Anyone in Drammen??

[nataliemarie]

Hi, Just wondering if any of you are living in or near Drammen and interested in meeting? I have a baby girl who is soon 2 months old. Hope to hear from some of you!

 

Natalie

[shari_z]

Hi Natalie

 

I am in Drammen, but don't have a baby right now (am 14 weeks pregnant). I do have a daughter who will be 7 this summer and is currently in first grade at Åskollen skole.

 

Where are you from? I am from Texas, have lived in Norway since Oct 99, in Drammen since April 2000. I really like Drammen a lot!

 

 

[nataliemarie]

Hi!

I am from North Dakota. I moved to Drammen, Norway with my husband in December of 2006. I like Drammen too! Do you make it home very much or does your family visit you often? Congrats being pregnant Are you working now? Hope to hear more from you!

 

Natalie

[shari_z]

Hi Natalie

 

From North Dakota, you must be used to cold weather and snow! :-) After so many years I still do NOT like snow and cold weather, but have tried very hard not to pass along my feelings to my daughter. Must have succeeded, she loves to ski with her father. I have never learned how myself, have no sense of balance.

 

I don't get home very often, it is so expensive. I was just there at Easter as my father turned 70 and suddenly I thought, Oh, that is so old. Maybe he will not be around so much longer. So I went and got to enjoy a lovely Texas spring and visit with my family.

 

It is soon 4 yrs since my parents were last here, but they will come this autumn when I get the baby. My sisters have never been here; I wish they could come, but vacation is so limited over there that they just haven't had the opportunity.

 

Did you move to Norway in Dec 06, or just to Drammen? Do you speak Norwegian? It took me years to get the courage to speak Norwegian, though I could read and write before I moved here. Just didn't want tot make mistakes. And didn't help that if I said something wrong, my husband laughed. Not trying to be mean, but nevertheless, not very encouraging. Now, though, it isn't any problem.

 

I am not working right now because I am sykemeldt. I am a veterinary nurse and just started my first job in Norway last summer, a job I really loved and thrived in. However, my boss wasn't so happy with me but never bothered to talk with me about it, just got on my case all the time. I will be quitting that job soon I expect, but Fagforbundet is involved in the whole thing and it is such a mess. A pity really, as I so much enjoyed that job - just didn't have a clue how unhappy the boss was with me, and he didn't want to tell me.

 

Now that I am pregnant, we've decided I will be home with the kidlet until it is 3 yrs old so it can get a good foundation in English. My daughter was 3 when she started in barnehage; I think if it had been earlier her English would have been more delayed than it was (she was 5 yrs old before she spoke English, and only then because we were in Texas). I think my daughter thought I was the only person in the world who spoke English; certainly in *her* little world I was. Her father speaks excellent English (and with a British accent!), but his family convinced him he had to speak Norwegian to her or she would never learn it. Ridiculous since we live here, have only Norwegian friends, go to Norwegian church and I have assimilated into the Norwegian culture. Norwegian is definitely her first language with English a distant second. So, after the newest kidlet starts in barnehage at 3, I will try again to find another job and hopefully things will go better.

 

What about you? Do you work? On foreldrepermisjon? Do you plan to stay here, or will you go back to the USA? And have you been to the 4th of July celebration in Oslo? I recommend it! Do you just have the one baby?

 

With the great weather we've had the last few days, I think I must go outside and enjoy it. Have a great day!

 

Shari

[nataliemarie]

Hi Shari!

Yes I am a fan of the snow! I love winter and skiing and skating and everything else, but I didn't get to do much of that this past winter because I had problems with 'bekkenløsning'. Our first baby, Isabelle, was born in January. Then we pretty much enjoyed ourselves indoors, until recently

 

Yes it is expensive to travel back and forth. We moved to Norway (and Drammen) in December 2006 after we graduated from the University of North Dakota that December. Then my whole family came to visit us in May. The two of us went to my sister's wedding in NJ in October, and we'll go back there with Isabelle next month to visit my sister there and another one in Boston. I do speak Norwegian, but my husband and I speak English to eachother. Norwegian was one of my majors at UND so I had a fairly good handle on it before we came, but have definitely improved since we've been here. I worked as a server last year while I was pregnant so that helped too. I'm not working right now, and I'm not sure when/if I'll go back. My husband is going to grad school right now in Oslo and will be doing his thesis next year, so I might just work a couple weekends a month or something, but we'll see. I will hopefully stay home the first few years too. That's too bad about your job situation. Hopefully after these next few years you'll find a place you like even more

 

We plan on living in Norway for now. If or when we have a second child I'd want to have it in Norway. After that we'll see. There is a possibility of moving to the States for a few years, but I think the both of us see our lives for the most part in Norway. What about you? You plan on staying here? Anything you don't like about living here?

