Summer Break with Thomas!

Well, I've been here in Kenner, LA for two weeks now. I'm staying with my sister Molly and brother-in-law Eric for the summer to care for my nephew, Thomas while Molly makes up her maternity leave. She's decided to quit her job but she has to take care of some things before she can leave.


I'm not sure about this parenting thing anymore. I think I'd have to go back on my anxiety medication. Maybe its different with your own kids, but I worry nonstop with Thomas. Did I put on enough sunscreen, or will too much seep into his skin and cause some sort of learning disability later on in life, is he eating enough, does he feel safe with me, should I leave him at the gym daycare around other children who may be sick... the list goes on. Then along with the worry comes the guilt. He has an ear infection. Poor kid, he's only 3 months old and is taking his first dose of antibiotics! So, I feel guilty thinking that maybe I didn't do something right and that's why he's sick.



The first week was rough, because we had to get into a routine. He didn't want to nap because he wasn't used to being away from Molly all day. He screamed nonstop in the car which made for some very unpleasant car rides. As if driving around New Orleans without a screaming baby isn't bad enough!


This week was better. He's sleeping more. I can also tell the difference between his cries now. We have a routine that accomodates the both of us. After last week I realized that no matter how much crap I have to venture out with , saving my sanity is definitely worth the effort! We get up, I change him, we read a book, attempt some tummy time (not his most favorite activity), feed him and then we're out of the house. On days when the heat index is below 100 degrees, I take him for a walk outside in the stroller. This week we ventured to the aquarium, scrapbook store and some local shops. Next week, we'll attempt the zoo and the library. My sister got me a membership to her awesome gym. It has a daycare, so I can go workout for two hours while Thomas plays with other kiddos. Afterwards, I take Thomas swimming in their indoor pool. He loves the water. You'd think with all the exercise I've been doing I'd be skinny by the end of the summer, but I don't see that happening. I've also discovered the gym has a great food bar available too. I also realized that Cold Stone Creamery is within walking distance.



While I'm enjoying my time with Thomas, I miss the comforts of my own home. Molly and Eric have been wonderful to me, but I'm homesick. Today I went down to the French Quarter to venture around but I got a traffic ticket for not making a complete stop at a stop sign. I was so pissed off that I didn't even park and look around. Childish, I know, but all I could think about was how much the damn ticket was going to cost me. Which I still don't know the answer to because their system isn't computerized so I have to wait 7 days for my information to be processed. What really makes me angry is that the stop sign was covered by a tree, so I really thought I was just supposed to yield. Molly says I should contest the ticket but I really don't like the idea of going to Orleans Parish for court. I could see myself either crying like a blubbering idiot from nerves or worse, get arrested and have to spend the night in jail. NOt sure what I'd get arrested for but I've watched enough Lifetime TV to know they'd find a reason, and I'm guessing their jail isn't like the one in Wakulla County.



Besides Thomas, Molly and Eric, THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT NEW ORLEANS!!!!

Well, I guess that's about it. Pray that they get to move home soon and in the meantime, I won't lose my mind! Love, J

p.s. write me and let me know how things are with you.