Hungover Musings on New Year's Eve

What a way to end the year-hungover. Why? oh Why? did I do this to myself? We went out for a simple meal of sushi last night and ended the night at La Petite Grocerie at the bar with a mojito after a bottle and a half of wine. Before the Little Buddy that would have been a splash in the bucket but today, Blah. I think I might die. Fortunately, John was sweet enough to brave the light of day and wake up with the Little Buddy and bring me some Gatorade in bed. and the Little Buddy was sweet enough to talk to himself in his bed until 7. At 9 John put W in bed so he could come back to bed and I knew it wasn't going to happen for him but I was wrong. W napped until 11. That's my baby.

At 11am, being a holiday and all, I didn't have the heart or ability to fight with W over what to eat and I certainly wouldn't be able to stand the smell of guacamole so we ate Cream Cheese and Chive Captain Wafers for lunch. If you've never had them, go out right now to Sav a Center and get some. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven, in a cheesy truck stop sort of way.

If you're not from or living in New Orleans right now and you want to get a feel for what life has been like here since The Storm, read Chris Rose's article, A New Dawn. He tells it like it is, the good and the bad, and made me feel bad for not doing more to help the city. But if you are living here, don't let it make you feel bad that you haven't done enough. You're here. You're patronizing stores and your going to restaurants and you're paying insanely high water and electric bills and property taxes.

I didn't really plan on having many new year resolutions.

• I always say I won't drink wine during the week and that never really works so I've learned to not set myself up for failure.
• I would like to say that I will become more organized but I'm not an organized person nor will I even pretend to be.
• I resolve to stick to Body for Life for 12 weeks. I will do that.
• But the most important resolution has to do with the Little Buddy. I resolve to giggle and laugh with W, to splash in mud puddles on rainy days, to go to the park often, to run wild at the zoo and imitate the monkeys, to take too many pictures and to hug him bigger and harder than the day before. That resolution I can keep.

Off to watch the Saint's game. Who Dat!?
Until next year....

New Year's Eve Food Coma

Last year I was in a food coma after I ate dinner. We had so much. But this year may be different. Like I said, we are having Coq au Vin. It's done, sitting on the stove, waiting to cool down before it goes in the icebox to sit over night so that it's scrumptious tomorrow. There are 4 of us. I got 12 thighs (decided not to have breasts, they always get so dry). 2 for the girls, 4 for the men. Well, accidents happen. As I was salting the thighs it came pouring out and one thigh got way over salted. I tried to wipe it off but couldn't and stupidly one side was already browning. You see, to prevent the overwashing of my hands, I salt and pepper one side, put it in the pot and salt and pepper the other side once it's cooking. Woops-so I couldn't wash it off and start over. So now we are short a thigh! Looks like I'll only be having 1. I'll just have to eat a ton of buttered egg noodles to compensate.

The past few days I've come across some really good food blogs. Check them out at your liesure. The graphic design is really cool too and the photos make my mouth water. Especially the martini at Daily Olive.

Delicious Days
Daily Olive

I'll let you know how the New Year's Eve meal comes out. I'm done cooking so I can relax tomorrow. The only thing I have to do is get the CHEESE. I love cheese and I was going to get it at Whole Foods Uptown but this is the second time in a row I've had to deal with the crotchety old cheese monger. He's pissy and really doesn't want to be there. I want to patronize St. James Cheese Shop anyway. They are new on the scene and the only independent cheese monger I know of in New Orleans. and by the way, the sandwhiches are good and cheesy!

What my baby did today

Today was a great day!!! The Little Buddy had a busy day and I'll tell you what he did.
1. Played with a Mr. Potato Head and loved it
2. Grabbed Lauren and Peyton's Barbie's by the hair and chunked them to the ground.
3. Gave Lauren a big hug, unexpectedly.
3. Asked for a bite of my turkey sandwich-yaaaay protein!!! This was huge.
3. Swung at the Park and actually enjoyed it!!! This was even "huger". He usually hates the swings but for some reason today he swung and swung and swung with a big smile on his face.
4. Sat in a booster seat at Superior Grill. THEY WERE OUT OF HIGHCHAIRS. After all the pumping up of Superior Grill that I do and all the talk about being baby friendly, they are out of highchairs???!!!! He loved the booster seat. Lucky for them.
5. Ate basically a whole tomato. It's the weirdest phenomenon. A split second after I put the tomato down in front of him, he stuffs it in his mouth. I can put a tomato in front of him at home, at Mimo and Papas, at any other restaurant and he shoves it away, but at Superior he stuffs it in faster than I can say "Abracadabra!". I think it's the cilantro.
6. And then ate at least 50 goldfish...in 2 minutes.

It was a good day.

New Year's Eve Menu

Ever since I was pregnant with the Little Buddy my NYE has become one of the most cherished nights on my calendar. I always hated that night until then-I'm sure you understand-the hooplah, the build-up, the let-down, it always sucked until I got pregnant and the pressure was off. Now we stay at home and enjoy the night, the way it is meant to be enjoyed, with good food and good friends and ending early if we feel like it.

sidebar: my parents go to a party that starts at 6 but they set the clocks to 9 and 3 hours later at 9 (clock says 12) they whoop it up big, sing Auld Lang Syne, kiss each other, toast to the New Year and go home. They are 65-70 years old, but it nothing sounds better to me

Last year I made individual Beef Wellingtons complete with mushroom duxelles and Marchand de Vin sauce and I have to say it was exquisite although maybe not quite as rare as I would have liked. This year I had big plans too. Osso Bucco. Never made it, thought it would be fun to try, but after my Christmas Eve Soiree which I thoroughly enjoyed even while having a cracked rib the thought of slaving over the stove does not sound fun (even with my sassy new apron). I told our friends, who started our annual tradition with us, that they had to settle for french roasted chickens. Then J made me feel bad about it because that was too easy. I got to thinking and decided that easy is okay but it must be festive! So I changed my mind once again. That's my perogative. I've settled for Coq au Vin. Unless of course one of you foodies out there can suggest something even more festive and less complicated.

Feel free to flood my comment board. I'm all ears, or eyes, rather. What would you cook? What are you going to cook? Anyone? Anyone?

New Year's Resolutions and Baby Clothes

So I've started my New Year's Resolution early. It's to be a better mom in the activity sense. I have pledged not to sit on the phone when W is awake or sit at the computer (this is an exception, he is having a fabulous time playing with diapers right now and as soon as he gets bored I'm done here). So when he woke up from his nap we ate lunch, read some books (which never lasts long) and then got in the stroller and took off for the park. Now, here's where I start to bitch. There was another mom at the park and her kid looked like he was 2. W and I headed for the play area, nowhere near her and her kid. Well her kid comes scrambling over and she said, "What a pretty little girl". Well, that's nice. At this point she was being nice but I get this all of the time and I'm over it. I really get it every time we meet someone new. Okay, he had on a blue coat and a white hat. I do have to say that my child is pretty (I can brag for a second) and I know when babies are bald it's hard to tell if they are boys or girls. I get it. and I also know that I dress him like a baby, not like a toddler, because I feel like he's only a baby once and he looks so cute. But I don't go over board with frilly outfits. It was a coat. Then she asks how old "she" is. I tell her he's 16 months.

"Oh, I can't tell he's a boy. I mean, I know he has on blue but it looks like a dress."

IT'S A FRICKIN' COAT! How blatantly rude do you want to be? I'll stop the story here. I don't want to be rude right now and go on about how her kid was dressed. I just think that who are you to judge someone else's baby? Everyone has the right to dress their child like they want to. and everyone has the right not to be judged by some other crappy mom at the playground. I don't know, it bugged me this time. I usually let it roll of my back pretty well.

So, I'm done. No more complaining for today. We had a great time at the park. He slid down the slide a few times. Crawled up and down the jungle gym steps. Ran around and then we left.

Now I'm going. He's done with the diapers and we are going to do a little dancing. Once we move to our new house we will have plenty dancing time for every one to enjoy....no matter how you're dressed.

Christmas was so great. It was the first time in a long time that it was just family. Don't get me wrong. It was always fun to spend Christmas Eve with a whole bunch of family friends but it was nice that it was just family this year. I cooked a dee-licious dinner.

Menu:
Christmas Cocktails
Cranberry Gin and Tonics
complete with homemade cranberry syrup

Hors D'ouevres
Smoked salmon crackers topped with capers and olive oil

Entree
Brined Center cut pork loin stuffed with garlic
Gruyere potatoes
variation on my dad's and probably would go back next time
Spinach salad
with Plantation cookbook dressing (if you've never tried it...warning...it's like crack)

Dessert
Cranberry cheesecake crumble
compliments of Aunt JoJo

It took 2 days of cooking but I had a great time doing it. Besides the fact that I had/have a cracked rib (from coughing, I know, you'd think I was 90 years old. But not to worry I have codeine for the night coughing and the strain when I pick the Little Buddy up is subsiding)

Flashback to the 22nd (Nola Baby reminded me), when it was raining for days and days. I had a bad feeling. I don't know why, maybe because our roof is still unrepaired from Katrina and the blue roof has been in shreds for months. That morning I walked into W's bathroom and SPLASH! all over my head. The water was leaking in through the door jamb. Odd place but I knew it would only get worse. My dad happened to have a roll of viscuine. I was almost desperate enough to go up on the roof to put it up myself except our latter isn't tall enough. To make a long story, someone put a tarp up for us but not before the water travelled into W's room and created a whole pocket full of water right over his napsleeping head.

