Falcones in Nova Scotia

Patriot Days

2011-06-26T13:20:00.004-03:00

As part of the lead up to Canada Day, towns across Nova Scotia (maybe Canada...Canadian friends help me out...do they have this in other places too??) have Patriot Days, or called Privateer Days, or called Bedford days...you get the idea. In our town, we have Patriot Days which hosts several little events throughout the community - one of the first being the Family Fun Fair.

Navarre has been talking about last year's FFF off and on since last year. She was only 2, about to turn 3, then but she recalls it vividly. How she scared of the Shrek character. How she didn't like the bouncy castly because Shrek scared her. How the cow character from the local dairy gave her a balloon and made it all better. So, we were hoping this year's FFF lived up to all she remembered.

Well, she got her face painted again, which was a bonus. She played little games that won her prizes, and she jumped in several bouncy castles, including a bouncy castle maze. She got balloons and very happy with this year's FFF. She's talking about next year's FFF already. And, to make it interesting and quite comical, we offered to take our friends' little boy, Carter, with us because they were moving! So, picture Jamie and I wrangling up Navarre, almost 4 years old, Jay, just turned 1 year old, and Carter, almost 2 years old. It was quite the site :)

And then we had fun in the laundry basket. For some reason Navarre likes to pretend she's either dirty laundry or a piece of fluff. I don't know. She's strange.

First birthdays and last days

2011-06-08T20:36:00.006-03:00

It's been a long time since I posted anything, which if you're reading you know. The past 6 months have been tough and tiring and joyful and hopeful at the same time. On a very happy note, we celebrated Pooter's 1st birthday this past Saturday with a party at our house. Close friends and family and two cakes made it an awesome time.

I made photo garlands of pictures of Jay from throughout the year and hung up from the chandelier. For a first try, I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

Daddy and Jay waiting for the party to start.

Big boy struttin' his stuff.

His smash cake, which was really big :)

Can I get this whole cake in my mouth? Maybe...

I LOVE CAKE!

I'm also back to work this week. I can't believe it's been a year. I said the same thing when I went back after a year away from (outside) work with Navarre. It's good to be back and hopefully the family can get into a nice little work week routine in the mornings. It will definitely be nice having two full incomes again.

I promise to not be away as long before the next post. There's so much to write about...Jay's shrek ear getting removed, the dead deer carcass in the woods next to the house, how long it will take a multinational consulting conglomerate to get me a functioning computer...until next time. Ciao.

In like a lion, out like a lamb

2011-01-27T15:45:00.005-04:00

Let's hope this is true. 2011 has come in, not just like a lion, but more like a mother lioness who is protecting her cubs from poachers and is trying to fight for the last bit of food on earth to feed her babies. I would not want to cross her. That's how 2011 has greeted us, so let's hope in about 11 months it's feeling a bit more lamb-y.

2010 wrapped up with us in Baton Rouge for Christmas, and I wanted to share some of the pictures from the trip. I should have taken more, like always, but we've got some keepers in here to share. More pictures to come tomorrow (or this weekend).

Christmas morning with Daddy!

Playing with her new dress up princess magnets in her new tiara and dress

Playing with cousin Dylan

...and cousin Spanky

What you talkin' bout, Paw-Paw?

Please notice Jay's footwear attire.

Our beautiful children

My other life has begun

2011-01-09T22:56:00.002-04:00

My other life has begun. The one in where you learn what is most important to you - the people most important to you, the values most important to you, the love most important to you and the kind of life you want to lead that is most important to you. I'm sure this should have happened earlier in my life, but I'm finding it happening now. I have found strength in places that I didn't know I had, and weakness at times when I felt empty inside.

I have been learning that there are silver linings to all clouds, or hurricanes or weather bombs...and I try to focus on those. I do have several silver linings in this situation that I try to remind myself of before I go to bed each night.

I have a the most wonderful and loving husband and children any woman could ask for.
I have the most loving, supporting and helpful mother.
I have the most sincere, loving, charitable extended family and friends.
I have the most cheerful, sweet children that can make me smile at almost any given time of the day or night.
I have an amazing sister who I am lucky enough to call my best friend who knows how I feel before I tell her, and knows what to say before I do.
I have the most awesome dad in the world. He makes me feel loved and makes me laugh. He's grown to be one of my best friends, and I am lucky to have the opportunity to spend time with him.

Think of one thing that is most important to you tonight. I bet it will be a good one.

Good night.

Many firsts

2010-11-24T09:33:00.009-04:00

The month of November has given us many firsts in the Falcone house. Jay is now eating solid food, and he is attempting to crawl. Navarre and Jay take baths together since Jay splashes too much in his little infant tub. Navarre loves to put on shows for us...unless we specifically ask for a certain song or show, then it's a no go. Navarre is tracing her letters and doing a wonderful job. Her swimming lessons have ended, and she ended the class with jumping off the side without holding on to anyone's hands and kicking herself around the pool on the kick board. Hopefully the pictures below show you how much fun we've been having this month.

I love the bath!

Navarre yells across the pool, "I'm doin' it! I'm doin' it!"

"MMMM, I love oatmeal."

Me: "Navarre, it's time to get ready for bed."

Navarre: "I'm ready."

Me: "Do you think all princesses go to bed like this?"

Navarre: "Yes"

Navarre's letters...she traced all of these except for the w!!

Plum tuckered out.

Play it again, Jay.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T22:05:00.004-03:00

Jay enjoyed his first Halloween. He went trick-or-treating with Daddy and Navarre, while I stayed home and passed out candy. He was asleep in the stroller by the second house. The weather was crappy - misty rain and cold - but that didn't deter Tinkerbell, the cow and Daddy. Navarre was so excited that she actually looks happy in this picture and forgot to pose or do a silly picture face that she normally does.

Here is the aftermath of having Halloween candy as the bedtime snack....yes, that is chocolate smeared on her mouth and a piece of chocolate she is affectionately holding against her cheek.

The Great Pumpkin

2010-10-20T15:09:00.006-03:00

My last picture post was right before Nanny and Aunt Betty arrived. They were here for Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. It really is an awesome time of year to be up here, which is why we usually have visitors that weekend. We went to the Valley and picked apples and pumpkins and gourds. We did fun kiddie Valley stuff like pay too much to go to the lame ass petting zoo they had at the orchard and walked around looking for the pigs they said you could feed apples to - not I said looking for, not feeding. We escaped the orchard with minimal fits from Navarre. Just the usual, "I'm super pissed off because I'm little and don't understand that I can't pick the gargantuan pumpkins from the vine like I pick apples from the tree" type of attitude from the 3-year old. We had a really good Thanksgiving dinner at Jamie's folks' place, and Nanny and I made apple jelly ALL day Monday. It was a nice weekend with beautiful weather, nice visits with family and a good time all-round.

Navarre must have got her love of puzzles from Nanny.

The jammies glow in the dark, but if Navarre doesn't fall asleep before hers loses their "glow", then she gets upset.

Sadly, this is the best picture of this three-ring circus.

A pair of caterpillars

2010-10-07T21:11:00.002-03:00

It's so amazing how quickly they grow and change...

Jaybird

2010-09-25T12:34:00.000-03:00

Why do smiles come the best when he's on the change table?

Strike a pose

2010-09-24T12:28:00.001-03:00

I said, "Navarre, let me take some pictures of your new haircut." This is what I got. Seriously.

Size comparison #2

2010-09-05T15:33:00.004-03:00

As a parent of two kids and being a younger sibling myself, I'm very cognizant not to compare my children, especially since we have a girl and a boy. That being said, I can't get over the size difference in these early months. Remember the first size comparison (click here to see), well, here is comparison #2.

