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Happy Chinese New Year!

When you think of Finland, do you imagine big Chinese New Year celebrations? Yeah, neither did I. So imagine my surprise when I came across this when I went to the library yesterday.

I’m afraid I only got terrible photos, but the number of events I’ve seen is impressive! We got to watch a small fireworks out our window as well!

I was surprised to find that the Chinese have a large immigrant population in Finland, especially in the capital. This is easy to miss, because the Chinese are also one of the largest tourist populations as well. In retrospect, I wonder how many groups that I assumed were tourists were actually residents.

I only have one complaint about the Chinese New Year in Finland - where are the moon cakes? With this many events, I would expect to see them in the stores, at least in the small bakeries and pastry shops. But not a single one. Alas. I guess I'll just have to buy myself some pulla instead (basically sideways cinamon rolls with fancy sugar on top).

In other news, it has been a lovely year to not be in the Midwestern United States. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed NOT enduring another polar vortex. I like it when the air doesn't hurt to breathe. That's not too much to ask, right? The lowest temperature in January was -14C in Helsinki. In Milwaukee, it was -31C. THAT IS SO COLD.





What we lack in cold, we have made up for in lots and lots of heavy, wet snow. This is the stuff that breaks your back when you try to shovel it. It is the perfect recipe for idyllic snowman. It is a nightmare to drive a stroller through. Aaron is enjoying it the most with his new skis.
Hovering around 0C has also created a lot of ice. I finally broke out my new snow cleats. I never dreamed those would be part of my ordinary attire, but I also never thought my hiking boots would become my everyday shoes.

In baby life, our little ten month old has learned how to clap! This is a thrilling development for him, as he now has a clear way of expressing what food he likes. Eats a strawberry, clap clap clap. Eats chicken, clap clap clap. Eats carrot.... no clap. :)
He has become much easier to feed now that dairy is allowed in his diet. He has gotten a taste for real food, and he is DONE with purees. And, of course, anything tastes better direct from mom or dad's plate. 


Still not crawling, but he can push himself backwards and spin very slowly. He's working on getting up onto his knees. He can stand - if you put him in the position. Getting stronger every day, but absolutely NO desire to pull himself up to sit or stand, or to roll. Soren is officially the most relaxed baby ever. 


Maybe by the next update, he'll be crawling! For now, I'm going to enjoy that I can leave the room and he's always exactly where I left him, pulling the toys to him rather than moving himself. Smart baby :)



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