This past week we have definitely learned about some unique Dutch customs and ways of doing things. Shortly after Audrey was born the nurse brought in beschuit met muisjes for us to eat. They were basically hard biscuits with butter and sprinkles on top. The sprinkles tasted like black licorice. Our biscuits were decorated with pink and white sprinkles since we had a girl! 
I also received a box of chocolates from a lady at church. On the outside there was a mini beschuit met muisjes. The proud new Dutch parents usually treat their friends to the biscuits when they come to visit the baby. Also, another thing that was quite different was during labor they brought me food. It was basic food, bread and cheese, but food nonetheless. They also allowed me to drink water. I could have had tea if I wanted. In the U.S. all they allowed were ice chips. So, a bit different. 
Even though I was sent home from the hospital 4 hours after Audrey arrived help was not far away. As a matter of fact, we phoned the midwife at 3 am that first night we were home. Audrey was spitting up some pretty dark stuff and we were concerned. After a quick call to the midwife our worries were taken care of as she explained it was just some blood that the baby had swallowed. In the past week I have been visited by the midwife in our home 4 times - Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On Sunday and Tuesday they weighed Audrey. I found the weighing device they had very interesting. 
Yes, that little bundle is sleeping Audrey. Both times they came to weigh her she was sound asleep and she slept through the whole thing. What a good baby! :) On Sunday Audrey was below her birth weight, which is how things usually are. By Tuesday Audrey was well over her birth weight at 8 1/2 pounds. She's eating well and growing lots. We also had a home visit from the consultatiebureau on Wednesday. The consultatiebureau is basically a baby clinic that is used for the first 4 years of your child's life. I'll take Audrey there for her immunizations and routine check-ups. On Wednesday they took some of her blood and performed the hearing test. They are coming to our home again on Tuesday for another check-up. I have to take Audrey to the clinic for her first round of immunizations when she is 6 weeks old. 
Our kraamzorg experience turned out great! Once I got home on Thursday night I called the kraamzorg service and told them I was home with my baby. Friday morning at 9:30 Monique showed up to take care of us. She came to house for 7 days, 6 hours a day. I didn't have to lift a finger! She took care of everything from Rachel to me to Audrey to cooking to shopping to cleaning. It was wonderful. Rachel really became quite attached to her and was upset when she would get up from her nap and Monique was gone. Even though Rachel was being a stinker and wouldn't smile in the above picture - she really did enjoy Monique. I am glad things turned out as well as they did. I was a little concerned about how I would like having someone in our home, but it turned out just fine.
Andy has already registered Audrey's birth. We currently have a Dutch birth certificate and an International birth certificate for her. Many have asked if Audrey will have dual citizenship and she won't. In order to have Dutch citizenship one of the parents has to be Dutch. Next week some time we are planning on going U.S. Consulate to apply for Audrey's birth certificate, social security card, and passport. It should be interesting how they take a passport picture of a newborn!
I also received a box of chocolates from a lady at church. On the outside there was a mini beschuit met muisjes. The proud new Dutch parents usually treat their friends to the biscuits when they come to visit the baby. Also, another thing that was quite different was during labor they brought me food. It was basic food, bread and cheese, but food nonetheless. They also allowed me to drink water. I could have had tea if I wanted. In the U.S. all they allowed were ice chips. So, a bit different. Even though I was sent home from the hospital 4 hours after Audrey arrived help was not far away. As a matter of fact, we phoned the midwife at 3 am that first night we were home. Audrey was spitting up some pretty dark stuff and we were concerned. After a quick call to the midwife our worries were taken care of as she explained it was just some blood that the baby had swallowed. In the past week I have been visited by the midwife in our home 4 times - Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On Sunday and Tuesday they weighed Audrey. I found the weighing device they had very interesting. 
Yes, that little bundle is sleeping Audrey. Both times they came to weigh her she was sound asleep and she slept through the whole thing. What a good baby! :) On Sunday Audrey was below her birth weight, which is how things usually are. By Tuesday Audrey was well over her birth weight at 8 1/2 pounds. She's eating well and growing lots. We also had a home visit from the consultatiebureau on Wednesday. The consultatiebureau is basically a baby clinic that is used for the first 4 years of your child's life. I'll take Audrey there for her immunizations and routine check-ups. On Wednesday they took some of her blood and performed the hearing test. They are coming to our home again on Tuesday for another check-up. I have to take Audrey to the clinic for her first round of immunizations when she is 6 weeks old. 
Our kraamzorg experience turned out great! Once I got home on Thursday night I called the kraamzorg service and told them I was home with my baby. Friday morning at 9:30 Monique showed up to take care of us. She came to house for 7 days, 6 hours a day. I didn't have to lift a finger! She took care of everything from Rachel to me to Audrey to cooking to shopping to cleaning. It was wonderful. Rachel really became quite attached to her and was upset when she would get up from her nap and Monique was gone. Even though Rachel was being a stinker and wouldn't smile in the above picture - she really did enjoy Monique. I am glad things turned out as well as they did. I was a little concerned about how I would like having someone in our home, but it turned out just fine.
Andy has already registered Audrey's birth. We currently have a Dutch birth certificate and an International birth certificate for her. Many have asked if Audrey will have dual citizenship and she won't. In order to have Dutch citizenship one of the parents has to be Dutch. Next week some time we are planning on going U.S. Consulate to apply for Audrey's birth certificate, social security card, and passport. It should be interesting how they take a passport picture of a newborn! So, overall we have enjoyed our Dutch experience of having a baby. Everything has gone well. Andy has been home for the majority of the past week. He would go to work while the kraamzorg was here and then come home in the afternoon. Andy will be home all this next week to help out as well. It has definitely been nice since Rachel has needed some extra attention. So, we are doing well and adjusting to having two little ones.
4 comments:
She is so beautiful! I am glad things went well. I think it's more important to have help with your second than your first. You look so pretty in the pic of you holding her in the hospital! Take advantage of having Andy home.
Sounds nice to have help there. I had a hard first couple days after Brian went back to work and my mom did too! It's definitely an adjustment. I like her red and white striped outfit in the last picture. Darling. She looks like Rachel from her profile and other pictures. What do you guys think?
Fun update and you're right, it's all so typically Dutch. Glad you've had a great experience in Holland. Your girls are gorgeous. I enjoyed playing with Rachel in nursery on Sunday.
That's it - if I ever give birth again, I'm doing it in Holland. Getting to eat, being sent home right away, and getting a kraamzorg? Sounds perfect to me!
Audrey is beautiful. I'm glad to hear you're all doing well.
Post a Comment