Looong overdue update!

Once, again I have dropped the blogging ball big time! It been a LOOONG time since I update you all on the happenings in the Falk household. Where to start???

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grady! (On March 4th). I can't believe our baby is one already! It reminds me once again, that time goes by SO fast and we only get these moments once. Our little man had been taking "steps" for a month or so, but really took off just days after his birthday. He can now reach things off the counter, which has made me much more careful in the kitchen! He's learning all kinds of new things daily, which I sometimes just have to smile at. He's saying a few words, and is trying to say many more (we think). At 12 months his words included: Daddy, Mommy, Bird, Ball, That (dat), All done (ahh duu), Poop (nice I know), and Banana (nana).

2. As many know already, our family is growing once again! I am currently 15 weeks, and am due on September 25th/09 (yes, that is our anniversary). However, since I am leaning towards having a repeat c-section, our babe will probably arrive sometime in the week previous to the actual due date. We have had one ultrasound so far, at approximately 10 weeks and everything looked lovely. We were thankful not only for that news, but also at learning that we will only be welcoming one additional child into our home right now.

As for how I'm feeling....At around six weeks, the dreaded morning sickness kicked in and knocked the wind right out of me. It got to the point of it being unsafe for both me and the baby, so I decided to accept the help of heaven sent pills. While on them, I feel 95% fine.

3. We are anxiously preparing for our week long siesta in Mexico for Rachelle and Alex's wedding. I am very much looking forward to basking in the sun, and having some me time, and not having to worry about my "bathing suit body" as I will be 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time. I am not however, even slightly, looking forward to leaving Grady behind for that week. I am already starting to prep myself for the separation, and know it will go fine, but am none the less, dreading it.

So life is busy, and changing for us right now. We are looking very forward to meeting our new little one, but are also savoring the time we have to focus on Grady alone.

Not Me Monday

"Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week."

Not Me Mondays. And time when blogging mommies join in McMama's fun and tell about our "adventures" in motherhood. Its been a while since I played along, but I though this week I'd give it another go.

This past week, while driving down the road with an empty back seat, I defiantly did not see a train coming, and in my high pitched meant for Grady voice yell out "Choo Choo" to my empty vehicle. That would be just embarrassing. And when I later told Dan about my silly moment, he did not smile and say "I totally do that too". That defiantly not us.

As I grudgingly wound up the roll of Grady assisted unravelled toilet paper, I did not look my almost 11 month old square in the eye and say "This may have been cute the first few times you did it, but by the 100th time, mommy does not find it very cute" fully expecting him to understand and never do it again. And I did not finally concede and simply permanently remove the toilet paper roll from his reach when he immediately turned and tried to do it again and again. Nope, i don't give up that easily.

And I definitely did not realize that I have worm my hair up in a pony tail, hiding behind my black head band 4 out of the seven days last week. Nope, I have definitely not become one of those frumpy mamas. And this definitely does not make me kind of sad.

25 things you may, or may not know about me.

Well, I decided to join in on the newest rage. So, here my friends, is my list of 25 things you may, or may not know about me.

1. I got married when I was only 21 years old. At the time, I thought I was "so old", but looking back I realize I was very young. But, I don't regret it for one second.

2.I love my career as a social worker, but if I could do it all over again, I would have chosen to go into architecture. I love floor plans, and building layout. Who knows, maybe I still will do that someday.

3. I spent my first nine years living on a farm, and I think even though most of my life since has been in town - the farm lifestyle is still in my blood. I hope that we can have an acreage and horses someday.

4. My favorite food is corn on the cob. Covered with butter and salt. Mmmm

5. Sometimes I wish I could go back and do high school over again. I LOVED Prairie and miss the friends I made there. Other than Jarrett who is now my 1/2 cousin, I don't ever see anyone from those days anymore. I am looking forward to the 10 year reunion!

6. I wish I was more outspoken about social activism. I wish I lived in an area were I could be more involved with it, and I sometimes think the world we live in is upside down and so unfair.

7. I have one sister who I love more than anything. We couldn't be more opposite, but I couldn't love her more!

8. By the age of 24 I had two degree - one in Behavioural Science, and one in Social Work.

9. I think for the most part, I hated my years at NUC. I loved my friends, but overall it was not a great time in my life. Other than Dan, who honestly kept me there.

10. I spent two weeks sailing around on a Tall ship when I was 16. I loved that life style, and if I was more of a free and easy person - I would go and live/work as a deck crew in the Caribbean. But I don't want to be there more than I do here!

11. I have the craziest dreams. People from the most obscure areas of my life often make crazy appearances in my dreams. (No not risque dreams - just out there!).

12. I used to want at least 4 kids. Now that I have had a c-section, I am not so sure. I hope to at least be blessed with 3 though.

13. My Grandpa has been gone for over a year now. I still miss him sometimes, and sometimes I catch a wiff of something that smells like him and makes me tear up. And when I hear certain hymns, I can just see him with his hand in the air loving our family singing times. These memories make me equally happy and sad.

