Call The Nurse

"Call the nurse.
Call the nurse
I'm in pain, I'm in pain.
Everything hurts.
Vital signs.
In horizontal lines...
Call the nurse.
Call the nurse."
- Lee Harding



The thing I have been dreading the most since we decided to move here...I had to face today. The boys' "well check" with the nurse! In Finland you are assigned a nurse according to your address. She deals with all children and maternal health issues for the family. Little is passed due for his 15 month check up and I wanted to see if either child needed additional immunizations.


Not having a clue what to expect, I was rather nervous. The offices of the nurses are located at an area hospital. The floor had the look of a typical hospital, but everything was written in Finnish. Rather than being equipped for a patient room, each contained (as you can see in the pic) a "gyno-trolley", exam table for infants, children's table with books and puzzles, desk with computer, and basic equipment including a scale, sink, sharps, etc. The room was clean, that is all I wanted.


Our nurse was awesome! First, she spoke English (thank God). She, and other nurses I saw in the hall, were wearing aqua-colored aprons (You think Sharon Tourville would go for that?). Our family basically received a general assessment. She asked us how we all were adjusting, eating & sleeping habits, allergies, etc. Then took everyones height and the boys' weight (Big: 12.5kg & 92.5 cm; Little: 11.5 kg & 84 cm). She gave me a hand out to start them on Vit D and said I should return with Little when he is 18 months and Big at 3 years.


That was it. My challenge was complete. Lets just keep praying these boys stay healthy and I never have to go there for a sick visit...things may be different.


And for any of you wondering, I have a private OB-GYN...I will not be getting examined in the same room my kids do!

She Works Hard For Her Money

"She works hard for the money.
So hard for it honey.
She works hard for the money.
So you better treat her right."
- Donna Summer




2 1/2 months after my "retirement" from the hospital, I have officially received my first pay check as a stay-at-home mom! That's right...the hardest job in the world (I will testify) but also the MOST rewarding. Any woman who can sacrifice a salary, part of her social life, wardrobe, etc. to stay with little people who she would give her own life for, deserves a million dollars.

Unfortunately, my check was not a million dollars, but I do get paid. Each family registered with the Finnish government receives an allowance to help raise their children. The money is based on where you live, your income, number of children and their ages, and the number of children attending school. If you keep in mind my job is 24/7...well at least 14 hour days, on call 10. But when I do get called during my 10 hour "on call" shift (9p-7a: the boys are sleeping - hopefully), I do not receive double time or any other perks that usually come with a normal job. I have to get out of bed, console a crying toddler until he can fall asleep again, and hope I can fall back to sleep myself so I can give another 110% at my "job" the next day. I do not receive any bonuses for potty training, hot meals, field trips, etc. Just the satisfaction of raising my children myself, and no one can do that better or love your children more than you!

So I receive a monthly stipend that helps with the groceries, pays our McDonald's bill, and maybe I can by myself something nice once in a while...just for doing what I feel I was put on this planet to do...raise my children!

Sunglasses At Night

"I wear my sunglasses at night.
So I can so I can,
See the light that's right before my eyes...

I can't believe it...
It can't escape you...

I said I wear my sunglasses.
I wear my sunglasses at night.
Wear my sunglasses at night..."
- Corey Hart


The Summer Solstice, June 22, is quickly approaching us here in the northern part of the northern hemisphere. This event is currently giving us 18 hours and 5 minutes of daylight. Even better, our length of visible light is 20 hours 45 minutes and increases almost 4 minutes a day up to the solstice! That's right...we are left with a measly 3 hours 14 minutes of true darkness. We have invested in blackout blinds AND blackout curtains. Still the sunlight finds the smallest cracks and holes to greet us each morning around 4 am! The picture above was taken at 2230 last night.

The greatest challenge through all this is trying to explain to 2 toddlers why they have to go to bed when the sun is still up. So far we have been successful even though their bedtime is now 9 to 9:30 pm.

Blame It On The Rain

Originally uploaded by Knuffinaround.

"Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling...
Causes the rain don't mind. And the rain don't care.
You got to blame it on something...
Blame it on the rain yeah, yeah"
- Milii Vanilli


It has been raining for a little over a week now. After getting cabin fever and Big making Little bleed twice in 24 hours, we decided to put on the bunny suits & rubber boots and head to the park. Finally on our side, the rain stopped while we were there. After an hour and a half of playing in the mud, we decided to return home for dinner and a bath. Only 39 more hours until Daddy returns to our side of the Atlantic...and counting!

The Wheels on the Bus

"The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round.
All through the town."



A cold front came through Helsinki and the weather did not allow us to have our weekly 'Picnic Friday.' So we decided to take the bus to Espoo for the Foreigners Play Group held in an old gym. Not bad, a 20 minute bus ride (free with stroller!) and we were there. The boys enjoy the interaction with other kids their age who speak English. There were 15+ kids ranging in ages from 8 weeks to 5 years. The families come from all over...Germany, UK, Canada, USA, etc. The kids play for 2 hours. The moms gossip and share stories of living abroad. Snacks, juice and coffee included!