Animal Lover, Not!

Let me preface this entry by saying that I myself am not a true animal lover. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't hate animals and of course our beloved, Ingersoll, will remain in my heart forever (out black lab that we had growing up) and I loved him like no other. But in general I am not a huge fan of animals. I'll look at them and talk to them but I don't really want to pet them or want them sniffing around me. What I am trying to say, or admit, is that it is probably my fault that W isn't yet too fond of animals.

We had a busy weekend. Saturday we went to my alma mater's alumnae Easter Egg Hunt. Besides screaming bloody murder when Mr. Easter bunny tried to hold him for a photo op...he had a ball. And he didn't really like that Mr. Easter bunny was stalking him while he was picking up eggs either. You would have thought Mr. EB got the hint when he screamed at him. He didn't.

But besides that he played hard and picked up a load of Easter eggs, loved the playground and we couldn't tear him away from the "Little Gate Village", I think that's what they call it. Now for a shameless plug, if you are in the market for a program for your toddler I highly suggest it. I have never seen the facilities at Little Gate until yesterday, but they are impressive.

Here's W with Mr. Easter Bunny.

This afternoon we went to the coolest birthday party. It was a petting zoo. They had goats and sheep and rabbits and pigs and alligators and horses, oh my! W and J got a chance to go into the walk-in cage. W pulled the rooster's, tried to pull the mini alligator's tail and even road the turtle. Here's a shot of him riding off into the sunset. Okay-not quite. He was crying again. Maybe we can get over our aversion to animals together.

Then he sat on the pony for a few seconds. Enough time for a photo op. But I won't show you the picture, because you get the idea. He was crying.

But just so you can see how much fun the kids had and what a great idea it is for a birthday party, here's another friend holding the small alligator.


W much preferred riding off into the sunset in a traditional form of transportation, the car.

Beep! Beep!

A day in the life of W

Today I thought I would take pictures of a Day in the Life of the Little Buddy. I got some great photos. The plan was to share them with my fans but today really wasn't all that exciting. A bit more boring than usual so I will just post the highlights.

Here's W putting on his shoes. Close, but no cigar.

We finally got out the door to meet friends for coffee talk and ran into more. That's always fun!

We went to the park then came home to read W's books out of his READ Nola backpack. His idea.

He took a nap, not a long one. I fixed him some egg salad and blueberries. Wouldn't eat any of that but he will always eat a nana.

He can play for hours stuffing the tips of my running shoelaces into the holes so I got the colander and spaghetti idea from Parents Magazine. If your baby likes to do fine motor skill things like that you should try it. It took up a good 45 minutes.

We played out back for awhile. Then Papa came to visit, thank goodness, because he was tired of his boring ole Mama. W didn't waste any time letting him in the door.

They strolled around the block. He must have needed his hands because "Look! No hands!" We need to get him a Jazz Fest "How ya gonna clap?!" strap.

After their stroll we lounged in the sunporch. He is fascinated with fans, especially the one on the sunporch.

and seems as if Papa is too.
And now good night, it is time to sleep. Nigh Nigh.

The Presidential Wave

Have you ever noticed how President Bush waves? I never have, but W (my W) did today. He was on my lap drinking his milk while watching Fox News. I don't usually watch the news because if I don't have a show on I have waaaay too many backed up in the DVR. Anyway, it happened to be on and I was too lazy to change the chanel. They had a segment on Bush-can't really tell you what about-but he was walking across the lawn waving. W waved too. At first I wasn't sure what he was doing. Then they replayed the scene. and replayed it and replayed it. And the Little Buddy waved and waved and waved again. Perfectly. Not with his fingers moving up and down but with his whole hand rotating side to side. He had it down from the first wave. I've always said that he was going to be the President of the United States. Well, he's on his way. 1st step-mastering the Presidential Wave.

Nothing like a Love Pat

I remember spending a lot of time with my New Roads Mimi. Both of our grandmothers were Mimi so we designated them New Roads Mimi and Vicksburg Mimi because of where they lived. Anyway, we spent a lot of time with New Roads Mimi-or atleast that's how I remember it. They used to ship us up there on the bus (my mom swears she never did this) and we would stay for a week while my parents probably whooped it up big time back at home. Anyway, I loved going to visit and I still have such vivid smell memory from being there. Del Monte green beans still brings it all home to me. We played cards a lot, we got to drink a coke (they weren't allowed at our house), we watched the Price is Right and at night, while we watched Lawrence Welk she would either tickle my legs or give me love pats.

I thought of this today while I sitting on the floor in my closet. I don't know why I was on the floor but W came up to give me a hug and sit in my lap and I found myself giving him love pat. In response, he put his head up against my chest, wrapped his arm around my back and gave me a love pat too. and then another one. It was the sweetest thing I've ever felt. and looking back on those visits to New Roads Mimi's house, I wish I would've given her a love pat back so that she would have felt the love the way I did this morning when the Little Buddy gave me mine.

Bluefly

I'm sure the fashion obsessed already know about Bluefly but I'm a little slow on the uptake and just came across it. Great shoes!!! I'm so excited-I found a pair that I wanted to buy at a local retail store but they didn't have my size-at 40% of their price!