The blessing of it all was that one of my dearest friends was in town from Houston so I got a stress free night of eating and drinking, of course, with her at Clancy's AND cocktails at Monkey Hill afterwards. Clancy's was good, as always, but I do have a complaint. The portions have gotten considerably smaller since the storm. Maybe they are trying to cut costs. The smoke has become almost unbearable. I know, I know. John gets so mad that we always have to sit downstairs, but that's where the action is. I know we can't complain but the past two times we have sat next to chain smokers. The kind who have one cigarette in their mouth, a new one waiting to be lit at the exact second they put the one in their mouth out all the while eating dinner. Disgusting. I am not ashamed to say it, either. Sorry if smokers are offended. I am counting down the days until January 1st when it will be a pleasure to eat at smoke free restaurants.

Anyway, my friend and I had such a fun girls' night. We laughed and talked and drank delicious wine. She's one of those friends that even though we don't live in the same town ( I really miss her living here) we talk almost everyday and it's almost like we live in the same town except we only see each other every year or so.

Christmas Eve

W had no clue that it was Christmas Eve or that Santa was coming. All he knew was that he was getting a whole lot of family time and he was lovin' it. Here's a snap of W and Mimo whoopin' it up big right before he went to bed. It's one of my most favorite pictures of him-in a state of pure joy.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. and I still have so much to do. We are anxiously awaiting the Tickle Me Elmo that hasn't yet arrived. Walmart is blaming it on UPS and UPS is blaming it on Walmart. After having been in retail I definitely believe UPS. I will be sad if we don't get it although W won't know the difference. I just know he would love him so much. BUT Papa will pull through for us. He went shopping today at The Magic Box and got him a last minute present. I think he got it for himself as much for W. The way he was talking he couldn't wait to open it and get it going. It was cute listening to him describe it.

I'll be back after Christmas. So much to write. Here's a teaser...

1. A dear friend who I talk to everyday but haven't seen in ages came in town last night and we had a fabulous girls night!
2. I've discovered that I've become very indecisive in my old age-more later.
3. I've been coughing so long and hard that my ribs hurt (almost as much as they did when W was sitting up under them for 9 months)-tell you how I'm feeling. I'm sure you're on pins and needles.
4. I'm having Christmas Eve dinner here. Much planning. Things I will do different next year for holiday entertaining.
5. Went to Commander's tonight for dinner with the fam. Will give you my opinion on the new Commander's.
6. Warning on the Stomach flu going around-well it will be too late to write about it but beware.
7. W's new trick.

And Much Much More!!!

LC is back on The Hills

Don't miss the new season of The Hills!!!!
Season Premiere 1/15/07

Today, like I said in the last post, my little buddy was a busy bee. I know this because I was with him in the morning and in the afternoon until he went to bed but JJ told me what he did in between. I had a free 3 hours. I worked out and went shopping! I didn't run any "choreful" errands. It was about me (and a few Christmas presents). I was free. Free to lift weights, shop and do what I waned without lugging around a 25 pound baby.

But I can't tell you how much I missed my 25 pound lug, terribly. I really did. and I couldn't wait for him to greet me when I got home. Which he did- with his sweet smile, his hand in the air, running for the door, waiting to put his head on my chest and hug me like I've never been hugged. Nothing beats that. Not even shopping.

Busy Baby

W was a very busy baby today. He took 2 walks. One in his stroller another in his new favorite wagon the anonymous neighbors gave us. He walked up and down the block and picked berries off the bush. He practiced getting in and out of his wagon and practiced feeding himself. He even finished off a whole bowl of guacamole with secret cheese and tomatoes in it! It was a good eating day. He ate some Nilla wafers and then we took off for the park where he mastered the high step on the jungle gym. Met some new friends. Swung in the big boy swing. Waved bye to his friends. Walked the block at Mimo and Papas and plucked the flowers off the bush. Climbed up and down the stairs outside. Finger painted with flour and water (supposed to have food coloring but didn't have any) Played ball with everybody and punched on a little neighbor girl's cell phone and stomped over the finger puppets she gave him for Christmas. Talked our ears off and threw some dirt all over the driveway. Refused some goldfish but stuffed down a pb&j in 5 minutes flat. Took a bath and is now playing with dad. Whew! I'm tired just thinking about it.

A bit of baby advice

John hates when I talk about this stuff but I feel it is my duty as a mom to share this piece of info with my fans. W has some bowel problems and it is a constant source of worry for me so to all those mom's out there who have the same worries I have just put two and two together. A nice relaxing, warm bath fixes it almost every time.

Sunday Muddy Sunday

W spent the whole day outside today. First with Mimo and Papa and then with me and John. He was in heaven and didn't want to be anywhere near inside. He headed straight for outside after Mimo and Papa left so out we went. We walked up and down the sidewalk and I thought it would be fun to teach him how to stomp in a mud puddle. He didn't want anything to do with stomping...so he sat and splashed...in the mud. So we had to go to a party tonight barefooted....because he only has one pair of shoes...that are all muddy now...on Sunday...how appropriate.

Who Dat say they goin' to beat them Saints?

I've talked about my Obsessive compulsive disorder before. I know I have. and about how I just learned it runs in the family. All the stupid things I have to do each and every day like touching all the stove burners every night before going upstairs and saying "hot, hot, hot, hot" or checking on the Little Buddy twice before I go to bed. The second time I have to say to someone, "I'm going to check on the Little Buddy". (John told me one night I didn't need to tell him that every night. Oh, but yes I do.) The list goes on and on and on and on and gets wierder and wierder and wierder so I will spare you. But it's the reason why I am very selective about when I put the Little Buddy in his Reggie Bush jersey that Uncle RaRa and Aunt JoJo gave him. When I was in college and the Saints were doing pretty well I had to clap a certain way every time if I wanted them to score or make it down the field. If I put W in the jersey regularly it will become a habit and almost certainly turn into an obsession. Then the poor little tyke will be wearing the Reggie Bush jersey every Sunday when the Saints play until they move away or he can dress himself. Whichever comes first. But this Sunday calls for the Reggie Bush jersey.I'm not all that football savvy but I'm told if they win this Sunday they will go to the playoffs. WHO DAT!!! Here's a preview of what you'll be missing.

Body for Life and The Biggest Loser

I'm back on it! Body for Life was my savior a few years ago, before I got married or pregnant and it truly was a life change. My dad gave my brother and I the book for Christmas. Is that a hint or what? and at first it looks like a joke. The before and after pictures of people that is. but it's not. Anyway, it was my way of life for about 4 years probably until my 7th month of pregnancy and then all hell broke loose. I ate whatever I wanted and enjoyed it thoroughly, carrott cake every night, Mexican food, cheese! I gained weight but not a disgusting amount and looked pretty good after I had W-or atleast I thought so-until I stopped breast feeding. Old habits die hard. I could not shake the "eating what I wanted" habit and still haven't up until 3 days ago when I decided that I had to do something. I can't wait until the New Year because at the rate I was going by Christmas I would have put on another 5-10 pounds and would be miserable. So my strategy is Body For Life until the 23rd and then pick it up again on the 27th of December. Can I tell you? I forgot how good BFL makes me feel. Even after only 3 days, my clothes are feeling not quite as snug. I've stopped eating 5 goldfish for every 1 that W eats and don't sneak a bit of his PB&J when he's not looking. All that crap really added up.

On the weight note, did anyone see the Biggest Loser last night? Oh my gosh!! Eric was a different person. Unbelievably crazy. I didn't even recognize him and Kai! Although I think she is so rough and "yeah u rite!" I have to admit she looks great. It really is unbelievable. I don't know why I have such a huge fascination with that show but it mesmerizes me.

W'ere getting bored

since we haven't been able to play with others lately. We have to find pleasures in the little things. Yesterday this is what we did:
1. Went to the coffee shop
2. Dropped in at Mimo and Papa's to play in the morning. Since they have the life of leisure they were still sleeping so we played quietly downstairs until they woke. After 20 minutes we decided that 8:30 was too late for grandparents to be sleeping so we went up to wake them up. They weren't there!
3. Picked Mimo and Papa up from the CC's and went back to their house for a morning of fun.
4. Napped
5. Ate lunch, grocery shopped
6. Played outside. Picked berries off the bushes. Rode in the wagon some anonymous neighbor gave us. Can't help but thinking how great it will be for Mardi Gras.
7. Climbed the stairs.
8. Doodled around the house.
9. Napped
10. Went to Uncle RaRa's wine tasting.

That's it. Summed it up in 10 steps. I know you are as excited as we are about it all.

Cough!

I just can't shake it, this cold I've had. I thought I was over it this weekend and it came roaring back full throttle on Monday. It looked like the Little Buddy dodged it but he woke up this morning with a horrible cough. He seems in pretty good spirits. We went to play with Mimo and Papa this morning and as always had a great time but on the way back he fell asleep. I can't remember the last time he fell asleep in the car. I hope he gets over it soon-that it doesn't get worse-before it gets better because he hasn't been able to play with his freinds in a long time. We can't have playdates or go to play group. I even had to steer him away from another toddler this morning at the coffee shop when he so desperately wanted to play. So say a little prayer for the Little Buddy so that he can celebrate Christmas in true Little Buddy style.