Jay at 11 weeks, 5 days

Navarre at 14 weeks, 3 days

This sleeper fits Jay more snuggly at 11 weeks than it did on Navarre at 14 weeks. I guess he's running about a month bigger! And now neither child is buckled into the swing.

Size comparison #2

2010-09-05T15:33:00.003-03:00

Jay at 11 weeks, 5 days

Navarre at 14 weeks, 3 days

This sleeper fits Jay more snuggly at 11 weeks than it did on Navarre at 14 weeks. I guess he's running about a month bigger! And now neither child is buckled into the swing.

Beaches

2010-09-03T12:38:00.005-03:00

Jumping waves with Daddy

Crystal Crescent Beach

I've been promising pictures of our beach trips for some time now. We discovered two beaches this summer - Bayswater (about 1 hour from us) and Crystal Crescent (about 45 minutes from us). My fave is Crystal Crescent. The sand is finer and whiter than most Nova Scotia beaches, and the water is beautiful - a little on the chilly side, but beautiful.

Crystal Crescent Beach

Jay was pretty good on all of our beach trips. We kept him in the shade, and he was content for the most part. Spider monkey LOVES the beach. She loves rolling in the sand, jumping the waves, running down the beach, finding shells/rocks - all good things given she was named after a beach. After all, she is her mother's daughter.

Jay at Bayswater

Navarre at Bayswater. Nicole, it's her first hole!

My two boys

Navarre finding shells

Navarre being Navarre

Progress

2010-08-27T10:29:00.002-03:00

We seem to have one of the few babies that doesn't like a car ride. That's right. Apparently there are babies who cry every time they get in the car - for the whole car ride - regardless if that ride is 5 minutes or 50 minutes. It's really awesome to have Jay crying and Navarre repeating the same line from a Disney movie (any princess movie - you pick and she can drop a line) over and over and over again.

Well, this morning I took Navarre to the sitter's house, and Jay was not only not crying for the ENTIRE ride, he was even awake. We get Navarre to tell us if his eyes are open, and when asked this morning she said, "Yep, they're open, and he's not crying."

Now, according to Google Maps, this drive is only 6 miles. However, I consider this tremendous progress.

Like

2010-08-26T13:32:00.003-03:00

I was totally, utterly, dead set against Facebook. I was a hold out - for a long time. Then I joined. And the creeping, wall updating, picture tagging, etc. began. As much as I use Facebook, it still annoys me. Until today. Finding this link posted by a friend of a friend, made it all worth it. Click here to enjoy.

Anyone with children, or married to a man over 35 years old, will appreciate this. Get ready to laugh your ass off.

I dare you

2010-08-15T21:34:00.002-03:00

If you're having a bad day, I dare you to look at these pictures and still have that frown on your face.

Public Gardens, Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 2010

2010-08-10T16:44:00.000-03:00

More, more, more

2010-08-09T16:19:00.003-03:00

Hot times in the city...

Sad times in the city...

Arrrr, matey

"The Jewish One"

2010-08-07T09:40:00.002-03:00

Am I old enough to have been married for 6 years and have 2 children? I guess so.

Happy Anniversary, Jamie. Each year during the day on our anniversary I think about what we were doing at that time in 2004. Then I laugh when I get to the time in the day when the putt putt course attacked you.

Happy Birthday, Navarre

2010-08-03T09:56:00.000-03:00

Navarre had a great 3rd birthday. Well, I say great, but she was in a bit of a mood for her party. She had a good time, but was not her typical social-self. I'm looking forward to things calming down for her during August. After this low-key visit from the Mays (whoo hoo:), things can calm down; she can go back to Lisa's more regularly; she won't expect a present or card every day; and not everything coming into my house will be bubble gum or neon pink with the Disney Princesses logo on it. Ahhhh, that will be nice.

Welcome to the par-tay

2010-08-01T13:58:00.003-03:00

Right before 2nd birthday party - turns out she was sick

First birthday cake ever

Birth Day

Today is Navarre's birthday party with a bit of a slip 'n slide/kiddie pool feel to it. I think she is going to LOVE the slip 'n slide - given there was a fit on the kitchen floor this morning when I showed it to her and wouldn't let her slip and slide ASAP. Having to wait until after her nap for the party proved to be too much for the almost 3-year old. She keeps asking every day if she's three yet. I can only imagine her excitement when she will about to hit the double digits!

Navarre, I hope you have an awesome party and enjoy your 4th year on this planet with us half as much as you've enjoyed the first three.

2007 vs. 2010

2010-07-30T09:58:00.000-03:00

Navarre at 6 weeks old

Jay at 5 weeks + 2 days old

Up in sugar

2010-07-29T09:48:00.001-03:00

4th of July homemade beignets

Does it get any better than this?

Brotherly love

Get my good side

2010-07-28T09:44:00.002-03:00

Canada Day 2010

Still Canada Day...

Baking biscuits with Big

Snoozing with Big

Say cheese

2010-07-27T09:36:00.003-03:00

Father's Day 2010

Jay 11 days old

Princess coloring

I've got so many pictures to share with everyone over the past couple of months that I'm going to post a few pics each day for the next little while. I hope everyone enjoys...and you can use the share buttons on the bottom of the post to send to others if you like.

Enjoy.

Goodbye Poo

2010-07-20T20:37:00.005-03:00

If anyone has talked to Navarre on the phone in the past few weeks, you'll know that every conversation ends with "Goodbye, Poo." Her fascination with all things excrement is in full swing. She's doing great on the potty, and I guess the trade off is references to Poo all day. That's fine - I'll make that trade.

I guess I should back up some...About a week after Jay was born, Mom came up to visit for 3 weeks. We didn't do much, but had a great time. She helped us immensely, and Navarre got some much needed attention so that we could focus on the new baby. There was the Family fun Fair for Canada Day and homemade beignets for 4th of July. We played in the pool on the deck, did a little shopping, went out to eat a couple of times and that was about it, but we had a great time.
We said "Goodbye Poo" to Paw-Paw, Auntie and Caroline today. They've been here for a week, and it was a fun, chaotic week to say the least. Having 3 children in the house under the age of 3 is quite the experience. I don't recommend it without liquor, burning stuff outside or window AC units in the bedroom so you can't hear other children crying or fussing or anyone doing anything else. They arrived about a week after Mom left. Dad helped with cutting down dead trees in the yard and painting; Nicole helped coral the kids and got a new wardrobe for Caroline; Jamie helped with all of the above and smoked cigars, burned stuff and drank Crown with Dad. All in all it was a great visit.

(photo credit: Lyndsay Doyle)

Jay is doing really well. He is a great baby. He has regressed a bit at night with his sleep. I was getting more sleep than I am now, but all in all he's great. He's much more mellow than Navarre was at this age. He's 6 weeks old now, and I can't believe that much time has passed already.

Who's the cutest baby boy?

2010-06-14T12:15:00.003-03:00

Thank you to Nicole for posting pics on the blog this past week. This is the first time I've been online much since we got home on Thursday. I thought I would put up Jay's official hospital picture since it was so good :)

Introducing James Louque Falcone

2010-06-10T12:02:00.026-03:00

Baby Jay was born on Monday, June 7th at 12:48 p.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 7 ozs and 19.5 inches long. Momma and baby are doing well.

Boy named Sue

2010-05-31T15:14:00.003-03:00

So, I'm off work and I'm at home. I'm really trying hard to not look around and see all of things I want to get done. I try hard not to do that most days of the week, but I'm really trying now. I've got a couple of appointments this week and Caroline's dress to hem; other than that, I'm just resting, relaxing and getting ready for this little bundle of joy.