Fun fact: W doesn't love beef tips

L had told me many times how delicious the beef tips were at Langenstein's. Not the kind that were already packaged over noodles but the ones they keep all the way to the back in the freezer. She was right. So I thought for sure W would like some noodles with the gravy. Lately I've been feeding him supper over at Mimo and Papa's. He plays hard and then he seems to like to eat more in the highchair that they bought. I packed up the gravy and the pasta and presented them to him. He was only interested in stirring them up. Fine, he does that for awhile and then usually comes around to the idea of putting them in his mouth. He fed me some. Then fed me some more and during one of those times I caught him with his mouth open so I loaded some in there while he was distracted. Talk about pissed off. He poked out his lip like I had really hurt his feeling and began wailing. Poor Little Buddy. I felt bad for tricking him. Papa felt sorry for him like any good grandpa should and gave about 10 stale gingersnaps. That was his dinner.

Taking a breath

Every night, especially on nights when he is laying on his back and I can see his face, when I check on the Little Buddy before I go to bed, I truly have to take a breath because I think that he is the most beautiful baby in the world. And every night I want to give him a million kisses while he’s sleeping but I’m scared I will wake him up. And then I think to myself, “Does every mother think this about their baby?” Because I just don’t understand, not how they can think that their baby is the most beautiful baby in the world because that’s what mother’s think, but how can anyone think it with more intensity and awe than I think it?

Want your photo on a Kleenex box?

Okay I just discovered this blog and am finding really great things on it. Here's another one. You can have a box of Kleenex made with a personalized photo and text on it. How cool is that? For only $4.99 plus shipping. Is that the greatest ideas for the grandparent who has everything?

Starbucks free coffee

Oh! I forgot-and Pop Candy reminded me that Starbucks is giving a free cup of coffee tomorrow. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it was in honor of moms but I could have made that up.

Tyrie loses it on Real World

Okay-Tyrie was out of control and I can't say that I didn't see it coming. He lost it early on in the season and then the producers kind of tabled that side of him. He's a nice guy-I think he means well-he just has a liiiiittle bit of a temper problem. If I were Jazzy I would kick him to the curb.

As for Jen and Darnelle (Stephen's friend), I think he's way too normal for Jen. I think he just wants a little somethin', somethin' if you know what I mean?

A new look

NOLAMOM has a new look...in case you didn't notice. I am feeling kind of sassy and wanted a change. I really want to figure out how to design my own template but I'll just have to add that to my list of "Really Big Projects". and I was tired of seeing my template on every other blog that I read. So here's a temporary new look. and it may just change again. I'm going to keep you on your toes, fans. Don't want you yawning while you're reading the blog.

The Little Buddy is almost 19 months old! I cannot believe that that much time has passed since he was born. I can't believe that that much time has past and I am now 6 pounds overweight. Weight that I didn't have 4 months after having him. So I can't really say that I haven't lost all of my baby weight. Because I did. I just gained lazy mom weight. That's not my point. My point is that W is such a big boy. He still is my baby and most of the time I think of him as a baby but there are certain times that he just seems so old.

Like when I put a bubble on him that I bought for him when it was still warm. It's 18 months so it still fit him but he looked a bit obscene-what with those long legs toddling around in a bubble. I had to take it off- quickly.

Or when he is eating a piece of string cheese or a banana and holding it himself. That always gets me.

Or when he walks down the steps at Mimo and Papa's holding their hands.

Or when he laughs really loud because he know it will get a really loud laugh out of me.

Or when he tries to buckle himself into his carseat.

He's doing so many things that make me realize that one day he won't be a baby anymore and I am doing all I can to make sure I notice everything. I don't want to miss out on one minute.

I love Daylight Savings Time!!! When we came home from Mimo and Papa's this afternoon it was still light outside so we didn't have to frantically run into the house away from all the boogey monsters and J can play with W outside in the backyard when he gets home even if it's not until 7-although his bedtime will inevitably cut that short.

W was a bit hesitant to walk down Papa's stairs holding his hands today after his spill coming down the drain's step on Saturday. He whined a bit but by the end of the afternoon he had come around. You think the little tikes forget things like that but wouldn't you remember falling face first onto a brick patio? Luckily, he was okay except for his new fear of walking down steps.

Thought I would share a photo of my pride and joy in front of my newly planted petunias. The petunias look kind of pitiful-but they're not, I promise. My mom told me to plant more but I was scared I would crowd them and they wouldn't grow.

Mozilla Firefox

Popups ruled my life. They were driving me nuts. J finally put Mozilla Firefox on this computer and it has made all the difference. Papa if you are listening you need to do the same thing. When I was on your computer the other day I kept getting stopped by popups. It's a browser, like Internet Explorer and for some reason it doesn't let as many pop ups in. That's as much computer speak as I know.

What a weekend. The weather could not have been more beautiful and although it is overcast today, the temperature is my ideal temperature-68-70 degrees. I felt so productive yesterday because of the weather. I finally found someone to clean the old house so I didn't have to do it myself. It was a colossal mess-dust up to the eyeballs-and needed a good scrub down before we put it on the market. One day that will happen. So I let the lady in early in the morning and then Winky and I went with Mimo and Papa to Home Depot to buy a whole bunch of petunias to plant in the planters around our yard. W loved the Home Depot-especially the fountain. He played in that forever and destroyed a petunia plant when he was plucking it from the plastic container. Shhhh. Don't tell. He felt a little hot but I didn't think anything of it.

By the time we got home he was half asleep but still eating his goldfish. I started my gardening while he was taking a nap and J finished taking everything out of the shed at the old house. FINALLY! It's empty. The only thing left to do is walk the Mardi Gras latter back over here and get rid of our old Weber barbecue pit. I am sure I have given this advice before but just in case you missed it.

What you have in your house is always more than you think it is. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can move it yourself. If you have movers let them do all the moving.