I don't get it

I just checked on the Little Buddy before getting ready for bed. part of my nightly routine and once again he's sleeping perpendicular to the long side of the crib. Know what I mean? He's too long to fit so his feet are on top of the bumper pad and sticking out of the slats. I don't get it, but he looks so peaceful and so comfortable and he's sleeping and he's my baby so I know it doesn't matter. I love you, Sweet Pea.

All I want for Christmas

I wish I had a picture of W on Santa's lap but the some old lady was in my ear telling me what to do and by the time the real photographer had finished and I was allowed to take a picture, John had already taken him off of his lap. He screeeeeaaaaaamed! He wasn't happy to begin with. The magic show was going on when we got there and it was way too loud for everyone. W was a bit overwhelmed by it all.

He's seemed to have gotten over the trauma now. He's been crawling up the stairs like a madman which saves me a little load. We didn't get a tree because I was afraid he would pull it down and he wouldn't have much space to play. Mimo and Papa brought a tree home from North Carolina just for him and he doesn't care a hoot about it so we probably could have gotten a tree and all would have been fine. I must admit, I am secretly pleased that I don't have to deal with it this year, especially with the big move we are hoping to make in the New Year.

W doesn't really know that anything is happening-you know, with Christmas. All he wants for Christmas is a tickle me elmo. He didn't tell me but I know it. and he already has his 2 front teeth.

Twentyfourseven on MTV

For all those reality moms out there...a new reality show is coming on after Real World Denver tonight. It's called Twentyfourseven. I can't find out much info on it. MTV's website makes me sick. Maybe my computer isn't fast enough. I don't know and it seems like everything is a video. All I wanted to do was READ some info on it but couldn't find that. I know it's about seven strangers, sound familiar? but they have jobs, like record producer etc. I'll tell you more after the show here and at Reality TV News Blog.

It's Nola Baby W again

Hi. I haven't blogged since North Carolina. I've been busy. I have this new trick. Mom and Dad think that it's really cute. They think that I'm learning how to share. I always knew how to share just never felt like frickin' sharing. I feed them food now. Really it's just the things that I don't want to eat. And suckers! they eat it. They don't want to hurt my feelings so they will eat every bite until I'm done feeding them whatever was on my plate.

The other night Uncle RaRa made this big pot of delicious smelling Creole Cassoulet. Didn't give me any of it. Nope, not even a small bite. They just try shoving in butter beans, green beans and dried out chicken nuggets. And they wonder why I won't eat? They are certainly not sharing a moist chicken thigh or andouille sausage piece that's been cooking all day. Typical. Anyway, they don't have a chair for me at Mimo and Papa's. So I have to stand while they are all licking there fingers after the delicious Cassoulet. I showed them. I stood there and made them play peekaboo with me. Dumb idiots. They looked so stupid sticking there heads under the table every 30 seconds. I laughed just enough to egg them on. Had to of hurt their backs.-they're not getting any younger. If you haven't seen 6 grown adults duck under the table and scream "Boo!" you're missing out. You gotta try it-and try to get it on video. The list of stupid things I can get them to do is growing by the day. For awhile they were dancing like fools. So I'd bend my knees a couple of times and they would HOWL! I mean really Howl. That was probably my best trick but I'll tell you one thing. I don't know where I came from because none of them have ANY rhythm.

Home Alone!

I am home alone. Just me. No one else. Aaaahhhh.

This is the first time since I've had W that I have been home alone. There was one other time when John took him to Walmart, but I was sleeping so it doesn't count. It feels wierd. Like something is missing but I am sure I'll get used to it. I don't know what to do with myself and I am filled with anxiety that I am not doing something that I should be doing. It's not at all like running errands by yourself. I have time to do that. Every time I'm running errands by myself I think of all the things that I need to do at home that I can't do when he's taking a nap. It's not enough time. If your were wondering, Mimo and Papa have him. They picked him for a few hours because I'm under the weather. I really, really want to take a nap. I'm exhaused and pooky from this cold but I can't bring myself to do it. I'M HOME ALONE! I feel like McCauley in the movie. Like I should run around the house with my hands flailing in the air.

This morning I went to the bathroom. W was with me. This may be too much for some people but I'll tell it anyway. I looked over and I was out of Toilet Paper. I screamed, Oh ----! No pun intended and then I started laughing. and then W came out with one of the Belly laughs from his toes. We laughed, and laughed and laughed. I probably should have been crying. But I was laughing and he was laughing and just staring at me. We had no where to go. It was a great moment. I'll end the story there, you don't need to know how it ends to enjoy it.

You know that John has a problem with all of W's shape sorters. He feels like it's too much pressure. THE PRESSURE OF THE SHAPE SORTERS! everything he gets is a shape sorter. But he's got it down now. He put the hexagon in the shape sorter a gabillion times in one sitting. and I clapped and yelled, "Yaaaay, Winky!" a gabillion times. I thought it would never end. I'm hoping that shape sorting is one of the things they test him on for preschool. If that's the case-we're in like flynn.

Butter Beans

Oh, I almost forgot. W ate butter beans tonight. He wouldn't eat sweet potatoes loaded with butter, he wouldn't eat green beans or healthy chicken nuggets although he did feed me the healthy chicken nuggets but he ate butter beans. A child after my own heart. And have I told you yet that he fed himself with a spoon for the first time. Big stuff! of course it was guacamole.

New Orleans Mom Blogging

I've been out of the loop the past few weeks. Not posting much and getting caught up with other things and I miss it. So my new week resolution is to blog everyday and not only that but to catch up with all my blog surfing. I have listed some blogs that I really enjoy reading on this blog and I haven't even checked them out lately except for Decor8. Now that I have a new house to decorate. Okay, not just decorate, furnish, totally. It actually has been a great resource for me. Before I read it more for paper stuff and really just for fun but now I am on a mission. I haven't even had a chance to see what Pud has been up to. He makes me laugh. and I told my brother about him awhile ago and he called me the other day cracking up-he'd just gotten around to seeing what Pud was all about. You have to see it for yourself.

All I'm saying is... tune in. Don't tune out. I'll be here everyday.

Toddler Birthday Party, Mimo and Papa's and the Saints

W and I went to our friends birthday party on Saturday morning. She is four years old and had a party at Gym Rompers. We were excited to go since we have never been. I have wanted to sign up for months now but the times are never good for us and the Little Buddy's schedule. It was a blast. For those of you who have never been-it's a big padded room full of toys and play equipment. The four year olds were happily out of control. They had free reign over everything and they never had to hear anyone tell them no. After an hour and half W was done so we took off for Mimo and Papa's house for lunch. By 2 o'clock he was spent and slept one off. Today he didn't leave the house. At first I felt bad but I think he enjoyed the time he and his dad spent together watching the Saint's Game. Who Dat!

I went to see a play that my sister-in-law was in called A Christmas Carol for George Wallace. It was at the Big Top on Clio Street. It was put on by a new production company and was really very good. I laughed out loud a lot and I don't do that much when watching anything. It has to be really funny. I don't really like to go see movies or plays but I think after seeing this one I'll lift my play strike. Aunt Jojo played Lurlene, Wallace's wife and it was quite a brilliant performance. She's not the type to get angry (atleast at me) but she had to get angry at George and it truly was convincing. I remember when my brother used to act more. One time he had to get really mad and I wanted to crawl under my seat because it was exactly how he used to get mad at me when we were kids. It was like we were 14 all over again. Anyway, if you feel like seeing a good play and live in NOLA, I recommend the A Christmas Carol for George Wallace. Check it out.

Public Schools doing away with recess

I mean is that ridiculous or what? I read about this in the paper today that schools are doing away with recess. Either that or banning games like tag, getting rid of swing sets all because they are concerned about the risks of lawsuits from accidents. I can't find the link to the article I read but when I googled the topic more came up.

Obviously, the critics are going crazy. Kids today are overweight and not having a chance to get their heartrates up doing the day will only make the problem worse. They won't have a chance to recharge themselves for learning either.

Problem with Blogging

Just wanted to give an update to all of my fans. I haven't been blogging much because there is something wrong and I cannot add links, format or update my template. When I find out the problem, I will fix it ASAP.

Real World Denver

I thought I wrote about this. after watching Real World-of my full desire to be on Real World. I always wanted to be-to whoop it up and drink until dawn and never feel guilty about it. It would have been soooo cool. But then I grew up... and realized that someone is watching those kids: moms, dads, sister, brothers, aunts, uncles. Please stop, I want to tell them. Especially the slutty girls. Have you forgotten that people are watching you? and then I realize that I really wouldn't be that exciting to watch and I never would have made the cut.I'm too blah, too boring and too goody goody. So I'll just have to watch.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate

I didn't think this was really an issue, but obviously it is.

Jen and Lorenzo Borhghese: Bachelor

I believe it, then I don't. They are both so vanilla maybe they are really together. Sadie is by far the classiest, best dressed, most well spoken but probably too sophisticated for Lorenzo-just look at his parents.

The Little Buddy and the spoon

The Little Buddy fed himself today!!! a spoon full of guacamole. I do realize that this may be late in the game but it was totally unexpected. He likes to play with the spoon between bites so I just left him for a second to make my own sandwhich and when I looked back he had it in his mouth. It was upside down and he wasn't sure how to pull it out but he fed himself nonetheless with a spoon! Big day over here.

Too cold to play outside. It's 45 degrees. Really cold for NOLA. We went out for a bit but it was wiiiindy. So we're back in now, feeding ourselves and hanging out. Playing tag and scary peekaboo and laughing our butts off. It's been a good day. Oh! and we have got water again too.