 

Yes! Last year we did go to Oslo for the 4th of July party. I was surprised at how many people were there. I didn't know anyone else there but it was fun to go anyway. We plan on going again this year, you too?

 

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past few days! I'm slowly getting back out and going for fairly short walks because I still have some pain when I walk. What about you? Do you get out, since you said you were 'sykemeldt'?

 

My email is [email protected] if you'd like to email me there instead. Would be fun to get together sometime if you're interested!

 

Natalie

[shari_z]

Hi Natalie!

 

Good that you spoke Norwegian when you moved here; that must have made the transition much easier. Have you been back since you moved, or had a visit from family? Although you said you are going there next month....

 

We never planned on being here so long, it was only supposed to be 2 yrs. Things have a way of changing, though. The U.S. has changed so much since I left (or maybe it's me - maybe both!) that I am not sure I'd enjoy living there anymore. I miss it very much, but my life is here. We have a better life here than we could have there, especially with regards to children, vacation, and outdoor life. If you had asked me years ago if there was anything I didnt like about Norway, you'd have had a long list! All the things that used to make me so irritated no longer bother me - except for winter, and there is no helping that. I wish there were more choices in stores, but things have improved dramatically since I came here. The cost of living doesnt bother me so much anymore, that stores are closed Sundays is okay... I am pretty much satisfied with life here.

 

I was also at 4th of July last summer! Plan on going again this year. I simply must get my fix, and I cry every time I hear the National Anthem. I never realised how patriotic I am. But it is a great family activity, and a good chance to speak English :-), and I have always loved celebrating the 4th, so I will continue going - unless I am visiting the States during that time. In 2005 I was in Texas for the 4th, and honestly I can say that the celebrating done in Frognerparken was much better than that I had at home. Well, I was actually on a road trip on the 4th in Arizona, so there was no celebrating. No flags, no music, no nothing. I was really let down. Was very glad to come "home" to Norway and celebrate the 4th over here.

 

I havent been out much lately, except to sit in the sun in the garden. I keep hoping I'll feel better soon and be able to take walks again. I love tur-orientering, and that starts up in May, I believe, so I must be better by then. :-)

 

Do you know what bekkenløsning is in English? I cannot come up with a name for it? All of my pregnancies have been here in Norway. I have been fortunate that I have never been bothered with it; hope it doesnt become a problem this time.

 

We can for sure meet sometime, just need to feel a bit better first. Maybe in a few weeks. It would be great to meet another American. I actually do not know a single American here, which is strange since they are around.

 

When in January was your daughter born? My birthday is also in Jan and I always wanted a kid born then. :-) No such luck, though.

 

Shari

 

p.s. Sorry about the lack of apostrophes here and there; I'm using a Mac and the apostrophe key is in a very inconvenient place for me.

[nataliemarie]

Hi Shari!

Sorry for the long response time, I just got back from my visit to the States and wasn't on the computer much! I visited my sisters on the east coast, one in Hoboken, NJ and the other in Cambridge, MA. We were there for three weeks and I wasn't quite ready to come back! I just miss my family when I'm here...

 

How is your pregnancy going? Do you feel any better?

 

Our daughter was born January 16th. When is your birthday? I have my birthday on January 25th.

 

Still planning on going to the 4th of July party in Oslo? We are planning on going. If we don't meet up before then we could meet eachother there. Do you drive or take the train? We drove last year, not sure what we'll do this year.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully we can meet soon!

Natalie

[shari_z]

Hi Natalie!

 

Pregnancy is going well, but I have a ton of Braxton-Hicks contractions that are uncomfortable at best. Last time I got put into Riks at 26 wks because of preterm labor, so they are going to keep an eye on me this time. Other than that, having a good time with the whole thing!

