No trick-or-treaters! Only in Finland....Psst - don't forget to change your clocks/watches/cell phones!

WHAT?! No trick-or-treaters on Halloween?! The most looked-forward day in the year (next to Christmas) by all the kiddies? (And who can blame them? Free candy and the oppourtunity to walk around at night time with their friends...depending where you live - this was a blessing).
That's right. In Finland there isn't such thing as Halloween. No kids running around as ghosts, princesses or Dora the Explorer. No firemen, Superman, Spiderman or Batmans running around bundled in layers.
Don't get me wrong - some people celebrate it via costume parties. There was an orange piece of paper with some Finnish black scribbles and a kitty on top of a pumpkin sticker on it - posted downstairs at the front entrance. Possibly an invite - but who am I to randomly show up in someone's apartment that I don't know? It was actually the neighbour below us who apparently reads English and was able to return the rope toy a few weeks ago. They had a party but you wouldn't know it. There was the odd loud laugh or cheer - but that was it. Finns are great at partying! LOL - compared to where we used to live on Robie/Lady Hammond - their version of partying is barely noticeable.
I believe sometime in April or May (I forget which) the little girls dress up as witches and go around knocking on people's doors to knock on the people's heads (lightly) with a wicker stick. It's to help ward off demons and such.
Another thing I just realized - it's a blessing not having to hand out treats - we'd probably make the kids pee by our dogs going crazy licking them and nudging their little barely 30-lbs bodies around!

Don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour (Fall back or Spring forward is how I remember it) - yay another hour to sleep in for you!
Europe had their day light savings last weekend. Funny it's not written on my calendar however!
Because it's so dark here in Finland - I've been getting plenty of rest.
Well maybe an exception being right now as it's 5:41am and I woke up due to some cramps and began to time them. I am now eating a PB/J sandwich as I think the baby was hungry.
My friend suggests that maybe this is my last meal - well isn't that pathetic?
PBJ sandwich (no honey as the husband was getting peeved that the kitchen light was shining through the doors), a slice of cheddar cheese and 3 ginger snap cookies and soon enough - a glass of milk.
Ah well - it could be worse - it could be raw tomatos with coffee and licorice (BLEGH).

PS We still have snow on the ground - not a lot like maybe 3cm if that. It's presently -5*C.

Pharmacy, testings, H1N1 etc....(men may not want to read - there's a lot of pregnant junk in here)

So this morning I had an appointment at the Neuvola (nurse clinic behind our apartment building - tres convenient) - and the nurse asked how I was feeling. I told her fine - no pains, no contractions - nothing. I had cramps a week ago that I timed - and after an hour and a 10 minute wait for the next one - nothing happened. So I went to bed.

Anyways - she asked about regular stuff and I said yep/nope accordingly and I mentioned my concern about me using the bathroom frequently (only to have a drop!) or that it was running clear. She thought it was possible that there could be a tear in the amniotic sac and sent me to the hospital afterward to get looked at. Other than that - the heart beat was a steady 160/minute and she felt the tummy and said I'm growing great and was a little worried about how hard my stomach was at first. Which I thought was normal and part of the baby's back/butt or feet. But s/he loosened up after she poked/prodded some more.

Off to the hospital. Well the nurse was great - heart beats went up and down from 140 up to 169. Then the doctor - well she was a butch. She had lovely long reddish hair with blonde highlights and it was pulled back in a tight braid. That should've been the first sign she was a butch.
Anyways - she tried using this white boomerang tool (Tim said all the docs have used it - apparently she's the lucky un-successful one) - and I cringed a lot. It hurt - and she smiles and says, "Wow the head is very very low." SNAP goes on the glove and a few jabs later she determines that I am not leaking amniotic fluid at all however I am 3-4 cm. dilated. Yee haw. She determined I have approximately 6 cm. of amniotic fluid going on inside and that is "very good".

Then I went and did a urine test for Strep B (I know in Canada they do it similar to a Pap test during 35-38th wk of development - but here in Finland - they do a urine test early in the pregnancy to determine Strep B) - and when you're done filling your bucket (honestly - think cole-slaw bucket you pick up for a picnic!) - there's a hatch in the bathroom back corner. You just open the little door and leave your bucket (+ lid) in there. So this saves embarrassment and messy hands of having to give your bucket of pee to the receptionist!

SO! Off to the pharmacy - once this was all done and over with....when you get inside the Aptekki you take a number and when you get buzzed you go up to the appropiate teller and they fill out your prescription - right there on the spot! Why it takes 15 -30 minutes in Canada - I don't know. She punched my name in a keyboard, confirmed my ID and plop - there was my inhaler in a brand new box.
I'm sooooooooooooo happy! I've been feeling super bad lately because I don't take the woods anymore or out for their bathroom breaks because I have a really hard time keeping up with them (not that I was running) but as well going back up the stairs too was making things hard.
But now I feel great and alive! WAHOOOO!

Ok - time for a nap to see if these "cramps" go away permanently or not.

PS Before I forget - I will be getting the H1N1 shot on Tuesday. There are now cases of H1N1 in Northern Finland (I'm in Central) - and if they're anything like the ticks - well they'll spread quickly. It's not the same vaccination as in Canada Katri (Neuvola nurse) said. And where I am not only pregnant but have asthama - I am part of 2 high risk groups. So hopefully the baby can hold out until Tuesday - then once I get the shot - it'll go with the baby too.

Somewhere in Finland - a certain pregnant lady should be asleep..."Chinese Post-Pregnancy Remedies" - near the bottom!

This is a bit of a rant post - so feel free to skip this by all means (or scroll down to the pregnant Chinese remedy - it's a laugh).
It's 3:58am presently. I've been awake since 3:30. I went to bed at 12am on the dot - conked out completely with the dogs.
I woke up at least 2x to use the bathroom like a zombie - in the dark and barely functional.
I woke up because Blue came to bed and left the bed and came to bed and left the bed and finally crawled in bed and I said - F it. I'm going to the couch. It's colder and more spacious and my right hip is in pain again. (Do dogs get hot flashes or nightmares and need to come back to hog their "rightful share" of the bed?!?!)
Needless to say - I haven't touched the couch - too cranky. I feel like I'm roasting internally (no the forehead is cool and the neck is too). I just opened the balcony door open a few inches....it's presently -1C but with windchill -5C. FEELS GREAT.

Read a great book over the last couple of days "Vince & Joy" - Lisa Jewell (?). Very hilarious as most London based stories go.
I'm in the process of crocheting another pair of mittens for myself - a thicker wool (like the one from the famous flower slouchy hat and the blue toque) - so I'm pretty excited.
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** Please note - I am not responsible for any action you may take if you choose to follow these "remedies" - they're merely for general knowledge of old school Chinese culture/beliefs. I don't plan on doing any of them for the most part.

Okay - not sure if I mentioned this before - but my birth father is in China and has continuously told me this (prior to me getting pregnant) about what to do after you deliver a baby. Hope you're sitting down and emptied your bladder. ** This is what I was told by my birth father and apparently the Chinese have followed this for thousands of years. I say this is bull - but I thought you'd be interested.**

When you're in labour (apparently he's under the impression that natural labour goes slower than a medically assisted one - i.e. Epidural) - your joints loosen. Your joints loosen because A) the baby sucked up a lot of calcium during your pregnancy and is still going! and B) because your are puting a lot of pressure into pushing and therefor everything loosens up naturally.
So once you're done having your baby - you SHOULD NOT SHOWER FOR 30 DAYS. Because no matter HOW HOT your shower is - there are cold water particles in the hot water and they will attack your joints (now that there's gaps in between them) and you will develop arthritis in the years to come. Apparently my biological aunt has this issue and she's not even 40 - my cousin Dora being about 8 years old now.

So what does one do to bathe for 30 days post-delivery?
You're supposed to boil water and fill a tub with slices of raw ginger root (along with the boiled water) and have a bottle of rice wine poured in there too and sponge bathe yourself. My question is this - WHO HAS A BIG ENOUGH POT TO BOIL ENOUGH WATER TO FILL A TUB?! My argument and logic is that by the time you use your seasonal lobster pot to boil water and get it poured into the tub - and actually have the tub reasonably filled to your hips at least when sitting in it - the water would be cold. Or at least be colder than a shower - which would contain those darn pesky cold water particles that will STILL ATTACK your joints.
Hmm. I wrote this response numerous times and get the same crap-ass answer each time. "It's been proven for thousands of years Dominique - you cannot deny Chinese medication and remedies..."
This time I added a twist in my response - Finns don't have bath tubs. BAHAHAHA. I am awaiting a response.

Now in this particular e-mail I recently received - I have more "good Chinese remedies" for all you preggo ladies out there.

- Eat nuts - especially walnuts - develops more baby brain (same with fish - careful Tuna and shark {or maybe it's sword fish} contain a lot of mercury)
- All of your cooking should contain ginger - it keeps "the bad wind away"
- You cannot put anything in your mouth that is directly from the fridge because it's too cold and this would affect your joints
- Stay at home as much as you can for the first 30 days - "Get Tim to help you as much as you can"
- Don't eat watermelon
- Cook fish soup - this helps you produce more milk to breast feed. You can put melon in the soup but cannot eat watermelon on it's own...