Babies and food

The Little Buddy is really not eating now. I know you are getting soooo bored with this, as am I. Now it's only goldfish, goldfish and bananas. I've tried sliding things in from the side, like my friend recommended. He's too smart for that. and he's taken to feeding us lately. Just what my fat butt needs, more goldfish. They're not really all that low in fat for those of you who thought they were, not when you're eating whole bags. I was fooled.

I thought we were being so suave, never heating up his baby food. We figured that way he didn't get used to hot food and was okay eating it cold. It backfired. Now he won't eat anything the least bit warm.

Oprah, Julia Roberts and Kids

I only watched a little bit of Julia Roberts on Oprah. But what she said hit home. In so many words she said that she actually liked her kids. She always knew she would love them but she didn't think about if she liked them or not. I feel the same way. I love the Little Buddy, of course but I genuinely like him too. I like being around him. He's funny, and smart, of course, genius actually, and cute and likeable.

The other thing she said was that she was so glad that there was finally another person on this planet who felt the same excitement she felt when Danny Motors, her husband, came home at night. I feel the same way once again. W gets so excited. He screams Da Da and bangs on the window with a smile that can't get any bigger. He feels the same way I do.

The Bachelor-Shoooocked!

See Reality TV News Blog

Beautiful Culinary Display

Dinner time. 6pm. W woke up from a late nap. My new goal is to put something health in front of him atleast once a day-besides yogurt or baby oatmeal. Whole Foods was OUT OF Guacamole last night. It seemed that everyone was stocking up their ice boxes after the Thanksgiving weekend and Guacamole was on their list. I was peeoed considering it's the only vegetable (it might be a fruit so let's just say green thing) that he will eat. So tonight I cut up avocado pieces-they were beautiful, really, perfectly green and ripe, took out some green beans (canned but atleast they were green beans) and a satsuma. I lined them up in a row, alternating the colors. The green and oranges perfectly complemented each other. He promptly moved the satsumas to the side of his tray and began eating them. AAAAHHHHH! I was able to slip in an avocado piece twice. After the 2nd piece he caught on and was done eating. DARN!

Reality TV News Blog

We've started a new blog. Reality TV News Blog. I haven't posted much but there will be a lot coming up. Tonight is the Season Finale of The Bachelor. I wasn't going to have any wine tonight but then John reminded we had a big night ahead of us. The Bachelor just isn't the same without a cup of vino.

The Little Buddy is becoming the Big Buddy. He looked like a little boy today. His legs are long, they are thinning out, he's getting more hair (it's all relative) and his face looks older. He's a hoot to have around and he loves snuggling with me more than ever. In between playing he comes over and puts his head on the couch for me to rub. Too cute. He knows it too.

I don't know what to do about a Christmas tree. If we get one, I am worried he will pull it over. I will definitely have to scale back, not get such a huge one if we get it. But if there's a tree in the den he really won't have any other place to run around unrestrained except in our bedrooms. Just can't decide. Is it really bad to get a table top tree, or a rosemary tree?

Nola Mom, Dad and Baby's Thanksgiving

It all started on Tuesday afternoon when we found out William had a 102.5 degree fever. On Wednesday, we thought it had gone down so I left the doctor's office without seeing the doctor. I knew it was chaotic in there and didn't want him to catch the croup or something else that he didn't have. That afternoon his temp was back up so we thought we would decide we-well to make a long story short we left for our family reunion early Thursday morning. His temp was down and he still seemed like his chipper self so over the hills and through the woods.....It's a 3 and half hour drive to Vicksburg and he slept for ohhhh, 15 minutes and then was peeoed he was couped up in the car and pretty much cried for the last hour. I was anxious and exhaused and going stir crazy by the time we arrived and was dreading the first 30 minutes of the party while he adapted to all the hoo-rah (my dad is one of 8 kids, one of which has 7 kids and then you have grandchildren and greatgrandchildren).

He was a TROOPER! and the life of the party. Could really have cared less if we were there or not. He toddled around, let the little dog lick his head, watched the big kids slide down the hill, and pretty much reigned over the entire house.

Around 2 we took him back to the hotel to take a nap-we were all exhausted-he was not having any of it. I don't blame him really. The crib was cheap and the mattress, well, wasn't a mattress and there we were sitting on the bed and he just didn't get why he couldn't play. So he stood up and screamed and cried and screamed some more. We took him out of the crib. He cried. We put him in our bed, he screamed. No nap. Now it was time for our favorite party of the day. Mimo was nervous. She should have been. If he were a pill, she knew it was her fault because she interrupted us in the midst of the screaming and wanted to take him. Thought we were being mean. She lucked out. Once again, he was an angel.

Then we headed back to the last party of the weekend. My cousin's daughter, I guess my second cousin, is a junior in college. She's gorgeous and hip and smart and loves babies. she was our savior. She played with him the whole time, except for the few minutes that her mom and Mimo had him. They taught him to scribble with a marks a lot on a dry erase board, decided he was left handed (which I think he is) and let him draw on his head with the brown marker, which would have been okay if he had brown hair, or any hair at all for that matter. But he doesn't. Then they wiped his head down with a Shout Wipe-that's good- and chalked it up to fun.

Anyway, I felt very mawmaw looking, have been for awhile. I have no hip clothes and still am not as skinny as a I want to be so when my young, hip and smart second cousin told me she liked my shoes (the same ones I almost returned for fear of them looking like I had on my mom's shoes (I bought them for comfort and my mom buys all shoes for comfort)) I was happy. John told me I was pathetic in the way I responded. It was just that I finally had a moment, a moment where I felt that I still had some style.

Finally at 8pm we brought W upstairs for bed. He was out as soon as he hit the cheap mattress but up again screaming when we went back in an hour later. He cried for 30 minutes and finally I did what I said I never, NEVER would do. (Never say never, cuz you always will) I put him in bed with us. He cried for another 45 minutes then finally went to sleep, until 3:30am when he saw us and was ready for fun and games. and that's how our day began. :)

We learned some lessons this holiday but had a great time overall. Papa got to show him off to his brothers and sisters. We got to enjoy 2 parties without having to worry about W but we didn't have to worry that he wasn't with us. and we learned what we always knew, that the Little Buddy sleeps better in his own bed.

The Contract Dance

It all started in North Carolina when Papa and William began the family tradition of dancing. Dancing when you're happy, dancing in front of the fire, dancing to show everyone just how cute you can be. And he would only do it with Papa. I tried to get it on video camera but I could never catch him in the act. He only did it a few times when we got back (John says he does it while he's brusing his teeth in the morning). But now Papa's back. So W is back to shaking his boody. The best moment came, though, when we bid on our new house. YES! Our new house. We put in the offer. They accepted and we went to Mimo and Papa's for a celebratory glass of wine and of course the New House Dance. When we got there, Papa promptly asked William if he would do a New House Dance. He honored the request. We cracked up laughing and there were Papa and William dancing across the floor in honor of the new house until John reminded us it wasn't really official yet. We had signed nothing. So the dancing stopped.

When we got home our agents came over, we signed the contract and it became official. But W was already asleep. First thing in the morning I asked him to do a Contract Dance and he shook and bopped up and down with more joy than you've ever seen. I swear. He was relieved. After 9 months in my belly dealing with the stupid house we bought, to the hurricane evacuation, to the selling of the stupid house into which we never moved, and being dragged from house to house on every Wednesday, some Sundays and various other appointments, he was done. Like M said, "Enough already".

"Just give me a room" I am sure he said. "I already have a room, but a room without clutter, a room without the Walmart evacuation chest of drawers, a room that doesn't have all of mom's stationery piled high enough to reach China and back."

So that's why he put his knees and his behind and his shoulders and his belly and his soul into the Contract Dance. I will never forget it.

Of course, we still have to go through inspections so although we have a contract, it's not truly official but don't tell William, until he learns a new dance, the Moving Day Dance.

Bachelor-The Women Tell All

I'm making this short. But I feel it's my obligation to atleast say something.

1. Were you as shocked as we were that Lorenzo made a surprise appearance?
2. Lisa-I know people think she's crazy but how many of you southern women who went to a southern college can actually say they never met a girl who didn't have a timeline? Of course, they were always really desperate but they exist and Lisa isn't the only one.
   
3. The drunk-can't remember her name-I wish Chris would have talked to her more. I would have loved to hear what she had to say about her drunken stupor. I loved her. She was attractive, dressed well, she just drank a few too many and stayed in the hot sun a bit too long. I am sure she regrets her actions (all she did was get a tad bit loopy, okay, a lot loopy but probably is super glad that it got her kicked off so she didn't end up with "The Prince"
4. Erica-you gotta luf her.
5. Wanna bet he's going pick Sadie?
   

The waiting is killing me

My poor little buddy is sick. I never would have known it-he was all over the place and super energetic and dancing like there was no tomorrow. It wasn't until I picked him up that I could feel the heat all the way through his shirt. It was crazy. So I took his temperature and it was 102.5. It was kind of scary. He's never had fever that high. The doctor couldn't really say much. She asked if he was eating. What does that matter. He doesn't eat anyway, but he was eating the usual guacamole for lunch. She said that it would either turn into a cold or he would break out into a rash, indicating a virus. He took a 3 hour nap this afternoon but was right back to bouncing around in between then and bedtime. So now all we can do is wait. He's a trooper, the Little Buddy.

