Chamomile and other "herbs"

Its amazing the things you find in your local Apteka (aka drugstore). Sage, for instance, and fennel and many other herbs that we in the States would expect to find in the seasoning aisle of the supermarket are here not used for cooking, but rather for healing. While you can sometimes find the rare small seasoning pack of a more obscure (for here) herb - the vendor has no idea of the tasty meals that await its addition - they know it only for its medicinal properties when used as a tea, gargle, or bath additive. (When asked what I used rosemary for, I told the vendor how tasty it was with scrambled eggs and onion - she looked at me warily).

After returning from Isida, I have been discovering the magical properties of Chamomile. It was actually "prescribed" on the list of things to buy for the baby, right there under fingernail clippers. Needless to say - we didn't buy the chamomile, but a few days passed and the Saphira began to get "spotty" and so we added some tea bags to her bath water as recommended. The redness went away. It has worked on heat rash and infant acne. And, as I looked for home recipes for diaper rash ointment that could be used in cloth diapers, I discovered that chamomile was again high on the ingredient list. At saphira's first pediatrician appointment, she was prescribed Viburcol herbal suppositories which supposedly replicate the effect of infant aspirin as a fever reducer and tranquilizer without any other side effects. (It was supposed to counter any effects of the Hep B shot and I started using it before I found out what it did - she was extra calm - but she is pretty mellow anyway and as there was no fever i discontinued use when I learned what it did exactly).

Today, I've just been prescribed two different anti inflammatory - one a rinse that is apparently commonly used by dentists and the other a cream - both with chamomile extract. Ukrainians commonly know and rely on these home remedies. When Alister was sick with a very sore throat, a friend from church stopped by with a big box of Sage and told him to gargle with it - another woman told us to put it in boiling water and inhale for congestion. You can poo-poo these things as much as you want - but they seem to work and are a heck of a lot cheaper than standard western prescriptions.

Baby Wearing outside the PNW

Baby wearing is a relatively new phenomenon here in Ukraine. And even that is limited to - mostly around the home and primarily in commercial carriers - such as a baby bjorn or an ergo or something similar. Walking around my neighborhood - you will see strollers. Lots and lots of strollers and prams - but for some things they are just bulky - it is much faster to put the kid in a carrier to run to the store for a quick purchase than have to deal with a stroller. Don't get me wrong - we have a stroller, and will be using it - but especially now while she is small- I'm using a sling.

Slings are sold in Ukraine -but I have never seen one in use. In fact, there is a Ukrainian company that is making them (they sell other "eco" and granola-y products as well that you can't find anywhere else - like organic wood chew toys and diaper liners) and on their website they specifically say that "Our store is quite unusual and the list of our merchandise for young mothers is very unique" -In other words - the baby wearing revolution is far from here.

As I walk around with my sling - I get a lot of stares. As far as I can tell, Ukrainians are in shock that 1) I am carrying a baby out and about so young, and 2) that she is in a sling and not flat on her back in a pram. Aside from the general stares -Ive received 3 polite inquiries from strangers into what I am doing and if it is safe and 1 out right lecture which I walked away from after politely explaining that her back was straight, that she could hear my heart, and that it was comfortable for her.

But, obviously, as a new, conscientious parent, after the 1st inquiry I did do a search and found that most doctors recommend baby wearing - if done correctly. Wikipedia raves about it. In fact, I couldn't find a single site saying pediatricians were against it. On the contrary - I found sites that said it helped head development, hip development, and reduced crying. Sounds like a winner to me. Moreover, the position she takes in the sling is exactly the same position she goes into naturally when I lay her on her stomach or place her on my shoulder.

Here are a few more reasons why we like slings:

1) They are the most affordable way to transport a child from 0 - 2 years (or more if your back holds up!). I made my ring sling for $8. Even on the Ukrainian site - slings cost a fraction of the price of a more "traditional" carrier"

2) Slings are easier to learn how to use than wraps and "carries" are more versitile than "traditional" carriers.

