Number of days in Amsterdam – 109
Number of days without a bike theft – 105
Days since it last rained – 0 1
Well, it’s seeming that we’re heading into a beautiful fall, where we’re having as many nonrainy days as rainy days. I’ll take 50%, but I’d like better, are you with me Mama Nature?
Yesterday was Prinsjesdag, the annual Dutch budget day. It’s the sort of thing that would probably go unnoticed by many expats here in the Netherlands, but this one seems like it’s going to have massive implications.
On Prinsjesdag – held on the third Tuesday of September – the queen delivers the Speech from the Throne, and then the Parliament begins to set policy for the upcoming year. This time around, there are some items in the budget that are going after something many expats know very well – the 30% ruling.
Devised to attract what’s known as “skilled migrants,” the 30% ruling says that certain people who come to the Netherlands to work will get 30% of their salary tax free. It’s a government incentive that has done wonders to make Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole the melting pot of worldwide ideas it’s become.
Under the new rulings, outlined here, they are making it much harder to achieve the 30% ruling. Essentially, the 30% ruling will only apply for those making at least EUR 73,000. That’s a lot of change, and it makes me wonder how elite this new tax ruling will become, only helping the richest.
As a freelance writer, I never benefited from this ruling, but it seems like it could make things a little harder for companies to attract expat talent. Only the highest-paying positions will now be able to offer this added incentive. We’ll see what this means in the upcoming years.
Tonight was Mommy’s Night Out/Daddy’s Night In. That means Nicole went out with her friends in the Amsterdam Mamas while I stayed at home with another friend, helping babysit. One odd thing I noted is that this may be the last time that this happens when I don’t have a little one of my own to look after. It’s a crazy thought to think that she’s almost here, and we have so much left to do!
Bit by bit, we’re stocking up; a bottle of baby shampoo here, a good deal on baby wipes there. I’m not sure what we’ve forgotten yet, but there’s sure to be something. Hey parents who read this: what did you forget to pick up before your little one was born? If I can tap into your collective wisdom, I may be better prepared to stock up on anything I’ve totally forgotten/was never aware I needed.
Disposable diapers in two sizes (newborn and the next one up), if you are using disposables. You’ll know when your baby has outgrown the newborn ones because they will leak. A lot. If you have the next size on hand, you can switch easily, even if the stores are closed.
Men avert your eyes — but most folks who have not been around a new baby & mommy don’t realize how much the Mom needs heavy duty sanitary napkins — and bedpad.
If memory serves (this is a total brain dump, so bear with me on the verbosity) — a garbage can right near the changing area & plenty of garbage bags…babies poop. A LOT. (And it will change colors! All the time!!). A strategically-placed laundry basket. Burp cloths….babies spit. A LOT. Extra pillows (more than you’d have on your bed normally). So nice to prop baby on for nursing or just to make little nests for her on your lap. Extra blankets. Comfy clothes for Nic. Unfortunately, you don’t immediately go back to your “normal” size right after birth. Boo. Yoga pants & tees are saviors.
Have a killer “station” set up near the bed or wherever so Mom doesn’t have to MOVE for the first week+ — books, snacks (LOTS!!), water, ipod, etc. all within arm’s reach…whatever to keep Mom & baby cozy and cuddly and focused on being together without getting up and running all over. Lots of skin-to-skin bonding time (and healing time for Mom) can’t be beat.
Best advice from my Mom, and my Grandmother…and all the women in our family for generations… Nothing gets Mom’s milk coming in like a good, dark, beer. I swear!!! Lots of barley. Oatmeal (cookies!) is good for production, too. Lots of water. And tell Nic to EAT EAT EAT. She’s gonna be cranking out the milk, so needs lots of good calories all the time to keep up! And….Nurse. All. The. Time. Especially at first (even if it seems like NOTHING is coming out. It is. And it’s the best stuff for baby.). Frequent nursing will help when your body goes bonkers, and will help “establish” your production. The more you feed, the more your body knows to make, and you’ll always have plenty.
Avert thine eyes again, fellas….. Mom will need breast/nursing pads. Extra t-shirts. Until you get the hang of the whole nursing thing (and well after), you’ll inevitably have lots of “oopsie” leaks. LOTS of them. Get some great “sleep” nursing bras (which will be worn All. The. Time.). Traditional nursing bras are medieval torture devices. Avoid at all costs. A second on the multi-size diapers AND heavy-duty pads…and old undies you don’t mind trashing (sorry, guys). It’s kind of horrifying.
You’ll get the hang of it. Trust your instincts. Follow your gut. Just take it day by day and she will teach you what you need to know. She’ll tell you what she needs, when she needs it. And you’ll learn, and you’ll become experts.
geebee’s right. The hospital will most likely send you all home with a stash of sanitary napkins, but not nearly enough to get you through post-partum bleeding, which varies considerably among women in both intensity and duration. In my experience, European feminine hygiene products suck ass compared to what’s available here, although that may not be the case in a large city like Amsterdam. Have her scope it out; if Nicole has a preferred brand of momma-nappy, now is the time to ask friends and family back home to help you stock up. I’m not kidding.
Night-sweats are not uncommon while hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels. Be prepared, then, to launder and rotate sheets for Mom’s comfort; and, if your tap water is not potable, have GALLONS of bottled drinking water available. She’ll want to hydrate like she’s just come off a marathon.
First thing Katie asked for after Ella was born was a forbidden-during-pregancy food item: a turkey sandwich. Quick run to Meijer for deli turkey (I ate cured meats while pregnant; nobody told me not to) cheese, and a nice crusty white bread with lettuce and dressings, and she was soooo grateful. Maybe ask Nicole what forbidden item she’s missed, and have it on hand to prevent the need to dash out for it. Back in the day (16 years now!) the medical folks said a glass of wine in the evening was good for mom and baby, and helped the milk to let down. If that’s still considered wise counsel, then by all means have a bottle of Nicole’s favorite wine on hand. I know I appreciated it.
Other than that, grown-up’s Tylenol, and something with which to fashion a hot/cold compress in case Nicole’s a little sore down under.
If the MBR isn’t on the main floor, plan for a temporary arrangement that minimizes stair-climbing. Over-doing it physically tends to lead to heavier post-partum bleeding, and nobody enjoys that.
The Kitten will need surprisingly little the first few weeks. Just nappies, warmth, and love. I’ve got a feeling she’s going to be all set.