I'm also trying to think how long Navarre will keep insisting on her name for the baby...Buttercup Poopie Falcone.

Always a planner

2010-05-27T07:00:00.001-03:00

Is it bad if I've already found the dress I'd like to wear for Navarre's wedding one day if the occassion arises? You can see it if you click here.

Dirt Dobbers

2010-05-26T07:00:00.000-03:00

So, Jamie's soccer team was at our house on Victoria Day after their game. The team and a couple of wives and kids. I could go on about a bunch of other stuff about that night, but I won't. However, one child and Navarre started playing in potting soil in a pot on the deck - with all the Dads watching. Please note how happy Navarre is while she is covered in dirt and has dirt in her hair. And more importantly, that she is using a beer bottle cap to dig with. Good times.

Global disgust

2010-05-25T20:05:00.002-03:00

I've got so much disdain and disgust for every organization - governmental and private sector - involved with this oil spill. This is the real underwater footage of the plumes of oil and dispersant that I've seen.

Have a look at this and be ready to lose your lunch.

20 days

2010-05-18T09:38:00.005-03:00

I cannot believe the baby will be here in 20 days from today. That seems unreal to me. I look around and see all the things that should get done before he comes, but that probably won't. Then I try to tell my preggo brain to put them on the list for family to help us with this summer when they come. But unless I actually write it down, it will likely be forgotten. I look at Navarre and wonder what she is going to think in 3 weeks. I have seen her be more and more unselfish with her friends lately, hoping this is a precursor to her demeanor with her baby brother. I can really see a nurturing, protective side to her that I think will really come out when the baby comes.
As for me, I'm tired, sick and ready to have the baby. It's been a harder pregnancy than with Navarre - 4.5 months of severe "morning" sickness, month long illness in February, hospitalization in April, car wreck, another crappy sickness, Mee Maw passing, and I'm done. 20 more days...
Here are some pics to tide yall over until I have another child that I can promise pictures of and not post enough of :)

Planting trees with Daddy.

Notice the "pirate" pants with the Cinderella dress.

Navarre instructed me to say, "aaahhh, it's a scary ghost."
I'm just not seeing scary in
this nice smile:)

When cookie dough attacks

2010-04-24T20:03:00.003-03:00

Actually, it was more like when momma tries to do something fun with daughter like make chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles, puts the mixer on a little table down low for her to reach and help pour stuff into, then turns her back to bring a bowl to the sink, and realizes she hears the paddle on the mixer spinning when she knows she left it up out of the bowl.

That would more accurately explain these pictures....

Easter and Springtime

2010-04-12T13:04:00.004-03:00

Here are some pictures from Easter weekend. We had a great time and did some work around the house and just relaxed the rest of the time.
As usual, Jamie and Scotia Brass played at a church service Easter morning. It has been a Baptist service the past few times, but this year it was United. I took Navarre, and she was remarkably well behaved for the over 1 1/2 hour long service. She did so well and danced in the pew when Daddy played.

After church, we went home and the Easter Bunny had come! I think Navarre's favorite was her new bug kit with the magnifying glass.

It was such a gorgeous day, we played outside for the rest of it. And the worms loved going down the slide.

It was a Good Friday

2010-04-08T19:54:00.005-03:00

We started our Easter weekend on Good Friday dyeing Easter eggs, like we've done at Nanny's every year. I love it. I don't know why, but I absolutely love it. I've done it every year I've lived in Halifax. We missed Shaina this year. She usually joined us when we both lived near each other. She totally shared in my enthusiasm for the food coloring, water and eggs. Jamie always colors eggs with me and fakes his enthusiasm the entire time, which I completely appreciate and love.
This year we had Team Currie over. I was utterly shocked to learn Shelly had never done this. She was, hold your breath, a dyeing egg virgin. I figured this would be something that small town Nova Scotians reveled in growing up - apparently not. So, Shelly and Huddy have now experienced Good Friday - tuna fish with speckled eggs and all.

The kids did pretty good. The toughest part was getting them not to put more than one egg in the cup at a time and getting them to not put the eggs back into color after we had put them in the trays to dry. All in all they did a wonderful job, and we had a blast!

75 days

2010-03-30T19:19:00.002-03:00

That's right...75 days to go. The baby is moving more than ever before and loves to keep me up at night with his kung fu kicks. On the positive side, I can now rest a bowl of food on my belly while sitting in the recliner :)

Green Acres

2010-03-18T19:09:00.004-03:00

93 days

2010-03-12T19:58:00.004-04:00

93 days to go until my due date. Almost there? Sure why not. I'm having a boy, which is a bit difficult to wrap my head around. I always pictured Navarre with a sister, and they would fight until one day they just became best friends. Isn't that how sisters work? That's how Nicole and I worked.....Anyway, now her little brother is going to look really funny in all these twirly, whirly dresses Navarre insists on wearing - and seriously is going to have to toughen up with a name like Ruby.

I'm trying to enjoy the time with Navarre before the baby comes. Her world will be forever different in 93 - give or take - days. I went to swimming last night to watch her in the pool. I can't believe she can touch the bottom in the shallow. That absolutely blows my mind. Enjoy the videos...and as explained to my family, I'm an idiot who can't remember that the video function on my camera does not allow me to turn the camera vertical and rotate the video on the computer (why not?? why hasn't canon figured that out?). So, either get sideways drunk and watch the videos - or tilt your head.

Damn you, sinuses

2010-02-24T21:14:00.002-04:00

I hate being sick. More than that, I hate being sick when pregnant. I want this gigantic elephant that has parked itself on top of my face to take a flying leap. I want the hacking cough to move out. I want to have enough energy to keep up with Navarre - ok, even healthy that's hard to do, but this is absurd.

WTF

2010-02-20T21:34:00.001-04:00

Although Jamie has taken good care of me while I'm sick, sometimes I just have to look at him and go "WTF?"

He's so ridiculous some times....

Milestones...

2010-02-10T10:10:00.000-04:00

Last night Navarre woke up twice in the night. The first was at 1:20 am. She was sporadically fussing, so I ignored it. Jamie didn't budge. She settled, then at 1:41 am again more crying. I went in there and she was wide awake. I just started to comfort her and rub her back, which normally induces sleep in about 0.2 seconds, but she was wide awake. I asked her, "Navarre, are you ok?" She replied, "Yes, I am." I thought how nice that I have a 2 1/2 year old that is secure enough to say that she is ok. Then I'm wondering why the hell I'm in there if she's ok. And I don't know why, but it dawned on me she may have to use the potty. She's never woken up to use the potty in the night before. She usually has about 3 morning a week when she is dry waking up. She wears a Pull-Up to bed, so we're not changing sheets all the time. Anyway, I asked if she needed to potty, and she says, "Yes, and stickers." I hold in my laughter and say, "No, we're not doing that, but let's go to the potty." She sat there and peed in the dark right away. I gave her a big hug and told her how proud I was of her and that she did an excellent job. We go back to her bed, and she couldn't pull those covers over her head fast enough. I didn't hear a peep out of her for the rest of the night.

Where to begin

2010-02-03T20:00:00.005-04:00

It's hard to say what's happened since my last post. It seems like a lot, but really not much. We survived Christmas and had an excellent time with Navarre and her presents. We had a nice Christmas Eve with Jamie's family at our house. Our Nova Scotian seafood gumbo was a hit. Christmas morning Navarre woke up to presents from Santa. We got her a tricycle that she calls her bike. It's a black and yellow Tonka trike with a dump bin on the back. The "girl" tricycles sucked. That's all I can say about them. We almost captured a priceless moment Christmas morning on the video camera when I brought the tricycle in, but our crapass video camera crapped out on us right as she opened her eyes. Oye.

