2 years later 

Daddy love 

New beach pictures 

Finally new pictures!

As promised, here are the pictures that I took. I also took new pictures on Sunday at Kelly's mom's house of "Baby Cody". There will probably be a fair amount of pictures, but this is what this blog is for!

Beach pictures re-done

Well, I was all prepared to scan and post the new pictures that I took on Sunday. Rob, Colby and I went to Queensland Beach to take pictures. We took Colby there when he was 7 months old and anyone who has been in my house knows my "beach pictures". Well, I re-did the same poses. If I do say so myself, they came out amazing. Rob has been playing with the computer and now the scanner is not working. Blah! They will be posted hopefully tomorrow.

Just becaus I love him 

Uncle B and his mini me 

Fix your hat! 

He's on the computer!

I changed the look for the 3rd time on this blog, and I really like this one. Colby spent at least an hour today on the computer, NAGIVATING AROUND CBCKIDS.CA. My son, who is not yet three, has mastered how to navigate all through the site (there are many different rooms to play in) AND when he's done, he will turn off the monitor and the modem! My little boy is growing up much too fast. I took today and tomorrow as vacation days, so I get to spend 4 days home with him. I think we both needed it. We set up a fishtank today. Well, to be honest, the fish tank has been set up for a week but we got the fish today. They were actually given to us by a friend of BJ's, and they are HUGE! They are albino tinfoil barbs. Big white fish with pink eyes. Kassie and Anthony came out to spend the afternoon here and Anthony decorated the tank. That boy really has a talent for that. I will be taking pictures very shortly. And, speaking of pictures, here is the latest pictures I took on the weekend. We went to see Gary Beals on Tuesday at Mic Mac Mall where he was releasing his new CD. It is the first CD that I have bought in a long time. I must admit, I have a HUGE crush on Gary. He's just too cute for words.

I caught a star Daddy!

BJ and Kelly have moved to Amherst. It is weird not having them 10 minutes away. Even though I didn't see them everyday, it's different now that I know that they are not there. At this point, I am very jealous of my brother as he was finally able to say goodbye to his 5 year history of working in a call centre. It will be nice for him to have a break from work and to just enjoy life. They will be back tomorrow and I'm going to meet up with him on Friday when Kelly has her surgery for her gall bladder. The funniest thing happened with Colby on the weekend. Rob had the flash out for my camera and was replacing the batteries. When Colby asked what it was, Rob flashed the flash right in Colby's eyes. (Man, that sounds really mean). Colby then started grabbing at the air and then looked up and Rob and said, Daddy I caught the star! I thought Rob was going to pee his pants. Because, then, Colby wanted Rob to do it again so he could "catch the stars". We took Colby to the Oakmount Station on Sunday. It was a karaoke going away party for BJ and Kelly. Colby was fascinated. All he wanted to do was go up and "sing in the microphone". I eventually had to take him home because he was getting upset that he couldn't go up. I have pictures that I will be getting back tomorrow which of course will be on here by the end of the week.

Who are you?

I was just reading back over previous blogs and I found a comment from June 21st from anonymous that said Greetings from Newfoundland. I love comments, obviously I don't get a lot of them HINT HINT IF YOU'RE READING THIS but PLEASE tell me who you are when you do!

Trying to stay dry and not suceeding! 

Super Colby! 

Running in the sprinkler at mom's 

Well, I have been neglecting this blog and there is no excuse for it except that I'm tired. Rob and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversay a week late, as he had to work. We went to the Upper Deck on Saturday. We started by walking on the waterfront, which coincidently the Buskers are in town, and then went to dinner. And God love Rob, when we sat down at the Upper Deck, he put his hand on my menu before I could look and it and said, "Honey, the prices are very expensive here but you deserve it so don't freak out!". How well does this man know me. And the prices WERE expensive (Rob's steak dinner was 34.99 and my scallop pasta was 24.99). We had a 20.00 off coupon from the Entertainment Book which helped somewhat. Except Rob left a 12.00 $ tip!! I was mortified! I have never left a 12.00 tip anywhere in my life! I know it's suppose to be a percentage of the total but STILL! Colby has mastered potty training. He has to have a pull up on at night or he'll wet the bed. The funny thing is, he won't pee at all at night if he has the pull up on, but will pee if he doesn't. That's fine with me, I keep using the same pull up over and over again! I can't believe how big he's getting. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's going to be 3! In 2 more years he's off to school!

