No nothing to do with the Olympics - sorry. I haven't followed the Olympics whatsoever with the exception of the death of an athlete prior to the opening ceremonies - that's about all I know.
Oh and one Canadian curler is over 5 months pregnant. That's it.
And right now as I type this Canada has scored 2 goals against the US during the Gold Medal Hockey game. Thank goodness for Facebook.
May as well explain why I'm not following the Olympics and get it all done and over with before I get heckled later on.
A) I have a baby that is in the phase of "I'm bored of you - where's Daddy?" and if Daddy's not home - it's a scream fest. On top of teething.
B) While we do have a television - we have not bothered setting up our cable as we haven't watched TV since we've been together (Tim and I)...about 4 years ago. I don't miss it and whenever there's something that's really HUGE that I really want to see - I resort to searching for it on Youtube. The television we have is primarily for the Wii console and the DVD player.
C) I am not a sports person. I prefer to watch hockey in person and love the hockey fights. This probably coming from my high school days and dating a hockey player that played defense...who knows. I certainly don't promote violence regularly - but a good hockey fight is enjoyable to watch as long as nobody gets seriously hurt or dies.
Now onto the reason why my title is "Finland Versus Canada".
I've been getting a lot of tips, advice and comments about feeding (or trying to) V�in� solids already at the age of 4 months. I understand in Canada the standard is 6 months no food whatsoever except baby cereal and go from there.
Here in Finland - they're a bit different. They strongly recommend feeding at four months mashed vegetables, berries or fruits. It's to help with their constant need for food, nutrients and to give the poor boobs a break. On that note - no I can't give V�in� a bottle of pumped milk as he constantly rejects it. He'll take a bottle of cold water for teething - but that's his limit.
In terms of allergy testing and figuring out what he'll like and not like - the nurses recommended trying a food for 3 days consistently before moving onto another mashed up food. Today probably wasn't the best of days to try apple sauce as he was cranky prior to trying it.
In regards to baby cereal - they do sell it however during our last appointment the nurse noted that any kind of cereal or porridge/gruel should be given at 5 months. So I'll hold off on the cereal for a bit and do it accordingly.
It's not that I'm knocking Canada's "how to raise your kids" system - I'm not. Do what you want - it's your kid and how you were raised is probably different than myself. Besides the different country of birth - I'm sure V�in� will be raised much differently than how Tim or I were.
I'm only saying that if you saw how healthy the Finnish people are here compared to Canada - there's obviously something they're doing right.
From day 1 since we've been here - we noticed many things about Finns that we didn't always see with Canadians. Such as regardless of age - they bike or walk. It doesn't matter what your bike looks like here - there's no judgement. If it works and gets you from A to B - they use it. In Canada I'm sure some of these bikes being used would be scoffed at because they look so old they shouldn't be able to work. But they do. Even though it's winter and we've had a bit of snow everyday since October/November - everybody is walking. Babies are pushed in strollers, teenagers and kids are strolling around and even the senior citizens with or without assistance (human or walker) are walking. It's not something I was used to seeing when we first arrived.
Maybe that's why they can afford physically - to eat all those baked goods I keep taking pictures of! The chips and pop section are always full. Doesn't seem like anybody eats them to be honest!
I tried giving V�in� a baby-sized spoonful of home-made apple sauce (sugar/salt free of course!) and he rejected it. Probably not used to something in his mouth other than a bottle or breast and I can't blame him. He only accepted the spoon once before and that was for liquid pain medicine during his teething in which nothing else was working to soothe the pain. So hopefully he warms up to the idea of a little spoon in his mouth. And the nurse only recommended at most a tablespoon worth then work your way up as the weeks go by. So no worries - I'm not pressuring him to finish a bowl of apple sauce (which was super easy to make and delicious by the way).
And there you have it. Finland versus Canada.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Prom Date and More random stuff from Jyv�skyl�
This morning when I took the dogs out to the woods it was -34C with the wind chill factor included. That was fine - I enjoy the cold as long as bundled up properly.
By the time V�in� was fed and the dogs were tired out - the weather had warmed up and I decided to head out on my own (too cold still to bring V�in� with me) downtown.
