Charlie slept for 7 hrs straight last night! Went to bed around 11 and when I checked the clock this morning when he woke up, I was astonished that it was 6am. Thank you Charlie!
Two more weeks until we're Canada bound. And we're celebrating Maddy's birthday tomorrow with her friends at an indoor playground. Oh happy days.
Kim
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
6 Weeks Later
It's been 6 weeks since Charlie was born and life with two kids definitely has its moments. Charlie confuses night and day, he screams just to be held, always starts crying as soon as we sit down for supper, and fills his diaper within 10 minutes of me changing him. But one smile on his face makes it all worth it. He's lucky he's cute.Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Finland Birthing Experience
Okay, so it's been over a month and the nightmares of my labour have finally started to subside. Just kidding, it wasn't that bad. I've been meaning to document the differences between having a baby in Canada and having a baby in Finland since it's fresh on my mind.
- everybody who works in the labour ward is female
- they have like 20 birthing rooms so you are never stuck delivering your baby in the hallway.
- each labouring mother is paired with a midwife. This is the woman who is with you the entire labour, including delivery. There is no parade of ten people coming in to look at you at your "weakest moment" to catch the baby in the final minutes and then leave. Much more comfortable atmosphere
- there is an anaesthesiologist who is dedicated solely to the labour ward. This means that the longest you have to wait to get your epidural is ten minutes.
- the first hour after the baby is born is restricted for bonding time with the new parents. Meaning that once baby and momma have been cleared, everybody leaves the room and they give you an hour to try breastfeeding and to bond with your new baby. We didn't even know how much he weighed or how long he was, but we didn't care!
- they don't have to "catch" the baby - you deliver right on the bed so there's no chance of slippage.
- if you are lucky enough to get a family room, it is a private room with two single beds pushed together. Hubby can stay over and have his own bed. Siblings are also allowed to stay if you want them there. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all buffet-style in the kitchen down the hall, where you help yourself to your meals. They also have fruit available all day and the fridge is stocked with milks and juices. Husbands and children can eat for free also.
- all clothing, diapers, etc are provided by the hospital until the moment you leave the hospital. There are large rooms with shelves full of robes, pants, shirts, socks, slippers, and gowns for moms, and then hats, sleepers, diapers, and blankets for the new baby. They even give you shampoo and soap and pads and anything you would need until you leave the hospital. You just help yourself.
The biggest difference was the interruptions. In Canada, the nurses would barge into your room at any hour of the day or night, no matter whether you're sleeping or not, to check heart rates and blood pressure. In Finland, they would say next time you are up, buzz us and we will come check his blood pressure. The nurses work on your schedule, not theirs.
I am also going to point out an earlier blog entry where I got a humongous maternity box from the Finnish government full of clothes, blankets, snowsuits, hats, toys, bibs, etc. Plus the hospital gave us a goodie bag when we left, and the neuvola (clinic) gave us a Pampers goodie box at his first check-up. Who needs a baby shower??
Contractions aside, it was an enjoyable experience and a relaxing atmosphere.
But no, I am not ready to do it again any time soon.
- everybody who works in the labour ward is female
- they have like 20 birthing rooms so you are never stuck delivering your baby in the hallway.
- each labouring mother is paired with a midwife. This is the woman who is with you the entire labour, including delivery. There is no parade of ten people coming in to look at you at your "weakest moment" to catch the baby in the final minutes and then leave. Much more comfortable atmosphere
- there is an anaesthesiologist who is dedicated solely to the labour ward. This means that the longest you have to wait to get your epidural is ten minutes.
- the first hour after the baby is born is restricted for bonding time with the new parents. Meaning that once baby and momma have been cleared, everybody leaves the room and they give you an hour to try breastfeeding and to bond with your new baby. We didn't even know how much he weighed or how long he was, but we didn't care!
- they don't have to "catch" the baby - you deliver right on the bed so there's no chance of slippage.
- if you are lucky enough to get a family room, it is a private room with two single beds pushed together. Hubby can stay over and have his own bed. Siblings are also allowed to stay if you want them there. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all buffet-style in the kitchen down the hall, where you help yourself to your meals. They also have fruit available all day and the fridge is stocked with milks and juices. Husbands and children can eat for free also.