14. I love to read. I read all the time, and all kinds of books. I sincerely hope that Grady loves to read as much as I do.

15. I played the French horn all through my school band years. I wish I would have stuck it out with the French Horn, and was right now playing with a symphony. I love music, and I loved the way playing in a large classical band made me feel.

16. I suck at keeping in touch with good friends from my past. I have a few girls in my life that I miss and care about a lot, but can't seem to remember how to call!

17. My least favorite household chore is folding socks. I despise it.

18. Sometimes I feel religiously misunderstood. I often feel judged, and don't think many people know the real me in this area.

19. I think my Baby is the cutest, smartest, most amazing baby that has ever lived. I am lucky to be his mommy.

20. When I was pregnant, I craved Cinnamon so badly that I contemplated eating my cinnamon flavored tooth paste. Luckily, my rational brain beat out my pregnancy one and I did not eat the tooth paste.

21. I will never, if I can help it, live in the city again. It makes me feel claustrophobic, and smothered. I need wide open spaces.

22. One of my favorite places on earth is Sooke, BC. Its beautiful, and is Dan and I's special place on earth.

23. I love that my parents live down the street from us. I missed them so much when they were in Ontario, and I am selfishly glad they are back.

24. I have been teaching myself to play the guitar. I have a ways to go, but find it so relaxing and the best way for me to connect with God at this time in my life.

25. There is nothing more or less that I need in my life at this time. I love my hubby, I love Grady, and I love myself. Done.

We interupt this blogging hiatus....

To bring you an update! Finally :D Yup, its been a while since I posted a new story, or tid bit of info on our family. Why you ask? Well, quite frankly I don't know why. I've been busy... reading. Yup, I got into a few new good books, and in my spare time rather than post something for your reading pleasure I've had my nose buried a book. Which books you ask? Well, I'll tell you! The most recent one I just finished was

This one is historical fiction, that centers on the life of an African child who is abducted by slave traders. Basically it follows her life through the struggles and the triumphs that come with having your life stolen. In a lot of ways it is heartbreaking, but in others it is incredibly empowering. Overall, a very good read!
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Onto other news. Grady is almost 11 months. I can't help but keep thinking "last year at this time I was..." We have started planning a little birthday party for him, which will be small but fun. He is almost walking, but not quite. He IS sleeping through the night every night, which makes me a very happy mommy! Overall, he is happy, healthy, and still our amazingly cute, sweet and fun little man!

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And this little piggy went we we we we we.....

Funny story time(at least I think so).

Lately I've been playing with Grady, asking him "Where are Grady's ears???", or "Where are Grady's Feet???" trying to get him to point at them. However, when I ask he usually just laughs, or pretends he doesn't hear me... Now keep that in mind for the next part of the story.

My Mom (Grady's Grandma Mc) loves to play "This little Piggy" with Grady. As a result Grady is often in stitches, and seems to love this game most when Grandma does it. Also keep this in mind as I go on.

The other day we were over at their house for supper during the Gold metal Canada Jr Hockey game (Whoo hoo Canada!). Anyhow, I was killing time on their computer while Grady and Grandma played on the floor behind me. I turned towards them just in time to observe this.

Grandma: "Hey Grady. Were are your feet?"

Grady: No response

Grandma: "Where are Grady's Piggy's???"

Grady: With at thoughtful expression on his face, he reached down and grabbed his toes.

After much cheering, we decided to try again.

Grandma: "Were are Grady's feet??"

Grady: Again, Nothing.

Grandma: "Where are Grady's Piggy's??"

Grady: Again, Grabs his toes.

So it has been discovered that Grady does not have toes. Nope. He defiantly has Piggy's.

2008

2008 - the year of Grady. I can't help but be a little bit nostalgic today as I look back on the past year. We entered the year walking face first into the unknown. And as much as we thought we knew about parenting and babies, we were wrong in a lot of ways. What I mean by that is sure, we knew we would be sleepy all the time, we knew I would have to change diaper after diaper and on and on. What we didn't know was how we would instantly love this little child in a life changing way. We didn't know that in addition to a baby being born, and mother and father were born to. We didn't know that we would suddenly do the craziest things to make him smile because it melts our heart to see his little grins. We didn't know that when we dream about the future, it is more often than not Grady that we see. We just didn't know. But now we do. And that is what encompasses 2008 for us. It was not the easiest year of our lives by any means, but I can honestly say it has been the most joyful.

So, it is with some sadness that we say good-bye to 2008. But with much hope and joy about what 2009 will bring our family of 3.

Prayer for baby Stellan

The little baby who I had written about a few weeks ago, Stellan (McMama's youngest)is very sick again. He has been diagnosed with RSV, basically meaning what started as a common cold has progressed into a very serious and threatening illness for the little guy. So, if you think of him, say a little prayer for this beautiful little family. You can check out McMama's blog (My Charming Kids is linked lower on the left hand side of the screen) for updates strait from the source.