I had to return a library book and while there I found a few more that peaked my interest. Primarily Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. Well I found 3 books and as I was scanning them the 3rd one gave me a message on the monitor screen saying I couldn't check it out. I tried again and still got the same message "Please go to the counter". So I took my receipt and library card and tried it again - still couldn't check out this 3rd book. I went to the lady at the counter by the machine and asked for some help. She took my card and the 3rd novel and tried to scan it and it didn't work. So she asked to see my receipt - turned out that it WAS checked out but for some reason the machine didn't list it on the monitor. She bluntly laughed at me and I smiled and walked away. How embarrassing!
On to the baby store "Juniorit" (not pronounced Junior It...J sounds like a Y) - in which I was hoping to find some cheap but serviceable soft plastic spoons for V�in�. He'll be able to eat mashed/soft veggies, fruits and berries next month - so I wanted to be prepared.
I found just what I was looking for and a non-slip bath mat for V�in� that I never thought to get before. I don't think Juniorit had it before - as it was in the same section as the spoons and bottles. Either way - we need one - as he loves to slip and slide in the tub - even with Tim holding him!
Found a Halti in the pet store and hopefully it fits. The last one Loki had broke.
As I was leaving and getting outside (as the pet store, post office and electronic shop is in a separate section from the other malls) I noticed young, pretty girls (high school aged) dressed up like they were going to the prom!
I'm still awaiting an explanation from a friend here- to see if it IS prom night... But it appears so. Lots of young guys with fresh hair cuts and the girls were dressed in big and bright dresses and their hair done up in various twists.
*** UPDATED*** Taneli says it's senior's night, meaning the 11th graders celebrate that they are now the most senior because on Thursday the 12th graders began their exam period thereby ending their seniorship.
On to the grocery store. I went to S Market and grabbed some roasted ribs for tonight's dinner and swung by the Elonen stand. Elonen is a cafe that has baked goods on sale in the store as well. The lady working there recognizes me and often coos at V�in� if he's with me. I said hello and was checking out the baked goods in the glass case and she instantly pointed to the danishes we normally get with jam in the center and white chocolate shavings. "2 of these?" she asked. Smart girl - she remembered my order.
This time I stumped her and opted for a different kind of danish that Tim had brought home the other night. It's square and covered in sugar crystals with fresh raspberries in the center. Mmm good. Then I saw a cheese cake of sorts with an orange-colored jelly topping cut in slices. She is quite the business lady, this Elonen representative. She looked at the cake and said, "Mango - you like?" Well how do you say "NO - I play Wii Fit everyday to make up for the beautiful danishes I consume on a near daily basis!" in Finnish?
So I said yes please. I can't wait to try it later.
Found some used Wii games at a local store (similar to Electronic Boutique) and picked up this mystery one called "Secret Files: Tunguska" - pretty good so far.
I finally figured out how to use the Picasa Web Albums last night after much frustration...but I'm okay now. Feel free to check 'em out: http://picasaweb.google.com/Domotos.zoomclick
By the time V�in� was fed and the dogs were tired out - the weather had warmed up and I decided to head out on my own (too cold still to bring V�in� with me) downtown.
I had to return a library book and while there I found a few more that peaked my interest. Primarily Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts. Well I found 3 books and as I was scanning them the 3rd one gave me a message on the monitor screen saying I couldn't check it out. I tried again and still got the same message "Please go to the counter". So I took my receipt and library card and tried it again - still couldn't check out this 3rd book. I went to the lady at the counter by the machine and asked for some help. She took my card and the 3rd novel and tried to scan it and it didn't work. So she asked to see my receipt - turned out that it WAS checked out but for some reason the machine didn't list it on the monitor. She bluntly laughed at me and I smiled and walked away. How embarrassing!
On to the baby store "Juniorit" (not pronounced Junior It...J sounds like a Y) - in which I was hoping to find some cheap but serviceable soft plastic spoons for V�in�. He'll be able to eat mashed/soft veggies, fruits and berries next month - so I wanted to be prepared.
I found just what I was looking for and a non-slip bath mat for V�in� that I never thought to get before. I don't think Juniorit had it before - as it was in the same section as the spoons and bottles. Either way - we need one - as he loves to slip and slide in the tub - even with Tim holding him!
Found a Halti in the pet store and hopefully it fits. The last one Loki had broke.
As I was leaving and getting outside (as the pet store, post office and electronic shop is in a separate section from the other malls) I noticed young, pretty girls (high school aged) dressed up like they were going to the prom!