So W woke up from his nap fire hot with red cheeks. His fever was 102.3. Mimo has been sick but he hasn't been around her. I guess he caught it from her via Papa. Anyway, once he was up and about he was in great spirits. Played with the hose, the dirt, hide and seek with J in the yard. I guess the Tylenol helped because by the time he went to sleep he was much cooler. I am praying that this will be a short lived virus.

So my petunias are planted as is the basil and rosemary. Now I just have to be religious about watering them. The backyard looks great. All the leaves have been blown by this new great yard guy and it's a backyard in which we will be spending many a cocktail hour.

Little Laughter on Magazine

A friend gave me the heads up on the new spring stuff at Little Laughter. They used to have a website but I can't pull it up. But here it is anyway, just in case it gets up and running again. As I've said before, it's hands down one of my favorite children's stores. She was right. I got the Little Buddy some cute red sandals for the summer and two cute sun suits. I would've gotten more but I used complete self-control. And then you can stroll right across the street to shop for yourself!!! at Azby's. Which I did. I bought a top for myself and some new sassy patent leather heels. and talk about spring shipment-it looked like the store had been emptied out and refilled with all new clothes for spring. I sound like an ad, hunh? Well, I'm not getting paid for it. I'm telling the truth.

Papa came over this afternoon to visit us since he hasn't seen the Little Buddy is so long. Mimo has been under the weather so we haven't been over to see them. I opened a bottle of wine since it was 6 o'clock. He didn't want me to but I did anyway. I found something in the bar and popped it open. I vaguely remembered that he gave it to us for Valentines. Well, he said it was delicious and went in to see what it was so he could get some for himself. He didn't remember what it was or where he got it. After he left and John came home, we remembered, at the same time.

On our year of dating anniversary I gave it to J with a poem saying that it was to be open on our 5th year of dating anniversary. I guess I didn't want to jinx us by saying "drink it on our first year wedding anniversary". So we have been waiting. and waiting and waiting. Every month I ask J if it's time to drink the darn bottle.

I am so bummed. Completely bummed. Not that it won't be enjoyed on this random Thursday night, but I am truly upset. I looked online to see if I could find another bottle to buy. It's now worth $85. I think I bought it at $50. I never save wine. We pretty much buy it and drink it so that it had gone up in value was pretty cool to see.

So a toast:
It's been a great 5 years
and I have to say
that I wouldn't want my life
to be any other way.

I've got a sweet husband
and a really cute tot
who I love and love
a really whole lot.

So let's drink this wine
and celebrate us
To 100 more years
of love and lust (didn't have anything else to rhyme, not trying to be kinky)

The Hills

I feel like I'm one of them. That's the only reason that can explain why I get so passionate when watching The Hills. If you didn't see it Monday you can catch it on a rerun this week. But Heidi is such a bitch. That was such a crappy move on her part. I was just kind of starting to like her at the beginning of the season but she has become so self-involved. I just want to shake her-hard.

We went to Daneel park yesterday and this lady had a big ole standard poodle running around. She swore that he was friendly but I let her know that W gets freaked out by dogs so she was nice enough to keep him away.

sidenote: my pet peeve (this will probably make people mad) is when people let there dogs run wild at Daneel Park. It's not a dog park-it's specifically geared for children and there is dog poo all over the field and I've seen many a dog snap at a young child who wanted to play with it. Not to mention the fact that W is a little freaked out by snippy dogs. Audubon park or the fly or city park I think are better suited for dogs.

Anyway, W seemed really intrigued and walked right on over to the dog. The last thing I want is for him to be scared of dogs. I'm not a huge animal fan but I do like dogs. We had Ingersol forever but he was old and sweet, didn't bark and didn't really jump up on people. That's the way I like them. But my goal is to get W comfortable around dogs especially because of Cousin Jude, Aunt Jojo and Uncle RaRa's beagle. He pet the dog, looked at it sideways, petted him some more. All in all a big success. A big step in W's world of animals.

Check out #467 on Rookie Moms website. It's about keeping in touch with your friends. I feel like it's so hard to keep in touch with friends. Everyone is doing there own thing, busy with kids, fundraisers, work etc. I thought this was a smart idea, although sad that it's come down to this.

W and I got locked out of the new house for the first, and hopefully, the last time today. We had just gotten back from the park and we went out back to water the bed that the sprinklers don't reach. I didn't put on his sweater even though it was starting to get chilly because I figured we wouldn't be out for long. He was kind of cranky but wouldn't eat the turkey burger I fixed him but he was satisfied with a peanutbutter cracker. W loves the hose so was helping me in my watering duties. He got a bit wet but no big deal and then dropped his cracker in the water.

I told him it was time to go inside so he promptly followed me to the door only to find the back door doesn't have a handle on it. I guess I've never noticed because I don't usually shut the door behind me when we're outside. But today, I guess after having gotten our electric bill I was being energy conscious, I shut it. No handle. Darn! Oh, and aren't our brand new gates with deadbolts that we just had installed last week sooo safe? So we were locked in. Really locked in, no getting in, and no getting out either. I went around to the side gate to scream for the neighbor across the street-she's the only one I know well enough to scream to- but she didn't come out. I climbed onto the wall thinking I could pull W up behind me but it was too high so I waited for passing cars hoping to flag a stranger down to use their cell phone (really safe considering this crime ridden environment we live in but I had no choice). W thought is was a hoot seeing his fat ass mom scramble oh-so-gracefully up the wall. But after a few minutes being down on the ground, he wasn't laughing so much. Then I saw her. The neighbor!!! "Heeeeeyyyyyyy!" I yelled.
"Hey! What's up?"
What did she think? I just liked to hang out on the wall. I guess to her defense she doesn't really know me. Maybe she thought I was just the new kookie neighbor hanging out on the wall.
To make a long story short....she called J at work. Told him the situation. So I crawled down and waited patiently for him to come home. and then I saw it. The handle on the back door. It does have a handle. I was trying to get in the wrong door.

