Sunday, November 4, 2007

A Brand New Expat

Don't you just hate those people that do everything better than you? We've been pretty happy with ourselves for making the big move to Amsterdam and navigating through the Dutch bureaucracy and the new culture and then our friends Aaron and Sara come around and do it all while blindfolded, 7-months pregnant, and with one hand tied behind their backs. Well, okay, maybe they weren't blindfolded, and maybe they didn't have their hands tied behind their backs, but they were 7-months pregnant and moved over here anyway. Well, that was a couple of months ago...

Meet Andrew, the newest member of our little circle of expats here in Amsterdam.

Andrew was born last week in a Dutch hospital, which, by the way, is totally optional here. His mom spent a night in the hospital and then was promptly sent home. The Dutch health-care system sends a nurse to their house for several hours a day to help out with baby care (and cooking and cleaning!) . She also gives great advice for new mothers: Limit yourself to one or two cigarettes a day and absolutely avoid drinking more than a liter of wine per day. Can't be too careful, you know?

4 comments:

Mama said...

Do the Dutch have socialized health care? I'm just wondering who pays for the nurse who cooks and cleans. I'd like one too, please. But in a country where evidently we can't even take care of poor kids, I don't think my toilet scrubbing days are coming to an end any time soon.

Erika and Rob said...

Oh, our Dutch taxes pay for the lovely nurse, and at a 52% tax rate you can see why the country can afford it. Having seen how rested and relaxed Sara looked 5 days after giving birth, I'd recommend it to anyone!

Anonymous said...

America is the only western country with no socialized health care. Id rather pay more taxes than over 1000$ to have 2 cavities filled. RIDICOLOUS. Im definitely having my future baby in Germany.

Unknown said...

He's so cute. Give him a kiss for me!