There ya have it. Please comment - I'm curious as to your thoughts of this.
Well it's 4:36am - time to possibly crash on the couch.

Even the 1/2 Finnish children are ridiculously smart (fairly funny).

Okay - so here's hoping that the baby will be super smart like our friend's son, Sulevi - even though being born to both Canadian parents.
Last night we were invited over for supper and as per usual, Sulevi made us laugh and at the same time wonder what goes on in a child's mind.
He was having some lentil soup and decided he didn't want anymore - so I thought I would be the clever one and out-smart him. I told him, "Hmmm - Tim looks pretty hungry. He's going to eat your soup - you should have another bite before he does!"
Well - I got out-smarted by a 22 month old.
Sulevi ran away laughing, into the fridge and gave Tim (in multiple trips) : a cucumber, a bottle of ketchup, a bottle of currant juice and a package of chicken strips (raw). We were all quite confused for a moment until we thought about the conversation that had just taken place and realized that indeed, Sulevi thought Tim was very hungry and should eat something and not his soup. (Although he didn't have much more of it himself after).

Later on that evening Sulevi plunked himself down on his back and was pushing himself upward with his legs. I thought this was another yoga position (the kid knows downward dog) - but he was saying something in Finnish that sounded like "Vipa". So I figure - Oh - a yoga position called Vipa or Viper.
Erm no. He wanted Tim or I to change his diaper. HA HA HA. He then decided he did not want a diaper on and to convince him to put one back on (2nd attempt at out-smarting a 22 month old) - I told him, "Well Tim has a diaper on and his trousers. Everybody's wearing diapers!! Sulevi needs to wear his diaper and pants so he doesn't get cold." Well - I GOT HIM. Hahaha - he looked at Tim (who had a look of shock on his face that I would even think to suggest he was wearing a diaper) and decided - yes if Tim's wearing a diaper and trousers - he will too! (Whew).

Oh and a great work out to tone your arms (and your legs I suppose) - get an exercise balancing ball, sit on a chair and squeeze it with your knees (to prevent it from rolling away) - or lie on the floor and hold it tight with your ankles - and bounce a young child on it. Tim didn't have the pleasure of doing this with Sulevi last time we visited - but he did last night. And his arms were quite tired after a few "higher! HIGHER! BOUNCE" with Sulevi. Hahaha.
Ah well - it'll prepare Tim to hold a baby no problem. LOL.

UPS and downs....haha hilarious - I know.

Alright so here's my day so far:

- Wake up - cooked a huge breakfast of bacon, eggs, cheesy-garlic toast (no cheese/garlic for Tim) and a huge glass of milk - breakfast of Champs (or parents-to-be's final meal)

- Go to the doctor at the Gravida (where they do specialty tests/exams that your regular doctor or nurse cannot do) and wait an extra 20 minutes. I go in - get on the table and he says "Any moment - but not now- just go home and wait for the delivery to happen." He records some notes on a voice recorder of some sort (I thought it was a funky looking cell phone or a remote control personally) and then we're out in 10 minutes. Confirmed baby is still kicking and heart beat is still going strong with a quick squirt of gel and ultrasound.

- Come home and decide I need a nap. Slept until about 1:30 and UPS calls me to tell me they will be there between 2 and 4pm to deliver our shipment from Canada. I say great! Time to eat! Made some grilled cheese sandwiches and started a pot of curry chicken soup. Yum. Tim and I also discovered that Loki has stripped an almost brand new box of Chocolatey Domino cookies (chocolate cream filling) and ate the whole thing and kindly left 1 single crumb and the packages all in the living room (as opposed to everywhere throughout the flat).

- 3:18pm - get a call from UPS saying no delivery today because customs has our stuff in their warehouse and will not release it. UPS man has no idea when it will be released but kindly gives me the number to their contact center. I call the UPS contact center and UPS lady speaks fabulous English and gives me the number to some Miko fellow who oversees all the held shipment....Miko fellow speaks great English as well and confirms that yes Customs did have our order as they inspected it. BUT he gave me confirmation that everything has been cleared and given the green light and we should get the packages tomorrow.

Here's hoping I don't pop overnight tonight or during their shipment time tomorrow. But the lovely people of UPS call before they come over well in advance - so that way you can live your life.

And that was the UPS and downs of my day.

Oh and another bonus will be that I get to see my little man, Sulevi today :) Going over to Jessica/Taneli's for supper and heading to the pharmacy shortly to put in an order for my inhaler. Wahoo!

A cookie killer & a doctor appointment

As you can tell by reading this - I'm back home.
The doctor appointment was successful - no induction. He checked the baby's ultrasound - and all's well in that department and he recorded some notes verbally (in Finnish). But he didn't tell me much in terms of dilation etc. I thought he said he saw signs of amniotic fluid/water - but Tim says he heard the doctor say "no signs". Ah well.
Tim thinks the baby is listening to him by waiting until UPS delivers our packages. We're expecting them today from my mother in-law by end of business day today.

I'm tempted to go downtown and tempt fate to get another Hesburger AND a new vegetable peeler - as mine has disappeared - or been tossed out in the heat of the moment of cleaning up after Loki's interior design attempt.

Oh and Loki has gone from interior designer (we took the bag of garbage out today just in case as we left for the hospital) to "Cookie Killer".
We got home frustrated (well I was anyway) and we saw a Logistics delivery truck on our road and thought maybe it was for us - but no go. I walk in the living room and see a shredded Domino Extra Chocolately Cookie box, plastic wrappers and maybe 1 crumb. I asked Tim how many Dominos he had and he says, "About 5 - why?"
Then he was frustrated.
We weren't even gone for a full hour and 20 minutes! So Loki is a quick one.
Time for a nap.

The Ramblings of a Pregnant Woman - Part 1

You know what does not make sense?
Finnish people in general are VERY quiet. Yet at any given time of day downtown (except Sunday as nothing's opened really) - they're always in groups chatting, meeting up with their girlfriends in coffee shops and during any point of those meetings - on a cell phone. Not sending text messages usually - but actually speaking (even the seniors). Especially while driving. I simply don't get it because Finns have a reputation of being such quiet people - they think before they say their next thought - and then they speak so quickly and so quietly you have to crane your neck out to hear them better.
I was at a reception for a fellow about to defend his thesis on Thursday night and one of the readers asked what we thought of Finnish people and their quietness. I jokingly said I didn't have many Finnish people approach me unless they were drunk. (Which is in the Encyclopedia of Finnish Culture that Tim has - as a fact. That Finns keep to themselves and are quiet unless drinking). He chuckled and started chatting about why they do this but because he's talking so softly and so quickly - I can barely make him out. However, Tim and I pointed out that us Canadians - we have to fill in every single quiet/awkward silence gap possible.
I am a prime example of someone who can talk to somebody but not have a silent gap for too long. If I do - it's usually because I'm eating! Then I realized - after my meeting with the pregnant lady, Salla, downtown - that is exactly what happened.
We met up and went into Memphis and I talked for about an hour and a half straight - with breaks for a bite of a french fry or a sip of Coke. I felt awful afterward and asked if she had any questions or if there was something she was overly curious about - and she thought about it (I quickly inhale a fry) and then softly asked me a question.
Even Finnish children in the grocery stores are super quiet. You usually only hear the ones that are crying because they're hungry or didn't get the toy they wanted or whatnot. Or the babies - because that's how they communicate obviously.

Onto other things - I'm 37wks and 6 days pregnant and probably going to be induced tomorrow (assuming nothing else happens tonight)- we shall see.
I figured with an approximate total of 4.5-5.5 hours of walking I did yesterday - I must be further along in the labour stages - but not feeling it due to "silent labour".
I did have some cramps yesterday - and timed them with a stop watch on my cell phone (my friend says that's ghetto - ah well) then after the 10 minute break around 2am - I caved and went to sleep. As nothing was happening.
This morning I got up around 7 something and that was fine - had a couple cramps and poof gone with some water.
The ones last night didn't go away with water or lying down (which was difficult as I walked so much I strained my lower right side of my back and then slipped in the kitchen shortly after).
SO - what this means is if I am in labour - Tim will probably not be able to update my Facebook because I don't think computers are allowed in the hospital.
I DO have an appointment tomorrow at 10:15am Finland time (4:15am for you lovely folks of HRM/parts of NB and surrounding areas) and if I don't update it myself by - say....7am your time - they're probably keeping me in there. So you can pretty much safely assume I'm in there for good.
I highly doubt Tim will make time to post something online - even though we live down a small lane and across from the hospital...we do have the dogs to think about. So if Tim does make it home briefly tomorrow or the next couple of days - it'll be strictly for a quick shower (if he doesn't in the hospital) and to feed/water the dogs and to let them out for a bathroom break. We'd let friends do it - but the dogs are a lot to handle.
How am I feeling about the whole thing? It's like going on a trip - it doesn't hit me until I'm in the airport. So until we know for sure if I'm getting induced or not - it wouldn't hit until I check into delivery. I'd probably laugh all the way up the stairs/elevator ride up to the delivery section. Then it would sink in when I have to put on one of those johnny gowns or whatnot.
Other than that - feeling great and calm - going to nap for awhile and make shepherd's pie (with ground pork as beef is expensive and they don't sell lamb here really) for my "final supper" and have some ice cream. Hoo ha!