J will be mortified that I am writing about this but I have to. Have you ever heard anyone say that they have to go #2 everytime they enter a book store. I have, and it's true for me. Not just book stores, but libraries, video stores and Hallmark stores. Any place that I want to take my time and peruse the selections. Maybe it's gross, but it's true. Today I took him to the library. I am in desperate need of reading material so I thought since the library is pretty close and it's free that I may as well take advantage of our tax paying dollars. So W and I trekked over to the library this afternoon and joined. I told him the "quiet rules" and we headed upstairs to see what we could find. As I walked back through the stacks, W didn't follow. He stood right at the top of the stairs. I could still see him so I figured he was okay until I heard the grunt...and I saw the strained look on his face. He hasn't yet figured out either that BM's are taboo to the rest of the world so he doesn't look away in shame. In fact, he will stare you down, which he was doing to some highschool kid sitting at a computer facing W.

And I thought, "Isn't that always the way. I'm trying to take my time, to liesurely pick out a good book and now we have to leave." But I guess if it hadn't of been him, it would have been me:)

I have a new week resolution. To blog everyday and to be productive-get atleast one box unpacked, call the electrician...again, redeem my bookstore gift certificate. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Joe Horn

I'm not a huge football fan but I am a Who Dat and was pretty saddened by the loss of Joe Horn. My brother was a Sommelier at this place he used to frequent in Mississippi so I feel like I know him, that he's my man, I mean he drinks Cristal. But I have to admit, it doesn't surprise me. What little I know about football and free agents and stuff like that, I know a bit of the Saint's history. They can't not do something to screw it up, right?

The Little Buddy's friend hurt himself this morning and was whisked away to the doctor. Luckily, he is okay but gosh, it was so traumatic. They are just so little and so fearless and don't know how to protect themselves. So there were a lot of tears of worry and a lot of tears of relief today but I think now the scariest part is trying our best to protect them but not so much that they turn into Mama's boys.

Then I started thinking of things that can happen to them. And my mind goes crazy and that will be never ending. But for example, soon we will have to worry about other mean boys hurting them. What if someone is picking on them? Or someone beats them up or pushes them down? Don't mess with my baby, believe me. A friend with older kids once told me that when a kid is mean to her kid she just wants to "kick their ass". And if it happens around here, I think I just might.

This morning I was getting dressed and of course W was there. I took off my robe and before I could put anything else on W was poking at my naked leg. (Believe me, I don't lollygag around nude. It's not a pretty sight.) I walked away so that I was out of his reach and he poked my butt. I am laughing now, but I wasn't at the time. I was startled. Now that I've had a chance to look back on it, I think he was pointing out my cellulite. His dad needs to teach him a few manners. First rule being that you don't tell a lady she's fat (adj.) and 2. certainly don't poke at her fat (noun). Or maybe the latter should be first.

Goodbyes aren't any fun.

I have to give it to the Little Bluddy. For awhile there when we went to the park he didn't want to play if other kids were around. That was no fun. But I think it must have been a phase because he has been having a ball the last few times. He was like a little pig by the time we left today-a dirty mess-but so were the other kids. I think it's a measure of how much fun he had. Kind of like Mardi Gras. The more trash, the more successful.

It's been really nice having Mimo and Papa in town. We've been spending afternoons with them and W really looks forward to the Mimo and Papa-time. Now he knows when we get in the car in the afternoon that he's basically going to the BIG PLAYGROUND. and it certainly passes the afternoon for me. The summer is kind of bittersweet. I am so ready for the hot weather but not looking forward to Mimo and Papa's imminent departure to NC. and if W knew it, he would be awfully anxious too. He likes saying Bye Bye right now. He giggles and laughs and waves when it's time to go but that summertime Bye Bye will teach him that Goodbyes aren't any fun.

Oh my word. The days are flying by. I can't seem to get a second to blog. I miss it. I miss my fans! The Little Buddy is having a blast with this awesome weather. Loving the park and our new back yard. Loves to help water our new splotches of grass. (I hope I didn't kill it, it needs a ton of water). He's very glad Mimo and Papa are back in town. Last week we over there for something and he was frantically searching the house for them. They were nowhere to be found. It was sad. So needless to say he was giddy to see them on Sunday. They took him to Daneel Park while we finally moved the rest of the stuff from the old house or 99% of it. Word of advice: pack everything for the movers. Don't think "oh, it's not that much stuff" Kathleen told me so. She was soooo right. It's more than you think.

The LB ate 2 whole pieces of string cheese for dinner. 3 olives (my boy) and a few tomatoes. I finally got some protein in him. He's been living for blueberries so he definitely has his fiber but I was worried about the protein. Tried to sub in the sippy cup for the bottle tonight. No go. He kept spitting out his milk. I'm reluctant to make him go cold turkey because I don't want him to get hungry in the middle of the night.

The jog stroller broke again going around the park. If you happen to come across a blue Nuby cup, it's ours. I was so concerned with getting home in the collapsed stroller that I didn't notice him chunk it on the ground. It killed me-we only have 2-now 1-and I found out the hard way that Langenstein's doesn't sell them anymore AAAAAHHHHHH. Back to Walmart.