Q tips

He's gotten into them. They are everywhere. I guess it could be worse. I have heard of toddlers smearing Desitin all over - and that doesn't come off easily. He's having a good time. That's all that matters.

Christmas Cards

Whew! I have finally decided on a photo and a design for our Christmas cards. I have decided I am one of those people that retailers do not like. It takes me forever to make a decision like that. I like to have everyone's opinion. So most of the people I am sending a card to have most likely seen it already. But I am happy with it. I ended up designing it myself. The photo was the easy part. We took so many photos of the Little Buddy in North Carolina, so we have the perfect one. It's going to take some time on my part but I am ordering the envelopes today from
Paper Source-great source for inexpensive papers, envelopes and card stocks in many colors, hence the name. I am not lining the envelopes-I've decided, while I love lined envelopes most people don't care, especially if it's the man opening the envelope. They just slit the top and never see the lining and that's another 30 minutes to add to my time.

Originally I was going to get them from either Tiny Prints or Basically Cards but I am feeling creative and I want a real picture, not a printed one. Don't get me wrong. It's nothing fancy by any means but it makes me happy.

So get crackin' people. The holidays are upon us and if it takes you as long to make a decision as me-you'll need the time-and that's already if you have your photo!

Big News Around Town

I'm not one to talk politics. J usually talks it, I listen. But this news is too good to pass up! It was in the paper today. Two of our councilwomen were dunked in a dunking booth at a neighborhood party last weekend. Now that's news! Ha.

Sweet sounds

By the end of the day W and I are both hungry and tired and W is definitely ready for a change of scenery, ready to see a face other than mine. and every night we wait, and when I see the headlights coming through the drawn blind, I get up, and head to the window and the Little Buddy knows that he's here, because he starts yelling, "Da Da Da Da Da". I pull up the blind and he hand plants up to the window and we see J getting out of the car. J can't hear him, "Da Da Da Da Da!!!". and then he knocks on the window and W knocks back until J disappears in between the driveway and the front door. Then we wait in anticipation until Da Da Da Da walks in. All whining stops, we forget how tired we are for a few minutes and we sing, "Daddy's home, Daddy's home...DADDY'S home doo doodleleedoo doodee doo doodee doo. It's probably the sweetest moment of the day. Then J and the Little Buddy head upstairs to change, J out of work clothes, W into pj's while I cook dinner. They come back down for a goodnight kiss and then J puts W to bed. I can hear them laughing-whoopin' it up almost. Sometimes (don't tell J) I turn on the monitor so I can hear the laughter from my boys more clearly, although it's loud enough to hear down the street without it. Imagine the pressure, when J had a work dinner last night and I had to put the Little Buddy to bed. He giggled... a bit. I tried my best to whoop it up. I've been known to be a big whoopin'itupper but I couldn't compare. Tonight, when I heard the belly laughing coming from upstairs, I realized how much I missed it, even after just one night.

Middle Age Jackasses

Okay, so L called to see if we wanted to have coffee the other morning but the Little Buddy was sleeping so we couldn't go. She was having her house cleaned and didn't want to be around so she went to get her morning Joe anyway. She arrived at the coffee house and it was packed.

It's been super packed lately. It's aggravating, especially when you are carrying around a 22 pound lug. It's my coffee house and why aren't all of these people at work?

She gets in line with C and puts him down because he wants to get down.

He can walk now, I don't really want to be carried everywhere either.

He's playing and playing, happily, then he starts sauntering up to people who are leisurely drinking their morning coffee.

People who usually aren't in too goods of moods and obviously don't want to be bugged by a 22 pound lug

So trying to be the considerate person she is, she picks C up and continues to wait in line. This ticks him off.

He can walk and I wouldn't want to be carried around everywhere either, especially if I am having a good time.

He starts to fuss so she pulls out her makeup bag for him to play with.

If you have a baby you know they don't want a toy, they only want your stuff.

He gladly takes it, opens it, finds her lipstick, opens that and starts to eat it. She pulls it away from him. That ticks him off even more and at this point she's at the front of the line. He starts screaming crying, throwing a tantrum.

Remember, he's a baby, 14 months.

The coffee barista rolls her eyes and asks what she wants as the 2 middle age jackasses behind her..

as they roll their eyes and start talking about how annoying that is. L finally puts C down because she can't hold on to him in this state. He throws himself on the floor and continues with the behavior. she's totally embarrassed and trying to order her coffee but the Barista, who obviously doesn't have kids is making her feel like SHE'S the jackass. L asks if she can give her a minute while she deals with C and the Barista yells, "NEXT!" So she picks up C and tells her she's leaving because it's obviously his nap time.

Any mom knows what she's feeling like right at that moment. Like a total idiot, like people think she can't control her kid, and absolutely mortified. None of which is true and she shouldn't have to feel mortified because her baby is being just that, a baby, a normal 14 month old. And all she was trying to do was to get a cup of coffee and to be as considerate as possible.

So she goes to leave and one MAJ turns to the other MAJ (after L says, it's his nap time)and says, "Isn't that always the excuse for bad behavior".

That's the punchline and that's why I told the story.

Beauty Sleep

We didn't do much today. The Little Buddy took a nap from 8am - 10am. We went to Haase's for turtlenecks. Then he took a nap from 1pm until 4:45 pm. I guess he needed his Beauty Sleep. He must get tired from being so cute!:)

Sweet and Scrappy

The Little Buddy is the sweetest guy I know. I worry sometimes that he will be a mama's boy-because I love on him so much and he loves me too. I mean, if I'm laying on the floor watching tv or doing crunches he sidles on over to me every so often for a kiss or a hug. When we go to playgroup or are playing with another friend, it takes him awhile to get used to things and other times another kid will grab something from him and he'll just walk away instead of fighting for it. It drives me CRAZY! But I'll tell you one thing, he's a sweet boy. He has definitely decided early on what matters to him. If it doesn't, he walks away, if it does, he fights until the bitter end. So he's sweet most of the time and scrappy when he needs to be. It's the implication of course with most mother's of boys that they are glad if their son is "bad". No one wants a wimp for a son. And I made the mistake of describing it as a a mama's boy one time and our friend , Ucnle Bob said, I'm a mama's boy. and you know what-he's thegreatest guy under the sun. Now that I think about it, J is just like W, really it's vice versa, W is just like J. He's sweet, and funny and dry witted and he walks away from a fight, unless there's a lot at stake in which case he stands up for himself and in what he believes and that's why I married him. He's not "bad" for the sake of being "bad". He's "bad" when it counts and sweet the rest of the time. That's why I love him and why I'm happy that the Little Buddy takes after his dad. Sweet and Scrappy. and if he's a mama's boy...I'm glad I'm his mama!

Laguna Beach

I thought for sure that I could surf blogs and find one that had a recap about the finale. I mean, it's already 15 minutes past and I have yet to find anything about the last episode-not even on realitysteve. I guess everyone is like me, they have to process it. It was none too exciting but this season never really is, although I love the daily drama of it all. Keep checking back. I know I'll have more to say!

Laguna Beach Season Finale

I watched it. I have to process it before I comment. J watched the whole show all the way through for the first time tonight with me and he has opinions. I'll be back. I promise.

The older generation

Mimo and Papa were the oldest parents out of my friends in high school. They're not ancient or anything but as you can imagine their understanding of computers is minimal. Now, Papa is an emailing wiz. He is an expert joke sender, believe me and he is way more advanced than Mimo. She doesn't even try. So he was amazed last night as I was explaining my blog to him. I mentionned it to him once before but I don't think he really "got it". Nothing wrong with that. It took me awhile before I understood blogs. I told him how to get to this blog but prefaced it by, "you will be hooked, once you venture into the world of blogs" I haven't yet talked to him today. He's probably blogging himself by now.

The Little Buddy is growing so quickly. I don't mention my blog much to people unless they ask but I thought it was such a good way for them to hear about their grandson. I am wary of posting too many pictures of him on the blog but atleast they can hear about what he does everyday.

Today, we went to have coffee. We have changed up our time a bit what with his new schedule and all and that's the only thing I don't like about it. the coffee house is PACKED. and he is getting to be such a lug that it's hard to hold him for 10 minutes while we are waiting in line. It's storming today and I have a feeling we will be going stir crazy all cooped up in house. Maybe we'll go outside and splash in the puddles.

Baby has a new schedule

I love W's new schedule. He's been taking naps at 9:30 and 2:30. It's great. I can finally take him out to lunch and he actually enjoys it. and I feel like our days are more efficient. I have the morning to clean up and then I have more energy to play with him in the late afternoon. He has become a tornado around the house though. Don't get me wrong. I am not a neat person. I am clean, just messy and I have a hard time organizing and finding a place for everything so I have little piles everywhere. I feel like the minute I pick up (the best I can) he wakes up and before you know it there is stuff everywhere. We are totally growing out this place so I feel bad the poor little guy doesn't really have his own space. I think that's why I let him have more free reign than other babies might.

Here comes Santa Claus

I know, it's not even Thanksgiving but L and her husband went to Toys R Us last Saturday and said it was a mob scene which made me think of Christmas and what I could get the Little Buddy and buy it online. Her baby, C, loves Tickle Me Elmo . So that's what we're going to get him. He really doesn't need much else. He is perfectly happy running around with his wooden spoon and tupperware. Although in the afternoon (only in the afternoon, when I am tired and a little on edge) he makes a bee line for the pot and pan cabinet. He likes the pots too, but mainly the tops and begins banging away like he's the drummer for Kiss (his dad only wishes). I am going to a have to get a lock for that particular cabinet-it drives me nuts. Oh, and I also finally got gates for my stairs. We've had one too many close calls and it was getting harder and harder to have walkers over to my house because they like to climb the stairs.