Crazy/toothless/old man, me as a stalker, Loki's new career(s) and Purolator!

HA - you're reading this because the title caught your eye! No?
Ah well - keep going...(I know you want to).

Tim told me on our adventure downtown (aka one last date before baby comes) - that yesterday on his way to school this crazy looking old man was hobbling by and Tim looked at him. Old man ("OM" going forward) stares back and then quickly hobbles towards Tim. Tim looks away and continues his trek to school. OM is magically beside him and starts screaming in Finnish for Euros. Tim says he doesn't have any and that he doesn't speak Finnish - sorry! OM (with rotting teeth, balding and quite scary in general) says, "GIVE ME YOUR MONEY". Tim just says no and quickly walks away. OM begins to shake and stares at Tim's back - and Tim waited before looking back at him (to make sure OM didn't magically appear again out of nowhere) and OM was shaking like mad but not in pursuit.

Next! I felt like a stalker today. I had no intention of going downtown until I got online today and saw the craziness of Purolator. I had used the two tracking numbers to follow some shipment we're supposed to be receiving from my mother in-law - containing books, baby shower gifts etc. Yesterday they arrived in the States, this morning they got to Germany. Then late this morning (after I had a nap) - it said there was an issue with the two shipments and to call Purolator. Well this is silly as nobody answered. They don't even have a message stating their business hours! So I was quite stressed out - thinking our packages were being held up in customs - and decided retail therapy was the way to go.
As I was heading downtown there was a mother/daughter combo with a stroller pushing a baby. I went to Hesburger first then onto the library - they were there - and then into the grocery market downtown - they were there and on my way home - yes. They were there. I felt awful - like I was stalking them! It got to the point they'd look behind them and see me and smile at me. Yeesh.

On my way home and past Tim's office (didn't want to call him unless emergency as he was sitting in watching someone defend their thesis today) - he happened to call me as I was veering to the right path (since mom/daughter/baby dressed like a teddy bear was on the left path) and we walked home together.
Tim suggested we go on one last date (we've only eaten out twice prior to today - excluding burger joints) but I had picked up a couple boxes of ice cream as they were on sale. Silly me - I say, "Sure! Let's drop off all this stuff and my library books and I'll grab an extra sweater and we'll grab a pizza!"
Tim thinks I'm crazy - but I'm like, "No I'm doing great!"
We drop off the groceries, my library books and head back downtown. We were going to go to Memphis but it was a little pricey - so we went back to Russo and had our massive pizza. No I don't have pictures of the massive pizza because Tim suggested I leave my bag at home to ease the pain in my shoulder. And my camera was in the bag.

We get home and the first thing we see is garbage. Everywhere.
Loki's new career has become part Interior Decorator - part door-opener. The big bag of garbage that we empty out when due - is in the left hand side of the closet (it's split in two inside so our coats/shoes don't smell) in the hall way.
Loki managed to wiggle that open and dragged the garbage everywhere. I am surprised he didn't put any in the bed or the bathroom. My lower back and hip was in pain because of all the walking and poor Tim cleaned it all up (egg shells, empty meat packages, juice boxes...the works!) and then he mopped the floors. What was a great night turned into a very sour one really quickly!
If that wasn't enough - Loki just bit Tim while trying to steal his rope...oh boy.

On to Purolator.
I went online after my shower/foot soak and looked up the tracking numbers to see if it was possibly a glitch in the system that said we had to call. It appeared to be so!
Thank goodness. But no - I can't leave it at that can I?
I looked up the 2nd tracking number - and it was in Germany and then got sent back to Philadelphia. Holy spaz attack.
So I called Purolator and this chick says there's 4 boxes being delivered on Monday by end of business day - hopefully I don't get induced Monday.
Anyways - I'm like great - I message my brother in law this - and he said she's wrong - there's supposed to be 5.
Girl says - nope - only 4 and you'll get them on Monday. I say - okay fine - thanks - goodbye.
Shortly after I get a message from my brother in law AND an email from my mother in law stating that yes there are 5 boxes and that my mother in law just called Purolator herself and THEY confirmed 5 boxes shipped to my door step for Monday.

Oh I know - you're wondering what I bought downtown. Well I found some great deals - got Tim a stick of deoderant (it doesn't say "anti-perspirant" but how much sweating does one do in the winter anyway?), myself another tooth brush (for the hospital), Clearasil toner/gel wash cleanser...rubber gloves for the dirty diapers...and that was pretty much it.

Got 4 great books at the library - 2 chick lits, 1 about knitting toys and the other with pictures of different cross stitched animals. I have a tea towel I plan on embroidering once the baby's born - but wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it - so voila. I haven't seen them here in Finland unfortunately - or anything to be cross stitched like bibs, blankets etc...sigh.

The oatmeal bag is heated ("magic bag") and resting on my back - time to go lie on the couch for a bit.

PS - I have a really bad rash on my thighs and body lotion doesn't seem to help - I have the sensitive skin stuff...any tips?? It's from the pregnancy - someone called it the "Pups" for short.

And I thought it was a couple of tests....

So - I went to the hospital today to check out the amniotic fluid levels and they also took my blood pressure and measured the baby's heart beat. Everything was going great.
Then I went into the doctor's office - and that was fine - she found the fluids were up, the baby's head is super down to the point that I should be experiencing contractions and the doc was very surprised that I haven't been.
I told her I thought they were Braxton Hicks because they went away with water and lying down and didn't last more than 2 minutes. She said okay - fine - did an internal exam and called in another specialist to check me out.
Apparently I'm "a few centimeters dilated" but the membranes haven't opened up yet. Here's the best part - while we're waiting for the specialist - she says, "So if your membranes are closed - you can go home. But if not - we'll keep you here."
I'm thinking - oh fun - more tests. She says, "Then we'll put you in delivery and induce you."

Well - as you can tell - I'm back home and had a trip downtown in the mean time and also had some blood work done.
So the verdict now is that if I feel sick or have a fever, if my water breaks or I have contractions - I'm to check in the hospital.
The blood work came back okay and they thought maybe I had an infection and that's why I couldn't feel anything(?) who knows.
So Monday I have an appointment again at the hospital and who knows what'll happen from there!

PS No I didn't get the sweaty-smelling blood tech - this chick was great. She went in my hand right away when I asked her...she didn't speak a lot of English and I showed her my bruise on my arm (the color of a purple Crayola crayon) and told her the last girl only got a little bit but got more in my hand (showed her the hole) - and she was great about it. I was out in 30 seconds. Never had a quicker blood test in my life!

Holy expensive.

So today I went out in search of a cheap, expandable baby gate not for the baby but for the dogs. They don't jump over gates and for the first couple of weeks after the delivery - I don't want the dogs in the bedroom because then they'll think they can dominate the baby like a puppy.
I only have one set of doors to the bedroom from the kitchen and there isn't a door from the bedroom to the hallway/living room (see "Virtual Tour" video).
We had looked before in the grocery stores and they didn't sell them unfortunately - and the baby store we went to today sold them at a wonderful price of 63 Euros. (1 Euro = approx. $1.50 CDN - but we don't convert anymore since we'll be living here for 3-4 years)
The 63 Euros gate was white, wooden and the dogs could've probably nudged it over easily. The more expensive ones - were approximately 79E and if you needed more length (which we did) - then you had to pay extra for the longer attachment. Per attachment was approximately 15-25E a piece!!
Needless to say - I didn't go with a gate.
I saw a play pen on sale for just under 40E and figured it was the right length and when the baby was rolling around - it'd be handy to have if I was doing dishes etc. So now we have a play pen set up and we tested it on our dogs by blocking a door way and they cannot get past it. They won't try to jump over it or jump in it - they just merely sit there crying or walking back and forth trying to find a crack they can wedge in between.

Onto other things - I had seen an ad on Tori for an electric kettle and I emailed the fellow 1/2 hour after he wrote me (it was for 7E - couldn't find a better deal) - and once I got home I checked my email to see that I was "too late" apparently. WHAT A JERK. I am very upset about not getting the kettle - as kettles here are ridiculously expensive. Electric ones go for at least 50E and I haven't seen any stove-top ones to be honest.

On the flip side - I now have a few rugs to decorate the flat some more, a rocking chair and a stand on loan from some friends. The dogs love the rug - so maybe I'll be able to knit on the couch without having to sprawl my legs over/under/sideways on my dogs. We shall see.

Tonight's menu is reindeer stew over mashed potatos- hopefully I can cook it right!!

Are YOU Afraid of the Dark???