Hey-We just got back from dinner with Aunt Liz and Uncle Bob. We went to Vincent's. I haven't been there since I was just pregnant with the Little Buddy. I like being there. It's cozy. and they have that good garlic butter. Mmmm Mmmm. I'm going to sleep now. Pitiful I know, but I'm tired. A big day of shopping for tvs. Anyway, Uncle Bob said he can't leave comments on the blog. So Bob, if you're reading try it and see if it works. Other fans are encouraged to try too.

We just got back from dinner at Frankie and Johnnie's. I haven't been there in ages and L said they were bringing C tonight so I just invited us along. So kid friendly. Not much cleaner than it was before the storm but still good. I loooove the cheesy cafeteria style iceberg lettuce salads loaded with ranch dressing and L said the burgers were good. She was right. Service sucked but doesn't it always? Anyway, C was having a ball, laughing and talking and W was just pooped from his busy afternoon running around the yard. He has been getting really tired lately. I can barely hold him off for regular naptime or bedtime for that matter. I guess it's a growth spurt. We did see a few smiles. He thought C was really funny, whooping it up and all.

Now we're home. 7:45 on a Friday night. About to watch The Office (and the rest of Grey's Anatomy, if J will let me). Gotta love DVR.

Nothing like Chinese and Popeyes during Mardi Gras

Now that the Mardi Gras weekend is behind us I have a few minutes to chat. Whew. It wasn't all that hectic. I think the pressure of it all made me more tired than anything. I love Mardi Gras and I would have loved to make it a marathon complete with my jug of Mardi Gras Madrases-leave the house in the morning and don't come back until the last float rolls by but I still feel like W is too little to forgo the nap. Some people may say I am not flexible enough and that "It's Mardi Gras!" but that's just the way I feel. Saturday the LB slept from 11 until 3 so we missed all the parades. We took him out to the parade routes to check out the Endymion crowds and even saw a few floats. He still doesn't much care for them though.

About Endymion-first of all let me say that I am ready for them to go back to Mid-City. Sorry if I piss anyone off but it's the way I feel. We were going to drop our ladder off with friends early Sat. morning and they said don't even bother because the Endymion people have roped off miles of neutral ground and even have gone so far as to move other people's ladders. They are rude and have this awful sense of entitlement that just doesn't mix with the families on Napoleon. I mentionned my feelings to someone and their theory was was that the city will never let them go back. It's too easy for them to ride the same route. I am scared they are right.

Anyway, I did enjoy seeing Journey on one of the first few floats. They were quite the crowd pleaser. See photo.

Halfway down the street we passed by a group of college kids who were obviously drunk, having a fabulous time. They were introducing themselves, typing in phone numbers into cell phones so they could meet up with their new found friends later on. AAAAH, those were the days, I told J. Those were my favorite times about Mardi Gras. Meeting all kinds of new people and whooping it up like you were best friends for the weekend. J kind of looked at me sideways, laughed and said, now we are going to workout and eat Chinese food instead. Which we did. That is really sad, isn't it? 10 years ago if someone told me they were going to excercise and eat Chinese food on Endymion Saturday, I would of thought they were THE BIGGEST TOOLS IN THE SHED. Now I think, we're just old.

Which brings me to the big news. Five Happiness will reopen on Sundays starting this Sunday, February 25. If you are a regular reader of my blog you know how excited this makes me, if you're not you can read this post for further info.

Sunday, the LB only slept until 1:30 so we were able to catch some of Thoth because it was late. We headed down the Avenue (which was disgusting I might add, a bunch of drunk kids/yats all over the street, sitting in trash) to the Hampton Inn where J's friend had a hotel room and some ladders set up. We put W up there to see if he liked it. Turns out it was too close to the floats. He didn't really care for it either and I was so worried about blocking the beads from slapping him in the face that I didn't really enjoy myself either. So we went upstairs to the room, ate some Popeye's and watched it from the window. Then we headed back to family friendly Napoleon where we ran into Uncle RaRa and Aunt JoJo before heading home.

Schulte's left La Petite

I am so saddened by this food news that I am beside myself. J and I love La Petite Grocery. We have always frequented the bar because the bartenders are the greatest-friendliest and most professional-and we loved the part owner and hostess (I don't even know her name, I can't believe that, because I should and I felt like she was a friend)-not to mention that they give great sized wine pours. That's always important. None of this 2 oz. stuff that you can gulp down in one sip-or atleast I can. It was the first dinner we had out alone after we had the Little Buddy, right before Katrina came to town. And now the Schulte's are gone. The Lagniappe said it had something to do with not having more control over their decisions. I don't blame them. Now I have never been a chef but I worked in the industry and I know how frustrated a chef gets if they feel powerless, much less if they are part owner.

It's a sad day and they will be missed. The article also said that there would be some changes-food and decor. I don't like changes. I'll have to do some soul searching before I decide if we are going back sans Schultes.

Eddie Jordan-make him resign

Sign the petition to make Eddie Jordan resign.

The Christie Cookie Monster

I didn't sleep at ALL last night, doo doo do doo doo,
so it was hard rolling out of bed and barely got to singing class on time. Not to mention, we froze our boodies off walking over there since it was 37 degrees out. Well, no singing today. Not a big deal, W likes to stroll, no matter the weather. We headed off to PJ's for a coffee and kingcake. I called Langensteins' to see if they had any but the line was busy. Turns out it's chaos over there. Don't go unless totally necessary. PJ's is hoping to get them from Randazzo's today so I told them to save me one. Anyway, once we got home one of my closest friends from highschool is in town for the Gras and came over this morning to check out the new house. and with her she brought the famous Christie cookie tin. Her husband is the marketing and sales guru for the company but that's besides the point. When I tell you they are the most delicious, chewy decadent cookies I have ever eaten in my life, I'm not lying. So I had to have one, on the spot at 10 in the morning and I tried to share with W but he just shook his head. Good. The more for me. So they left and I put my cookie on the counter while I went to powder my nose and when I came back it was gone. The only thing I could figure was that the Cookie Monster had stolen it and I was right. W had it gripped in his sweaty little hand while trying to shove the whole half into his mouth (these are big cookies) and he succeeded. He wasn't even hungry. And if you are a regular reader you know that W's not much of an eater. That's the power of the Christie Cookie. They will turn even a picky eater into a Christie Cookie Monster.

