For months we’ve been trying to get Kariana to wear the sunglasses Grandma and Grandpa Bergen bought her, but she hasn’t wanted any part of them and cries when we put them on her. Lou, of course, has been able to talk Kariana into wearing her sunglasses! This week when Lou and Kariana take off on their morning stroller ride, Kariana has been happily wearing her “shades.”
Lou is our “super nanny” and is one of the kindness and most loving individuals I know. Lou started caring for Kariana when Kariana was only 2 months old. This means Lou was with us through Kariana’s infant reflux. Kariana’s reflux was no big deal to Lou. During these early months when Tobin and I thought the reflux would never go away, Lou would say to me “She’s adjusting to her new world. Give her time. She will outgrow it.” Sure enough Lou was right and Kariana grew out of this stage and into the next. Every time Kariana changes her nap schedule or feeding times, Lou adjusts better than we do.
Lou is from Belize and came to this country in 2002. She has six children of her own and to be quite frank I lose track of how many grandchildren because when she talks about her grandchildren she talks about all of them at once. She cared for several other young children prior to Kariana and she refers to each of these children with overwhelming love and affection. It’s easy to tell she loves children. Lou once told me she wanted to be a teacher, but being a housewife is all that she knows. You can tell she does not say this with pride, but I think she is sadly mistaken. Lou is a wonderful teacher. She has thought me so much about caring for Kariana with patience and understanding. In the beginning it was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Lou was teaching me how to care for my own daughter. I’ve come to realize my initial feelings were probably natural but silly.
Lou and I talk a lot about her life when she was raising her children. After Lou’s first child was born, Lou’s godmother lived with her to help her out. Generations and generations of families and extended families have lived together to help with the raising of children. Unfortunately, in today’s world, families are more mobile and often aren’t able to live close together so we have to rely on our extended network of friends.
Lou’s life was not easy raising six children in Belize. She managed without the modern day conveniences we take for granted. She did not have a refrigerator or a washer and dryer. There were no disposal diapers or wipes. Everyday she did laundry by hand because the soiled cloth diapers and wipes needed to be cleaned and hung outside on the line to dry for the next day.
After Kariana was born I was fortunate enough to create a part-time or reduced hour work schedule with my employer. This allows me to be home with Kariana in the afternoons. I love this time with Kariana and would not trade it for the world. It has also allowed me time to spend getting to know Lou as a friend. Lou is never quick to leave when I get home in the afternoons. Sometimes we run errands together. Sometimes we just sit around and chat while watching Kariana play with her toys. I don’t know how long Lou will be with us. She has her own financial goals and would like to return to Belize one day, but I will always consider Lou a dear friend and part of our extended family.
Lou is our “super nanny” and is one of the kindness and most loving individuals I know. Lou started caring for Kariana when Kariana was only 2 months old. This means Lou was with us through Kariana’s infant reflux. Kariana’s reflux was no big deal to Lou. During these early months when Tobin and I thought the reflux would never go away, Lou would say to me “She’s adjusting to her new world. Give her time. She will outgrow it.” Sure enough Lou was right and Kariana grew out of this stage and into the next. Every time Kariana changes her nap schedule or feeding times, Lou adjusts better than we do.
Lou is from Belize and came to this country in 2002. She has six children of her own and to be quite frank I lose track of how many grandchildren because when she talks about her grandchildren she talks about all of them at once. She cared for several other young children prior to Kariana and she refers to each of these children with overwhelming love and affection. It’s easy to tell she loves children. Lou once told me she wanted to be a teacher, but being a housewife is all that she knows. You can tell she does not say this with pride, but I think she is sadly mistaken. Lou is a wonderful teacher. She has thought me so much about caring for Kariana with patience and understanding. In the beginning it was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Lou was teaching me how to care for my own daughter. I’ve come to realize my initial feelings were probably natural but silly.
Lou and I talk a lot about her life when she was raising her children. After Lou’s first child was born, Lou’s godmother lived with her to help her out. Generations and generations of families and extended families have lived together to help with the raising of children. Unfortunately, in today’s world, families are more mobile and often aren’t able to live close together so we have to rely on our extended network of friends.
Lou’s life was not easy raising six children in Belize. She managed without the modern day conveniences we take for granted. She did not have a refrigerator or a washer and dryer. There were no disposal diapers or wipes. Everyday she did laundry by hand because the soiled cloth diapers and wipes needed to be cleaned and hung outside on the line to dry for the next day.
After Kariana was born I was fortunate enough to create a part-time or reduced hour work schedule with my employer. This allows me to be home with Kariana in the afternoons. I love this time with Kariana and would not trade it for the world. It has also allowed me time to spend getting to know Lou as a friend. Lou is never quick to leave when I get home in the afternoons. Sometimes we run errands together. Sometimes we just sit around and chat while watching Kariana play with her toys. I don’t know how long Lou will be with us. She has her own financial goals and would like to return to Belize one day, but I will always consider Lou a dear friend and part of our extended family.
Here is another picture of Lou and Kariana together. This was taken on Mother's Day 2009.
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