 

My bday is January 5. How great for you to have your daughter for your birthday! Must have been a very nice celebration this year. :-)

 

I totally understand about missing family. The first years were so hard for me, but I have more or less gotten used to it. And now when I am home in Texas, I realise I am not so very American anymore. Things have changed over there in the 8.5 yrs I've been gone, and I havent been there to follow all of them so it comes as a shock to me when I visit. At the same time it is a shock to realise that Drammen is also home now.

 

I miss my family terribly, but thankfully I talk with them several times a week. Tried to call my father for Father's Day, but there was no answer, so in the end I sent an email telling him Happy Father's Day. Got an answer back on Monday evening that he and my younger sister had been in a rollover accident. They aren't seriously injured, only banged up and sore, but her Excursion and 3 month old travel trailer are totaled. :-( I get *VERY* stressed when I get that sort of news because there is nothing I can do from over here. She works for an agency traveling around on 3 month assignments (a physical therapist assistent), so she really depends on having a trailer. Some friends are loaning her their motorhome, but said she cannot have her 3 children, dog or 2 cats in it, so all the pets and kids are with my parents, which is hard on them. I wish so much I could be there to help them out, and it is times like these that I am not very happy to be on this side of the pond. Just very thankful that it was only *things* that were destroyed, not father or sister. Somebody upstairs was looking out for them.

 

I am still planning on the 4th of July thing. We've always driven in, cheaper than the train when there are several of us going, so I guess I will do that again this year. I think that my husband has to work that weekend, and if he does, it will be me and my daughter. She doesnt really realise she is American and Norwegian, so I must use every opportunity I can to expose her to American stuff. I am looking forward to it, but hope the warm weather comes back soon! Summer should be hot, in my way of thinking, not cool like it is now. And the hotter, the better. In any case, I have no doubt that I will enjoy it. We should definitely meet up there, if not before.

 

What sort of stroller have you gotten for your daughter? I have an Emmaljunga I used last time, but it was soooo heavy! Otherwise I liked it very much, just impossible on hills. Would like something lighter weight that I can also use in the forests. I also have my Graco travel system, but the car seat is out of date so must get a new one. It was great for using at the malls, but not on lysløype. Back then we got a lot of grief for using it because "babies should only lay flat on their backs". Now you can buy those systems over here so prejudices should have decreased dramatically. But in 2001, it was unheard of, and everyone told us we were ruining our child for life. Times do change.....

 

Maybe we could meet at a cafe in town? I am often down in the town center. Like to buy fruits/veggies on the torg. My daughter is in her last week of school now, but will be in SFO until June 26, then she's home with me for the summer.

 

Shari

[nataliemarie]

Hi Shari!

That sounds great, it would be nice to meet in a cafe downtown. I sent a message to you with my number, so check your inbox in here!

 

Natalie

[Gjest Lykkeliggift_]

hi there. i live near Drammen (about 15 minutes by car), i have a daughter who's 8 months old and a son who's 3.5 yrs.

I came to Norway from Russia in 2002, so I don't have any friend network here in Norway, so it would be cool to meet other parents living in this area. I work as interpreter in both english and russian, and like talking to english speaking people.

Send me a privat message if you think it's a good idea to meet:)

Helli

[shari_z]

Hi moonlight83 og Andrea

 

I have sent you a private message. Do you still live in Sande? Read your profile there. That isn't so far away, well depending on where in Sande.

 

Shari

[embo]

Great to see some other drammensere her )

 

I moved to Drammen from London in April 06. I am currently at home with my 11-week-old daughter, and as I don't have any friends living locally, I'm really missing adult conversation during the day whilst my husband is at work! So if anyone wants to meet up for a cuppa and a chinwag, drop me a line!

 

Emma

[shari_z]

Hi Emma

 

I know all about missing adult conversation! I was at home with my oldest daughter until she was 3 years old and thought I'd lose my mind without adult contact. At the time, I couldn't speak Norwegian and had few friends, so I didn't know what to do.

 

I am seriously considering going to the Åpenbarnehage at Tangen kirke mondays and fridays - have you heard of it? I've met another American mom here in Drammen who is home with her child and we thought about going together. It would be fun if you went along as well.