- all clothing, diapers, etc are provided by the hospital until the moment you leave the hospital. There are large rooms with shelves full of robes, pants, shirts, socks, slippers, and gowns for moms, and then hats, sleepers, diapers, and blankets for the new baby. They even give you shampoo and soap and pads and anything you would need until you leave the hospital. You just help yourself.
The biggest difference was the interruptions. In Canada, the nurses would barge into your room at any hour of the day or night, no matter whether you're sleeping or not, to check heart rates and blood pressure. In Finland, they would say next time you are up, buzz us and we will come check his blood pressure. The nurses work on your schedule, not theirs.
I am also going to point out an earlier blog entry where I got a humongous maternity box from the Finnish government full of clothes, blankets, snowsuits, hats, toys, bibs, etc. Plus the hospital gave us a goodie bag when we left, and the neuvola (clinic) gave us a Pampers goodie box at his first check-up. Who needs a baby shower??
Contractions aside, it was an enjoyable experience and a relaxing atmosphere.
But no, I am not ready to do it again any time soon.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Randoms
This is how you know that your daughter is watching too much tv. We were at the registry office yesterday and Maddy started freaking out that Swiper the Fox was going to come and steal her baby brother. (Thanks Dora, you've made my child paranoid).
Charlie is one month old today! After a very rough sleeping week, he was generous last night and only woke up once beween midnight and 8. Thank you Charlie!
Today we received Charlie' Canadian passport in the mail. Props to the Canadian embassy here in Finland. I am usually very good about coming up with ways to complain, but I have nothing negative to say about them. Speechless for once.
Less than a month until we are Canada bound!!
Happy first birthdays to my nephew Jack and my niece Chloe, as my family celebrates with them this weekend. Hard to miss the big events but I am there in spirit.
xoxo Kim
Charlie is one month old today! After a very rough sleeping week, he was generous last night and only woke up once beween midnight and 8. Thank you Charlie!
Today we received Charlie' Canadian passport in the mail. Props to the Canadian embassy here in Finland. I am usually very good about coming up with ways to complain, but I have nothing negative to say about them. Speechless for once.
Less than a month until we are Canada bound!!
Happy first birthdays to my nephew Jack and my niece Chloe, as my family celebrates with them this weekend. Hard to miss the big events but I am there in spirit.
xoxo Kim
Monday, November 8, 2010
Getting the Hang of it
So Charlie is about 4 weeks old and things are settling down here, finding our routine. He still confuses his days and nights sometimes but we'll get the hang of it eventually. He feels heavier and his neck is definitely stronger, he holds his head up by himself now.
Today was a beautiful sunny day and I had a wonderful time taking the kids outside this morning. Maddy played with her bubbles while I washed the outside windows, and then we took the dog and Charlie for a walk in the stroller while Maddy rode her bike. She's getting very good at pedalling all by herself, which is a good thing because I can't exactly hold the leash for the dog, push Charlie in the stroller and push Maddy on her bike all at the same time.
Some days are easier than others staying home with two young kids, but days like today make me realize how lucky I am.
It's a beautiful day.
Kim
Today was a beautiful sunny day and I had a wonderful time taking the kids outside this morning. Maddy played with her bubbles while I washed the outside windows, and then we took the dog and Charlie for a walk in the stroller while Maddy rode her bike. She's getting very good at pedalling all by herself, which is a good thing because I can't exactly hold the leash for the dog, push Charlie in the stroller and push Maddy on her bike all at the same time.
Some days are easier than others staying home with two young kids, but days like today make me realize how lucky I am.
It's a beautiful day.
Kim
Monday, November 1, 2010
Happy Halloween
It's true that there are many positive things about living in Europe. But I have to admit that I feel a bit guilty about Madison missing Halloween this year. I did buy her some candy at the grocery store today so hopefully that makes things a bit better.
Charlie is doing very well, he is now 8 lbs 7 oz and growing fast. He gained 12 ounces in the past week!!!! I guess we have the whole feeding thing down pat, it appears.
Maddy is still quite smitten with her brother, and for that I am very thankful.
40 more days until we are in Canada! Looking forward to some family time and seeing some of my friends.
One thing I don't miss about Canada - those 200 kids that banged on my door every year looking for candy.
Kim
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