I'm still awaiting an explanation from a friend here- to see if it IS prom night... But it appears so. Lots of young guys with fresh hair cuts and the girls were dressed in big and bright dresses and their hair done up in various twists.
*** UPDATED*** Taneli says it's senior's night, meaning the 11th graders celebrate that they are now the most senior because on Thursday the 12th graders began their exam period thereby ending their seniorship.
On to the grocery store. I went to S Market and grabbed some roasted ribs for tonight's dinner and swung by the Elonen stand. Elonen is a cafe that has baked goods on sale in the store as well. The lady working there recognizes me and often coos at V�in� if he's with me. I said hello and was checking out the baked goods in the glass case and she instantly pointed to the danishes we normally get with jam in the center and white chocolate shavings. "2 of these?" she asked. Smart girl - she remembered my order.
This time I stumped her and opted for a different kind of danish that Tim had brought home the other night. It's square and covered in sugar crystals with fresh raspberries in the center. Mmm good. Then I saw a cheese cake of sorts with an orange-colored jelly topping cut in slices. She is quite the business lady, this Elonen representative. She looked at the cake and said, "Mango - you like?" Well how do you say "NO - I play Wii Fit everyday to make up for the beautiful danishes I consume on a near daily basis!" in Finnish?
So I said yes please. I can't wait to try it later.
Found some used Wii games at a local store (similar to Electronic Boutique) and picked up this mystery one called "Secret Files: Tunguska" - pretty good so far.
I finally figured out how to use the Picasa Web Albums last night after much frustration...but I'm okay now. Feel free to check 'em out: http://picasaweb.google.com/Domotos.zoomclick
Monday, February 1, 2010
Riding a Bus - check!
So one of my many New Year's Resolutions for 2010 was to ride the bus.
Today was the perfect opportunity. It wasn't overly cold (about -15*C) so with V�in� strapped to my chest - we walked downtown and got everything done quickly without V�in� making a peep.
We received our Wii in the mail today so we had to get another controller, some re-chargeable batteries, another nunchuck, a power bar and I also needed some more small canvases.
We made a quick stop at the library in which I took the stairs - 2 flights of stairs to get a couple Danielle Steele books and return the ones I had.
On our way home I decided we should probably swing into the grocery store and pick up some fresh baked goods...an excellent idea!
So I picked up 2 of the short bread cookies with whipped cream in the center (Whew! I thought these were only a Christmas item!) and 2 apple cake slices...they're so delightful.
When we got on the bus - it costs 2,90E. I had some change on me and I handed the driver 3 Euros - as there was no box or container to drop my change. He pointed to a little circular counter that's beside him and I dropped my change on it. He than gave me my 10 Euro cents change AND a receipt!
In Halifax - you don't get change back. There was also a plastic pad to swipe your bus pass I think - and another machine that you insert your card (not sure what the difference was) and it beeped then would spit it back out.
Overall - we've been living here now for almost 6 months and I really enjoy it. It's super safe here and we're contemplating the possibility of living here permanently if Tim's able to get the fundings and projects.
Today was the perfect opportunity. It wasn't overly cold (about -15*C) so with V�in� strapped to my chest - we walked downtown and got everything done quickly without V�in� making a peep.
We received our Wii in the mail today so we had to get another controller, some re-chargeable batteries, another nunchuck, a power bar and I also needed some more small canvases.
We made a quick stop at the library in which I took the stairs - 2 flights of stairs to get a couple Danielle Steele books and return the ones I had.
On our way home I decided we should probably swing into the grocery store and pick up some fresh baked goods...an excellent idea!
So I picked up 2 of the short bread cookies with whipped cream in the center (Whew! I thought these were only a Christmas item!) and 2 apple cake slices...they're so delightful.
When we got on the bus - it costs 2,90E. I had some change on me and I handed the driver 3 Euros - as there was no box or container to drop my change. He pointed to a little circular counter that's beside him and I dropped my change on it. He than gave me my 10 Euro cents change AND a receipt!
In Halifax - you don't get change back. There was also a plastic pad to swipe your bus pass I think - and another machine that you insert your card (not sure what the difference was) and it beeped then would spit it back out.
Overall - we've been living here now for almost 6 months and I really enjoy it. It's super safe here and we're contemplating the possibility of living here permanently if Tim's able to get the fundings and projects.
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