 

Do you otherwise like Drammen and life in Norway? I guess if you've read the whole thread here you know about me, but a short intro if you haven't: I'm Shari, married to a Norwegian, have lived in Norway since Oct 99 and in Drammen since April 00. I have two daughters, Clara-Grace age 7 and Ingeborg-Nuki, 1 month. I actually have one more daughter, Kayla, who unfortunately was stillborn. I'm American, from Texas, soon to be 39 years old and like living here. I'm a veterinary nurse, but I think I want to take a new education as jobs are hard to come by and fit poorly with family life (at least for me it works poorly). I also have a boxer dog, Mina, who loves the new baby and wishes she could be the mommy.

 

We should try to meet up sometime; it'd be great to meet other English speaking people.

 

Shari

[Alessi med 2 fine gutter]

Hi all!

 

I am Norwegian, but I am married to a South African. We have a 3 month old son who will be bilingual. We speak English at home, although my husband's first language is Afrikaans (originating from Dutch). I am from Oslo but moved to Lier 2 years ago. I don't really know a lot of people around here and there has not been arranged any "barselgruppe" yet. Would love to meet up, if a Norwegian person is allowed in the group ;o)

[shari_z]

Hi!

 

Maybe we can make our own little english group? What do you all think? I will see Natalie today and can ask her, but Emma and Alessi (don't remember the rest of your nick) and Moonlight83, would you be interested? And Alessi, yes, you can be with us. :-)

 

Shari

mamma to Clara-Grace age 7 and Ingeborg-Nuki, 5 weeks

[embo]

Hi!

 

Yep, I'm definitely interested!

 

Emma

[shari_z]

Hi Emma

 

I spoke with Natalie and she was also very interested. I'll send the other two a pm and ask if they are interested as well. It could be a while before they check in here....

 

 

Shari

[rajniuk]

Hello

 

Just wondering if there is room for one more?! I have been living on and off in Drammen since 2001 when I got married to a lovely Norwegian man, but really only moved here properly last year. Am now 25 weeks pregnant with my first kid and would really welcome the chance to talk to others in English! I missed the opportunity to take the Norwegian classes on offer here but hope to start that up at some point if possible.

 

It would be nice though, to have a natter in a language in which I am fluent! Am also a bit scared (okay an understatement) about having a first child!

 

Best wishes

 

Rajni

 

rajniuk

[shari_z]

Hi! We will meet at Tangen kirke åpen barnehage Monday, 16 March 2009. It is from 10am to 1pm. Natalie and I will be there, although I have to leave a bit early that day to make an appointment at my oldest daughter's school, but will be there most of the time. I will send also a pm to all those on this thread, so if anyone else would like to join us, feel free.

 

And you, Ranji (? - dont remember your nick quite right), who is 25 weeks pregnant, or was in the beginning of February, you could also come as well and visit with us, even though your baby is still inside. :-)

 

Shari

[rajniuk]

Hello Shari

 

Thanks for your reply. For some reason, I didn't see it - pregnant brain maybe!

 

Anyway, really nice of you to tell me about the meeting. I am due on Tuesday - somehow think it will be late anyway.

 

I hope I can keep up to date with your meetings and maybe join in.

 

Thanks again

 

 

Rajni

rajniuk

 

 

[shari_z]

Hi Rajni!

 

Good luck with your birth, if you are still waiting. Otherwise, congratulations! :-)

 

Natalie and I still meet often, but now we go for walks. Once you're up to it, you are welcome to join us. We'll likely take a break for the summer due to holiday schedules, but I can send you a pm or post here next time we meet, and you can join us if you feel up to it.

 

Warm regards,

Shari

[rajniuk]

Hello again Shari

 

Thanks for your message. I am still waiting for this baby! I had been told that I would be induced yesterday as my legs have been swollen for ages and the doctors were worried about them. But they seemed to change their mind yesterday and said I had to come back on Monday. I was extremely upset, especially as the doctor seemed quite heartless. I have for the most part had very postitive experiences here with the doctors and midwives so was really disappointed. All my fears came rushing back so I feel I am back to square one on that front!

 

Anyway, please do keep me updated about when you go for a walk if you don't mind me joining in. It would be lovely. I imagine I will join after the summer. The great thing about Drammen compared to London is how much natural exercise you can get by just walking in such a nice environment! It's so much more motivating!

 

Thanks for keeping in touch!