3) Slings can easily be adjusted for mommy and daddy without a headache

4) In Ukraine - w/o carseat laws (and we don't have a car) we feel that having the baby tightly in a sling around mommy or daddy adds a bit of security in a taxi or on a bumpy metro. (Safer than a mother's arms?)

5) The excess fabric on a sling works as a nursing cover

6) The sling is the most lightweight carrier (unless you have a super bulky fabric)

7) The excess fabric works as a sun cover - or a germ cover on the metro - or a cover for sitting on the ground or bench (note - wash sling frequently).

Queen of Spades

In the week before Saphira arrived, we were on a rush against the clock to do as much as possible with my mom in the city so that her trip wouldn't just be a view from our apartment and the hospital window. We did ok - we got to the Andrew's descent, took her to the village to see the mud hut (she thinks we're crazy), had a quick walk down Kreshatik to Independence square while getting documents translated - and even fit in a trip to the opera.

We went to see Queen of Spades - appropriate in that not only was it a fun trip to the opera - but it was a Russian opera by Tchaikovsky at that.

One thing that strikes you when you go to the opera - even in a language that you can understand - is that you really can't catch too many of the words anyway. I wonder if back in the day when Opera was the main source of entertainment if people were accustomed to catching the words- or if the melody and performance was the main attraction.

The story was great - a typical opera tragedy - but an interesting plot and theme that came from a short story originally written by Pushkin- why it hasn't been drawn on for a Hollywood version is probably only due to the fact that it is Russian.

The only downside to the performance is that the piece is apparently very challenging for the main character as he appears and sings in every scene. Therefore, the only scene that he sang in full voice was the last (apparently the most famous song and scene in the opera)- and that was wonderful - but for most of the opera you could barely make him out. Other than that we had a great time and mom got to see the opera house and attend her first ever opera.

Debute

Saphira made her public debut into the world at 12 days old when she attended church with us. This may seem a little late by US standards - I made an appearance at 6days old myself - but in Ukraine Babies in public before a month old (except for the daily 2 hour stroll) is unheard of. The risk of germs etc - is too great. On the one hand, its nice, it is one less thing that the mother needs to worry about - on the other hand - how long do they expect me to sit at home? Another side note, people wondered why I wasn't in the hospital a week before my due date waiting for the bay to arrive. It was enough torture waiting at home for the baby to arrive - what am I going to do in the hospital all that time?? Esp if she had been past her due date?

Anyway - everyone loved seeing the baby - but no one asked to hold her (she is too small and germs etc). Everyone was aghast that she had bare legs (she was very warm in the onesie, dress, sweater, and socks - believe me - her legs were not suffering and there WAS a blanket) and the most common comment was - oh she is so small how many "months" is she? once again demonstrating that it is uncommon for a baby to appear in public earlier than 1 month - 40 days after its birth. One woman - when I responded that she was 12 days - took a GIANT step back from us and said we were very brave.

Saphira took it all very well - slept through the entire service and only proceeded to fuss once we got home. We don't know how we managed to get such a nice, mellow baby- but are very thankful for her.

Changes

Well, as of April 13th, we are a family of three :- )

For anyone considering giving birth in Ukraine, I highly recommend ISIDA. We found the care top notch, cheaper than the equivalent in the US and really above and beyond the call of duty. Most importantly - they were willing to listen to pretty much all of our requests and were slow to do interventions despite the fact that I had a not so normal delivery since my water broke before contractions started. (When we came into the clinic at 1:30am - the doctor looked at me with this "how could you do such a thing" look and said - so are you the one whose water broke?- Which I found humorous, like I can control when my water broke?!) Anyway - we are thrilled and very pleased with the entirety of care we received at ISIDA and recommend them 100%.

My mom has been here to help out - which is a God-send as I don't know what the house would have looked like or what we would have eaten the first 2 weeks. Now, I am slowly able to do things - a load of laundry on my own and dinner were my achievements of yesterday - though I missed having a nap.

1st impressions of parenthood? Well - we were given lots of baby clothes and blankets- and I didn't see how we could possibly use them all. However - over the last three days we have soiled 7 blankets, 1 crib sheet, and 10 baby shirts/onesies etc. I had no idea. I mean 7 blankets!!