But anyway, back to Christmas. Let me help get you in the spirit and tell you about W's favorite toys. If I can help someone become less overwhelmed than me when shopping for toys and save a bit of money... I will.

His favorites:

• I bought this at Walmart the other day because C had it and he loved it. The Leapfrog Interactive Learn and Groove Musical Table. It sings songs, plays music, in English and Spanish. I took French from Pre-K to 12th and majored in it in college so I find it fascinating. I've learned my abc's in Spanish (I knew my numbers from my Electric company watching days)
• Mimo and Papa bought this for his first bday. The Radio Flyer Classic Walker and he loves it. and he likes their Classic Trike too! which Uncle Bob and Aunt Liz gave him. Both of them are great but I do suggest it only for 12 months and up. He can't yet ride the trike but pulls it around the house and loves riding around the block in the walker.
• My friend, Anne, buys the Musical Activity Walker for most baby showers. It is great. W started playing with it once he sat up and still loves it and a 3 year old came over and played with nothing else. It starts out flat and then pops up once they stand. We travel with it too because it folds down and is easy to take on a plane or car. So those are his favorites right now and have been for awhile. I'll keep you posted if something changes but they are well worth the investment.
  

Citrus fruit

Awhile ago I posted about how I read that you shouldn't give your toddler citrus fruit because the strings from the fruit could lodge in their lungs which would create a cough and you would think it was just a cold when really it was something more serious. My doctor had never heard of the ridiculousness and said I could give him citrus fruit. Whew! Because he loves Satsumas and I still gave them to him. Satsumas are similar to tangerines-I don't really know the different but they are in season here from about November to January, I think.

New Question from Ask Pud

Ask Pud is awesome. Sometimes shocking and sometimes so right. I liked his answer to the "How do you know when your happy" question.

New Orleans, It's beautiful

New Orleans is still kind of depressing, in certain areas but the Little Buddy took us for an unexpected walk around the block yesterday and through his eyes we saw just how beautiful and unique it is. The flowers were falling over neighborhood fences and the brick sidewalks, as frustrating and stroller-unfriendly as they are, are still unique and provided quite the exciting challenge he was looking for (for which he was looking).

And we were even able to see that the overgrown sidewalks held fascinating treasures like berries, shells and dirt that he could really sink his hands into (tilt your head sideways to see the overgrown sidewalk.)

Reality Steve's take on The Bachelor

REALITYSTEVE.com: "THE BACHELOR" RECAP - 11/13/06
Couldn't said it better myself, and didn't.

The Bachelor

I am willing to bet that Prince Lorenzo picks Sadie.

J and I were at odds over wether he would keep Lisa or the Florida blonde. I was right.

I liked Lisa so much at the beginning and she slowly went down hill. I do believe she was in it for the right reasons, she just came across as a little more desperate than the others. So she had a timeline. I can name atleast 3 girls with whom I went to college who had a "timeline". They came across as desperate, too.

Lorenzo is kind of a buffoon. But I like him.

I don't know the Florida girl well enough to say anything about her except that I think she was the least cute of the 3. Our DVR was acting up so was frozen during her date. Needless to say I was not happy. Not that she wasn't cute but her 80's style dress at the Rose Ceremony wasn't too flattering.

The Bachelor

Gotta Go! It's coming on-now-and it's been 2 weeks. I'm having withdrawals. I'm sure I'll be back to chat about it. Don't forget about What About Brian!

15 months and counting

We had our 15 months check up today. He insisted on walking from the waiting room to the doctor's office. Awfully cute. He's growing-good sign-he had a good growth spurt in the past month or so and seems like it hasn't stopped. He's on an eating binge. I love it! AND he's a man after my own heart-he loves Fig Newtons!

Have you heard of Pud?

Pud was the random blog on blogger the other day. If you haven't heard of him, check it out. Some people may be offended by it, if you're not thick-skinned. I'm not saying he's PC in any way. I just thought he was funny. He's this random blogger, seemingly ordinary guy, who answers random questions from anyone.

Change of seasons

Is that beautiful? or what? We really don't know what we're missing. The changing of the leaves is unbelievable and this is nothing compared to the red and orange trees we saw.

Roar!

No one got to see W on Halloween since we were in North Carolina. So I feel I must share my cute baby and how cute he looked thanks to a loaner costume from one of my dearest friends. Roar!

Back at last

We went back to Superior after a long hiatus. It was good and W had a fabulous time. He ate his usual, tomatoes sprinkled with cilantro, accompanied by several Nilla Wafers. We had to wait 30 minutes, unusual, but worth it. The place was packed as always.

So now we're back home. I 'm blogging and J is singing to W while putting him to bed and it's the sweetest sound I'ver heard in awhile.

Get it straight, I'm not pushing Emeril's

Uncle RaRa,
Let's get this straight. I am not "pushing" Emeril's by any means. I very much dislike the person. When I was just a kid, 24, and into the food channel at its beginnings, I would watch Emeril every night in bed. I loved him, thought he was awesome, until that fateful night. I was at Clancy's with 2 friends and so was Emeril. It was empty and it was my birthday and I looooved Emeril. So at the urging of my friends I sent him a glass of Champagne. It was Veuve Cliquot or something. Not cheap, esp. for a 24 year old. He promptly sniffed the glass and snubbed his nose at it. No fyou, thank you, or anything. Not even a glance in our direction. I was done and have been ever since. I still go to his restaurant because I like the atmosphere but when I see people tripping over themselves to shake his hand or hear people talking as if he is this hero or culinary genius, I am none too impressed and never will be. I enjoy food, know a lot about food, worked in the industry but certainly none too impressed by his product so I am not pushing his restaurant except to say that it is kid friendly. And it makes me so happy to know that if he knew someone was promoting his place as that(kid friendly) he would probably become totally naseous. I'll say it again, that makes me happy.

Belly laughter

Belly Laughter is the most precious sound I can hear coming from W. It never ceases to make my laugh just as hard the frustrating part is that I never know when it is going to come out. Something that made him laugh one day, makes him glaze over the next. One night I tripped over one of his toys on the way to the couch and there it was. All the way from his toes, the laughter. So I proceeded to fall down. Whatever which way I did it, he laughed and the game went on for 30 minutes. My parents had never heard him laugh like that and were beside themselves. It was such a fun night. So the next day my parents made me do it in front of their friends, who have no grandchildren. I tried to back out of it. I was adamant but they wouldn't take no for an answer. I knew what was going to happen but I had no way out. I felt like everyone was chanting for me to fall down. So I did. Nothing. Total silence. W just looked at me like I was an idiot. But the worse part was, the couple gave a half-assed laugh just because they had to. anyway, I guess you had to be there.

But yesterday! I found a new thing he thought was belly laughing worthy. We laughed for 10 minutes straight ( a long time in his world) and my day was made.

NOLA Kid Activities

I haven't been so good about keeping up with events and activities for kids. Please, if you know of anything fun going on around town for kids, or even just kid friendly events. I'm going to post a request each day for info. If you know of anything please comment and I will post them up on the sidebar for the week.

Oh, this just in....to add to the list of kid friendly restaurants my friend, S, told me today that they bring their 7 month old to this restaurant a lot because they are living in the neighborhood while their flooded house is being renovated. She said it was loud, they have highchairs and they don't mind at all. You won't believe it. I was surprised. I really was. Because I have my issues with the place but J and I do like going there. The food is hit or miss but I love the atmosphere and the bar. I feel hip, key word, feel, when we go there. I try to sass up (that's not too possible these days because I don't fit in anything and getting bigger by the day) and I really always do enjoy myself, even when the waiters are snotty. Oh, the restaurant....Emeril's. It's true.

Remember to be nice to new moms

I'm not preaching or anything but I remember all too well what it was like to be a new mom. It was very tiring and lonely. I saw a mom in the park today with a 7 week old and she was very happy to smile and say hello as I was walking past her. I said hello, asked her about her baby, how old, yada yada, introduced myself and then went on my way. I now feel really bad that I didn't slow down to walk with her. I was on a mission. I gained atleast 5 pounds on vacation and needed to keep movin'. But I should have stopped because that's all I wanted when W was that age-a 5 minute chat with another mom.

Laguna Beach Double Feature!

How awesome-it was totally unexpected-the double feature.

Every time I watch it I am so tense because it really brings you back to highschool. But I get so angry at the tv. Here's what I'm thinking

Tess: I like her but she needs to cut the hair and stop acting so whiny. She's too needy and she says things to Rocky that you would say to a boyfriend, wierd. I wish she and Chase would just hook up.

Chase: Love him even after his philosophical ramblings. He's cute.

Kyndra: EEEEWWWWWW! She's not attractive. She's a bitch and a bit skanky and will basically take any guy that comes along. and what does she find so cool about Cami.

Cami: All Boobs-what was that? Did you see them in the car? Cover up, girl. Every show I am amazed by how much she bugs me. and who invited her to the prom?

Lexi: So pretty but I can't figure her out. At first I thought she may be shy but now I am thinking that she knows she's pretty and knows she is the prettiest of her friends and thinks she deserves more. I don't know.

Breanna: Nothing like L.C. So highschool. She looked like a total idiot trying to get Derek to "finish their talk" while he basically had his tongue down Tess' throat.

