When we took our daughter to the children's hospital in Marseille on Monday, I crossed paths with a French woman whom I will never forget. We were waiting in line to register for an x-ray and I noticed an adorable newborn in a hospital crib. I could not help but to keep stealing glimpses at this tiny angel. She brought back warm memories of Juliana as a newborn. I do not … [Read more...]
Why Paying 50% in Taxes In France Feels Great
When I was living in the USA, I was paying 35 percent taxes on my income (this included medicare and social security). I paid about $100 per month on health care through my employer, and had copayments and deductibles. For readers outside of the USA, I will explain this a little for you. Even if you pay monthly for private health insurance, you still pay a fee every time you … [Read more...]
Calling Poision Hotline After Baking a Chocolate Cake
While my husband was taking Juliana to her kiné appointment, I had a craving for chocolate. The only chocolate I had in the house was cocoa powder and I did not feel like having hot chocolate. I wanted a cookie or cake. I usually sift equal parts of flour and sugar together and mix with water until it forms dough. This cookie is definitely not gourmet, but it is quick and … [Read more...]
Finding a Child Kinétherapist in France is Worth the Effort
Juliana has difficulty looking and holding her head to the far left, as well as tilts her head to the right when looking straightforward. A few days before we moved to the south, an orthopedic doctor in Caen told us that Juliana needs kiné three times a week for a month. The first thing we did when we moved to Banon was found a kiné and started the sessions. We only have two … [Read more...]
Diagnosing a Newborn with Hip Dysplasia in France
Juliana was born with mild hip dysplasia. She showed no signs of it during her first exam by a pediatrician, but we were asked to have an ultrasound test of her hips because my husband’s family comes from Brittany. We later found out that this is a common problem for women in Brittany so baby girls are routinely checked right away. At 6 weeks old, Juliana was required to … [Read more...]