Pluots, The Little Buddy and The O.C.

Pluots
I'm a bit hesitant to share this information because I am scared there will be a mad rush on them but I feel I owe it to my fans. Pluots are in season. I have to admit that I forgot about the deliciousness of this fruit but when I stumbled upon them at Whole Foods today they almost made me forget my repeated disappointment of the Whole Foods Kingcakes (I've never actually had them but they look like sandpaper, they look so dry). Anyway, for those of you who don't know what Pluots are...use your noggin'. They are a cross between a plum and an apricot. Their skins have the tanginess of plum skins. The flesh is sweet but not as sweet as a really sweet plum and not as bland as a not so sweet...the perfect mixture. Try 'em, you'll like 'em. and if you don't like them, the more for me and W, because we love them.

The Little Buddy
I say this every month but W is really a good age right now. He laughs all the time. He realizes he gets undivided attention when he is laughing so he really hams it up. He laughs when you get him out of bed in the morning, he laughs when he is running at me full throttle as I stand on the top step before I swoop him up to bring him downstairs, he laughs when you present him with a plate of food, and laughs when I am putting on his jacket to go outside. I know a lot of it is hamming it up but a lot of it is the joy of simple pleasures, too. We should take a lesson from him.

The O.C.
I still can't quite believe it. Next week is the Series Finale. Not Season Finale, but Series Finale. I was so worried tonight. I watched it on the edge of my seat because I just knew they were going to kill off Ryan. They were going to have the unborn baby survive and Ryan die-a life for a life. But I was wrong and boy, am I relieved. Everything is really working out just perfectly, for me anyway. I know, some people would rather still see him with Marissa but she was just too whiny and needy. I love Ryan and Taylor together and I love that Kiki and Sandy are having a baby, GIRL, no less, and I really love the show. It could be an all time favorite. What I don't love is that Summer and Seth will be up in the air and that they will leave us hanging for tv eternity.

Happy Valentine's Day

My cousin is truly one of the sweetest people I know. She is very kind and thoughtful. I want to share her Valentine's Day blessing with you.

"May you all have friends that are like family and family that are like friends."

You couldn't ask for a better blessing on Valentine's Day. Thank you, E.

W had no idea that is was Valentine's. and I should have probably gotten him something but I didn't. Nothing to put in his baby book, not that I really keep up with that. I may-----ok I just got back from taking is picture. So I atleast I have a Valentine's snapshot. He is so cute.

I love you, W. Happy Valentine's, my funny Valentine.

Tornado

How about that? Really scary. Having Katrina Flashbacks.

Real quick, cuz I'm pooped. I've been cooking all afternoon-Crawfish Etoufee from the Plantation Cookbook-it was good and fat-(the recipe was perfect and the only thing I added was an extra clove of garlic and I probably wouldn't change anything else except I may add red pepper next time or more Tabasco) and mini cupcakes with cream cheese icing, all out of a box, you know how I love Betty Crocker.

Anyway, I think W is down to only 2 bottles of milk a day and 1 sippy cup!!! Boy, that one bottle makes a difference when I'm hand washing. We used Dr. Brown's and they have all of those pieces parts and it will tucker you out washing them all. He's been eating really well, too! KNOCK ON WOOD!!!!

Here's a sample menu:
Breakfast:3 cereal bars
Snack:3 strawberries
Lunch:2 veggie nuggets, a ton of blueberries
Dinner:Uncrustable PB&J

It's so satisfying when he is eating a lot. I've finally figured out his solid eating schedule. Golly, it took me long enough.

Eddie Jordan answers to City Council

Eddie Jordan is going up in front of the City Council tomorrow and will be asked some tough questions. If you can be there to show you are sick of his incompetency, please do.

Monday, 1:30 pm

Nola Blogger: Stop the Crime

I think I have found a leader in our citizens' fight against crime.
Nola Blogger: Stop the Crime

This one's for Jeanie

We just got back from our first p-rade of the season. And just like every year I think of my best friend, Jeanie. She loves MG and the dancing girls/marching bands just as much as I do. I tried to get a photo of my favorite dance team of the parade but I couldn't get close enough. I promise better scenes tomorrow, Jean. So you can feel like you're right there with us.

As you can see, W has not quite gotten into the Mardi Gras spirit, but I know, without a doubt that there is a carnival gene in there just waiting to burst out. It could have something to do with the fact that they only threw red beads. We need a little carnival color, mister.

So until tomorrow....
By Gawd It's Cawnival Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!!!!

Crime in New Orleans

I don't know much, but I know that people are scared in New Orleans. Everday I am bombarded with a flurry of emails about the latest holdup, break-in or carjack. And I like everyone else forward them on so that everyone can be aware and realize that they have to watch their backs in broad daylight. Friends are installing iron gates (or adding deadbolts if they already have them), new up-to-date security systems, getting guns-we are prisoners in our own homes. My friend, K said that she felt like she was living in Fort Knox. I don't think it's enough anymore to just pass on an email. But I don't really know enough to lead a revolution against the crime so I've decided to start researching and educate myself. It's the 1st step. It's better than just forwarding another email. So join me please. Don't let out beautiful city turn into a pile of crap. Don't leave. Join me in educating yourself so we can finally figure out what we need to do to turn this city around.