I can honestly say that I've never seen a more appreciate 2 year old in all my life. Everything she has and everything she got for Christmas she asks, "Who gave me that?" We tell her, and then she says, "Oh thank you, [insert gift giver name]. I love it." What 2 year old does that? It's nice, but when she's at the table and picking up her plate saying, "Who gave me this?" It starts to get a bit old.
Dad's visit was great. We walked in the snow and woods behind our house with Navarre. She loved it. We had to buy Dad snow boots for the adventure. We had a nice New Year's Eve dinner at Ryan Duffy's, and Navarre was pretty good during dinner. No feet on the table; no crawling on the floor; no popping up from under table saying, "Hey Paw Paw" to old men. Pretty good.

We had Fry Fest 2010 with Steph and Dave and Carter. If you can fry it, we did. It all started with a tree a burnin', a burnin', a burnin', a tree a burnin' in our woods. Remarkably, the tree didn't light up in flames like we all thought it would. Jamie had to douse it with lighter fluid a few times, which I think he enjoyed a little too much. Then on to Fry Fest. This was like a trial run Fry Fest. Next Fry Fest will be bigger and better. That's guaranteed.

Then Dad left and we got on with our lives - work lives, day care lives, home lives, preggo lives, etc. I've had a couple of doctor visits which have all gone really well. We had our 20 week ultrasound last Friday. We saw the baby, and the only thing I can determine at this point is that it looks like the child will have big lips. I thought I saw girl parts during most of the ultrasound, but by the end of it, I couldn't tell! We may go to UC Baby in Halifax here to get pictures and determine the sex. For those unfamiliar, our lovely quasi-socialized health care will not provide an ultrasound picture or a gender determination during your normal ultrasound. However, if you are unfortunate enough, like I was with Navarre, to be a "high-risk" pregnancy for whatever reason (gallbladder problems for me), then you're care is moved to the 7th floor where they will tell you anything you want to know and print out a slide show for you. Anyway, I hoping there will be no 7th floor with this one, so we may go to UC Baby. Click here if you want to see what it is.

The ultrasound I had in January gave me a June 18th due date. This ultrasound gave me a June 13th due date. All of the "medical professionals" say the earlier ultrasound is more accurate, however, I believe it's earlier. I'm going with June 13th, unless of course I have the baby after June 13th, say on the 17th, in which case I will say the 18th was my due date and I went early :)

And now here we are in February all ready. Jamie is settling in more to his new position. I'm hoping he won't be as busy this semester, as he shouldn't have as many classes to teach. Work is good with me. It seems odd that I've got another year off fast approaching...

Which brings me to my Maternity Leave Money Freakout. I had it with Navarre, and I am having it with this one. I do get 52 weeks off of work at less than 55% of my salary. I know, worst case scenario, I go back to work early and earn full salary. I just don't want to do that.

I'm trying to think of things I want to get for this baby that I either didn't have with Navarre, or I want differently than what I had with Navarre. Here's my list so far:

glider rocker - modern, not country cottage
better nursing pillow
Itzabeen - Nicole, you are required to get this for me.
more crib sheets
more change table pads
lamp for baby's room
different bottles that are BPA free - but not glass
full time housekeeper and chef

I think that's it. For now.

Daddy's girl

2009-12-16T20:36:00.004-04:00

(her tent)

Santa's alive and kickin'

2009-12-16T20:24:00.005-04:00

I took Navarre to the same mall to take her picture with the same Santa that she has taken a picture with for the past 2 years. He's a very nice, believable Old Santa; there isn't a big line up; and it's cheap. Perfect.

I will try to describe this year's picture with no expletives, but I'm telling you it will be very short. The not nice lady taking the picture jingled her bell one too many times and wouldn't take her finger off the zoom. You should see Navarre's pretty dress and shoes and Santa's whole set up with the big chair and decorations. Instead, you see Navarre and some of Santa's face. Jamie thinks I'm over-reacting because I'm pregnant. I think the woman who hates her job taking the pictures is a complete moron. You can judge for yourself. Although, Navarre is smiling and about to enjoy that great candy cane.

Just in case you don't remember how far this little girl has come...have a look back and notice how you can see all of Navarre and Santa.

2008 - Christmas memories of the ER and the hospital and the generous people who brought gifts to Navarre while in the hospital.

2007 - the year of "is it a boy or is it a girl?"

Pink Christmas

2009-12-13T12:30:00.003-04:00

The other day we're in the car listening to an Elvis Christmas CD, and I ask Navarre if we're going to have a blue Christmas. Her prompt reply was, "No, Momma, a pink Christmas." How could I have ever thought otherwise?

We finally got our tree decorated and some decorations up in the house. We still don't have lights outside, but maybe before Christmas Eve it will happen...maybe.

It's been hard getting into the Christmas spirit when I feel so crappy. I haven't actually gotten sick in over a week, but the non-stop nauseous feeling is worse. Anyway, enough details about that. I've gotten up and made breakfast for us both mornings this weekend, so that's progress.

Here are some picture to enjoy. I'm hoping to not make it as long until my next post.

Navarre making her Christmas list, which included the following: camera, baby doll, Upsy Daisy doll, Christmas magic wand, blue play dough, green play dough, and I'm not kidding and I didn't even prompt her to say this - little sister.

Our first big snow of the season. Jamie and Navarre made a snowman that fell over about an hour later. Momma got hot chocolate ready for everyone.

Us decorating the Christmas tree.

Crappity, Crap, Crap

2009-09-28T20:41:00.004-03:00

Just to inform all of you, if you ever need to know anything about septic tanks or septic pumps, just come to me. I've learned a lot in the month of September about these things. May and June's topic was generators and how they hook up to your house. This month - the shitter tank.

What did you do today?

2009-09-18T21:00:00.007-03:00

I drove Navarre to Lisa's. Jamie went to work. I stopped at Tim's and got a coffee because we have forgotten to buy more at the store for the past 2 days. I rapelled down a 23-story building. Yes, that's right - I, Leslie Falcone, rapelled down a 300 foot building today onone of the most gorgeous September days we've had in a while.

Here is 1801 Hollis. It's your typical mirrored glass window office building in a downtown. I actually smiled and waved at a guy sitting at his computer on my way down. I think he was saying, "Wow, she's nuts." I was saying that and "where the hell is the ground?"

When I was on the roof waiting my turn - side note: there was absolutely no traffice this morning. so, after my coffee from Tim's I went to the building and I was just killing time talking to all of the RAT International folks who ran the show - I took these while waiting (and avoiding the inevitable).

I actually stopped my rapell, took my hands off of my equipment and snapped this shot over my shoulder.

I did it. I can't believe I did it.

Blank walls make Leslie crazy!

2009-09-15T20:45:00.002-03:00

I'm looking at the awesome pic I just posted, and my eye keeps being drawn to the huge blank, beige wall behind Navarre. I swear something will be on that wall by 2010.

Please, hold all of the comments re. how my going crazy is going to be a short trip. You're preaching to the choir.

Coal miner's daughter

2009-09-15T20:42:00.003-03:00

I like a girl who keeps her options open. Will she be a ballerina? Will she a coal miner? We'll just have to wait and see.

Oh what a night

2009-09-06T20:35:00.004-03:00

I don't think words can adequately describe how much fun I had camping at Dollar Lake with the 3 of us last weekend. Everything...everything was the best it could be. Navarre's first camping trip was definitely a success. I think her highlights would be meeting Mr. Lizard again after seeing him in Louisiana at Paw-Paw's, napping in the tent, and throwing rocks into the lake. I enjoyed everything - even our camping crepes.

