Landing in Edmonton was about as sweet as you might imagine, to be met by a happy Mom and sister and later a cold beer - even better. Man, that was a long day. Luckily Simone was having an angel perfect day and scarcely even cried once during all the take-offs and landings and wheeling around airports and the shuttle ride. Oh - and at the border, they didn't even ask to see her birth certificate, let alone a passport. So it's not a Customs/Immigration issue. It's all FAA worrying about the security compromise of a 5 month old on a plane - but not within the US, where they also didn't ask to see any documents. I still can't quite figure out the issue - if she is okay within the USA on a plane and within Canada on a plane and Canada doesn't give a shit if she crosses the border by air without a passport - why should the US care? How is that more of a security threat? I tell you, the complaint letters are just piling up in my Out Box. Oh - and along the way because I had to repack everything in one suitcase because now I had to transfer so many times and couldn't push the stroller and handle two suitcases - I got dinged $50 on two separate airlines for my bag being 55 pounds, not 50. And then - drumroll please - despite the fact that I checked my bag in Toronto 4 hours early AND paid $50 extra - whose bag was the only one not to show up in Edmonton? That's right - mine! With all the baby stuff in it....I just started laughing hysterically when I realized it was the final thing that could go wrong - and it did. Luckily I was staying with my sister who has extra baby stuff because it could have been pretty awful.
We are having fine time and many beer and Clamato's have been absorbed already. Canada - I miss your Smarties, Crunchie Bars, and Clamato. Among other things.
USA - I miss my husband! It's the 4th anniversary today of the day I donned my red dress and said "I Do" to the sweetest man on the planet. And the one who gets up with Simone in the middle of the night. On all accounts he is missed, especially today. 4 years - my lord, how did that happen? I'm a lucky lady. But I do wish he was here for a little Grandma babysitting and the chance to slip away for a beer without juggling the babe. You can't have it all, I guess.