Rocky: Is she skinny? Is she fat? Is she just hippy? Wierd body. Cut the hair. She doesn't really have any friends besides Tess so that's why she likes to create drama wherever she goes. It gives her something to do. And cut the baby talk with Alex.

Cameron: LOOOSER. How funny was that? when Kyndra ditched him for the Bigger Loser, Tyler?

Kelan: I like him but he needs to grow some balls. Isn't that what Derek told him?

The Band: Is that music? Can't be. Maybe I'm just old. It sounds like noise, really. I sound like my parents. But I like the guys, more power to them. If you're reading this, Congrats on the record deal. But stay in school.

J thought is was queer the way the guys asked the girls to prom.

Laguna Beach Chicks' eating habits

Is it just me or does anyone else find the way those girls eat disgusting? Always chewing their cud, swishing their tongues around in their mouths, eating with their mouths open.

oh-and I get it-Cami is supposed to be the unnattractive sidekick, right? but the sidekick's "queen bee" (Kyndra) is not too hot herself. Not to mention, Tyler is such a total loser. But then again, like J said, she's not much of a catch herself.

Five Happy Day!

Five Happiness has returned to its original building and is open again on Sundays! For the past year, J and I have not been able to eat good Chinese food Ive written about it before:Nola Mom: Advice for my son

How Many of Me?

I took this link from Rookie Mom but it was so cool and I haven't figured out how to link to their page. How many of Me? tells you how many people in the U.S. have your name. There are 5 people in the U.S. with my new name. 1 person with my first and maiden name. I traded down for a more common name but I do like it. All you do is put in your first and last name and voila it pops up how many people have your first name, how many people have your last name and how many people have both your first and last name.

Daddy's Home!

or rather he's on vacation. He finally joined us up here in the mountains. I wish I could download a photo for you to see W's face when he saw his daddy after a week. Priceless.

J usually puts the Little Buddy to bed every night. But for the past week I've had to do it. It usually makes me quite anxious due to my OCD complex. Once I start something and it kind of becomes a ritual I have to do the same thing over and over. Kooky, I know but it still makes me anxious. I already have to check on him twice at night before I go to bed. and I have to tell someone before I go check on him. Not just tell them but say, "I'm going to check on the Little Buddy" So imagine the anxiety of adding a few new wierd habits to the mix. Not good.

I must admit, though that I was a bit sad when bedtime came because I have been enjoying it.

Papa tried to beg off a little bit too. He didn't want to get in the way of father and son. THat wasn't going to work. As much as he loved having Daddy to play with he still followed Papa wherever he went. To the kitchen, to the garage for wood, to the bathroom, in the bathroom. He's the Little Buddy's Buddy, for life. No getting out of it.

There are 2 sides to every story.

I woke up this morning freezin' my but off with a big ass towel on me. I guess those idiots thought that would keep me warm in this 20 degree weather. It was time to get up and those lazy people wouldn't come get me. I know they could hear me. They made me talk to myself and play with the stupid towel and my pacifiers for another 30 minutes.

Whew. Mama finally showed up, all smiles and got me out of bed, changed my diaper (it was about time) and wiped my nose for the 100th time. We went into the kitchen and I ate 2 little bite muffins. I have manipulated her into only feeding me blueberry muffins in the morning. You want to know how I did it? One day I just stopped eating the oatmeal. I wasn't going to take it anymore. Just simply gave her the hand. The next morning she showed up with blueberry muffins. Yeah you right!

She's been on the computer a lot lately in the morning after I drink some of my bottle. I think she is blogging, telling the world about our private lives, about our BM's, and our silly antics. Whatever. Mimo came in and took me to their room. I was wondering where Papa was all this time. So I hung out with them and could have cared less where Mama was. Oh-she was making breakfast for everyone, I found out when we went back to the kitchen. They tried to feed me those damn eggs again. Up goes the hand.

While Papa was washing the dishes I played with a new toy. It was more toys than I knew what to do with-all stuffed into one little box. They were clear and slippery and had a zipper at the top. Papa seemed to think it was cute. Every now and again he would say, "Ingersol, what are you doing? Come see me." He's called me this a few times since we've been here-usually when he wants me to come over to him. I thought my name was either William or Winky. I was confused for a bit. But I finally deduced that Ingersol was their old dog. Made me feel real good, let me tell ya. So anyway, Papa and I had a grand old time in the kitchen, just me and him until the trash man came around and he left to take out the trash. The trash man seemed awfully nice. He even came to the door to tell Papa he was here. In New Orleans if you forget to put out your trash, tough sh--!

Oh, here they come, gotta go!

Kicking us while we're down.

Nola Blogger: GQ Rips New Orleans Restaurants
Yay! Brett Anderson. I don't always agree with his reviews but am very proud of his dogging of GQ restaurant critic. You would think after all we have been through in NOLA, if he didn't want to support our biggest industry he would have just refrained from writing.

It's cold as a

witches tit, as my dad says. I froze my butt off last night. This nola mom is not used to this cold, cold weather. It went down to mid 20's last night and for some crazy reason my parents don't believe in sleeping with the heat on. I thought the same way, that it was bad for you to sleep with the heat running- dries out your sinuses and breeds bacteria, until we got here on Sunday. It's freeking ridiculous. Last night I slept with running pants, a long sleeve t-shirt and my fleece and then had a sheet, blanket, and a down duvet. I feel like a fool. We've been having a great time here and the only reason I am ready to get back is for the humid heat of New Orleans even if it means having to smell the south wind coming off the river.

Feeling inadequate

I have come across a lot of cool new blogs lately and feel totally inadequate. I thought I was really funny, I'm not. I have been finding myself laughing out loud reading these blogs and have decided there are a few topics that I need to write about because I totally identified. So be on the look out for such topics here:

• BM's-The Little Buddy, mine but not J's, he would die of mortification
• My OCD complex and Uncle RaRa's
• Snoopy
• Reality TV (I've been lax about this one and feel very passionate about it)

New SIDS study

SIDS is still so scary but the results of a new study make me less frantic.

I TOLD YOU SOOOOOOOOOO

After 4 nights with my parents saying,

"He sleeps too much"
"He's not tired, let him stay up"
"The later he goes to bed, the later he'll sleep"

my point was finally made. He slept until after 7 this morning and that's North Carolina time. The issue at hand yesterday was that his naps were too long and wasn't going to be tired. Bullcrap-the better he sleeps during the day, the better he sleeps at night. I read a post somewhere yesterday that Babywise (see sidebar for link still can't figure out how to incorporate into text) was a book that should never have been written. AAAAAHHHHHHHH! I should have commented and put a back link to my list of books, but didn't want to tick anyone off. But time after time, I have proven it to myself the only book that new moms should read. Now I get it, not every mom is as anal as me and doesn't want to follow a strict schedule or let their baby cry for too long. Fine, but some of their guiding principles I believe are true. But I understand, you are either a proBabywiser or antiBabywiser and for its critics just mentionning the name throws them into a frickin' tailspin. As my experienced Mom friend M (the schedule guru) says, "For the rest of my life you will be defending your schedule to everyone under the sun" So far she's right. But I believe. It's kind of like being a Saints fan. You'll have setbacks but if you believe, it can happen. Maybe it's not like being a Who Dat because for the Saints it ain't going to happen, but you get my point.

I let him stay up last night 15 minutes past his bedtime because Mimo and Papa were not going to let it go. "He's not tired. He's so happy. You're so mean, You're being ridiculous." Those 15 minutes killed me for several reasons:

1. Early to bed, early to rise. Not true for a baby. If he stayed up past his bedtime he would wake up early and it was me getting up when the rooster crowed, not them.
2. After he goes to bed is our time to hang out, relax and do whatever we want. Usually the cork on the wine is already popped and I am on my way to getting my 2nd glass but I don't truly enjoy it until the Little Buddy goes to bed. Don't get me wrong, I love my baby more than anything in this world. It's just that time after 7:30 is adult time. and I love that too.
3. I knew even though he was toddling around like he was having the best time, and he was, that he was tired. You know how I knew it? It was his bedtime and when I finally put him down, he was out like a light. I like knowing when he is going to bed.

I hope I haven't offended anyone and I am not trying to say that I know everything because I don't. But I do know that save for the few setbacks, like daylights savings time or time changes or when he's sick or teething that the Little Buddy has it all figured out and I don't think it's because I know everything or that I'm a super mom. I just believe that his schedule is our saving grace. So look for my book, coming to stores near you. Don't Mess with Mom

Wednesday Wine Down

I have consistently been forgetting about it. I think because I have been wining down way before Wednesdays. Try Monday at 5pm.

Anyway, in honor of my vacation the Margarita is on stage for the Wine Down. Frozen, top shelf, no salt. Please have one for me at Superior Grill if possible. If you can tell me there is a better one in New Orleans, well, just tell me and I will check it out and get back to you.

I'm Somebody's Mother?: Will you accept this rose?

I'm Somebody's Mother?: Will you accept this rose?
For the Bachelor groupies, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Rookie Moms

I have found a great new blog. This is really what I intended my blog to be but I am not that organized and this is what you get. I need to add this to my links.
Rookie Moms
It's basically 2 mom's guide to the first year of your baby's life. I like it.

and I also came across a blog that makes me feel like I am in college again-or wish I were in college again. I haven't delved too deep into her posts so I am not sure if she is still in college or just graduated but it doesn't matter. If you are a Southern Mom and want to reminisce about those crazy college days check out Nell's Belles.