6 years ago 

I just finished watching the end of Outback Jack. I have never seen the show before, and only watched it as backround noise as I was reading. Well, what a corny show. The end of it, where Marissa was kicked off, was pathetic. She was bawling, he was bawling, and of course, I was bawling. I can't believe he picked her over the cold blond one. But again, without ever seeing the show, I have no idea the backrounds of the characters. Kelly's sister had a baby on Thursday. His name is Cody and he's just too cute for words. Both mommy and baby are doing well. Cody he still battling jaundice and has been "suntanning'' under UV lights to bring down his billy ruben count. Colby has been in there 2 times and all he talks about is Lindsay and Baby Cody. Rob took him to see the Parade of Sail yesterday as the Tall Ships left port. They have some great pictures. I guess he was great downtown. Rob and Adam took him, and of course they 2 good looking men together with this good looking little boy look like the typical gay family. Sunday was our wedding anniversary. We have been married 6 years. It didn't feel like much of an anniversary as Rob worked and we are going to celebrate this weekend as we are both off. It was nice though. Mom called at 10AM to wish us happy anniversary and Kelly called later that day. Mom bought us a beautiful anniversary plate that looks really nice in the china cabinet. Oh, and for those who don't know already, I have been following the Weight Watchers Point System and to date have lost 22.8lbs! Go me! I am quickly running out of pants that fit me as they are all falling off, but it's a nice complaint to have!

MY LITTLE BOY IS GROWING UP!  Well, with the exception of night time, Colby is completely potty trained, with I must admit, very little help from me.  He has done this all by himself.  We were in the Superstore today, eating chicken fingers, (his favorite snack) and he looked at me and said "Mommy, I have to pee".  I had put a pull up on him for the trip out just in case, but he decided he wanted to pee in the public washroom.  I will admit, I am not a big fan of public washrooms, but the ones in the Superstore are very well maintained.  The first time we went in, he was afraid and did not want to sit on the toilet.  (We have a toilet seat and step up set up for him here in his bathroom).  We left the bathroom, both of us frustrated, when he told me again that he had to pee and wanted to go back.  And sure enough, he peed.  I was very shocked as I figured since he was afraid to go in the first time, he would just pee in the pull up.  He has had the same pull up on all day and it is still bone dry.  I think it's about time to stop putting pull ups on him when we go out.  He is only going to get one at night for another couple of weeks, then I will stop them all together.  I was looking at him today and wondering where all the time went.  I can't believe my little boy is growing up so quickly.  When we were in the doctor's office waiting for Kassie today, he played with the other kids that were there like he does it all the time.  I am really going to have to look into a morning play group for him for the fall, now that he is trained.  He really needs to get out and socialize with kids his own age.  My girlfriend Sandra has twins that are his age, but she is having issues with getting her son to sleep at night, so I don't feel right showing up there in the mornings. For all I know, they could still be sleeping when I show up.  There has also been a big shake up at work.  All of us on the Resolution Desk have all been promoted to Senior Lead Representatives, which is sort of the equivalent to assistant supervisor, sort of.  It means that we are no longer sitting up stairs segregated from general customer care, but down walking the floor, helping people with questions, and taking escalations when necessary.  Last night was my first night in this new position, and I really enjoy it.  It is much less stressful, as I spend much less time on the phones.  It is also nice to actually see who it is I'm helping.  Some representatives on the floor do not like this new procedure, as there is no longer a 1+hour wait to get to talk to us, so they actually have to work.  Oh well.  I also called and am switching my home phone and internet service to Eastlink. Aliant is still on strike with no end in site, and I'm really sick of it.  I have been waiting for a 120.00 credit on my account for 3 months now, since this strike started. They billed me for the month that I moved in here when I couldn't get them to come out and hook up the phone.  Everytime I drive by protestors I want to stop and ask them if this is really worth it.  They have been on strike for 3 months, and strike pay really can't be paying the bills.  But yet, day after day they are out in all weather holding their signs.  I swear, I will never work for a company that is unionized.  I don't see any union leaders out there holding signs.  And today, with it being so hot, sticky and raining, it really can't be worth it.