Thankfully I am not.
It's 7:31am and if it wasn't for the lights outside - it'd be pitch black. A couple months ago when we first arrived - the sun was up and out by 5:30am.
I love the late sleeping in fiestas. Oh yes - except it's 7:32am. I do plan on going back to sleep - I just thought I heard my phone ring in the bedroom (I had crashed on the couch last night due to lack of space and over-heating and leg/butt cramps) - thinking it was the hospital calling me to book an appointment with a specialist.

The dogs are still snoring...Loki at my feet and Blue on the couch making a horrific whistling sound with his nostrils. I just turned to look at him -he's awake and staring at me.
It seems the past couple of days since I've been showing signs of first stage of labour - that my dogs are intensely obsessed with following me or laying near me or touching me when they lie down and not budging.
For example - at night, Loki will get up and rotate a few times and then drop his dead weight on my ankles or legs. This happens once every couple of hours and thankfully he's warm - so I'm fine with that. But these past couple of days he has been intent on doing it multiple times more than normal.
Blue won't let me go to the bathroom alone. He waits outside the door for me - which I find odd because he didn't care before unless he thought I was heading to the closet - which is near the bathroom door. If I'm sitting at the computer - he has to be able to see me. He won't lie in bed without me there anymore. Very strange.

Oh and in reference to The Muppet Show that I've been watching last night - I've discovered that an ex-manager reminds me of Miss Piggy (to a tee - snitty, demanding, phony etc), my music teacher from high school reminds me of Rolf (hilarious with the corny jokes and excellent on the piano), his daughter a bit like Gonzo - possibly because she plays trumpet too...and I thought my husband reminded me of Kermit - but now I'm thinking the Swedish Chef because I'm always having to ask what he said as I hear mumble-jumbo (Without the cooking talent). It's that or one of the old men that is a critic. Yes maybe one of the old men that is a critic - as he cracks very similar jokes/comments like they do on a regular basis. For those of you that thought Tim was quiet before...HA.

Now - how am I watching these old versions of The Muppet Show? Well we are borrowing the DVD set. And because we don't have a TV or a DVD player set up yet (maybe soon after the baby's born) - we're using my laptop. I find it interesting - for those of you that may not know this - that your laptop will offer you the option of DVD Player 1 or 2 (or more possibly). The one that allows you to play North American DVDs is already pre-programmed. However if you switch to DVD Player 2 for example, you'll be able to watch European DVDs - same for DVDs made in China. It's some sort of difference that the computer picks up on and you get a warning that no matter what you do - once you change the DVD Player in your computer a maximum of 4 or 5 times - that you'll be stuck with it for life. So if I'm stuck with Canadian DVD Player - I won't be able to watch DVDs made in other countries. Interesting eh? I'm sure there's some sort of chip in the market that you can install inside that will allow the flexibility - but who knows. I'm not that computer savvy. I think the term is "Boot leg" dvds.

Alright I've rambled on long enough. Back to bed I go. Hopefully there aren't spelling errors or major typos in this!! I apologize if there are.

And it's a.......................................surprise. Still.

Just got back from the doctor and all went well. You don't wait in a crowded office like in Halifax. Your appointment is booked based on your Personal ID# and into a central computer system of sorts.
So you just wait outside the doctor's door and she calls for you when it's time. My doctor's name is Anna and she had a med student with her. She's really nice (which I was worried about as I am "stuck with her" for my time that I am here. It goes based on district) and her med student was nice too.
So they measured the uterus and I'm doing good in that department and then she did an ultrasound. She offered to tell us the gender if she could find it and I said yes. Then I looked at Tim who looked a little - not disturbed but interested but not really - and I told him it was his choice. He said, "Let's keep it a surprise!" I almost gave him the middle finger but figured it was an international/universal symbol that even the doctor and med student would understand.
I didn't get to see the screen (Tim said he couldn't see much either)- which turned out to be fine as the doctor had difficulty measuring the baby because she said the amniotic fluid levels were not very high. So she submitted a referral for me to go to the hospital to see a specialist. The hospital will send me a letter or call me to book my appointment.
She did manage to get the weight of the baby - she put an approximate figure of 2.5KG (5.1 lbs) but said it is probably more but due to lack of fluid - she wasn't able to get a very clear shot.
Oh and she thinks I'll go earlier than later based on the final check up.

Got a prescription for my inhaler! WAHOO!!! I'm so happy. They have the same one and it's the same name and brand here in Finland. Thank goodness!
Oh and the prescription isn't written on a tiny piece of paper (that I constantly lose).....it's written on regular letter sized paper and they put it on your file too.

It's snowing and actually staying. Loki is beyond thrilled. He's presently on the balcony eating snow off the carpet.

OH and I forgot to mention the traffic lights here. They get shut off around 8-9:30pm because not as many people drive at that hour. So to save on the city's electricity bill - they shut them off. It's still treated as a 4-way stop like in Canada - but atleast you don't have to wait for a long time for the light to change to green!!

PS Remember I mentioned some sort of labour pain relief procedure called "Aqua Blisters"? Well I asked Anna what it is - and she said it's sterilized water that's inserted into the skin via a needle and it hurts quite a bit - but it's supposed to distract your mind from the pain of the labour. I think I'll skip that too - thanks.

The Accordion Goes "hee-huh hee-huh"

I had mentioned before that there aren't many panhandlers in Finland (atleast not in Jyv�skyl�)- and there really aren't.
There's a girl that sits downtown in the city center (where it's pedestrian/bicycle traffic only) and she plays something like a harp but on a smaller scale and it sits in her lap. It's beautiful and really brings out the spirit of shopping, socializing and the cool weather - as her fingers pluck on with fingerless gloves.
Then there's the odd one or two people that sit there asking for change - but they're quiet. They don't stand outside of the bank's door way or outside of the popular coffee shop either. They just sit against a wall and wait patiently. Very similar to China in that regard.
Compared to Halifax - where everybody rotates and has shifts in front of the busiest coffee shops or outside the bank...and where a fight WILL break out if you don't move after your shift is over - I don't mind the quietness.
I think the funniest cardboard sign I've ever seen in Halifax was, "Spare change? Hey! At least I am not asking for your phone number!"

Then there is the accordion player. There is this fellow who clearly couldn't play accordion but would pump out a couple notes here and there - only when someone was walking by. "Hee-huh hee-huh squaaaaak" were some of the notes he pumped out. There was no tune, there was no melody, no hint of a song...just the odd note whenever someone walked by. If there wasn't anybody walking by the bank, where he perched himself - he simply just stood there waiting until someone did walk by. Then if there was a group of people walking by - then he'd really get into it and pump a few more notes at once.

Needless to say - the harp girl doesn't play near him.

A Fantasia Pizza For 2!

Today's goal was a 3 hour walk around downtown maximum - ended up doing 4. I had to meet a lady at a coffee shop and picked up some more baby clothes and some blanket covers and pillow cases - overall a great exchange.

I was feeling pretty hungry and the movie theater was closed around 12 o'clock, so we decided to go try the pizza restaurant in the mall called Rosso. We asked for an English menu and that was no problem at all. The first thing we noticed was the cheese they use is Mozarella and it's all lactose free! Probably makes things easier for them - which I was thankful for. So I didn't feel bad for eating so much pizza in the end.
Ok - second thing we noticed was "Rudolph Pan Pizza" - which had on it: "smoked reindeer, blue cheese, pineapples & cheese". We almost went with that option but Tim's not a fan of blue cheese.
Third thing we noticed was "Fantasia Pizza". Which was just the option to make your own pizza with 4 ingredients. So we chose the larger one (it was massive!) with reindeer, Tuscan sausage (very yummy), pepperoni and bacon. Pepperoni and salami is considered the same thing here - so they only have pepperoni listed.
The bacon were real strips of bacon (cut in pieces) and the reindeer was like a ground beef or a crumbly looking bacon - that you see often in pizza shops in Canada. We figure it's because reindeer is quite expensive so they don't put as much (hence the ground version) and because the pizza itself is quite thin and wouldn't be able to support the weight.
There was a list of Fantasia items that you could put on your pizza and I'm kicking myself in the butt for forgetting my camera in my other bag! There were things like "pepperoni, chicken" and then there was stuff like "capers, eggs, reindeer" etc. It was interesting! I'm sure we'll go back one of these days and I'll have to make sure I bring my camera.
2 large pops (think almost Thunder mug - they were quite large - we didn't need refills) and the large pizza with a free salad bar (watermelon, peas, cabbage, carrots/turnip slivers, 2 different dressings, slices of fresh/soft baguettes and pickles) came to under 30E. Keep in mind too - that you don't tip in Finland. The food and beverages include tips in the prices (pretty sure that's what we were told).
Another common thing we've noticed (mind you this is our 2nd time eating out at an actual restaurant) - is that in the restaurants they don't set tables with a fork and knife. They usually have a ceramic container of sorts stuffed with napkins and utensils. I imagine this assists with speeding up the service and the preparation of the table for the next customers.

Oh and the neighbor below finally returned and when we got home Loki's chew rope was in our mail slot.