That was only an inkling of the fun we had captured in pictures.

Calling all Superheroes!

2009-09-02T14:22:00.003-03:00

As many of you know, I am participating in Drop Zone - Halifax 2009 in support of Easter Seals Nova Scotia. I will be rapelling down a 23-story building in downtown Halifax on September 18th. You too can take part in this by sponsoring me for this great cause.

Easter Seals Nova Scotia supports children, teens and adults with physical disabilities in Nova Scotia. My goal is to raise $2,000, but I have to at least meet the minimum of $1,500. Help me help Easter Seals, and you can be a Superhero too! Follow the link below to donate. You can donate by credit card online and have a tax receipt emailed to you for donations over $15.

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2280103

Thank you in advance to everyone who donates.

New passwords

2009-09-01T19:52:00.002-03:00

So freakin' funny. Just laughing my ass off..really.

More to come on the Turquoise Twins Project later tonight or tomorrow...I have a baby gift to finish.

You've Been Hacked!

2009-08-31T23:23:00.003-03:00

What happens when you check your email on your sister's computer and leave yourself signed in? She now has access to your blog! And if she was on the other computer, she would add the current pictures of you and Caroline. But this is all she has on this computer.

Oh no, Mr. Bill!

2009-08-23T09:25:00.004-03:00

Our tubs are filled; the beer is cold; and the vienna sausage is ready. We're bunkered down and waiting for Hurricane Bill. Here's to hoping my Houston/Oklahoma trip isn't delayed, to hoping that Steph doesn't go into labor during the storm, and to hoping Navarre enjoys her first hurricane.

And, yes, finally, here are some pictures from the summer.

Tick tock, the baby clock

2009-07-23T20:51:00.004-03:00

We're back. We made it. Jamie's back survived the trip; Caroline survived Navarre, and I survived it all. I had such a good time in Oklahoma...watching Navarre with Caroline, watching Nicole and T with their beautiful daughter, watching all of it. One day Nicole and I went to Target with the girls (yep, with the girls), and we're riding down the long Oklahoma interstate. I'm thinking to myself, "I can't believe the two of us are sitting here with our daughters in the backseat."

What I love about my sister is that no matter what changes in our lives or where we are both physically and emotionally in our lives, our relationship doesn't change. When I walked into her house and we hung out that first night, it wasn't like it had been months since we had seen each other. It was like I saw her last week. I love that. Maybe it's because since I've had a child my brain turns to mush much quicker than before and I just can't wrap my tired brain around the actual continuum of time. That could be it too.

And just as Nicole promised on her "website" (he he), I'll have pictures up soon. Except give me at least a week; she's got a newborn to take care of, but I've got a kickass bachelorette party to prepare for this weekend.

Psychedelic birdhouse

2009-06-26T09:49:00.004-03:00

For Father's Day, I bough a wooden birdhouse for Navarre and Jamie to paint together, with my gift being that I would handle the entire set up and clean up. Navarre had never ventured into the painting, but I thought she would like it...boy did I underestimate her enthusiasm.

The men in Navarre's life

2009-06-26T09:41:00.004-03:00

It's no secret that Navarre likes the boys...a few of her favorites are Lucas at the sitter's house and Hudson, Shelly little one. Lucas is enjoying her hugs I believe - evidence is below.

Hudson on the other hand...he just gets mauled. The looks he gives in return are priceless. I can almost hear him saying, "Look woman, leave me alone." At his birthday party, in the bath, on the floor, it doesn't matter when or where; Navarre is coming in for some lovin'.. The poor child just wants to eat his food and play basketball in tub; is that too much to ask?

Have you seen a cuter baby since Navarre?

2009-06-11T10:32:00.002-03:00

Go to Nicole's blog here to see pics of the gorgeous Caroline. I swear I haven't seen such a beautiful baby since Navarre.

Auntie baby

2009-06-10T21:01:00.004-03:00

Nicole and T welcomed their beautiful baby girl into the world at 12:33 am on June 9th. Weighing in at 22 inches and 8 lbs. 1 oz., Caroline Frances sure gave her momma a time.

I've been working on "Hi Caroline" with Navarre. Now when I say Caroline, she says, "Auntie baby." Close enough.

I can't wait to get down to OK and see the Smith family and my niece! I'm an aunt; can you believe it? So in the past two years I've added two titles to my name, Momma and whatever Caroline will call me. These are two names that probably about 5 years ago I couldn't fathom would be here in 5 years. I saw in my calendar at work yesterday that August 7th will be mine and Jamie's 5th anniversary. I know what you're thinking...Leslie, you're too young to have been married 5 years, and isn't Jamie too old to only have been married 5 years!!!! I'll say no to both.

Jamie and I have been through a lot in the over 10 - yes, that's right, we've known each other over 10 years - years we've known each other. I've read and heard experts say that having a baby and selling/buying property and moving are like the trifecta of stressful events in one's life. Jamie and I have done these three in the past 22 months. Combine these with trying to balance family and work life, both physical and mental health issues and you're everyday life events and it makes for a strained time. Sometimes stressful, sometimes strained. Sometimes relaxed and laid back, but not nearly enough.

Usually the summer is one of my favorite times of year. This summer, I am looking forward to meeting Caroline, having the first two cousins interact (well, Navarre poke and prod and Caroline lie there and take it), sharing in Ben and Shaina's wedding day and hopefully sharing our new house with friends. But, honestly, I find myself looking forward to fall. It could be argued that it is the best season in Nova Scotia. I see the fall as a time to rest and relax and to enjoy our new house with the three of us together.

I feel like this summer is the old friend that has come into town and stays with you. You party your ass off and enjoy the time together and reminisce about old times, and when the friend leaves, you are sad but sure are glad you can get some rest.

Sweet Caroline...

2009-06-08T20:53:00.000-03:00

She's on her way....

A couple of faves

2009-05-25T21:35:00.003-03:00

LA Confidential

2009-05-25T21:13:00.003-03:00

Here's a good example of where my head is lately....

After my post yesterday, Nicole reminded me that I forgot to include my trip to Baton Rouge in my short listed series of events over the past month. How could I forget surprising my sister for her baby shower and seeing her cry and her calling me a nerd? How you ask...I'll tell you how.

I have been homeless for 4 weeks; I left for Louisiana on a Friday and came back to an empty house on the following Monday with all of my stuff in storage. It took Navarre only about a week to figure out something was going on, and this wasn't just a fun weekend at Oma and Grandpa's house. She was like, "Where's my stuff and where's my clothes and more importantly, where's my stuff and why are Momma and Daddy here too?"

It's no excuse, but here's the corrected list:

1. looked for a new house
2. bought a house
3. sold a house
4. took a quick trip to LA to surprise Nicole and baby Caroline
5. put all wordly possessions in storage
6. moved in with in-laws
7. live with in-laws
8. buy a whole ton of expensive house stuff
9. do whatever I have to do in order to stay sane while my husband, my 22-month old and myself share space with others
10. learn about 1.5 years of university courses on electrical engineering in order to be satisfied with my generator purchase for my country home with acreage
11. learn to sleep at night knowing there is a very large tank of shit (also known as a "septic tank") under my lawn

(I added that last one just now; I had allowed myself to forget about the tank o shit, but now that the closing date is looming....I've got shit on the brain)

Anything but mundane

2009-05-23T20:05:00.004-03:00

So here I am. I've been away for a LONGGGG time. How have you been? Good I hope. I could bore you with details of what's been going on lately with us, but I won't. If you talk to me on a regular basis, then you know. If you don't, here is a brief synopsis...