Future NBA star 

On the tire horse 

Colby, Kira and Rebecca 

Hanging with Nanny 

Colby reading 

Well, as you can see, potty training is going well.  These were pictures that mom and dad took yesterday.

Well, it was a sad day at Mom's today.  We had to put down Tiffany, our family pet of 15 years.  She was very old and very sick.  She was no longer able to walk.  Kassie and I took her down.  It was extremly hard, but ultimately she is much better off.

Well, the end of the day with Potty Training 101 has been a huge hit. He has been amazing today. It seems within the span of 24 hours he has trained himself. In a way it is also sad for me. My little boy is growing up much too fast. I can't believe he is now over 1/2 fully potty trained and will be 3 in 4 months. Where did my baby go?

HE PEED ON THE POTTY! Well, Colby has finally got the hang of the potty. I admit, I pushed him at the beginning of the week. I have had the attitude all long that he will when he's ready. Well, he's almost 3. I will NOT have a 3 year old in diapers. I started this Monday, and he did pee in the potty. He was soo proud of himself. Yesterday, absoutely no go. He wanted nothing to do with it. I thought, oh shit, it's done. Well, this morning when he got up, I took his pull up off, put him in real underwear and told him that if he has to pee, it has to be in the potty. Well, not even 10 minutes later he walked over to the potty himself, whipped the little blues clues undies down, and PEED! He was SOOO proud of himself. We didn't ask him or anything, he just went on his own. I think I am finally seeing diaper free days ahead!

Well, I have had no comments back on my letter yet. I figure I will know when management finds out that I sent it and rocked the boat. My guess is right now that I have 2 weeks left in REZ and they will find some reason to kick me out. I also put in my 2 weeks notice at the Physioclinic. It kills me to give up the typing, but now that I am getting nothing but 5-1:30 shifts at work I can no longer type when I get home. It's not fair to the physios if their letters are not getting back to them for a week. They need this documentation to go to insurance companies so they get paid. I am going to stay on as casual to help them out when needed, but am giving up the commitment. I think I'm going to start selling Avon, just for the tax write offs. Wanna buy some Avon anyone?

HERE IS MY LETTER:

Anna, Normally I do not voice my opinion as this but I feel this needs to be addressed. Yesterday, as I assume you are aware, the resolution department was treated to pizza. My understanding is that this was a morale booster for this department, due to the stress that we all have been under lately with the call volume. I cannot comment as to how it went over with the day shift, but as a night rez rep I feel you need to know what happened. We were approached at 8:30 PM to see what each of us would prefer for pizza. First of all, I feel that this was too late, as we have part time reps that were leaving as of 9:30. At approximately 9:10 P.M, the pizza arrived. The only reason I know that is I, along with a couple other representatives, watched them bring the pizza into the small conference room. We then watched SLR’s that were off line, TL’s from Rez, TL’s from the floor and MO’s go into this room. At this point, to my understanding no one from this department was advised that it had arrived. I went to my break at 9:30 and others around me went to their breaks and lunches within the same hour. As of midnight when I was off, I STILL was never offically informed that the pizza had arrived. My understanding is that people from the front of the row did get pizza, but us here at the end of the row were never informed. So needless to say, there were a few of us that never did benefit from this “morale booster”. I have to tell you, the food here is not the issue. The issue is that OUR TL’s and MO’s never even bothered to walk down the aisle and inform us that it was here. They had to walk past this aisle to go to the room where they all ate! Honestly, I was so upset when I left last night I was not coming back. To me, this was a HUGE slap in the face. I felt, and still do feel, very unappreciated. Not that I think that they are not working as hard as we are, but we are on the front line, drowning in que. And when a morale booster is offered to us, just so that we are made to feel that yes, someone does appreciate what we are doing, the time is not even spent to walk down this aisle and tell us it’s here. As a TL, I would expect that this is the least that could have been done. But again, the TL’s, SLR’s and MO’s didn’t miss out on their share. I feel that if the DEPARTMENT is being treated to something nice, the ENTIRE department should benefit, not just a selected few. That really doesn’t say much for the rest of us. I can tell you that I am not the only one in this department that feels this way, but I am only speaking on my behalf. I would appreciate if you do address this with anyone, that my name is left out of it. This is very small department and I felt that someone higher up needed to know, but I really don’t want to draw attention to myself. If you feel that you would like to discuss this further or in person, I would be more than happy to meet with you, outside the department. If not, I would just like to thank you for taking the time to hear (read I guess is the more appropriate term) me ramble. Tina Schwartz. How horribly wrong is that??? I was also talking to Dad the other day and he says, "I still can't leave a comment on your site". I checked it out. It is different. I told him to leave it as anomymous. Now it works! Post away Dad!

Well, of all the things I could be doing on a Thursday afternoon I watched Oprah. They were talking about medical screw ups, which should have made me turn the channel right there. There was a woman on there that went into labor and was in the hospital 4 days before her babies were delivered. Long and short of it, one little boy is severly brain damaged and blind due to lack of oxygen. He looked like Colby and I started to bawl. Just thinking about it makes me want to bawl again. Really makes you think. Anyways, there was also a HUGE issue at work on Tuesday night, which I will just cut and paste the letter that I emailed to senior management. I wasn't going to, but now I'm glad I did. It should be interesting when I go to work today if there is anything in my email as a response.

Well, vacation is officially over and we are all back to work. We had a fabulous vacation. We took BJ and Kelly to see Spider Man 2 on B's birthday (June 30th, I can't believe my little brother is 26!) and the movie was amazing. We went camping on Friday, Sat and Sunday, and Friday night we had the biggest thunder and lightning storm that I can remember. And we were in a tent! Luckily Colby was in the motorhome with his grandparents and slept through it all. And to make it worse, our tent started to leak so we also had Chinese Water torture (dripping on the forehead). It was not nice. But, besides that it was a great weekend. Colby had a fabulous time and was very well bahaved. He ended up at one point trying to play basketball wiht a couple teenagers. It was the cutest thing to see him trying to make a basket in a regulation height net. Mom and dad found him a play basketball net on the weekend and he loved it! Of course there were pics. These are the ones from dad's digital camera. We had a family bbq on Sunday for Kassie's birthday. Everyone had a blast. The house was a little crowded, but it was fun. I think Colby now has a little bit of a cold. Kira had the sniffles this weekend I think Colby caught whatever she has. Should be a fun couple of days.

O 

Colby and Poppy 

In the grass 

Window 

Heartbreaking 

Curtains 

Well, Happy Canada day! We got up very early this morning, with me having to wake everyone and rushing to the Sackville Days Parade. Dad was in the parade, driving the zamboni. We waited patiently for him to drive by, and when he did he didn't see us! We were not on the side of the road, but just off on the sidewalk. Colby was yelling "Poppy stop the Zamboni!". It was very cute. Pictures will be developed shortly. Speaking of pictures, Kassie spent the day with us today and we went to the Kinsmen Centre for a bbq beef supper. It was very good, and even Colby ate some. Afterwards, Colby and Kassie went outside on the grass and of course, I had my pictures! After that, Rob and Adam were finishing the baseboard in the living room (which looks FABULOUS, Rob even built a new entertainment centre) and we decided to take a drive to the Villa, as I had picked up b/w film. And with Shoppers being open today until midnight, I had to rush and get them developed. I must admit, they turned out a lot better than I hoped. I think I may actually have a knack for this photography stuff!

