3 November, 2011, Ivalo, Finland~

Hello from Finland!

Nikolas Constantinos writing.  I thought I would let everybody know that little Fia Johanna, our newest daughter, has arrived safe and sound a week and a half ago: she was born on 13 October, 2011, weighing 4 pounds even.  She is very small in size, but she appears to be in excellent health, which is an answer to prayer.

Her mummy is recovering; she lost a lot of blood but blood transfusions (and quick action from the medical staff) saved her life.  She is home from hospital now, but Sari is still pretty weak.  It is going to take a while for her to recover from Fia's birth.

Sari is to stay in bed until the doctors tell her otherwise.  I am currently taking time off from work to take care of Sari and of Birtta, Ilsa, and Erick, as well as little Fia.

Fia is absolutely beautiful.  While the other children take after me, Fia looks exactly like Sari.  She is absolutely gorgeous with huge dark ice-blue eyes and white-blonde hair that will probably turn darker as she gets older.  (In the summer her hair will probably turn white, as Sari's did when she was small.)

Fia is a good baby.  The only time she cries is when hungry, wet, or poopy.  Other than that, she's very quiet, unlike Erick and Ilsa, who were noisy, fussy babies. 

Fia now weighs five pounds exactly.  She will probably take after Birtta, who is very petite for her size and age.  Birtta is one of the smallest children in her class at primary school.

I am doing well, just tired from taking care of Sari and the children.  It is nice to be off from work, so I can spend more time with my little family and get to know the newest member better.

I am happy to report that Fia was born bursting with health: no signs of defect or disability.  A miracle!

So now Sari and myself are the parents of four children: three girls and one boy.  I know Erick is jealous of Fia (as is Ilsa) because both children will look at her with contempt and envy on their little faces.  Hopefully it will pass; Sari and I will just have to give Ilsa and Erick extra cuddle time and support.

The weather is turning colder; snow has already fallen several times.  It won't be long before we will be buried in snow, which is normal for this part of Finland in the winter.  It will soon be time for Christmas and Christmas is always a big, exciting time for Finland and her people.  I know Sari adores Christmas: she goes all out for the children if she is feeling up to it.

Sari still has her good days and bad days when it comes to her  health.  She has fibromyalgia and MS and some days it knocks her low.  Some days she is in such pain or misery from her flares that she can't get out of bed, let alone, move well or get around. 

Well, Fia is crying again, so I must tend to her before she wakes Mummy up.  I will write in here again with another update; if not, Sari will.  Any way, you will be informed as to how we are doing.

Until then, this is Nikolas saying God bless! Nakemiin for now!  (I've lived in Finland long enough to pick up on the basics.  I also keep tabs on my English and native Greek.  Nakemiin means "good bye" in Finnish.)

~Nik.  :)