The Bridge of Gold & Bankruptcy

The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) or Bridge of Gold, in Florence, lasted over 7 decades and is the only surviving bridge from Florence's medieval days. Impressive as that is, the true impression lies within its walls and buildings. The Bridge of Gold, as you can see, is not made of gold, but instead the shops on the bridge are almost exclusively goldsmiths. If you want to shop for jewelry, this would be the place.



Although pretty much everything for sale on the bridge, including the bottled water that was being sold by a vendor, was out of my price range, I did enjoy strolling through history. After all, it is said that the practice of "bankruptcy" was invented here.

Tiffany & Co. doesn't hold a candle to this place!

Roman Colosseum - Living History

It has always been a dream of mine to step foot in the Roman Colosseum, probably the most impressive building of the Roman Empire. The Colosseum is the iconic symbol for everything I've studied in university and before. It represents a glimpse into history, both its flaws and its triumphs. Even today, in a world of skyscrapers and architectural advancements, the Colosseum is still truly impressive.

The structured beauty of the Colosseum is in stark contrast to the murderous encounters that took place within it. Up to 50,000 spectators, including women and children, watched as thousands of people fought tooth and nail for their lives in a vicious cycle of victory or death. 

Meeting Flogging Molly's Bob Schmidt

Flogging Molly's Bob Schmidt and I in Moncton, NB, Canada.

Danjet, Algeria

8 day desert tour in Danjet, Algeria 

Get Away from OC's Tourists in San Clemente

The friendly, laid-back people and surfer-town feel make San Clemente a relaxing place to spend a Saturday. On a clear, sunny day, which most of them are in southern California,  it's hard to keep your eyes on the road as you take in a landscape that includes San Clemente's long stretches of the vast blue ocean.

Arriving at the pier, is like arriving on a movie set. It's massive pillars tower over the majestic ocean and the illumination from the sun gleaming around ever corner adds to the Hollywood feel. San Clemente is a hidden gem in an oasis of beauty.

Santa Monica Pier

Countless movies and TV shows were filmed at Santa Monica Pier and it certainly lived up to the hype when I visited it a few months ago. Next time, I'll have to ride the wheel.

Everglades and Alligators

A spectacular airboat ride where alligators are plentiful, a relaxing boat cruise through the Everglades National Park where dolphins play in the wake, a delicious, traditional lunch with alligator appetizers, a wildlife drive with the Big Cypress Preserve, and a nature walk full of gators, birds, and other wildlife are all part of the Everglades Day Safari. The Everglades Safari is the only full-day, guided eco-tour of the majestic Everglades. Each part of the tour is designed to explore the four main ecosystems that make up the ‘glades including: the sawgrass prairie, mangrove estuary, cypress swamps and pine savannah. I had never seen an alligator so close before that he could lunge out of the water and attack at any time; I'd also never held an alligator before or eaten one, but this tour was a day of first for me.

"Difficulty: Class IV rafting: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Moderate to advanced."

"Difficulty: Class IV rafting: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Moderate to advanced."

The intriguing difficulty level and open schedule made rafting with Costa Rica Rain Forest Tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica too exciting to pass up.

Our meeting point at the Rincon Corobici Restaurnat in Canas, Guanacaste was the perfect backdrop for a day of rafting and sightseeing. The howler monkey noises from above the restaurant set the scene and the bumpy, long truck ride to the waters intensified the experience. It was official - we were in the middle of nowhere!

Our first "putt-in" began with a few practice strokes then we were off on our 2.5 hour white-water trip.  Just when I was starting to feel disappointed with the difficulty level, there was a tight passage with little room for error. By the end of that stretch, I was the only one who hadn't fallen out of the raft. Although that may sound like a good thing, it most certainly was not! I became prime target number one.



Every turn and drop after that mysteriously hit the hardest on my side as our guide smirked and anxiously awaited my big fall. The one hour mark was our first rest stop and my thirst for extreme adventure had yet to be quenched. I egged on our guide with a challenge of getting me in and not upsetting our older guests.