1. looked for a new house
2. bought a house
3. sold a house
4. put all wordly possessions in storage
5. moved in with in-laws
6. live with in-laws
7. buy a whole ton of expensive house stuff
8. do whatever I have to do in order to stay sane while my husband, my 22-month old and myself share space with others
10. learn about 1.5 years of university courses on electrical engineering in order to be satisfied with my generator purchase for my country home with acreage

So, that brings you up to speed. We close on the new house Thursday. I have been all consumed by house stuff lately.

Now, back to good old blogging and working and having fun with Jamie and Navarre.

On a side note, our weather has been gorgeous, and I've been soaking up as much vitamin D as possible. On a even wider side note, my new contemplation is whether or not I can jump on board the Twitter bandwagon.

Peace out.

Can I get some shroves for anyone?

2009-02-24T22:06:00.003-04:00

Happy Shrove Tuesday to everyone out there!

Hope you had awesome, fluffy pancakes today; although, we didn't have any....maybe on the weekend.

To the American readers, Shrove Tuesday is like Mardi Gras with the following exceptions:
1. One day - not a season
2. No cake with plastic babies
3. No prolonged bouts of drunken revelry
4. No beads
5. No anything else that goes on at Mardi Gras
6. You eat pancakes at some point during the day on Shrove Tuesday.

Get some good beads and don't fall on your face

2009-02-24T22:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Mardi Gras to everyone. Hope you've had a safe and kickass Mardi Gras weekend.

and fyi...Bbg pooped and peeded in something other than something covering her butt. Can I send the light at the end of the diaper-changing tunnel? Stay tuned...

Click the vote

2009-02-17T19:26:00.002-04:00

Weekend Pictures, Steve's website dedicated to educating the general populous on user-generated content and privacy on the web is up for an award at SXSW Interactive Festival.

For those unfamiliar with SXSW, it's the infamous South by Southwest Group that puts on the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The Interactive Festival is one of the festivals this groups puts on and it is geared towards the "blossoming interactive media industry.

Needless to say, this is a huge accomplishment, and I invite everyone to click here and vote for Weekend Pictures in the People's Choice award for the Student category. You can vote once a day until March 6th...so go and click the vote.

Everything I wanted to know

2009-02-08T19:34:00.002-04:00

For years now I've tried to wrap my little ole American head around how the Canadian government works. At first I tried to compare/contrast against the US government, and it's just incomparable. A republic vs. a constitutional monarchy/parliamentary democracy match up just doesn't make much sense.

It has also bothered me that when I ask most Canadians questions about government, they look at me like I have a horn growing out of my head - as to say why in hell would you ever ask that or how the hell should i know. Didn't Canadians have a Canadian version of School House Rocks or a basic Civics class in jr. high or high school? Apparently not.

Then in the end of 2008 this so-called coalition government almost takes over, and I have Americans asking me what the hell is going on up here. As if I know. I only live here, and I can't find a Canuck to give me a straight answer. ...then comes Rick Mercer.

Rick Mercer is like the Jon Stewart of Canada, but smaller (if you could imagine that) and funnier looking. On his show last week he had an entire segment on how the Canadian government works. Go watch it now!

What I find hilarious about this piece, is that it's as if it were written by an American living in Canada. So, for all of you south of the border (and for those north of the border) who don't have a flippin clue about the Canadian government, I hope this has shed some light on it for you, or at least given you a good laugh.

Enjoy.

Why am I not asleep?

2009-01-23T23:30:00.003-04:00

I'm exhausted. It's been a long week. I haven't slept well this week. I skipped tkd tonight to bake a king cake. I REALLY wanted one, and so did Jamie. I'm sitting here, tired, and I'm not asleep. What's wrong with this picture?

Patchwork heritage

2009-01-20T20:47:00.003-04:00

For those who didn't see President Obama's inauguration speech live today, you can click here and watch it. The BBC posted video and full text. It may seem ironic to some that I'm linking to the BBC when its a video of the US Presidential Inauguration, and I live in Canada.

While I was watching it online tonight (because all of the internet traffic all around the world today wrecked havoc on my already temperamental internet connection at work), I thought a lot of things.

One of the most important things I thought was how much our family was made from the patchwork heritage that President Obama spoke about. After having a child and living outside of the US, I sometimes think about passing on my culture and my heritage to Navarre, and I wonder if I will be able to pass to her the knowledge and understanding of where she comes from and where I come from. I'm almost sad to say that it took this speech for me to realize that our family is somewhat a mirror of American culture - different cultures coming together out of love and hope and starting a new family.

This gives me confidence in myself - confidence to teach Navarre about her Southern Cajun American culture and confidence in my country that we can remember the values that allowed us to become our own country.

Happy Inauguration Day.

Catch up

2009-01-09T22:31:00.002-04:00

This is what we came home to....

Lions, Tigers, and 2009 - Oh My

2009-01-07T20:30:00.003-04:00

Now that the New Year is here, I'm trying to think of ways to improve my well-being - my physical, emotional, mental, financial well-being. Every year I say I'm going to actually do things I want to do, instead of saying oh I wish this was a certain way or that was a certain way. This year, I'm going to just make it that way. So, here's to 2009 and making it the way I want it.

And right now, I want to enjoy a Sleeman Original Draught and to see pictures of my incredibly bright and adorable and sneaky 17-month old.

4 boards and 5 Ponchatoulas

2009-01-06T20:06:00.003-04:00

I'm about to post all out of order, but given the way December went for us, it seems fitting to do so.

Early in December, Jamie, my sister-in-law Shaina, her fiance Ben and I went to White Point "Resort" for a weekend sans baby. While White Point is nice, I use term resort loosely. Jamie and I sat through the time share presentation for 1 1/2 hours and got a weekend away with Shaina and Ben for dirt cheap. I would love to post a picture of Shaina in her winter boots and swimsuit in the women's bathroom, however, she might kill me if I do that.

Before the Eastern European couple was all over each other and ruined the atmosphere for the rest of us, Ben and I had a duel of who could "stand" on more kick boards for longer. During this feat of balance and super stealth surfing skill, I thought it reasonable to ask if Canadian kids growing up learned to count by saying, "1 Mississauga, 2 Mississauga, 3 Mississauga..." instead of "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi." While I never really got an answer to my question, I decided we should count how long we could stand on each board by counting Ponchatoulas. It seemed, and still seems, perfectly reasonable to me. I may defer to Claire on this one...what do you think, Claire?

Speaking of Claire, I'm leaping forward to New Year's Eve when we found out our credit card number had been hijacked and the culprit(s) ran up thousands of dollars worth of goods in Toronto and Mississauga. I tried to tell them that if it was a bald guy buying electronics or golf gear or a short lady with a cute purse and shoes trying to buy more cute purses and shoes and liquor, then I could help the authorities find them. I'm not kidding when I say after thousands of dollars in purchases at Best Buy and other stores, it was a shoe store that did them in......I'm pretty sure the culprits ran off to Louisiana and racked up tons of charges down there too.....

As always, most but not all readers check the blog to see pictures of bbg. So, here you go. Enjoy. More to come throughout the week.

Eggnog & serum sickness

2009-01-04T19:18:00.003-04:00

I think I can sum up our trip to Louisiana with a few words. The trip was not at all what I had envisioned for Christmas 2008. Two trips to the ER and two nights in the hospital to treat serum sickness and several glasses of eggnog later and we're back in Halifax.

I've got some good pics from the trip and the after-effects of the blizzard we came home to. While 82 and humid wasn't ideal for Christmas, it sure beat hip deep snow at the end of our driveway.

I'm going to enjoy the last night with Jamie before getting back to work and the routine of our lives and will post pics later. Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope 2009 brings you all the happiness you wish for.