And before I forget - we walked by the duck pond on the way home and the ducks are hilarious. Some of the ice is broken up (not very thick now) and as they were flying in and onto the pond - they would skid and slide like crazy until they hit a soft spot and then sink into the water. It was sooooo amusing.
We also saw a 1 legged duck.

Time to go relax and knit a scarf for Tim now...he picked a brilliant color. Gray. Typical man.

Tim may or may not be celebrating Father's Day...There's a reason!

So Tim has this beautiful encyclopedia on Finnish Culture and lifestyle he received for his birthday and he's pretty much reading it from front to back.
I haven't started reading it yet (once he's done) - however he's been pointing out some key facts that are quite interesting. By all means if you have questions - let me know and I'll look it up.

Mother's Day is celebrated in May and there are medals given to mothers who raise their children particularly well. How one applies for this - blows my mind (I'm sure there are specific criteria to be met before getting a medal). With some of the parenting issues I've been reading in the paper from back home, The Chronicle Herald, I wouldn't be freely handing these medals out! HA.

Now - in terms of Father's Day - I thought it was held in June like in North America - but apparently it is the 2nd Sunday of November. Which is amusing as my due date is November 9th and the Finnish Father's Day is on November 8th this year. I reassured him that he's still a father as the baby isn't a tadpole, googly eyed alien-looking creature anymore but more and more like a real baby. Worse comes to worse - we can celebrate the June North American Father's Day if he wants. So guaranteed by at least Christmas - he'll be a Daddy.

In other news - there isn't a Halloween here - but there's the odd costume party you could attend if you wanted. Tim read to me that they have something similar to Halloween in May - only for little girls. All the girls dress up as witches and go around knocking people lightly with their wicker sticks to protect them from ghosts etc. No idea what the little boys do.

It was snowing today - some of it stuck on the grass but then it rained and alternated. It's cool but slippery outside Tim said. Tomorrow we'll be going downtown in search of some winter boots for Tim and for me to pick up some potential baby clothes as well from a lady I met on Tori.

Tonight I'm making shepherd's pie - I'm very excited as I think it's a wonderful comfort food. (And great for left overs) I do not plan on making it like my mother's at all. My mom made it with creamed corn on top of the mashed potatos and ground beef spiced with pepper and salt. I'm going nutso with the spice and all the recipes I've found online have suggested bbq sauce or beef gravy. So I picked up a bottle of HP Sauce - not that I plan on using much as I am one for the spices. Oh and carrots and peas and hold the corn. I love corn but Tim cannot consume or digest corn due to the crohns.

I'm so excited to do laundry and clean on Friday....(No sarcasm whatsoever).

Today we went grocery shopping at the HUGE store and got a bunch of stuff for the home (i.e. another drying rack, a bath tub for the baby, groceries, etc) - and I found a sale on towels. They were 2.50E for the smaller ones (got one pink and one blue for the baby) and 7.50 for the bigger ones (regular double that). We got another fitted sheet, a blanket and more pillow cases. Regular sheets don't seem to be as common - or maybe that's just me not noticing...

I also scored some cloth diapers today during my 4 hour marathon downtown - and this is all very exciting because...wait for it....MORE LAUNDRY FOR ME TO DO!!! WAHOO!
And more space to hang laundry - I'm so tempted to do some now but it's 12:09am.
Soon enough - be still the overly excited beating/nesting heart.

I am so glad to finally get the baby's bath tub - selfish reasons, I'll confess - I've been using a large mixing bowl to soak my feet when they're sore. And let's face it - 2 feet do not fit in a mixing bowl properly.

Oh and a fellow is swinging by tomorrow to drop off 6 MORE cloth diapers and a bag of baby clothes for 20E. Super pumped. Originally I was to meet him in his office but who knows where that is (it's further than Tim's office which took me about 20 minutes to get to today) or how big the bag of baby clothes is.

I may have found an orthodontist as well! I've emailed her and she speaks English (hallejuah). Her office isn't very close to my home - it's walkable....it's actually closer to the apartment I was staying at when we first got here. Go figure.

So I'm at Week 36 & 4 days and did a total of approximately 6 hours of walking today...the grocery store trip included. It's massive. I wish I had my camera with me today as the cabbage was bigger than my head and bigger than a Fred Flintstone-style bowling ball.....it's one of the things that Finns grow very big here apparently.

Tomorrow I plan on taking it easy....knitting and making a beautiful Shepherd's Pie ("Pate Chinois" in French for some reason? I highly doubt Chinese people eat ground beef with potatoes on top IN China) and hopefully meetin' my Dad on Skype. Wahoo for Friday night. OH and let's not forget all the cleaning and laundry I can do too....yippee!!! No sarcasm whatsoever! I'm terribly excited.

Saturday I have to go back downtown again....meeting a lady there who has some baby clothes that are unisex....don't need much - just want more of the type that have the feet attached etc.

Alright time to go to bed....super exhausted.

Labour while in Finland

No haven't had the baby yet - but I had forgotten to mention the finer details of what like the labour procedure is like in Finland.
When it's time to check in the hospital - they have 2 entrances - the main one being locked by 8pm and opened again at 7am. There is a side emergency entrance where you can notify someone to open up the main entrance once "the time comes".
They advise the father to bring their own snacks and a change of clothes and whatnot in case it is a long labour....there is a meal and snacks served once the baby is born however.
They have for pain relief procedures: epidural, aqua blisters ("aquarakkulat") and PCB (paracervical anaesthetic). They do not have laughing gas here and they don't seem to have demerol either. As well there are no longer any water birthing tubs available as the hospital went under some major renovations within the last couple of years she said so they had to eliminate those rooms to make space for more delivery rooms. I have no idea what the heck an aqua blister is. I've posted an inquiry on the Finnish forum and am still waiting for a response - so as soon as I know - I'll pass it along. From the picture - it looks like a needle inserting water into your skin like a blister. But I don't know what it does otherwise. PCB is a needle inserted inside to freeze you as opposed to an epidural in the spine. Neither which sound appealing to be honest.
Once the baby is born they do the APGAR test and required measurements and weigh-ins - then the baby is put on your chest/body and recommended to stay there for at least 45 minutes to an hour. The nurse told me it takes the baby about 45 minutes to find the breast to begin breast feeding and to not put the baby onto your breast as a means of force.
Oh and after the baby is born you're moved to a different room where you'll stay for 2-3 days so they can completely check you out and watch your nutrition and the bonding with the baby etc. Tim referred to it as a mini-vacation. HA. My best friend's sister delivered in the US and was out the next day if I recall correctly....
She also recommended I watch some birthing videos (they only had them on VHS there) online. Oh my.
And there you have it - labour in Finland without the gruesome details.

My first appointment.

I finally got an appointment with a nurse here and it was wonderful. She went over the medical history of both myself and Tim and translated a form for me to review and whatnot. Then onto the fun stuff!
She found that the head is downward by pressing on my belly and that the legs are to my right side...like an L Shape I suppose.
The blood pressure was good, she took my hemoglobin which was good - pretty much everything was good. Heard the heart beat - sounded like a bunch of rowdy teenagers having a party it was that fast - about 160/min.
Then she booked me for my appointments for next Monday with the doctor and my final check up during the 39th week of the pregnancy with her again. Very pleasant experience overall.

So I went across the street to the hospital and got some blood work done. I thought it might be a smoother process here - new country - sure why not?
No it wasn't. The blood tech didn't speak English and I kept pointing at my hand suggesting she put the needle in there - and she just grunted and finally chose my left arm for the ceremonial piercing. She got out 2 tubes and I was pleased until she wiggled the needle in my arm to make the blood drip faster. Then she said, "Hmmph, ai ai". AI meaning NO. So she re-labelled my tubes and went for my hand instead. Within 30 seconds she had 2 full tubes and my patience was wearing thin.
Finally I was released and here I am.

Oh and I confirmed with the nurse that yes even though I live across the street - it is still regulatory to leave the hospital with a car seat.

How to Out-Haggle a (Fin) Italian....(This will be long as I just got an internet connection that'll stick permanently).

Ok - so not to point out the obvious stereo type of the beginning of this blog post- and not to by all means make this post about stereo types either - but let's face it. Chinese people love a deal. We love a deal and a set price. DON'T give me a price and then double it the next morning when you have your family there (3 little boys and a wife) to stare at me while Elvis Presley is crooning (very loudly) about "Love Me Tender".

