So, how big am I now? Well, about this big as of yesterday. Pretty big. Still, the little one is making no moves toward the exit and nothing feels imminent. Of course, that could all change very quickly. And how would I know anyway?
Yesterday I got to experience some more of the Dutch medical system – the midwives have been concerned that my blood pressure is a little high – not scary high, but getting there. Of course, blood pressure often rises towards the end of pregnancy and I don’t have any of the other other symptoms of preeclampsia, which is what they’re worried about, but they’d rather rule it out. Anyway, they sent me off to the hospital for tests – there they tested my blood, urine, monitored the baby’s heart rate and the uterus for 1/2 an hour and did an ultrasound. All is fine, and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the system. Very little waiting for any of that, and they took me and another woman with the same issues into an empty 4 bed room, very clean and neat. Each of us had our own nurse (or aid – not sure) who did the monitoring (mine was named Melodie!). I had two med students come in, one to do the history and one to do the ultrasound, and then the doctor to wrap things up. Funnily enough, the nurse had the best English, though the doctor’s was good too, but the two very young med students could barely speak any (or didn’t want to try). Good thing I speak Dutch!
It’s funny what little differences one notices though – I noticed that they don’t have those little round bandaids you get when you get blood drawn – they just tape down some gauze. When I got my iron checked, same thing. And, at the midwife, I have to bring in my urine for testing, I don’t get handed those little cups like I did walking into the Canadian doctor. Supposedly I have to buy the containers myself at the pharmacy, but jars work too!
Anyway, enough medical details. Yesterday I also got my official residence card – I’m now allowed to work here (not that I will be this year) and stay. It came a lot quicker than we had thought it would – in under two months! Now, I just have to stay here three years, get proficient in Dutch and Dutch culture, and then I can pick up another citizenship!
And I do have to say I’m making some important strides in the area of becoming acculturated – yesterday I rode my bike to get the permit and to the hospital. No pics, unfortunately, but how Dutch is that, riding my bike at 39 weeks pregnant.
Other than that sort of excitement, mostly I’m preparing for the baby’s arrival. And we’re getting gifts! Well, that started before we left Canada actually (with some cool stuff too I might add), but I was overwhelmed to get this hand-knitted sweater from a friend in the virtual world – amazing! With such cute little duck buttons.
And, I’m prewashing all of the stuff we’ve acquired for the babe. Until yesterday I’d been storing it in the baby’s bed with the changing mat on top. Of course, as soon as I took the stuff out to wash, I came back into the room to find this!
And I have to admit that I must be getting all maternal ’cause I’m really finding baby clothes cute. These are the new ones we’ve acquired through purchase or gift since we’ve been here. So adorable and I keep picturing the little one in the little sleepers and shirts. Of course, mostly still gender neutral, but a few “boy” things.
Of course, no sooner had I taken the first pile to be washed do I come back to find this!
I have to also say that Ivo’s family has been great. Ivo’s sister Evian, who has two young sons, gave us 5 garbage bags of clothes, and Ivo’s mother washed them all, ironed them and separated them by size – we have ones for the first few months here now. Evian also lent us her Maxi-Cosi (carrier and car seat) and Ivo’s parents had a stroller that we can use that has both the baby bed and the seat part for later. Of course, they’re also great for non-material reasons – they’re very supportive, helpful and loving.
As for actually doing laundry, I wanted to share the somewhat strange machine we have here with you all. This is loading it up – note the laundry soap in the little topless ball, placed on top of the clothes.
Then the flaps are closed and latched. The cavity fills with water and then the cylinder spins to wash and then very fast to dry.
This is the outside of the (working) machine. It’s very small.
That’s it for now – I’ll end with some random feline cuteness from last week.
