New Orleans

Scott and I had a wonderful time in New Orleans. It is dripping with history and culture. There is so to see but we didn't have enough time to see everything we wanted. We did get to walk by the Mississippi River, experience "pre-Marti Gras", eat beignets at Cafe du Monde, tour St Louis Cathedral, enjoy all the wonderful creole cuisine, and walk all around Bourbon, Canal, and St Peter Streets. The only thing that wasn't fun was the weather. It was freezing! We had to wear all the clothes we brought - all at once and we were still cold. It was the one time I didn't bring enough clothing. 

When we arrived in New Orleans, the streets were filled with party-goers and we were worried we had come at a bad time - haha we are so old now. We went out on Bourbon Street that night and listened to live music and had a great time. They had the streets blocked off so even though it was cold, they were filled with people and music. There were people playing jazz and other street entertainers on every corner. Everyone was carrying large bones of frozen cocktails and wearing beads. All of the buildings were covered in Marti Gras and Saints decorations. The next morning when we woke, they were washing the streets. We grabbed breakfast - seafood omelets - and walked around the city to do a bit of sight-seeing. We stopped for hot chocolate and beignets at Cafe du Monde and enjoyed the French Quarter and the French Market. Exhausted and freezing we went back to our hotel and took a nap and thawed out a bit. I don't remember the last time I was this cold and we even bought stocking caps. We went back out around 3pm and if it wouldn't have been daylight, I would have sworn it was 3am! The streets were again filled with people and some of the bars were packed with people dancing on the bars! We walked around a bit then went back in and got ready for dinner. We had dinner at an oyster bar and I enjoyed a delicious bloody mary. We ended up back at the hotel around 11:30. We were so tired that we decided we couldn't handle another night out on the town. The next morning we had jambalaya omelets. Then we went and got Cafe au Laits (coffee and steamed milk) from Cafe du Monde. This time we didn't have to wait in line. We went to the river - because New Orleans is below sea level, a lot of tourists never see the Mississippi river. You have to walk up a hill to see it. We packed the car and drove up to the Garden District to see the "American" Sector and all of the historic mansions. Canal Street separates the French Quarter and what was once known as the "American" Sector. I came back from New Orleans with a love for creole cuisine and a Saints fan. It was a wonderful trip.

One of the decorated balconies: (All of the balconies were decorated and for rent for the Superbowl and Marti Gras.)

Street art:

 

 St Louis Cathedral: (the inside was beautiful but my pictures didn't turn out great)

Our hotel:

 

Geaux Saints!

 

Freezing!

Early in the night...it became much more crazy!

Artwork & More

Addi's teachers sent her home with more artwork. It is all from October and November because it was displayed at the daycare but I wanted to share. I have them proudly displayed in our office. Now when she comes home with dirty fingernails, I don't wonder why. Maybe this summer we will get some finger paints but until then she can paint at school :)


It turns out that Addi is a much better eater at daycare than at home. She really only eats a few bites of everything at home and she won't touch the peas. But at daycare she eats everything. They do lace the peas with applesauce but at this point I don't want everything she eats to be sweet. Maybe this is why she doesn't eat well? Her teachers think its because she wants to nurse at home rather than eat. Right now I'm not going to worry about it. She is just learning.

She had her first "shy - I need mommy" moment the other day. We went to our neighbor's house to watch the playoff game and Lydia wanted to hold Addison. Of course she goes to everyone so I passed her along. After about 30seconds she was fussy and reaching for me. She wouldn't let me out of her sight and I had to sit on the floor near her so she would hang out and play. Eventually she warmed up to the environment and to everyone and of course Scott or I were always right there.

Baby signs are going well. We missed last week's class because of school stuff but we can go this week. Its a 6 week class and is a lot of fun. Addison is the youngest baby but she really seems to like it. It will be a while before she learns to sign, but she is starting to recognize signs. She gets really excited when I sign (and say) milk.