Ok - so my deal with this gentleman was 10E for a down-filled quilt, matching pillow, crib sheets, sheaths (no idea what they are but he didn't find them) and pillow cases. I'm thinking - that's a great deal. WOW a down-filled quilt and pillow - I don't even have a down-filled quilt. HA - the kid's going to have a great wardrobe and better bed set than me. I'm in!
He shows up with the screws the next morning (Saturday - sorry my days are all messed up with the lacking of internet) and tells me he couldn't find the sheets and whatnot but that he had given me the improper price. His wife had told him that it was actually worth at LEAST 20E (understandably) and that it was packed away as they recently moved and he'll be more than happy to look for the stuff but not sure what box it's in.
I think okay - keep a calm face because his whole family is in a little white coop/hatchback car and waiting for a reaction of sorts. *Kid A in the front turns down the Elvis so wife can scream a little more in Finnish about the blanket quality and price.
I said fine....I will think about it and let you know once I discuss this with my husband ...as it's not the price that bothered me (the items he had sold me up to that point were in great condition - so no doubt about the quality of the blanket and sheets) - but it was the fact that he doubled his price in less than 24 hours and put me on the spot.
When I asked him what size the mattress was (we don't have a measuring tape) - he freaked and said, "well we don't know - it's in centimeters - and we have the sheets - they're just PACKED AWAY! We can find them if you want them before you have the baby!" - ok - take a chill pill....yikes.
The next morning I sent a text to Mr. Haggler - and I advised him I only wanted the crib sheets at the set price of 10E. Within 10 minutes I had a response stating they found everything but the sheaths (I am assuming these go and cover the bottom of the crib?) - I said okay - well I only have 10E on me - which was the truth....and he said he and his wife discussed of lowering the price.
I told him I might have 15E (turned out to only find 4E in change) - and he said "Perfect - be there in 10 min." When I told him I truthfully only could find 15 - he was fine with that too.
So voila - that is how I haggled down an F/I.

Onto other things - I have discovered the H&M here. I haven't been to the one in Mic Mac as it opened the day we arrived in Finland. Go figure. Ah well - this one is 3 floors and has some really great sales!
I snagged a pack of 7 "underwear" aka short sleeved no legs pieces for the baby...as we don't know the gender yet...they're white and have the days of the week on them - can't get any more uni-sex than that.
Then yesterday I went shopping with Jessica and we had a ball. I got a tonne of baby clothes and socks...they don't sell receiving blankets here....a baby carrier (more like a bullet proof vest by Bjorn....those things are SOLID) and breast pump/pads etc.
I didn't get the squeezing breast pump as I was advised it hurts the hand a lot and tires you out - so mine is like a bicycle pump - absolutely hilarious. That's all I have to say.
I'm getting a tonne of replies from a post I had on the Tori website - which is excellent.

Ok - so now about the internet. I, Dominique, FINALLY have a proper connection. We had a cable modem from a colleague - but the modems are registered to an address and a name - and that's why ours never worked. I had internet before via wireless connection from some dude named "default2". Whenever default became "default5" - I didn't have a connection - which is why I had disappeared for the past 3 days or so. I am alive thanks to shopping, crocheting of a baby sweater and the library.
Everything has been washed, folded and organized. I've disinfected the toys, crib, stroller and car seat....my friend thinks I'll go into labour this week because of my cleaning streak! HA. I contemplated doing laundry today but ended up going downtown to sort out the internet and pick up some little things for home and for me to do.

I'm going to be brave and try and knit again. I'm not one for knitting normally as there's too many loops and stitches and knits and purls and it takes forever to make a row. But I went into Poppelli to see Paulina and she helped me find a wonderful site: http://garnstudio.com/index_lang.php
I am praying this works out. I'm going to knit (very slowly) a pair of wool under pants to go over the cloth diapers. I'm using a Merino wool (very soft and absorbent) and circular needles...and eventually double pointed needles. I'm terrified at the thought of double pointed needles as I visualize everything slipping off the needles - but Paulina seemed to have great faith and offered immediate assistance if necessary. Haha - it'll just take me 30 minutes to get there.

Well it's been 2 months in Finland - and it snowed last night. It didn't stick - just mild flurries - it was so dark out you couldn't see it anyways.

Oh and the midwife did give me the proper phone number - but here in Finland if you're calling from a cell - you need to input the area code with the phone number or else it comes up as invalid. She had given me the number without the area code as if I was going to use a landline - anyway - appointment is tomorrow for 1pm.
WAHOO.

I think that pretty much covers everything....
Oh and Happy (late) Thanksgiving everybody!! We didn't celebrate it here as it's not celebrated in Finland and I hate turkey anyhow.

31 days left....

My heels are cracked but I still do not waddle like a duck! WAHOO!
I've yet to book a new appointment or visit the Neuvola (maternity public health) to get a proper phone number. That's on Tuesday's agenda.
I got a tonne of baby stuff (except clothing, diaper bags etc) - but am slowly getting prepared for the baby.
I honestly forget I'm pregnant all the time (does this happen to anybody else?!) and am probably pushing myself to the extreme too much. For example - I barely had 7 hours of sleep last night and managed to power walk to the bank and back downtown to meet the Finnish/Italian guy (read other blog about him) and get a stroller that I power walked back home. It sort of hit home that I was pregnant as I was walking home with the stroller, empty. To make it feel a little more real (I suppose) - I put my back pack in the seated area. The weird looks I got as people were driving to work....ah well.
Then I met the lady who sold me a car seat and a baby blanket covered in teddy bears - very exciting. She had firey red hair and a beautiful black bow - it was nice. LOL.
I managed to sneak in a nap between the F/I guy and the red head - for about an hour. My thighs felt like they were melting because of the power walk.
I got lost trying to find the home of the diaper lady....got hit on by a drunk...and managed to get some groceries on the way back. I finally chickened out by the duck pond (they removed the benches!) and called Tim to meet me as I continued my trek home. The diapers and liners alone in one bag weighed a little under 4kg I think...and then I had 4.5 litres (milk, juice and iced tea) in my back pack and some more groceries in my other hand...it was rough.

Oh and I broke out in a rash on my thighs - bumpy red bits and then eventually flared up even more with body butter lotion (going to get some non-scented/oatmeal based stuff tomorrow) and broke out into hives/swollen cat scratches (that's what they looked like anyways)....finally the itching is gone.

Got some great photos at the duck pond however and am about to hit the sack.

One more thing - reindeer meat isn't that bad!! It's quite tender and very tasty.
alright - I'm done.

I apparently am attractive to the drunks and possibly a man.

I've learned so much last night while at Taneli's for supper for Tim's birthday. For one - the reindeer was absolutely delicious. We cooked it with zucchini, egg plants and carrots and served it over mashed potatos with lingden berries - like a stew. Very delightful.
Thanksgiving is not celebrated here and is pretty much the only North American holiday not celebrated in Finland.
They do sell turkeys small enough to fit in the small European ovens here...however ham is the more traditional meal to have on Christmas Eve. Stores are closed by 1pm for the last minute shoppers on Christmas Eve. A rice pudding of sorts is served for breaskfast Christmas Eve morning, while in the early evening big Christmas dinner is served the same day.
Presents are opened late Christmas Eve night and then typically Christmas Day - people go to Mass.
(Tim now has an encyclopedia about Finnish culture - so if you have a question - now I can feel more confident about answering you!)

I've been hunting online for used items for the baby - as we don't want to buy everything brand-new when there were so many great quality and good conditioned items up for grabs on the Tori website. I power walked to Sohwi this morning for 8:20...I was to meet this guy for the stroller between 8:15 and 8:30. He showed up at 8:24, looked at his watch and loudly pronounced, "I am not late as I told you between 8:15-8:30". He's Italian. He then showed me the features of the baby's stroller and then proceeded to tell me he could reserve the car seat in the back of his white hatchback car - however I told him that was fine - as we don't have a vehicle and the car seat was meant for an older child (about 4-6 years old). He smiled and then decided to swing another way around the bush and then tried to sell me some toys that they have at home, "Very clean toys and very good condition like everything we have!" I said maybe and for him to e-mail me the photos of the toys. When I told him that I was interested in his crib he had up for sale online (plans changed with the previous crib we had in mind) - he was ecstatic and said he'll reserve it for me. He told me first he will e-mail me a picture to see if that's what I wanted or I could visit. I told him a photo would be fine and he rushed to explain that the photo is a little out of focus however I'll still get the idea (by this point I felt like he was talking to me like I was incompetent) - and he could not take a new photo because the crib was dismantled and ready to be sold. It comes with the mattress and he told me about the crib and I said sure. He then asked if I was walking back home - and I said yes - he THEN says, "Oh if I knew you were walking - I would've dropped this off at your home. But I have no time now as I have to go to work."
(Insert rolling of eyes secretly).
So I paid him 40 Euros (pram was only 25 but bank machines only dispense in 20s here as well) - and he started arguing that I was paying too much. I told him to bank the extra change towards the crib and he managed to shell out 10 Euros....so I said fine - bank the 5 Euros towards the crib - we'll probably end up getting it. He said instead he will put it towards the toys (or the crib) once I see the photos. (He has since sent photos and I don't have internet - but Tim said it looked fine to him - so hopefully my little Italian friend can drop it off tonight).
**He came by at "7-ish" aka 7:45pm....and "forgot" the screws to the crib. Ah well - tomorrow I'll get a screw driver to assemble it - to keep myself busy this weekend. He also brought a bag of toys for me to inspect...picked out a few - that was it and he will be back this weekend with a quilt and mattress sheets and pillows that go with the bed set - so I'm excited.