White Christmas?

2008-12-18T12:54:00.004-04:00

We're flying to BR on Saturday, and just about everyone is healthy except me. This never ending sinus infection has been kicking my ass for about a month now. I'm home sick from work; my remote access to my work computer is not working, and my head feels like it is on fire and about to burst.

Usually I am very excited about leaving the frozen tundra to go to sunny BR for Christmas, but with the news of it snowing in Louisiana a few days ago, I don't feel as eager. I really do not want a white Christmas in BR...

Enough of that though...here are some updated pics of bbg.

What a difference a year makes...

2008-12-14T20:45:00.002-04:00

There are sickos, and then there are sickos

2008-11-18T20:38:00.003-04:00

The girls in the Falcone home are sick. Navarre has snot coming out all the time, stringing all over her face and getting rubbed into her hair, eyes, mouth and all over her cheeks. I'm fighting some nasty virus that's giving me a cough, aches, chills, sinus crap, etc. And then there's Jamie - trying to keep this house running like the well oiled, rusty machine it is. He's making us soup and sucking out nose snot - not at the same time though. He's doing a great job, and hopefully his girls will be snot free sometime soon.

Now onto the other sickos out there....Nicole has joined Facebook. I'm not sure what to think abou this. Perhaps the preggo hormones have made her crazy.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T19:16:00.003-03:00

Happy Birthday, Nicole!

2008-10-29T19:28:00.004-03:00

Here's to wishing Nicole a happy 32nd birthday...to celebrate I'm posting some favorite pics of the two of us over the years...ahhhhhh memories.

More pics

2008-10-23T19:16:00.002-03:00

Long overdue

2008-10-22T19:44:00.003-03:00

Here are some pics of our life over the past couple of weeks. They go back in time...more pics to come tomorrow.

Sympathies to friends...

2008-10-16T20:38:00.002-03:00

Tomorrow I'm going to a funeral service for a friend's mother-in-law. I can't even express my condolences in a way that doesn't seem trite. Finding your mother like that and having to tell your Father...I can't even imagine. My heart goes out to the family. I'm here to help, and I'm here to listen. I'm here for anything you need me to be here for.

Taegeuk 5

2008-10-08T20:12:00.002-03:00

Speaking of red belts...here's a You Tube of my form for the 26th. I can get that down in 17 days...right?

Red belts and dawgs

2008-10-08T20:02:00.002-03:00

What's been going on lately, you ask...well, I'm getting busier at work. At first it was really odd to have 4 people in my office; that's double the size it was when I left. We're all starting to figure out our roles and how to work with each other so as not to duplicate efforts. I'm enjoying it; it's nice to be valued for something other than changing diapers or being able to feed someone. It is work though, so you know...it's good days and bad days. I do feel really good about where Navarre is during the day, and the sitter is working out really well. When I'm at work, I honestly don't worry about her, so that's a relief.

I've got a tkd belt test on Oct. 26. Do I feel ready? No. I don't know my form or my self defense. I can do my kicks and punches, but feeling uneasy about the whole thing. I don't want to sit this one out, but it's going to take a lot of work to get there in 17 days. But, I would be a red belt at the end of it, and that's pretty damn exciting.

Navarre will be a dawg this year for Halloween. So we will be 2 years in a row with a homemade costume. She now knows the difference between a kitty and a dog, but everything else is still a dog. It's really the only logical costume for her. Horses are dogs; birds are dogs; fish are dogs; everything is a dog.

My Christmas shopping is starting to creep into my mind. I'm starting to get disappointed with myself. I used to buy gifts all throughout the year and be done by now, but I haven't gotten one, notta, zilch, zero. I've got ideas, but that's about it.

So, that's all. The Falcone family is just going day by day with our new little routine and trying to make the most of it. It's exhausting, but we're still finding time to amuse ourselves every now and again, although we haven't closed the Shoe Shop recently.....

Awesome autumn adventure

2008-10-03T20:56:00.002-03:00

Be it resolved that this fall I will appreciate the fall fun for what it is and not resent faultless fall for the Ole Bastard Winter that will eventually rear its old-cold ass head.

People who don't Facebook blog

2008-09-28T22:41:00.002-03:00

Ok, so I blog. I still hate Facebook. If you want to talk to me, call me. If you want me to see pics, email them to me. I write my blog to get my own thoughts out. Even after looking at fake boobs and crazy guy on Facebook doesn't make me want to go to Facebook.

The Mays are here; The Mays are here; The Mays are here!

2008-09-27T16:37:00.002-03:00

Falcone Manor can only take visitors with the last name May, so make your reservations now. First Steve and now David and Claire. Dinner at Bish tonight....yummy. We'll see if the fake hair made the trip.

Last summer night

2008-09-21T20:28:00.003-03:00

Tonight is the last summer night. Tomorrow will start fall, and while I actually love the fall, I know Old Man Winter is peering out from behind his curtains waiting to yell at some kids in the street. We've had a truly incredible summer. Portage in the Sportage was a once in a lifetime journey that carried us around Canada and the US to see our family and friends. We'll never forget this summer, and even though Navarre won't remember her first full summer and all of the cool places she went, we'll remind every chance we get. And then she'll be all, "Would you two quacks shut it. I get it, and why didn't you spell my name with an a?"

Although the summer is almost at an end, I've got a lot to look forward to. Steve's been here for a while with G, his trusty sidekick, and we even let both in the house:) It's been fun having him around; we miss him, and it's almost like he lives here again. Fingers crossed it will stay that way. I always think it's funny to see how our friends who don't have children interact with the baby, and I have to say that Steve's a natural. She loves him and greets him with open arms at the top of the stairs now.

The Atlantic Film Festival is really what brought Steve back for the extended visit, and it's been a great festival. I scored tickets to the premier of Growing Op with Rosanna Arquette and some TV people (CSI, 7th Heaven...) and the after party. And hold onto your hats...Jamie and Steve and I actually closed The Shoe Shop. This may be a regular occurrence for some, however, with a 13 month old it doesn't happen often for us. I had such a good time that I didn't care how tired I was at 6 am the next morning.

Adamm's film, That's My Time, premiered Wednesday to a sold out crowd. Another quality doc from Adamm that won Best Canadian Documentary at the Festival. It's awesome to know someone who is doing so well with something he actually loves. For the Canadian readers, the doc will air on CTV on Saturday, the 27th at 7 (7 in each time zone...not 7 EST).

Pic courtesy of SJM's blog.

It's Z in an endless alphabet loop

2008-09-11T20:25:00.002-03:00

Insulin shots in G's belly, close calls with Navarre on the stairs, Feist sing-a-longs for the baby, freshly mowed grass, Salon des Refuses Atlantique, picking up poop and drinking beer. I love when Uncle Steve visits.

The new normal

2008-09-04T20:04:00.002-03:00

I've started back to work. I know...I also thought this day would never come. But, here it is. I really can't describe what I'm feeling about going back. Overwhelming I can't imagine how women leave their baby at 12 and sometimes 8 weeks old in the US to go back to work. I think of the stress that would have put on me and our family, and I just can't believe it. I now know the meaning of "you do what you have to do", and I know these women make it work. At 12 weeks I was suffering from sleep deprivation, a cranky/fussy baby, and hormonal swings that would scare everyone. I don't know how I would have gone back to work then.

Luckily, I didn't have to. I'm here in Canada, and I have fully enjoyed my 13 months off. I do enjoy some aspects of my job. I enjoy when I am challenged and faced with solving a client's problem when a new and creative solution is needed that the benefits and pension carriers think can't be done simply because it hasn't been done before. However, the analyst in me does a cost/benefit analysis (Shelly - quit laughing right now) and says, "is it worth not spending this time with my daughter?" Sometimes the answer is and will be yes and other times it will be no. I need to accept that.