School is going well. I am slowly getting my prospectus outlined. I am meeting with my chair this week to talk about it. Once I rope it all in and figure out exactly what I need to include, I can really start to write. The class that I am TAing for is so interesting! I am really enjoying the "teaching" part of it although I don't teach in the traditional manner. It made me realize that I miss being in front of a class.

Scott starts his traveling next week. It will be an adjustment for us all but hopefully it won't be for too long. At this point we are hoping he is only gone a few nights a week. Please pray for us during this change. I know it is really hard on Scott to be away from us, and I am hopeful that something great and grand is going to come out of it for Scott.

Scott and I can't wait for the weekend!!!! WoooHooo New Orleans!

New Orleans here we come!

Scott and I just booked a weekend for New Orleans in a couple of weeks. Its about a 6.5 hour drive and neither of us have been so we are really excited. Its a short trip but should be a fun way to celebrate our anniversary. We are staying at the The Inn on Bourbon. I love reward points! Mrs. Marie and Mr. Ricky are coming to town to hang out with Addison and Dylan.

Dylan has more pep in her step so I think the thyroid medicine is starting to work. She is much more energetic and looks like she is slimming down. We won't know for sure how well its working until we go back in February but for now its looking good.

Addison still isn't digging the peas although its looking better. She likes it when I thin it out with breast milk. We try avocado this weekend. Its pretty easy - just mash and maybe add some breast milk or water to thin it out. No cooking involved. We will see...

pass the peas please

Or not. So far Addi is not digging the peas. Not sure if its the texture or the taste but we are going to continue to try all week. After she first tried them she refused to eat the squash but that passed later today. She was in a cranky mood today - the teeth are hurting her I think - so maybe that is why the peas got the shaft. We will soon find out.

I believe her new teeth are related to the slowskies. For some reason (and I am not alone on this, Scott thought the same thing), I thought they would just pop out once they broke the skin. Not the case (although each morning we check to see if they are there). They are just hanging out. One has broken free the other is still in restraints. Her gums are red and swollen, and I'm just giving her extra mommy love and my fingers (her choice not mine although she also loves ice in the mesh foodie bag, teethers, links, frozen anything, etc) to chew on in the meantime.

We also discovered recently that she LOVES the remote. I mean loves it and will do whatever she can to get to it. Another way she is like Scott :) Perhaps we will use the remote to get her to crawl. Right now she just rolls until she gets to it. Its pretty funny seeing her roll all over the place.

mmmm...butternut squash

If Addison could talk, I do believe she would say, "mmmm...butternut squash!"

She really likes butternut squash. I found out after a few days at daycare that she LOVES cereal there. They then proceeded to tell me they add a small amount of unsweetened applesauce to it. No wonder she loves it so. Nothing I can do about it now. I told them that we were only introducing one food at a time and they seemed to get that it wasn't an all you can eat baby food buffet yet. We add a bit of the "sauce" to her cereal and she eats it like a champ now. Onto the peas tomorrow.

We have a couple of new friends...two bottom teeth. They finally made an appearance and are slowly breaking through. Addison didn't sleep well last night and I think it was due to that but who knows.

Addi Eats Rice Cereal

Last Friday Addison ate her first meal containing "solid foods." She wasn't that enthusiastic about it at first, but likes it now. We will be trying butternut squash later this week. I have been making baby food this week and freezing it. So far I've made squash and peas. The BabyCook (a Christmas present from Addison's Granddad and Grandmamma) has made it super easy. Thanks Mrs. Marie and Mr. Ricky!

Here is a clip of her first meal. I am feeding her in the first part of the video, and Scott is feeding her in the second part of the video. He has much more patience than I do. I keep forgetting that she has to learn how to eat :-)

Bon Appetite!

Holiday Pictures

Hanging out at the farm.

Go tigers!

Christmas






Hanging out with the big kids :)


Riding the scooter with my Great Great Aunt Sr. Michel