Meanwhile I've since had a nap and ran downstairs to meet Meervi (whom I thought was a male but was actually a lady with firey red hair and a beautiful black bow in it) whom I bought a really clean and great conditioned car seat for taking the baby home. I also snagged a blanket from her - that can probably be used by Tim - it's quite large and makes a nice lap blanket for now.

Loki is terrified of the stroller for some reason and a little cautious of the car seat as it rocks when touched. This should make things interesting when I want to go walking or jogging with both the baby and him tethered to the stroller. HA.
The stroller isn't for new borns unfortunately but that's okay - we're thinking a baby sling may be what we need during the earlier stages for now. Atleast we have most things sorted out right now.

Soon I'll be leaving to meet a lady at her home to look at some cloth diapers and liners she had posted online. She had some of the expandable ones online for 8 Euros (which is great considering they have different buttons to adjust the size as the baby grows and usually go for about 20-35 Euros a piece at the Eco-store) and some other ones and the liners or fillers for them as well. (Got 10 cloth diapers and 29 liners for 105E, and I did get lost going to her home).
I also got hit on by a drunk. I was walking from the bank machine on my way to this lady's home (who took forever to let me leave as we had great conversations although I was border line sweating- her house was so warm)....this guy called out HELLO while I was power-walking by and tapped my shoulders (I had my iPod and thought that was a good enough sign to leave me alone - apparently not)...I shook his hand with a firm "g2g - please don't talk to me" hand-shake...and that wasn't a good enough sign either. He asked my name and couldn't string a sentence in advance (by atleast 5 seconds) together. So he asked my name and while talking to me - he continued to roll his eyes up to the sky like he was preaching and kept trying to shake my hand multiple times. Ewww. Finally I told him my name is Ashley and that I really had to run to meet somebody (which was true - sorta)- then as I ran to cross the street - the light turned red. But he didn't pursue - thankfully. How do people know I speak English anyways? Is it because I don't have blonde hair and blue eyes?!?!?! I wasn't even walking towards the guy - I came from behind him!

I think I'm finally settling in with the idea of having a baby. I know this may sound funny as I've only been pregnant for the last 8 months - but I think it's starting to come true and I'm starting to realize it now that there's a stroller, a blanket and a car seat in the living room.

I had posted an ad online for more cloth diapers (previous to getting them today) and someone asked to meet me to learn English in exchange to learn Finnish.
This is what the E-mail started with:

"I found your announcements from Tori (University of Jyv�skyl�). At
first, I'm sorry but it may be that we don't have any baby stuff to sell
to you, but I have a little question. Would you (or maybe your
wife/girlfriend) like to meet me and talk with me in English?"

How does one write a response to this politely?!?! Sure I'll meet you - but the wife will be at home....oh dear.

Dear Sciatic Nerve - please go away....

Dear SN:

I look awfully silly and have made my dogs jump atleast 5 times this afternoon as I sit here enjoying the connection I have today. My poor pooches wanted a rub and instead one got his toe stomped on and the other almost smucked up-side the head because my left hamstring/butt cheek had a spasm and I wasn't expecting it.

That is all.
Thanks,
D.

___________________

In other news - got a baby car seat for 40 Euros and a baby blanket (will have to see what it looks like first) for 5 E. The guy offered to drop them off during his lunch break tomorrow - more pictures to come soon.

A four-leaf clover, a new toque, an invalid phone number, some funny dreams and so on...(in no particular order either)

I went to the library yesterday as I received an E-Mail notification that a book I reserved had come in. It was about felting - so that made my day (any English literature is very exciting for me these days - especially at the grocery store).
While there I got a text from Tim saying that he was in the cafe in the bottom floor of the library with Taneli and his son, Sulevi.
Once my book was checked out I went to join them and Sulevi was quite excited to see me. Everybody in the cafe now knows my name - LOL.

After a visit I decided to mosey on over to Poppeli where I found some beautiful blue yarn....it's wool and it's the same kind as my brown flower/slouchy hat - but blue. I only needed 2.5 balls to make a snug toque - which my ears are thankful for. A couple nights ago when I went walking with the dogs - my brown slouchy hat was letting in too much cold air. I finished the blue hat with a bit of an orange trim - the same colored yarn from my paternal-twin mittens.

Yesterday I didn't have any internet whatsoever - so I apologize for the delay in updating my blogs properly.
The night before last I had the oddest dream. The mothers that are reading this - know what I mean. I had dreams before that I was having a boy - just one or two and it involved getting peed on and the frustrating task of not being able to put a clean diaper on, as he kept ripping it off in all of his pride and glory. Well this dream was different. I had a girl (and no there aren't any twins in there!!)and breast feeding didn't hurt whatsoever (sorry guys if you're reading this). I find this interesting because it's my first dream that I had a girl, yet my second dream about breast feeding a baby not hurting.
Now according to a friend of mine who recently had her baby - she found it quite difficult. In fact many of them did and only one or two had actually said it worked for them right away. Time will tell I suppose.

Oh and yes I did call the nurse at the Neuvola (the public maternity service behind my building) - and she gave me an invalid phone number. ARGH.
Baby's still moving and grooving - so I'm thinking I'll be carrying full term - not overly worried in all honesty.

Ah the 4 leaf clover - before I forget. I got a book from the library a couple of weeks ago called "The Love Letter" by Cathleen Schine...I chose this book because I saw a brighter colored book called, "The New Yorkers" by the same author and there were all these rave reviews about the first title. So I happened to snag them both in hopes for some enjoyment when I'm sharing my laptop with the husband. Well The Love Letter is a little bland but keeping me on my toes thus far (only in the 3rd chapter or so) - so I'll try and stick with it.
Anyhow - I was reading on the couch while waiting for the chicken/veggie/rice soup to finish cooking when I flipped to the next page and voila - there was a flattened 4 leaf clover. It's taken sanctuary in one of the un-used cubicles of the massive book shelf we have in the living room. I find this exciting because growing up we had clovers grow in the back yard - but they all had 3 leaves.
So I'm hoping that with the dreams I've had lately about having a boy (and/or a girl - no preference - I don't think...) and breast feeding will be easy and then finding this 4 leaf clover -is a sign. Wishful thinking - I know.

Well time for me to get cracking on some gifts for Tim's birthday. He's turning the big 3-2 and I need to finish felting his card and start making more cards while I have the motivation and the peace and quiet (dogs are asleep on the bed)!

I'll let you know how the reindeer tastes later.

I'm almost 24 and got ID'd....

Ok - so due to the possibility of going into labour early - I've decided to carry my passport and ID# with me everywhere I go...just in case.
Thankfully I had it with me today. No I didn't go into labour or have contractions...but at the grocery store (went to a huge one called Prisma with Jessica) - I spent over 50 Euros - and they asked for ID. I had no idea this was a regular process. I thought they only asked when I was using a credit card (which has happened to us before) - but even when using the Visa Electron card ("Debit") - if you spend more than 50 Euros in one load - then you have to supply ID which I think is pretty neat (this is the banker in me).

I looked in a baby store called OZ...it's a more expensive store Jessica told me - but even still - there were some great deals. There was a crib for 99 Euros (but I think we'll be borrowing one instead) and some bouncy chairs for under 40 and one of those bouncy sling chairs that hangs from a door way or a ceiling....for about 30 Euros!
There's an online market on the University website - so I've been checking that out (thank goodness for Google translate) and there's a lot of good stuff online.

At the grocery store - I picked up reindeer meat. "Poro" in Finnish. Tim's birthday is this Thursday and he really wanted to try reindeer meat (Supposedly it tastes like beef?) - so I wasn't sure what kind of package it came in...or if I was to go to the butcher in the back to order some. But they sell it in bags in the frozen section and it's in strips like stirfry meats. Apparently it's traditionally cooked here like a stew and then it's served on mashed potatos with ling-den (sp?) berries. Ling-den berries are sort of like cranberries. I've had them in a desert and it was very good. A little tart like cranberries - but not quite.

Got a mop (forgot to pick up a bucket - duh), 2 metal bowls for the dogs' food (my poor mixing bowls are now cracked and beyond repair) a massive package of chicken pieces (already marinated and I'll probably just freeze the rest in even portions) along with other things that we needed for the home.
I finally caved and picked up a tin of vaseline (it's in a big flat disc like lip balm)...I couldn't justify spending almost 3 Euros for a tiny tin of vaseline but at Prisma - it was much cheaper.
It was nice to just get up and away from what I knew - and to walk around such a huge store. I definitely got my exercise for the day in!

Well it's 7:05pm - I think I'm going to layer up and take the dogs out for a walk - in hopes for some peace and quiet with Loki tonight.

Painted toes by 4...A White-Tie Event at 6...a lonely drunk at 1am..And some things I learned (at the bottom)

Tim was invited to see someone defend their phD yesterday afternoon. I didn't go as it's not really my thing and I honestly would not understand 90% of it I'm sure. Not that it was in Finnish - because it was in English - but because philosophy is not my thing. The only time I really talk philosophy is when Tim talks to me about it - a lot of times after events in which alcohol is consumed (on his part) and he manages to explain things to me quite well. Haha.
I managed to paint my toe nails a deep purple with the same skill level as prior to pregnancy - and if it wasn't for q-tips and nail polish remover - yeah I'd be toast.