The next observation is swaddling. Somehow - in all our blankets - we didn't have one that was really acceptable for an American style swaddle - they were either too small to be effective or too heavy to be comfortable. However- in the hospital - they showed us a different swaddle - a Russian swaddle. After finally obtaining a decent sized swaddle blanket (Thanks Dawn!) I have decided that still the Russian swaddle is not only easier - but more effective. It can be used with both square and rectangular blankets (and a smaller size as well - even the receiving blankets worked for the first two weeks until she started stretching her legs out more) and so can be used as the baby gets bigger if you use a long piece of rectangular fabric. It is easier in that you don't have all this holding of the arms down as you fold fabrics and make little tucks and pleats. The main key is pulling the arms tight and making sure that when you wrap and "tie" the legs, that the arm fabric is trapped underneath the leg wrap.

Unfortunately - I have only found this one video demonstrating the "Russian Swaddle" method - but as I don't have a lot of time right now - and in the interest of spreading the ease of a tightly wrapped swaddle - I am including it.

Wear'n o the green

So it's not St. Patrick's day - in fact it is 10 days late - But Alister was gone for St. Patrick's Day and though he isn't Irish, he does like St. Patrick (who doesn't) so today we are having green cake.

The cake isn't Irish either - in fact its Japanese, but it is delicious. Even if you do something wrong and it doesn't turn out lovely and fluffy, it will still be delicious - it is just that type of cake.

Sorry - you'll have to use a scale because I haven't converted the measurements from the recipe my Japanese friend gave me.

Green Tea and White Chocolate Cake - or Green Tea Gateau Chocolat

Ingredients

180 - 200 grams white chocolate (about 2 large bars)

100 grams butter (about 1 stick)

2 Tbsp rum (optional - and have never added it)

1/4 cup heavy cream (have substituted skim milk with no ill-effect - but you do lose slightly on richness)

30 grams flour

1 tsp baking powder

30 grams (may add extra) green tea powder (you can grind your own using a coffee grinder - but you want an extra fine grind so that it looks like flour)

3 eggs, separated

30 grams sugar

30 grams sugar

1) Preheat oven to 350 F

2) Grease and flour a single round cake pan

3) Separate eggs and set whites aside

4) In a Medium saucepan add: Cream, white chocolate, butter, and 30 grams of sugar. Add rum if desired.

5) Cook on low heat while stirring with a whisk until everything is melted and well blended.

6) Temper egg yolks and add to chocolate mixture

7) Add flour, green tea powder, and Baking powder to chocolate mixture and mix well (tip - you can ensure the dry ingredients are more thoroughly mixed by mixing them together separately before adding them to the chocolate mixture)

8) Set mixture aside.

9) Beat egg whites to make meringue, gradually adding remaining 30 grams of sugar. Beat till stiff peaks firm. You may add a dash of salt or cream of tartar to aid in the meringue process.

10) Gently fold half of the meringue into the chocolate mixture

11) Fold in the remaining meringue (doing it in parts helps keep the meringue fluffy while ensuring a thorough mix)

12) Bake at 350 for 30 - 40 minutes - if you don't get the meringue right - your cake will be slightly more compact and more brownie than cake like - Alister actually like it better that way. If you have leftovers - you should store them in the fridge.

The cake is served without icing - but to make it fancier - try drizzling white chocolate on top or serve with ice cream:- )

Spring at last

Finally - the snow has melted and some days - the sky is even sunny. Even though for now the scenery is still dull and grey (and now a bit muddy!) the thrill of no snow is exhilerating. I no longer cringe with dread with the thought of going outside. Soon the grass will begin to come in and the trees will begin to bloom. I planted basil and rosemarry on the balcony and we'll see if the mint comes back or not - I bout a package of catnip but am debating about planting it - I wonder if Haggai doesn't have enough energy :-)

Yes, spring is finally here - The only thing missing is a box full of baby chics or ducklings :-)