The new normal

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

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

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

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?

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...