The dinner was held at 6pm and being a white-tie event - I figured I'd wear black. Mostly because someone else was bound to do the same thing and I'm pregnant - so nothing I had with me that was fancy enough, fit anyways. I proudly wore my brown flower slouchy hat on the way there - and it was surprisingly warm. Tim and I discovered that one of his dress coats fits me!!! With the zipper up. I was so happy as it was quite chilly out.
The dinner was held in the same building as Tim's office but on the bottom floor where a very large class room is normally. Everything was decorated with white table cloths and black napkins. Some people wore tuxedos, some wore suits and many ladies wore fancy dresses.
The food was great - I had olive bread for the first time and thought it was wonderful!! Main course being salmon with lemon and dill - which is funny because Tim is starting to get accustomed to fish. Yet I haven't cooked it since we've moved here.
I got to see Sulevi, Jessica and Taneli (Tim's prof's family - as they were away for a month) and was very happy to see them. I think Sulevi may have been more excited to see us! He saw us come inside and squealed to the nines.
After the dinner we chatted with Taneli and I learned a lot in regards to health care.

On our way home - after several discussions with various people (I was exhausted!) - we were on the main street before turning onto ours (we still had quite a ways to go) - when a fellow stopped us and asked if we knew where "Rameteki" was. We're like uh no. So someone stopped her bike and pointed the direction for him and he knew where it was - he wanted someone to walk with him home! God he was so drunk.
Thankfully Rameteki was left of where we had to go - and we told him we "lived on the very top of the hill" (which was a lie - but nonetheless) - and he was very friendly - asking if we'd walk him home, had cigarettes because he drank too much and only smokes when he drinks...and blah blah.
It was to the point I thought he was going to walk US home - and I wanted to knock him out.
So finally we walked him to the lights and said good bye several times - and he kept referring to himself as a Finnish dude...asked where we were from and if we were a "Kappa". We're like huh?
And he goes "Oh a kappa is 2 people who live together and be together". He meant couple.
And then he wished us "So one". I think he meant "So long".


Maternity health care is free here. Public appointments cost 11 Euros for the first three of the calendar year and after that it's free until January of the next year. Public appointments typically take a month to book in advance unless it is urgent.
But if you're willing to pay 40-50 Euros for private health appointment - then you get in immediately.
Public and private is the same quality and competency we were told.
If I was to go into labour now - because my application for Kela is being processed - I would be covered.
Kela is also the public insurance company too. So once our application is approved and we have our Kela cards (like an insurance card) - when we pick up a prescription - the pharmacy automatically deducts the insurance coverage immediately at time of purchase. So you don't have to pay in full and then submit a claim. Unless you don't have your Kela card with you - then you would file a claim and then be credited to your bank account.
There is a tiered system of 100, 80 and 60% coverage - something like that - and depending on the type of medication you have prescribed - determines how much you pay. Apparently anti-biotics are typically only covered 60% by Kela. Hopefully my inhaler is covered!!

Well - time for me to make some food - "SO ONE" for now.

Walks, yarn, burgers and blonde little kids....(get your Friday chuckle here!)

I decided to take Loki with me - it was a heavy debate as Blue rarely gets one on one walks because of his aggressive attitude (he's merely curious at meeting other dogs - but the barking, jumping and growling does tend to scare people away and stop traffic)...and the fact that I'd be leaving him outside of a yarn shop for 2 minutes - could be life or death. He doesn't bite - he just barks like a maniac and everybody thinks he's a holy terror.

Anyways - the walk downtown was great with Loki - we didn't bump into a single pooch. Until I got to the yarn store. I tied Loki up outside to a post - where I could still see him and run to if necessary - but he did great. I heard a yapping when I was inside grabbing the brown wool yarn I needed for my hat - took a look and Loki was just sitting and waiting for me very patiently.
When I got outside I saw a pretty blonde girl with her little white pooch and she smiled and said hello - so I figured - okay - she's not scared to meet another dog that's 5x the size of her own.
She was great and adored Loki. Asked what breed and whatnot - her English was great. Her dog was a scaredy-cat. He wouldn't come near Loki and kept barking but running away from him and Loki just gave up.

So we went on our merry ways and decided to hit up Grilli 21 for a bacon burger.
Well Loki was just thrilled - there were little birds (they help with the crumbs - kind of like nature's bus-boys) for him to watch and garbage cans 1/2 filled with food he could devour. But he held off - thankfully.
I ordered my bacon burger and sat down beside Loki. He then thought I wasn't quick enough to put it in my mouth (it was quite hot so I was blowing on it to cool it off) and decided a nudge to the elbow was necessary...
You know those slow moments you see in the movie - where everything is moving so slowly - that one should be able to stop or prevent whatever is about to happen next?
Yeah - I had one of those. My burger flew out of my hand and all over the table, my backpack and the ground and chairs....the condiments were mostly all over my sweater and in my lap (and they pack a lot in those burgers!) and Loki knew he was in crap. All I had left in my hand was 1/2 a bun - no wrapper - no napkin...just half a bun.
I didn't yell and I didn't smack Loki on the nose like he deserved. He knew he was in crap when I said, "Loki" very quietly and calmly. Nobody was around except behind Grilli 21 there was a tour for the seniors of some monuments and such. They were all staring at me. Clearly not at the monument in front of them but the lady in black with the dog who just smacked a burger out of her hands.
I cleaned up what I could and ordered another burger. The lady was working on her own and thought I was crazy. I just smiled and explained that my dog ate my burger - which was going to be the truth - as I don't think birds are into big patties and massive buns that are 20x the size of them.
So I gave Loki the burger in pieces and he appreciated every bite. I only say this because he kept his head down and he looked awfully sad for what he did - but he knew I wasn't going to eat anything off the cobblestone ground.

Alright - blonde little kids part. Loki and I began the trek home and cut through a school play ground (past Tim's office) and 3 little blonde girls came running towards me screaming something in Finnish. I'm like, "Sorry? I don't speak Finnish". Well you'd think my face was bashed up and I was bleeding with a chain saw in my other hand. They ran away.
I'm sure they were asking if they could pet Loki - which I would've been fine with because he would've been tired out and whatnot - but I didn't think of that until after I said "Sorry I don't speak Finnish". So we kept walking.
I felt like a monster - I reek of grease, ketchup and onions etc.....thankfully I wore black and it's all in the wash as we speak.

Needless to say - I wish I brought Blue - it would've been worth the girl probably giving me a dirty look and the Poppeli lady thinking my dog was a monster just to have to only buy 1 burger.

Maybe if I stay up long enough - I'll get pics of a beautiful sunrise...

Dear Mother Nature:

It is presently 5:14am on a Friday. I have a month and 2 days left until my due date. All I had to do was get up and use the bathroom and have a sip of water.
But no - we couldn't leave it at that on a Friday morning could we, at 4:30am?
With the threats of a potential leg cramp and with hip cramps already having a fiesta - and a puppy that's really not a puppy anymore stretched out lengthwise on my side of the bed - you had to keep me going.
I promoted myself to the couch in the dark with nothing but my pillow in hopes for a blissful sleep - which was the norm. I usually can pass out on the couch comfortably as it's an old, well-loved leather couch and cool to the touch (great for the cramps if you didn't know already) and dog & husband free. Today - was not the case.
I used to brag to my other pregnant colleagues, "Oh no I sleep like a baby - even with a couple bathroom breaks in the middle of the night." Now I'm ashamed to say - I may have insomnia? Who knows. It's supposed to hit 75% of pregnant women.
I'll try to go back to sleep - but I know that you live life on the edge and enjoy teasing us in various ways throughout life. Knowing my luck - this would be one of them.

As if having an alien in your tummy bounce on your bladder, like a 4 year old tugging your hand to go to the playground with their friends - wasn't bad enough.
The pregnancy-brain moments (The title of this post originally was "Maybe if I stay up long enough - I'll get pics of a beautiful sunset"), the cramps, the Braxton Hicks - nothing like a good April Fool's joke everyday during the final weeks of pregnancy.....the cravings (mine have been controllable - thank goodness), the constant bladder interruptions, the stretch marks ("Tiger stripes are cooler than lions - they don't have stripes" says the husband) and the raging hormones....and the aches and pains....the list goes on - but eventually - you forget it all once you hear the first cries of your baby. So they say.

Not that I'm a negative person - but more so - a realist. I've been keeping a journal for the baby of things that have happened throughout the pregnancy. I think it's because I don't want to forget any of these things and that somewhere deep down inside my confused brain - I kind of like knowing that my baby will have a great chuckle at my expense some day down the road. I know I have while reading earlier entries.

So now I sit here in the dark - hungry as anything (but don't want to wake the husband with my crashing in the dark attempting to make a PBJH sandwich) but I will survive.
I will attempt to fall back asleep...I think that's why nobody is writing me back on MSN haha.

Long story short? Thanks Mother Nature - the baby will be worth it - I know.