I came across Signal 26. A blog by real police. I found it interesting. Read todays post.

I also came across this post about an NOPD unpublished letter to the NY Times. What do you think?

Mardi Gras Dance

My sweet baby has been even sweeter these past few days that I have been miserably sick. He knows that I'm not feeling so well and he does little things to make my life easier. He probably remembers what it is like to feel this way since it wasn't too long ago that he was in my shoes. He sat in bed with me a half hour after Dad left this morning and played with his book, or really my book, when he usually whines and complains for us to get up and moving. He sat in his stroller (I know, it's wierd but it's a new found inside pasttime for him it and for that I am thankful) for another half hour while I cleaned the kitchen and returned phone calls. And now I am counting the minutes until naptime. Today it will be my naptime too since I just can't seem to shake this horrible bug. But until then he is playing happily around, going from activity to activity with a few hugs from me in between.

Mardi Gras Dance
He's got big surprises in store for Mardi Gras. Uncle RaRa and Aunt JoJo got him his very own Mardi Gras Latter for the p-rades. They have decorated it just for him. We don't have a costume for the big day but I have a feeling that is not going to be a priority this year. The only thing left to do to get ready for the season is to teach W how to come up with a Mardi Gras Dance. Like the Jazz Fest Dance it has to be spontaneous, you have to have a new one for each day you partake in the festivities and you have to feel it in your soul. I'm sure he has a few Mardi Gras Dance genes in him so it shouldn't be too hard before he gets the hang of it and is outdoing his mom with his Mardi Gras Dance.

75% off at Pippen Lane in New Orleans

My mom heard that both Mignon in the Rink and Pippen Lane on Mag. were have big sales. We were on our way home so stopped off at PL just to check it out. I never really find stuff at sales, but my mom! she's a bargain shopper. I do have to say, after I got the hang of shopping 6 months to a year in advance, I found some good stuff. Everything I bought was 75% off. You can't beat that. My mom is right. Considering what children's clothes cost these days and the amount of sales you can find, there is no reason to buy full price.

Shopping always drains me and I'm a bit under the weather too so I didn't have it in me to make it to Mignon. I'll save it for another day and keep you posted.

The skeeters are baaaack.

I thought for sure the last cold snap would have wiped them out-those mean ole mosquitoes. It didn't and they are back in full force. Play group was at the park today and C had a welt the size of China on his five minutes after he got there. A half hour later W got one in the same place. There's always a trade off. Cold and miserable and no skeeters, beautiful and glorious and full of em. Can't the city spray or something?

Let me first say that I highly recommend the minty pea puree. J was a bit skeptical at first but ended up being pleasantly surprised. It was refreshing and delicious.

The Lemon Broth, excuse me, Brodetto was also good. It added the perfect acid zing to the richness of the salmon.

Next time I would broil the salmon instead of pan sautee it because I feel like I can control the oil content much better by broiling. That's how I usually cook it so I am able to determine if it's too done or too rare much easier than pan sauteeing. I also would have much smaller pieces of salmon.

At the last minute I cooked some pasta. I have to have a protein, veggie and starch with all of my dinners. I topped it with the remaining Brodetto and Parmesan cheese. That was pretty good too.

So here it is. In all it's glory. Please note that I didn't garnish it with a mint sprig like Giada but otherwise I think they look pretty similar. Here's to the Chef.

What's for Dinner

Okay-I'm tired and wish I could just eat a manwhich but I'm already halfway through preparing my restaurant quality meal and can't stop now. We are having:

Pan Sauteed Salmon
with a mint pea puree
and a lemon brodetto (broth in Italian)

I saw Giada from Everyday Italian on Food TV make this yesterday and decided I'd give it a go.

This is what hers looks like. In a few hours I will show you what mine looked like. Remember that she probably had some food stylists for this photo.

Call me a bad mom if you want

I just came across this on another blog. Did anyone see this? It was a segment on some news show about combining playdates with happy hour. I'm guilty. I've done it and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Don't get me wrong, we didn't get loaded or anything. Just a glass or two of wine while our babies crawled around the floor. I haven't done it lately, but I sure do miss those days of the Happy Hour Play Group.

They are taking a survey on the site, whether you think it's appropriate or not to drink at playdates. Of course, I clicked yes and turns out 55% of mom agree with me.

Weather in New Orleans

Now this is how the weather in New Orleans is supposed to be. It is beautiful and mild and I couldn't be more thankful and neither could W. We got our morning coffee and then took a jaunt around the block. I didn't even have a coat on. It was truly glorious. W was all smiles even with the bucket of snot running down his nose. It's like a faucet. and he was not ready to come inside at all. After his nap and a run to the grocery we played bubbles and ball outside in our new backyard. It was so fun. And it just so happens that I came up with an invention. I don't know what it is but I know it's purpose. To keep the bubble juice from running down your arms. Can't they make a bubble stick that doesn't dribble everywhere?

So after all of that activity he was pooped and he is taking another nap. Thank you. I am exhausted from this mean ole cold since I'm not sleeping at night and was able to get in a catnap too. Now I'm debating on whether to wake the LB up for a quick trip to the park. You never know which side of the bed he'll wake up on after a late afternoon nap. I'm a bit hesitant.

