Beauties

We are going emotionally up and down, Riitta is tired and we are staying at the clinic -but aren't they beautiful together?

Learning new things

The puppy seal is all right, but we will need new strategies into our daily life. We have a private family room in the clinic now: to help Riitta in her recovery and to share together this new wonder and amazement. Well, nobody promised us a rose garden.

Now... a full moon daughter

We got tonight a splendid little baby girl by an operation. It is almost 4 a.m. and I am too tired to write more. We are all OK and healthy, but hungry! Tonight, behind the clouds, there is also a full moon, combined with full lunar eclipse. Walking home for a short nap was such a magical moment...

Back in the business

This was her third sleepless night and the painkillers helped only partially. The thrusts almost stopped in the morning, so the staff decided to let the amniotic fluid out - and we are now back in the business! Let's see if this helps.

I did spend the night at home so I am running back for her support. Luckily the clinic is in the neighbourhood...

Not a perfect day

We left home after 6 a.m. because things got a bit ugly: the painkillers did not work, and after two totally sleepless nights Riitta was really exhausted.

At the clinic she got good care and relaxed so much that unfortunately everything slowed down. We moved finally from the private delivery room to an other ward to wait for stronger painkillers and strongly desired sleep. There is nothing so heart-breaking as your loved-one's quiet groaning, when you know that you can't help very much. I am going to need lots of hankies for this, and so does she. We are very emotional now...

Long hours & labour

She has been in labour now, since 2 a.m. last night. We are still staying at home, because throes are weak and the time between them so long. We were quite prepared to leave for the maternity clinic this morning, because she had a bad sleepless night and because the pain was stronger! This might take days...

Self made little things

A little celebration at home: I made some tempura for us... She has been quite productive during this winter, making all those little things for that newcomer. We are following the local tradition and decorating the box of the maternity package - and changing it into his/her first bed. The package included a mattress... now, how many of you can boast having born into a cardboard box (please, click the images)?

And YES! We are getting bigger and bigger! Lots of kicks during night-time.

A maternity package

The Social Insurance Institution of Finland offers a free maternity package to all residents, if the pregnancy has continued over 154 days: rompers, body suits, leggings, caps, a playsuit, mittens, insulated booties and a snowsuit. And much more: a mattress, sleeping bag/quilt, skin care products and a guide to breastfeeding, etc. etc. I think it's value exceeds the nominal amount of money invested into it; good thermal snow suits for children can be really expensive! The colours and the products differ annually.

It feels good to get something back, after all the years and all the taxes. And, actually, the little stretch suit was very touching...