Free Hot Air Balloon Ride in Orange County

When I heard that there was a free hot air balloon ride in Orange County, I figured it was worth a try. While soaring 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, The Great Park Balloon serves as an observation deck for everything that Irvine and the area has to offer. It's a quick, romantic sight for couples and an adventure for children. The free carousel adds to the park atmosphere.

Bahamas Party Cruise Makes Getting There All the Fun!

What can be more exciting than a Day Cruise to the Bahamas? During our visit to Florida, Darren and I hopped on Discovery Cruise Line and headed for the pristine sands of the Bahamian beaches that are softly caressed by the aqua waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Our cruise included two all-you-can-eat buffet meals, a swimming pool and sundecks, entertainment including music and a video disc jockey, cruise bingo, movies, games, bars, clubs, a video arcade, dancing, live music, cruise shows and contests, a casino with slots, Craps, Blackjack &  Roulette, and did I mention all-inclusive drinks? We may have enjoyed the outdoors on the sun decks, took a dip in the pool, and ate a hearty breakfast, but it was the all-inclusive drinks that encouraged me to participate in a limbo contest at 9am, a dance contest with Darren on the main deck at 10am, and a "photo shoot" at 12pm. Our cheap, Discovery Cruise ended up being one of the most memorable days of our lives together.

Hummingbirds by the Thousands at Monteverde, Costa Rica

At the Selvatura Hummingbird Garden, in Monteverde, Costa Rica visitors can observe more than 14 different species of hummingbirds including species that are not commonly seen in other areas of Monteverde. At the garden, the relaxing waterfalls and the beautiful floral arrangements provide a perfect setting for photography lovers.

Dolphin Foot Push a Mexican Vacation Highlight

One of the greatest attractions at Xcaret is the Swim With Dolphins activity.  It was the highlight of my trip, and an experience I'll remember for a lifetime.  I was actually able to interact with the dolphins in the dolphinarium.

During my swim with the dolphins, my primary interaction was with the adult mother
dolphins. The program included an explanation about the dolphins and a visit to the maternity area to witness the different stages of growth of the offspring. Then, in groups of six, we got into the water to interact with four dolphins, two moths and their offspring. The dolphins performed several activities, with each person individually, such as the kiss, handshake, tail greeting, hug, signs, bar jumping, whirlpool and foot push. The dolphins also do some singing, free diving, and dancing for the group.



My favorite part of the adventure was the foot push where two dolphins pushed my feet, propelling me through the water at such speed that I actually rose out of the water!

After the tour, I bought the video and pictures of my tour. Although it was ridiculously expensive, it was a way to make my memories last forever.

Monteverde, Costa Rica - A World Above!

Set atop the spine of Costa Rica’s continental divide, Monteverde is a place of cloud forests, coffee plantations, monkeys, mist, and friendly locals, but it is a world above for one main reason - its zip-lines and suspension bridges are the longest, and most exciting, in the country. The cables and platforms that are built into the cloud forest rather than above it, allowed us to feel truly immersed into the forested environment. Furthermore, the so-called “Tarzan Swing” at the end of the tour (a large, swing-like contraption that allows participants to swing out above the forest ) was an unexpected, but welcomed, surprise. Once you do a canopy tour in Costa Rica, all other "zip-lines" will feel like child's play.

The Extremo Canopy Tour began with an introduction to the safety equipment by local, albeit YOUNG, well-trained guides. During this segment, we were fitted with harnesses and taught the proper technique for riding the cables. Soon after, the flight through the forest began.

Gare du Nord Station, Paris - Beware!

Gare du Nord Station, Paris at 10pm is a rather dark and sketchy situation. It was the perfect setting for a murder or theft, but I was no longer thinking about movies; it was a current possibility. I was expecting to see the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre or maybe Notre Dame Cathedral; instead, I saw lots of homeless people, several run-down buildings, three dingy restaurants, and two hotels.

Paris - the city of love and lights is said to be the city of lovers... the most romantic place on earth; unless your idea of "love" is two people feeling each other up while holding a bottle of wine, each, than try to avoid Gare du Nord Station at night.