I have to act like a duck

The Little Buddy slept through the loudest part of the party. People were pouring past his room, hoopin' and hollerin' (as much as 65 year olds can) and having a grand time. Not a peep. He did wake up around 12 am crying but went back to sleep after a few seconds of soothing from me and had a pretty good night. I think he is finally getting used to the new environs and the time change. I am sure we will go through it all again once we get home.

He LOVES Mimo and Papa. He toddles around the house talking and messing everything up. My dad said had it been me and my brother he would have been following us around scolding us. I guess that's the good part of being a grandchild. You have free reign over EVERYTHING. And what Mom says (me) is almost always vetoed by Mimo and Papa. After the 3rd day here, I've relaxed and let it roll like water off of a duck's back. (I like that analogy!-pretty clever hunh?) Nothing I can do about it.

I can't take enough photos of W sitting high up in my dad's arms. It makes me kind of teary eyed seeing them together. They are like 2 little kids who can't get enough of each other. They seem to have a mutual understanding that they both share the head of the household position and it works pretty well.

Today I am going to get a pedicure. I cannot wait! It has been eons that I have enjoyed a really good one. Mimo and Papa will take care of the little buddy. He will have probably eaten 55 Nilla Wafers, 10 more bottles, and have a big smile on his face when I get back.

Daylight savings not saving me any sleep

Did I already write about this? He is totally out of whack!!! and I know L had the same problem with C. Any suggestions (from other anal, schedule-following moms like us) to get them back on schedule would be greatly appreciated.

Okay

Finally, the keyboard is working at Papa's house.

My parents (W's grandparents) are having a massive Halloween shindig tonigh. MiMo gets kind of anxious the day of any party she is throwing. It's been fun. W didn't sleep at all last night. I think he has come down with a bad cold (I hate flying with him because of all the germs) and he is not feeling super duper tonight. Luckily MiMo gave in and decided to not put the wine bar outside of his bedroom. That would make for a fun evening for me. I am not sure this is going to be a thrill for me anyway, with him toddling around, whining with a runny nose and overwhelmed with all of these strangers ogling him. Really not looking forward to it especially since he didn't sleep well last night.

We took a ton of photos in the orange, yellow and red leafed scenery. and I am sure there will be plenty more. I have to post them up when we get back just for all NOLA moms who don't get the chance to see a change of seasons. A mom here wrote an article in the paper saying that the leaves are so much more vibrant since she has had her baby. I feel the same way. They seem so alive and bright through the eyes of a baby. W has been walking around 90 percent of the time with a red leaf in his hand. The other 10 percent he has a small squash from any fall display that he can find.

Vacation

W and I are in North Carolina with my parents and it is beautiful. The leaves are changing, everything is bright and alive and W is too. He is having a grand time despite not onlyhis confusion with daylight savings but also the time change. He woke up at 4:45 am. not fun, partially a consequence of not having had a nap yesterday. Don't get me started. Momo and Papa don't quite get the schedule thing.

Will be in touch again once Papagets a new battery for his keyboard. This took me 30 minutes to type.

So many phases

Not doing supper with the Little Buddy for awhile. The past 2 dinners he has had meltdowns. Today I thought we were good to go. He took a nap from 3:30-5 and was in a happy mood until we got to the restaurant. He was done. and on Wednesday he did the same thing. Makes me sad. Looks like we won't be going out to dinner for awhile. Maybe it's just a phase.

Mom Blogs

I just came across 2 blogs that I think I might love. I haven't fully perused them yet as I literally came across them 2 minutes ago and it is way past my bedtime (W has been getting up at 5am). Maybe you've seen them or not but the nanny one seems especially fascinating.

I Saw Your Nanny
Anyone can go on and post 'nanny stories'. So if you see a nanny being mean to a child and they are doing something that you wish someone would tell you about if they saw your nanny doing it to your baby you can post it on here and hope that you will see it. They do have sweet posts, complimenting nannies too.

Posh Mom
The intent is good. I haven't clicked around enough to see if it really serves a purpose, for me anyway. But the 'party' section caught my eye. Always up for a good par-tay!

The Little Prince

We spent all morning outside. I ran around the park and then we played in the grass. After a quick lunch, W is only eating goldfish, we scooted around the block in his red wagon and walked up and down the sidewalk and watched the cars pass. We had a grand time. October in New Orleans really is perfect. It's a bit overcast today but still cool enough to be comfortable spending the day outside.

Momo and Papa come home today. So that will be a change of pace for W. He loves Momo and Papa. Who wouldn't? Momo kisses and cuddles and reads and tickles and Papa lets W grab his nose and sings and carries him around like he's The Little Prince. Papa tells him everything about everything and then listens while W talks. It's all about W. They will be certainly giddy to see him walking in his new shoes and even giddier when they see the look on his face when he sees them.

It'll make for a fun weekend.

Christmas?!

I know but as an ex shop owner I start thinking early about Christmas. Looking for fun photo cards for Christmas. Check these out

• Tiny Prints
• Basically Cards

I love them both and they seem to priced pretty reasonably. Friends, act surprised if you get one from us!

C and W

They grew up together. They met when they were 4 and 5 months old, give or take a few weeks. They've been through it all.

• Eating cereal

• Crawling

• Fighting over toys (sometimes C wins, sometimes W wins. We probably shouldn't encourage it but we do. Making them men! Today C took a stick away from W. W took it back! Yay! W had grass leaf. C grabbed it for himself. One for C!)

• Walking

• New shoes

• Not eating

Anyway, on our way back from a stroll we came across names written in the sidewalk. You know like you did when you were kids. I feel like you don't see much of that anymore. Well, I think it's because they don't repave sidewalks in N.O. anymore. We have much bigger fish to fry.

Back to the story. The names were C's dad's, his little brother and C's childhood friend. C is named after his dad. and his friend...same name as W. Are you following this? It was really sweet. Very nostalgic.

So W and C grew up together.
But they have a lot more growing up to do. And once they are all big and grown maybe one day C and W's wives will be strolling down the sidewalk and will have the same story to share.

One step forward, two steps back

W was eating so well this weekend. Guacamole, cheese quesadillas, tomatoes, goldfish, turkey, tuna fish and then he stopped. Goldfish are the food of choice right now. No more tomatoes. I haven't given him Nilla Wafers in awhile. I was trying to break the habit.

It definitely is a power struggle. BUT IT IS SO FRUSTRATING! I try not to fight it. But it's hard.

I wish there was an answer. Just tell me to do this, this and that. and I will do it. and I am sure there are a ton of people out there who will do it too.

Tell me, please.

They grow up so fast.

I feel like I write about this an awful lot. Maybe I don't. I don't know but as I was feeding W this morning I looked at him and saw a countenance that I didn't recognize. It was one of a little boy, not of a baby, and for a second melancholy set in. I longed for him to be the baby that he was. I still think of him as a baby, my baby. and I probably always will. Even when he is married with kids of his own. He will still be my sweet baby boy.

I know. Everyone says it. Strangers tell you at the coffee shop, that they grow up so fast. Usually I just nod, smile and say the stock answer, "I know." But I really do.

Mission Accomplished

It took a few days of W stubbornly standing in one spot, frozen, crying for me or J to pick him up. It's the shoes. He didn't want to walk in them, he wasn't going to walk in them. He was peeoed. He was no longer free wheeling it barefoot all over the place. On the fourth day he forgot all about them and was cruising around the kitchen like a banshee. He still whines a bit when I put them on but he quickly gets over it.

Next mission-getting rid of the bottle, moving on to sippy cups. It won't be easy.

These shoes are made for walkin'

But he won't walk in them. W has new shoes. He hates them, with a passion and it's only getting worse. Last week he cried but slowly walked in them until we could distract him and then he was running. Now he just stands there and cries, sobs. I'm not sure what to do.

A family affair

My smart husband has joined me in blogging. Check out his blog-Nola Blogger.

Worry wart

I worry a lot. Always have. about everything. Just an anxious person I guess. I used to stay awake in college until my best friend came home (if she went out and I didn't). I worry about family and friends and if I have enough food for dinner. I worry when J leaves early for work or to go running that he makes it to the car safely or that he makes it around the park and back. I worry that a piece of orange that I gave W yesterday is stuck in his lungs. I read last night that you shouldn't give them citrus fruit because it's stringy and that what you think may just be a cough may really be part of the fruit stuck in his lungs. I worry.

I never knew what worrying was until I had W. Now I realize that most of the things I worried about before were not really necessary things to worry about. and I realize that I will be worrying the rest of my life. As you get older, you think you should get wiser. But my list of people to worry about only keeps growing. My husband, my baby are now added to the mix. My brother's wife, my in-laws. It would be fun to have a lot of kids but I don't think I could handle the worrying. Because then where does it stop. eventually I'll have to add their wives/husbands and grandchildren to the mix. I got this from my mom. She never went to sleep until we came home at night. In N.O. it makes sense. She wouldn't let us go to a friend's house if they had the sniffles. The worst part of it all is is that as hard as I try not to, I am sure I will pass this OCD of worrying on to my kids. and the cycle will start all over again.

I watch tv dramas now and cry when a child is sad or sick. I cry for the baby and I cry for the parents and the way that I imagine they feel. I worry that I am not a good enough mom for W who deserves the best of everything.

Am I crazy? I am worried that I probably am.