On a positive, Navarre is so social and easy going right now that there was absolutely no problem with her going to the sitter's house. She even said we were lucky and she would take 20 babies like Navarre. I have to think that is partly due to luck and that Jamie and I have done a few things right in the short 22 months she's been breathing both in- and outside of me. So, props to us.

We're trying to get used to this new normal for our family. Up at 6 every morning; both of us trying to get ready for the day and getting her ready. Me dropping her off in the morning and Jamie picking her up. It's occurred to me that I have a tkd class tomorrow night at 6 and will not be home in between work and class. So, she will be asleep and I will not see her after about 8:30 tomorrow morning. I think I need my class for my own sanity though. Momma needs to practice her Jumping Reverse Spin Back Kick.

Unfortunately, the new normal in Baton Rouge has been hot, damaged, leaking houses and no gasoline to buy in the city, no place to go after 8 pm and no football on Saturday in Tiger Stadium. It's funny to think an image of a football stadium can bring about so much emotion, but this picture does it for me. I mean how can a place where there is NEVER chance of rain suffer from a hurricane? I don't know.

Mind flood

2008-08-31T20:57:00.001-03:00

I'm thinking of everyone in Louisiana right now and hoping you and your homes are safe. Send me a line when you can to let me know you made it ok.

Beer, wine, Parrot Bay, tobacco & toilet paper

2008-08-30T20:43:00.002-03:00

According to Jay Louque, these are the essentials needed for a hurricane. Of course, Jamie thought he must have stocked up on Lil' Debbies too and was concerned these weren't on the list, however, Dad already has those.

Dave, if you're reading, take note. Get some whiskey for Mere too.

Thank you

2008-08-29T20:26:00.004-03:00

Ok, so it's been a while. I didn't mean to leave you out in the rain (don't get me started on all the rain we've had in Halifax since we got back), but I've been busy. We had to unpack from the big trip, find a place to put all the new stuff (for the baby mostly) and catch up on our massage appointments. I also didn't want to post until I had the tally of our stats from the trip. For those of you out there that are rolling your eyes right now, did you really expect anything less from me?

So, here it is (for the Americans and Canadians...yes, I ran my numbers both ways)

Total days: 50 Total distance: 7,865 miles/12,584 kilometers Total gasoline: 422.035 gallons/1114.172 liters Average gas mileage: 18.6 miles/gallon or 11.294 kilometers/liter

A few remarks about the trip and the above numbers:
1. This was a once in a lifetime trip with our child; one to never be taken with 2 children.
2. Our Kia Sportage did remarkably well with gas mileage considering we were loaded down with us, our stuff and a cargo box on top filled to the brim.
3. Although we did well on gas mileage considering our load, I have started my daughter's life off with a carbon footprint so large that it would swallow her, Green Bunny and all of the dogs that we met along the way up if they fell into it.
4. While spending time with family and friends and seeing new places is fun and exhilarating, being in your own home - even with all of the unfinished projects and clutter - is priceless.
5. Being able to spend 50 days on the road with my husband and my daughter without one worry of work is incredible, and I am thankful to live in a country that provides this for me and my family (although with the taxes we pay, you'd think I could be off until she's out of diapers, but that's for another post).

Lastly, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of the friends and family that made this trip possible. Without these people opening their homes to us, we would not have been able to take this trip. We had the chance to reconnect with friends whom we had not seen in so many years, but somehow it was like a week hadn't passed. I am grateful for these relationships and for my family. I know a lot of families that would not have wanted or even attempted to travel and stay with family as long as we did. And, regardless of the headaches that can ensue sometimes, I am grateful for my family and treasure the time we got to spend with them.

Where in the world are the Falcones?

2008-08-12T17:43:00.002-03:00

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Our laptop has all but blown up. I think all of the blog posts and travelling through corn fields has just fried its little motherboard brain. So, I haven't been posting on our trip. (I'll blame the laptop problem for it, but I've been very lazy too)

We are in Navarre Beach this week. I feel like this is my home away from home away from home...Baton Rouge and Halifax being the 2nd and 3rd home mentioned above. I come here and relax, rejuvinate and have a damn good time with family and friends. To make it even that much better, we have Navarre here with us this year. We're at her namesake, and it's like she was just meant to be here.

A baby not liking the sand...not here. A baby not liking the waves crash in her face...not here. A baby not liking the taste of salt water...not here. She loves it. It's like she doesn't even realize she's covered head to toe in sand with it in every body crevice imagineable. She does her thing and plays with her toys and eats a little sand along the way and has a grande old time.

Maybe it's because she's one now and a big girl. I don't know, but she's wonderful and having a wonderful time. Her birthday was Aug. 3rd, and there will be pics when we return to Hali, along with beach pics.

So, we're here a few more days, then back to BR for the big ole' 10-year reunion...then on the road again home. More to come later...

Some like it hot

2008-07-29T17:28:00.002-03:00

But not this damn hot...It's hot in Baton Rouge. Other than that there's not much to report here. We've been having a good time. Jamie's been fishing, so he's pretty happy. We've been busy visiting people and shopping and eating...that's what we do here.

Nova Scotians in BR and NOLA in Halifax

2008-07-24T12:09:00.002-03:00

This article was in the Chronicle-Herald the other day in Halifax. How appropriate that the Herald is educating Nova Scotians on the drinking habits on Louisiana, while we get to Baton Rouge. Coincidence?? I think not.

We're in Baton Rouge now and will be here until Aug. 9th when we go to Florida. I can't wait for the white sandy beach and surf.....ahhhhhhh.

On the road again...

2008-07-20T22:52:00.002-03:00

Tomorrow we're leaving Oklahoma and headed to Dallas. It's about 3 1/2 hours to our hotel. We're going to Ikea while we're there...yay!! I won't be picking up any Euro-I live in a one room loft furniture or anything, but I'd like to see what they have.

We've had a great time in Oklahoma hanging with Nicole and T. Navarre has had an awesome time and has enjoyed the dogs, although they haven't been inside very much. Jamie and I went to the OKC National Memorial today and then to a Roman art exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art. The National Memorial is the most beautiful memorial I've ever visited. I've been to the manymemorials in Washington, D.C., Normandy, Nova Scotia, etc., but the design of the OKC memorial is awe inspiring. Butzer Design Partnership won the right to oversee the memorial construction by beating out 625 other design entries.

I really recommend anyone visiting OKC to see the memorial. We're sad to be leaving Auntie and Uncle T, but we'll see them again soon in Florida:) Happy trails...

Niagara Falls to St. Louis

2008-07-19T10:46:00.017-03:00

Niagara Falls - Canadian side

Niagara Falls - American side

So many fun times in Windsor, Ontario...the 10th St. and Lombardy Crescent part of town to be exact:)

Navarre's friends in Windsor

I know this may be surprising, but our hotel in Illinois was in the middle of a corn field.

We loved St. Louis!

Halifax to Toronto

2008-07-19T09:41:00.012-03:00

Daddy & I in St-Jacques, New Brunswick

4th of July in Levis, Quebec

Claire & I in Oakville with Lake Ontario in the background

The fake hair makes a return...

Uncle Steve and I at Terroni's in Toronto...how can I get one of those hams?

At Michelle's in Toronto...they don't know what they're in for!

Patience is a virtue

2008-07-16T23:51:00.001-03:00

For those readers out there who don't really care what I have to say on the blog and just want to see pictures, hold your horsies and cool your jets. They'll be up when they're up.