I arrived in Paris via Gare du Nord Station with no knowledge of what to expect and nothing booked for the evening. My hotel room had a single bed with dirty sheets and a balcony door that opened to a 7 story drop to the ground. The shower was black with mold and I'm still not sure what color the towel was suppose to be. The only thing I took with me from the hotel was a bad rash from bed bug bits and pessimistic view of Paris.

If you have the option to use any other station in the city, spend the extra money and avoid the disappointment and possible mugging.

Jamaica Wedding

With over 2/3 of my views under the "Our Jamaica Wedding" category, I'm excited to post more pictures from our dream wedding adventure.

"We can only said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."  

Thornton Wilder

Ciad Mile Failte at Tig Cóilí's in Galway, Ireland

Traditional Irish music 7 nights a week, young, friendly, good-looking staff, and a great atmosphere make Tig Cóilí in Galway, Ireland one of my favorite finds during my European trip.

Tig Cóilí is situated on Mainguard Street at the end of Shop Street in Galway, Ireland and is always filled to the brim like the great Guinness that they serve.

I arrived at Tig Coili on a hot July night and people were overflowing from its front door. A
musical ceilidh was already in session with local and travelling musicians joining in.

I was welcomed by a member of the family run pub who found the time to mingle with the guests, serve excessive amounts of alcohol, and play with the band when he was not needed behind the bar.

After a few short hours of enjoying the surroundings, drinking more than my body weight in beer, and talking with pretty much everyone in the pub, I felt like I was part of something more. I was emerged in the culture and environment that is uniquely Irish and I never once felt out of place or unwelcome.



The people intermingled inside and out with little restrictions on where you could go with drinks. When stopped by a police officer because I was holding a glass bottle, he simply gave me a plastic glass, smiled, and told me to enjoy my night.

Tig Cóilí is a great place to go and soak up the heart of Ireland, where dancing in the streets isn't just a saying.



If you find yourself within 20 miles of Galway, stop in Tig Cóilí and chat with Aonghus O'Flaherty; he might just be the nicest Irishman alive, and that's saying something! Ciad Mile Failte doesn't quite cut it.

Alaska's Hyperactive Tourist

Since I moved to California to avoid the cold of eastern Canada, I'd assume it's surprising to hear that I wanted to travel to Alaska during the first possible chance. It's hard to find the time when Darren, my husband, doesn't really have vacation at his still-somewhat-new position in OC so after checking out the flight prices, we decided to hop on a plane and head to the Last Frontier for the weekend. I researched the top touristy things to do in Anchorage and we managed to book a full day of adventure and sight seeing; the great thing about summer in Alaska is the 20 hours of daylight allow for expansive ground coverage. By exploring the Anchorage Market & Festival in the morning, participating in the Ridgeline Aviation Helicopter, Glacier & Dog Sledding Tour in the afternoon, and finishing the evening by viewing the splendor of Turnagain Arm by Alyeska's Aerial Tram, we managed to cover more ground in one Saturday than most people experience in a week.

Every summer Saturday and Sunday, more than 300 vendors take over 7 acres of downtown Anchorage selling Alaskan-made goods and food from all over the world. With more booths and tables than the eye can see, I quickly realized the sheer volume of things that I could buy. I wasn't exactly in the market for a "fur" or warm, Alaskan clothing since I was returning to OC the next day, but a painting or photograph or some handmade jewelry was definitively on my radar. 

The Ultimate Adventure Weekend

What do you get when you combine the extreme adventure sports of whitewater rafting, riverboarding, and skydiving? It's called the ultimate adrenaline rush and Millinocket, Maine is the only place in North America where you can do it all in the same weekend.

Gone are the days of relaxing on a river, taking in the scenery from a comfy airplane seat, or paddling quietly in a canoe. New trends in travel include adrenaline, extreme adventure sports, and pushing the limits. At the base of Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, I found Maine Whitewater River Surfing, Three Rivers Jump and Raft, and the experience of a lifetime!

Rafting the Class V Penobscot River, riverboarding the whitewater rapids, and skydiving from 11,000 feet was the most insane, adrenaline-filled weekend of my life. Whitewater rafting is an ultimate experience by anyone's standards, but the tough Class V Penobscot River has chutes, drops, and large holes that challenge both guide and guest alike. In exciting rapids like Exterminator, Cribworks, and the Nesowdnehunk Falls, I quickly learned that I could easily be in over my head, but the guides are experts and carefully selected to make the ride both safe and exciting. It is 13 miles of pure adrenaline, yet I still found the time to look up and enjoy the breath-taking scenery that surrounded me.

