01T19:48:00.007-05:00

We decided to get Per in touch with his roots. People say its easier to travel with kids when they are young and we decided there is no time like the present. So we went for it. And Per really seemed to enjoy it. He mostly slept on the trip over, although he got a little fussy on the way back. We tried Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam. We weren't there long so we didn't find any lefsa. People there are so nice and everyone loved Per. Sadly, none of the people we met were long lost relatives. Jacinta hates touristy photos, but I managed to sneak one in:

Thanks-giving; Picture-taking

2009-02-14T09:02:00.007-05:00

Using Per as bait, we once again were able to lure relatives to our lair.

Lionel couldn't come.

We thought we'd include a recent photo of him so he wouldn't feel left out...

Halloween Hell

2009-02-14T09:01:00.002-05:00

Do other folks torture their 7-week old kids like this?

Speaking of not letting your kid watch TV...

2009-02-01T09:18:00.008-05:00

Sometimes we want to watch TV while watching Per, but we don't want him to watch the TV. We came up with a good solution -

Per thinks we are watching him, he can't see the TV, and everybody is happy. You just have to be smarter than your kid...

More fool-proof parenting tips to follow.

Glimpse from the present - TODAY!

2009-02-01T09:09:00.007-05:00

I know that we've not quite kept to our new year's resolution, which was to get you all caught up to the present, so you can see how Per is doing each day. In fact, we are quite behind, as you surely have noticed. Take, for example, the last post dated January 25th, 2009, yet clearly displaying green grass and leaves in the background. Alas, that photo was taken in October. We are months behind. So, here is a glimpse from the present to keep your appetite whetted. And to show you how Per likes to keep occupied each morning. It's said that television is not good for kids under 2 years, but how about the wash?

The BergMen

2009-01-25T10:03:00.004-05:00

So, Per's the only son, of an only son, of an only son, of an only son. Let's hope it stays that way...

It's all relatives

2009-01-25T09:40:00.004-05:00

The cake says it all

2009-01-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

Cake lady: "Welcome, Per?"

Sonali: "Yes, that's right"

Cake lady: "And how do you spell Per?"

Sonali: "P-e-r"

Cake lady (as she writes in icing): "P-e-r..."

- Long pause -

Cake lady: "And then what?"

Sonali: "That's it."

Cake lady: "That's it?"

Sonali: "Yes, that's all there is."

Pronouncing his name

2009-01-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

So, to hear how Per's name should be pronounced, click here.

But we are going to let everyone (including us) get away with the Americanized version - pronounced basically like "pear", or better "pehr" - since mispronounced Scandinavian names are a family tradition.

Pair of Pers

2009-01-11T14:41:00.001-05:00

Per is named after his great, great, great, great (I think that's how great he was) grandfather Per Holsten. I think it is safe to say that Per Bergman's life is a little bit easier than Per Holsten's life. With his own hands, Per H. built a stone and sod house out on the prairie in South Dakota. I don't think South Dakota is any warmer than Minnesota in the wintertime, and all they had was a small woodstove in the house to keep them warm. South Dakota is not known for its vast forests, so I can't even imagine how they collected or chopped enough wood to tide them through the long winter months. And here, his great, great, great, great grandson, more than 100 years later has never felt more than a chill in his life. I wonder how he would feel about the life his descendants are leading and whether our technical but comfy lives are better or worse than his simple yet difficult existence?

Primate origins

2009-01-10T17:47:00.000-05:00

Per's ancestry: part Scandinavian, part Irish, part German, part Syrian, part French, and part Tarsier.

The early days

2009-01-10T17:22:00.001-05:00

September 9, 2008

2009-01-10T17:11:00.000-05:00

First day home

September 8, 2008

2009-01-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

What a day. After 9 months of anticipation it finally becomes reality. You know its coming but nothing can prepare you for what it is really like. Its just one of those things you never forget. The other dads out there probably know what I am talking about...

Season opener. Monday Night Football. Vikings-Packers.

Of course the outcome wasn't what I had hoped. The Vikings squandered the game. And in hindsight it was fairly telling of how the season would go--some good moments but mostly the usual Viking disappointment. Oh well. Only 9 months of waiting for it to start up again.

Despite the loss the Vikings did pick up a fan that day:

Per Yohannis Bergman was born at 2:18 AM. 7 lb. 14 oz., 20.5 inches.

Dulce de leche league

2009-01-01T18:36:00.000-05:00

The way I figure it, probably 95% of the molecules in Per's body originated as ice cream. Not just any ice cream - but pints and pints of dulce de leche. The only craving I had during pregnancy (and movie theatre popcorn).

The Early Months

2009-01-01T18:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, this is as far back as we'll go for Per. Here he is exactly 1 month and 4 days before he was born. Looks a bit like his pops, no?

New Year's Resolution

2009-01-01T17:42:00.000-05:00

We've been feeling intimidated by our nephew Jack's professional blog. But the pressure from the relatives is too great. So, as one of our new year's resolutions, we vowed to start Per's blog and keep up with it. So, here goes...We'll start at the beginning and try to catch up to the present. In the meantime, we'll give you a glimpse of the present. Here's how Per started his new year's eve. We'll hold off on publishing the photos from later in the evening. It doesn't seem fair to jeopardize his political career before it even starts. Suffice it to say that it's a good thing he won't remember much.