Well, we are laying the laminated flooring in the livingroom right now. We have pulled all the baseboards off and are in the process of riping up the carpet. This house is going to look amazing when we are done. I'm soo excited! Jean and I bought new curtains for the livingroom a couple weeks ago which made a world of difference. We will be painting Colby's room hopefully tomorrow or Monday. I bought the most amazing border for his room at a yard sale, and can't wait to put it up. I am also going to put up pictures around his room. I have pictues of him with all his grandparents, the twins, us, and friends. I think I am also going to have to get a bell for the inside of his bedroom door. We woke at 9:00 this morning to the phone ringing and Colby answered it in the livingroom! Obviously he was up. I don't like that. The car has been working great so far. I finally got the car seat anchor put in yesterday, so all I need now is a sunroof and the windows tinted. Hopefully that will be in a couple of weeks. I also told Rob today that I plan to take an evening this week and go down to the Villa. I went to school there and Rob's grandfather was in the nursing home there. It was an army base in the 50's and then was changed into housing. Well, it is now all empty and it is very sad. The store that was there has all the windows smashed in and the door is just swinging open. As sad as it is, it will make a beautiful black and white picture during sunset. That way, I can take advantage of shadows. Of course, now that I know how to post pictures they will be here! Oh, and for those of you who tried to post a comment and had problems. I have changed the blog (I didn't realize it was restricted) so anyone can leave a comment without registering.

Where's the water 

Pumping water 

On the bench 

Colby and Poppy 

Since I now have figured out how to post, this will make this blog much more fun. Here are pictures I took last weekend at the Fultz House in Sackville.

Well, since it is father's day, I thought I should write about what we did. We bought Rob a new golf bag and caddie, a new driver and a new wallet. Colby was also wearing an I Love Daddy shirt all day, which he proudly told everyone that he was wearing. It was much too cute. Rob had a good day.

yeah for me I finally figured out how to post a picture!!!! More pics will be posted now. Hea, if you're reading this, leave me a comment letting me know exactly who is looking at this. I'm feeling very unloved that no comments are posted.

Let's see if this actually works 

gonna try something

Well, the Cavalier is back, with a new fuel pump. I went and got Kassie yesterday and drove it around to see if it would shut off. So far so good. People at work think it may have been a vapor lock in the tank, which would have also been fixed with the new fuel pump. The big test is when I take it to work tonight. I have to drive to the clinic and back to work, which is exactly the route I was on when it broke down the last time. I must admit, I'm quite afraid of the car right now. I fear is being stuck in an intersection and having it shut off. But, the only way to find out what is going to happen is to actually drive the damn thing. But, the good thing, which I still for the life of me can't figure out why, the CD player is now working. It didn't work from the time I bought it until yesterday. I don't even pretend to try to understand that one. I have offically christened the car with a new name. Every vehicle I have owned I have named, starting with Sophie the Wonder Dodge (1988 Dodge Shadow), Floyd (1999 Honda Civic, Sam the Grand Am, Goldmember (the truck, another blog for that name), and now...... F.C. 1996 Cavalier.