Before we even left the training waters, one guest paddled himself out of the raft, and we realized that rafting is not all about muscles or size. The white water was in my face and I was soaked to the bone, but I managed to stay in the raft. During the very little down time that the Penobscot has to offer, I took the opportunity to go for swim in the white waters. I left my reservations about fish and other marine life at home and splashed around like a child. After the liberating experience of controlling the waters, there was no time for fear of a few fish.

Our Jamaica Wedding

When we planned our wedding at Breezes Trelawny in Jamaica for January 4th, 2011, we didn't have high expectations for the resort, rather for our family and our ability to have a great time in any situation. My husband and I had traveled around the world and our only hope was to experience somewhere new while marrying each other. What we didn't expect was that it was a tropical paradise situated in some of the most stunningly beautiful surroundings on earth. After all, it was here where our lifetime together began.

Breezes Trelawny is not the top resort in Jamaica and it lacks in several all-inclusive areas, such as food, available activities, and cleanliness, but the great photo opportunities were in abundance. I can't imagine anywhere else in the world where we could get photos on the beach, around a flower-filled walkway, near rustic shacks, in a gazebo, around a pool, on a rock climbing wall, and on a trapeze (Okay, I can guarantee you didn't expect the trapeze, but it worked).

Most people spend thousands of dollars on having the most beautiful wedding setting and spend thousands more on alcohol and food to follow the ceremony. Our simple, classic wedding was preceded by a dancing bride down the isle that just so happened to be a spectacular beach and succeeded with an open bar and unlimited food in an à la carte restaurant with a singing, dancing waiter. Everything was easy and surreal.

You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without
~ Author Unknown ~
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep
because reality is finally better than your dreams.
~ Dr. Seuss~

5-4-3-2-1-BUNGEE!

The Bridge to Nowhere, http://www.bungeeamerica.com/, in Angeles National Forest provided a 120-foot platform, or what appeared to be a toothpick as I stepped over the ledge to what could possibly be my final moments, for an unforgettable bungee jumping experience.

Set deep in the San Gabriel Canyon, my husband and I, along with 30 other jumpers, met at 7:30 am for a 5 mile hike over a rocky, rough trail that led to the bridge. The trail crossed a creek 6 times in up to three feet of water each time. This part of the journey alone was taxing and I was tired by 9am.



By the time I reached the bridge, I was exhausted and wet but my adrenaline kicked things up a notch; I was keenly aware of the Goliath stone bridge that rose up from the jagged rocks and rushing water below.

Spectacular Canyon and Ocean Vistas in All Directions at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park's entrance is along Laguna Canyon Road and is open to visitors from 8am to 4pm with a cost of $3 for parking.

As my husband and I strolled, and sometimes struggled, past oak and sycamore woodlands, onto ridges with expansive scenery, and through rocky bluffs that tower above the canyon trails, we felt as if we was seeing California as it has existed for thousands of years.

From the top of the park,  there are several trails to explore and the views are incredible.  Temple Hill, also known as Top of the World, is the high point of the coastal hills surrounding Laguna Beach and it is just a glimpse of the many views the park has to offer.

Iberostar Paraíso Lindo - Best Family Resort for the Price

Last March, I visited the Iberostar Paraíso Lindo and I was blown away by the activities, food, beverages, cleanliness and hospitality offered at such a reasonable price. The only other all-inclusive resort that could possibly compare to the Iberostar Paraíso Lindo is the Royal Hideaway at over triple the cost.

With a wave pool, lazy river, swim-up bar, countless pools and restaurants, a fine white sand beach, jumping night life, kids' club, Spanish lessons, dance lessons, aerobics, shooting, archery, basketball, cycling, beach volleyball, billiards, boccia, catamarans, football, gymnastics, kayaking, aqua gym, the scuba clinic, snorkeling, table tennis, tennis and windsurfing all without setting foot outside the hotel, I felt like everything I could ever need in life was at my finger tips.