 

Rajni

[shari_z]

Hi Rajni,

 

I completely understand your frustration - I have been there myself a few times, latest in October! I hope that your labor starts on its own this weekend and you don't have to go through an induction (I've had three, both good and bad). I've heard that natural starts are better, but what do I know, based on my experience? But to encourage you, look forward to this! It is an amazing thing to deliver a baby, and you really just cannot imagine the strength of your body until you have gone through it. I would do it again in a heartbeat. :-) Just ask for pain relief if you need it, there is no point in being heroic. I have asked for an epidural all three times. The first time it worked wonders. The second time I dilated so fast from 5-10 cm that by the time the anesthesiologist got there, it was too late as I had to push. And this last time, about the same: he got the needle in my back, but didnt have time to give me any pain relief as I had to push. Ask the midwives to massage you, let you take a shower/bath, deliver standing or kneeling, etc - all these things can help. And listen to them, because they really can give you good tips to help it go easier. And concentrate, because it is the hardest job in the shortest time you will ever have to do and you need all your concentration on it. But it is also the greatest thing, an absolute miracle. I'd do it for you if I could. :-) You get the idea I totally like the giving birth part? Actually, I love the whole thing of pregnancy, even if I do get sick and have pelvic problems and that birth is painful. It is great!

 

I was promised this last time that I would not have to go over my due date and would be induced before that, but it didnt happen that way. I went in for a control at 40+4 and was told I had to come back the next day. I can tell you I was pretty bummed and told the doctor that flat out. Actually I said other things, but you get my point. Then on my way home, Føden called me and said I couldnt come the next day, that I had to wait to the day after! Then I was really ticked - but what to do? I finally got induced 40+6 and delivered 41+0.

 

Let us know when you have your little baby, and I'll keep in touch with you so you can join up with us. I leave for home (Texas) on 17 June and will be gone all summer. I will be so ready to get back out into nature and take walks, so we can for sure meet up! I'm anxious to hear how everything goes for you.

 

Best wishes and Good luck for a great delivery! You will do just fine, and before you know it, you'll have your baby in your arms. :-)

 

Shari

[rajniuk]

Thank you so much for your encouragement Shari! I really need it at the moment as I lost all confidence after a rather horrible experience with the doctor on Thursday. She had no bedside manner and was quite rude.

 

To be honest, I would have put up with going over by 14 days if we hadn't been led to believe that I would be induced on Thursday. But now, I am really wishing that it will happen naturally! For the past two months, I have had a lot of water and poor blood circulation in my legs which has prevented me from walking for more than ten minutes at a time! However, it seems to have cleared up over the last few days and I am trying to walk as much as I can and having baths in the hope that something will happen!! No luck as yet.

 

Anyway, I will certainly keep you updated but I think you will be in Texas by the time I get to check mail again. I wish you a lovely time over there and look forward to meeting you and hearing what it is like to be a Texan in Drammen! I have only been to Florida and San Francisco - where my husband Christian proposed to me. I love San Francisco and would definitely go again!

 

Thank you for your offer to give birth for me - if only!

 

God ferie!

 

Rajni

[shari_z]

Hi Rajni!

 

I guess you are in the hospital now being induced, if you didn't go into labour on your own already, but I will write anyway. Best wishes!!! I hope all goes/went well for you. I will be thinking of you today and hoping you have/had a nice labour and delivery, and are now enjoying your new little baby.

 

We must meet sometime after I come back from Texas. I would love to exchange stories on the help we ( you and I) got from the hospital. I had some really fine doctors and midwives, and others who I didn't care for at all. Same for barnepleierne on barsel - some were fabulous and others were.... not fabulous. :-( I hope you get the good ones, especially if you are wanting to breastfeed, as it makes a world of difference. I felt so discouraged, even though I had previous experience with breastfeeding, when I couldn't get her (my baby) to attach correctly, and when she didnt gain enough weight, I felt like the most horrible mother on earth and started bawling. Then along would come a good barnepleier and encourage me and make me think I could do it after all.

 

I leave to Texas next week, the 17th. And I suppose I will be checking in on dib/bim while I'm over there - I admit that I am a little bored otherwise and addicted to reading here. :-) You will surely be home from the hospital before then, so let me know how everything went!

 

Big hugs for a good delivery!

Shari