Well, so far the new car has been a nightmare. I brought it home on Tuesday, and while out at yard sales on Saturday morning with Sandra it shut off while driving. No amount of effort on BJ's part could get it going, so I had it towed to the garage. The funny thing is, Sandra and I were talking earlier that day and I told her how I had put Mobile Assist on my cell phone. Well, I called them and had it towed. I called the mechanic on Monday morning, and he said that he could not find anything wrong with it. To make matters worse, he said when it was towed to his shop on Saturday he turned it on to move it and it!!! I went and got it back Monday, and yesterday while driving down the highway (luckily Colby was not with me) it shut off. AGAIN. So I managed to get it to the side of the road and called a tow. Again. Yesterday it was 32 degrees and I had to sit in the car to call the tow with the windows up because I could not hear on the highway. Needless to say, I was very sweaty. And of course, once it got to the mechanics it started. Dad was there and I asked him to try to start it, because if I did and it went, I would have a "Matthew Perry" moment (from the Whole Nine Yards). We have come to the conclusion that the fuel pump is the problem. Well, the fuel pump on a 96 Cavalier is 720.00! That doesn't even include labor to put the damn thing on! At that point, after losing the day from work, I broke down, right in the shop. Dad works for a guy who buys written off cars and fixes them up to sell. In the process, he has collected a somewhat "mini salvage yard" for him. So Dad called him, and lucky for me he had a 97 Cavalier with the fuel pump! When asked how much he wanted for this, he said "a case of beer", which of course made me cry again. This man who I hardly now is giving me this piece. It is now at the mechanics and I should have my car back by tomorrow. Daddy to the rescue! Just one of the many reasons we moved home. And we have had 2 people look at the truck already. I have to drive it to work tonight but after that, the first person who comes with cash can have it!

I bought a new car!! 1996 Cavalier. 4 door, 5spd. I LOVE it! I am getting it Tuesday. It's a private sale and the car is in excellent shape. Rob is going to drive the Grand Am until the lease is up in 2 years and then we're going to get another truck. We are in the process of selling his. We need something more reliable, and since he couldn't find anything he liked I picked out a car! Very exciting for me. I can't wait to get it.

Well, I had a lady come today from the Welcome Wagon, welcoming me to Sackville. Which is ironic because I grew up in Sackville. Well, this was an older, very prim and proper lady. Very nice, but proper. In the middle of this meeting, Colby looks at her and says: Lady, you are full of piss. Thanks mom and dad. She left shortly after that. Out of the mouths of babes, right?

Well, we are all settled and now that I live so close to mom and dad, I hardly ever see my kid! It's so nice, dad picks up Colby in the afternoons around 1ish and then takes him to go get mom and then I have a couple hours of me time until I go to work. As much as I am in love with my son, it's really nice to have an hour or 2 of downtime before going to work. We met up with mom in the grocery store today and as soon as he saw her, he had to go with her. So, I was promptly told to "go home mom". No loyalty at all. We went to see Shrek 2 yesterday. What a fabulous movie. Gramma Jeannine came over to look after Colby and he cried when she left. Again, no loyalty. Colby is very luck to have so many people around who absoutely adore him. He went to Gramma's on Saturday night with Rob for supper and she made him a beautiful new jacket. When we got up the next morning, (because I wasn't there when he got the jacket) he went running to show me and said "mommy, look at my favorite new jacket gramma made me" and he hasn't taken it off yet.

let's see if this works.

Oh, and Genevieve if you're reading this, I can't get to my computer and I don't have your email address. I still don't have long distance set up on my phone yet. Email me and let me know if you're coming up on the long weekend. You'll probably want to know where we live!

Well, we are finally somewhat settled. I am still to this day waiting for my high speed. I gave up waiting for my phone and went with eastlink. Aliant is still on strike, greedy bastards. My opinion on this is if you don't like what you're being paid, quit, give the job to someone who will work for that money. How much money are they making now walking up and down the road looking like fools with signs around their necks? I say fire them all. Colby loves his new room. He is settled in well. He got really sick last weekend and stopped eating. Finally he is now starting to eat again. I ended up sleeping in his bed with him for 3 nights. It is not very comfortable. We went out and bought paint for Colby's room and the livingroom. I can't wait until we get the whole house painted.

Well, we're all moved in. What a nightmare. Will blog about it later. I will never move again. We're still waiting for phone and internet because of the friggin' strike by Aliant.