While walking around the grounds of the resort, it felt like an aquatic paradise. The ocean was refreshing and never-ending; the pools filled the resort and appeared around every corner and the variety of water activities were impressive for an star resort.

Leonardo de Vinci said, "For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return."

There is nothing natural about falling 13,000 feet through the sky!



Leaving the plane was the hardest part, especially since I had a death grip on the door, but free-falling through the sky at 200km/h was exhilarating; it literally took my breath away.

The Holy Grail of Pizza in Orange County

There are two foods I desperately miss from eastern Canada: poutine and pizza, but for now, I'll focus on the pizza. I didn't think I would ever find something that tastes like it and it hindered my decision to move to California. What if I only had that unique taste when I visited Nova Scotia? Could I possibly live without it? But now I know I don't have to!

Nowhere else in the world seems to get pizza quite like Cape Bretoners.  The piled high cheese, the crispy crust with fluffy ends that defies the gourmet norm and the sauce that oozes out from under the mozzarella, baked into a thin, aromatic zest that stretches over the circumference of the crust makes my mouth water just imagining it.  And believe me, at two months pregnant, I can imagine it!

I stumbled upon Original Pizza in Newport Beach after a day of boogie boarding and soaking up the sun.  After trying my first piece of vegetarian pizza with tomatoes instead of olives, it was like being transported back to Cape Breton and all of my childhood, pizza-eating memories flashed before me. I was home! I don't know how they figured out the secrets of Cape Breton pizza when everywhere else in the world that I visited, even Italy, didn't understand the mouth-watering concepts, but there it was!

Oh Original Pizza, thank you for bringing a little bit of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada back to me.

Favorite All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico

I felt compelled to add some photos from my favorite all-inclusive. The Royal Hideaway Playacar in Mexico effortlessly does all-inclusive right. Now this is a breathtaking resort that claims a spectacular beach!

What Makes a Great Beach in SoCal?

When I first moved to Orange County, I searched for the best beach for swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding. Laguna Beach is continuously noted as the best beach in California. Even the OC Register saves the number 1 spot for Laguna, but after 9 months of living in California and travelling from north to south, I just can't figure it out.

Sure Laguna Beach is home of the Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters, making it popular with artists, and those art shops and summer festivals can be found near the beaches. It also offers basketball and volleyball, which not only has perks for athletes. I mean, who doesn't like watching competitive athletes, in great shape, diving around in the sand? With a playground for kids, a shower, bathrooms and sand pits, it is family friendly. Based on those criteria, Laguna beach seems to have it all, until you actually try to get near the water.



The beach is constantly over crowded and finding parking can be flat out impossible, and that's just the tip of the seaweed. With the waters warming up for summer, kelp and seaweed is drying up and washing ashore, and that attracts swarms of flies! If kelp, seaweed, and flies aren't enough to keep you from going for a swim in the Pacific, the number of sand sharks may be the last straw. Kelp beds, which are obviously in abundance in Laguna, are a great nutrient for sea live and communities. That's a good thing right? Well, not when you desperately fear sharks, even the non-human-attacking ones. With five unprovoked shark attacks along the Pacific last year, any fin in the water is a little unnerving.

While swimming at Laguna Beach just two weeks ago, I encountered 5 sand sharks and at least 6 other people had the same experience. I was too bothered by the encounter not to ask a lifeguard. Who better to know what is really going on out there? My obvious "here's your sign" question, after seeing them with my own eyes, was, "Are there any sharks out there?" To which he replied, "Hundreds, but they're harmless." After prying a little more, he told me about a pack of about 40 leopard sharks at the cove just north of the main beach. As he spoke about snorkeling around with these 5 foot sharks, his tone was casual and calm.

Maybe it's my "girly" side or my fear of sharks, but I'd prefer a beach like Newport where the kelp and seaweed is less prominent and the sharks seem to be better at hide-and-seek.

Huntington Beach - This is Surf City USA

It may be a little bit of a drive from my home in Laguna Hills, but the 8.5 miles of pristine shoreline make "Surf City" a perfect way to spend a Saturday or any day for that matter.

Laguna Beach may be famous for its art walks and festivals and Newport Beach may have spectacular homes, but with it’s sparkling waters, unlimited surf, and friendly people, Huntington Beach is a great, local place to relax, enjoy the sun, and bask in the unbelievable surroundings.



You don't have to be a great photographer to take stunning photos in Huntington Beach. With the most consistent waves on the West Coast, surfers ride the waves until the sun goes down.  

Into the Wind – Engine Free Flying in Southern California

Amelia Earhart once said, “Adventure is worthwhile in its self.”  This belief, along with our shared attitudes about altitude, encouraged me to try the engine-free flight options in southern California.

The entire southern coast offers numerous ways to fly into the wind. Whether you crave the thrill of bungee jumping, prefer the extreme, heart-racing pleasure of sky-diving or a serene paragliding flight, southern California is home to a variety of air sports set above the state’s beautiful, yet rugged terrain. Come along with me on my engine-free journey and see which activity brings you to new heights. See you in the skies.

Across the Continent Move Made Easy - New Brunswick to California

Life in eastern Canada was simple and connected. Teaching high school English in Moncton, New Brunswick was a challenging yet rewarding experience. I loved my students and my co-workers, some more than others of course, and the benefits of being a full-time, pension-receiving teacher who enjoys stress free summers and all of the holidays are ample to say the least. The short, two hour drive to see my family was a breeze and made "family time" a regular event. My boyfriend, now husband, Darren, was more than I ever thought possible in a man other than my grandfather and he made me see how beautiful life can be. His IT position allowed him to work from home and give us the quality time that I always desired. We'd traveled to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Florida, and the Bahamas during my summer vacation and he "worked" during the day from the hotel rooms. Besides all of that, we already owned a house, a boat, and our own cars with no payments, which made my life appear just about perfect. There was one thing missing - the sunshine! New Brunswick is not a frozen tundra with 24 hours of darkness, snow, ice, and cold. It has gorgeous summers with light winds that make for a spectacular day sailing or boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean, but was that enough? Two months of sunshine followed by a cold, dreary season of extended winter was not my idea of a dream location. I was living my perfect life and I wasn't willing to settle for anything else, including my environment.

Darren asked me one evening if I could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? The question struck me off guard. Was he, too, unhappy with the New Brunswick surroundings? After a short, one-evening conversation about the top places in the world, we both imagined life in southern California. It became an obsession for both of us and we scoured the internet for information about life in OC and considered what it would be like living that far away from our families.

After three days of dreaming, Darren applied for a software architect position in Orange County and he was offered the job immediately. With a house and other "toys" we shrugged our shoulders at the offer and thought it was impossible. Putting the house on the market was our half-ass attempt at considering the possibilities. We posted it on the Canadian version of craigslist.com called kijiji.ca and said that if the house sold, we'd move. Well, just like that, in one week, we sold the house, the boat, and my car. If we were looking for a sign, that was it. We put everything that we couldn't fit in a small u-haul car attachment for sale, I resigned from my teaching position and we said our good-byes to our families. That was it! There wasn't a drawn-out, complicated process of decisions. Like the rest of our experiences since meeting, it was simple.

The drive across the continent was a total of 55 driving hours, although it took us 6 days because we stopped along the way to enjoy some uncharted territory for us. We drove through New Brunswick, where the first snow flakes had fallen on the frozen ground, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and ended in California. 5, 780 km or 3,592 mi later, we drove directly to the Bank of America, opened a US account, found an apartment, and moved in the next day.

Since meeting Darren in April, 2010, we've moved in together, traveled to 7 countries, experienced sky-diving, white-water rafting, surfing, bungee jumping, paragliding, zip-lining, and river boarding, got married in Jamaica, and are now pregnant with our first child. Moving to another country in two weeks was not only expected, but required.

New Californian

Hello World,

I'm a 30 year old former teacher who recently moved from eastern Canada to southern California. My husband and I wanted to consciously choose our environment rather than settling where we were born. After being married in Jamaica in January, we've decided to start a family. I'm now 2 months pregnant and our new adventures await.