I was about to say that the Little Buddy has never been as sick as he was this past weekend. But then I remembered when we had the stomach bug last June. So I think this was right up there with that time. He had 2 ear infections, 103 degree fever and was so congested, there was no comforting him. I took him into our bed 2 nights because nothing else would calm him down and even then he didn't really sleep. It was awful. Today he's still not 100% but he definitely feels better than he did yesterday. The weather forecast for tomorrow is relatively warm-high 60's!!! and I cannot wait to get him playing outside again.

I've kept a journal since I was a kid. Since the move I am reading them all before I destroy them. Each page that I turn on a new book I am more convinced that I need to not just throw them away but destroy them. There are certainly some funny quotes in there and there are plenty of people I write about as if they were my best friends and I have NO CLUE who they are. I would also be able to settle some arguments about whether somebody liked "her or her" because "he" told me and I wrote it down. (Are you following me?) I wrote everything down, so chances are if you know me you're probably glad I'm going to get rid of them too. Ha! Anyway, it's been a blast from the past and I've only got 2 down, something like 15 to go.

Angelina sighting

Funny. My mom and I went to an auction the other day and there was a lady sitting in front of us who kept bidding on all sorts of things. I forgot about it, vaguely noticed the girl, was more worried about the girl sitting next to me who was coughing up phlegm. Anyway, the next night my mom called to tell me it was Angelina Jolie (another friend told her). J thought it was far fetched. Why didn't anyone recognize her? I told him that I'm clueless when it comes to celebrities and that 99.9% of the people there were 60 or older so why would they recognize her?

I had several friends call to get the skinny.

It wasn't Angelina. Her mom passed away so she was out of town that Sunday. Do I feel stupid. Should have never listened to a 60 year old about who is who in the celebrity world. It doesn't mean I don't love that 60 year old.

Nola Blogger: Brangelina's New Home

Nola Blogger: Brangelina's New Home

Here's a link if you want to check out Brad and Angie's new NOLA home and you haven't yet received the circulating email. Pretty nice.

You think the weather's bad around here...

ask the Little Buddy how he feels.

I haven't been around the blogging world much because the LB has been awfully cranky the past few days. It's very unlike him and I had no clue anything was up. Another reason to feel like a bad mom. His nose was a bit runny but that was it, so until yesterday I just chalked it up to a bad mood. Well, he has an ear infection in both ears.

Yesterday afternoon I got kind of worried because I couldn't settle him down. I talked to the doctor on call and she said to just watch him and bring him today. Well, then he got worse and his nose started bleeding and this is going to sound ridiculous but I kept thinking about the baby on What About Brian (who lost her hearing because of some ear infections gone awry) so I took him to the emergency room. By that point he had calmed down and they said it would be a long wait and I got skeevish from all the other sick kids and left. Anyway, I probably shouldn't have told the Dr. my 'What About Brian' concerns because now I am sure they have me tagged as a Neurotic Mother. That's if they haven't already since I walk in and out of there every time by opening the door with a tissue.

But hopefully my sweet LB is on the mend.

Mardi Gras Ball Dresses

If you're a NOLA Mom and you are in the market for an inexpensive ball gown for the Carnival season because you haven't yet lost all of your baby weight even after a year and a half, like me, and you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for a full length dress that you will wear only once since you either a. swear you won't go to another ball after this year or b. are going to be a super model by next year...

Perlis on Magazine is having a sale on bridesmaids dresses. I finally parted with all of bridesmaids dresses because I swore I never would go to another ball again. Never say never, moms. Anyway, their dresses are 40% off, probably 50% off by now. I found a Thread dress (fancy New York designer) and love it. It doesn't even look like a bridesmaids dress. And free alterations for the length of the garment-meaning if you gain or lose weight they'll alter it for free. Can't beat that. Now don't get me wrong. A lot of them do look like bridesmaids dresses. But sometimes when you are in a bind you have to do some creative visualization.

Gerber Graduates

J said that W looked bigger today. It's funny because I feel that way every now and then. Sometimes I look at him and he seems like a little boy rather than a baby.

Once again, I should have taken a picture. I bought some ravioli Gerber Graduates at Walmart today. Put them in front of him and he smiled from ear to ear. He thought it was a big toy. He touched the green beans for a few minutes, looked up, laughed and touched them some more. From experience, I thought for sure he would eventually begin eating them. So I went about cleaning up the kitchen, unpacked boxes and I looked over a few minutes later and he was washing his hands (a new trick he's learned) with ravioli. And then he rubbed his hands all over his head. Yum.

They're better than an onion

I never know why or when W is going to eat something that I want him to eat. Some days he demands only goldfish but others, very few, but others he shovels down tomatoes or olives or chicken nuggets. Today was an "other" day. He was toddling around the kitchen playing with a mesh bag of boiler onions. I looked down and he was trying to eat one. So I immediately pulled out the chicken patty I tried to give him for lunch and gave him a piece. No go. How about tomatoes?, I said as I kneeled down next to him. He smiled and poked at them, put the onion in the bowl and began furiously stuffing the little cut up pieces of tomatoes in. I mean shoveling, one after the other. I cracked up. I couldn't help it. I was like a kid in church and he fed off of it. He laughed and kept eating. But at the same time I was laughing hysterically I realized just how tense I was. If that's possible. It happens every time he starts eating something nutritious. It's always unexpected. I try not to look at him. My shoulders get stiff and I hold my mouth in a position so that it won't move. It's wierd. Can't explain it. Anyway, we sat on the kitchen floor with boiler onions everywhere, the onion peels scattered all over the house and a bowl of tomatoes, laughing hysterically while W ate enough tomatoes to make him hiccup. I tried to figure out what made him eat the tomatoes this time. I try to figure this out every time so I can remember for the next day. The only thing I can come up with is that they taste better than an onion.

Juicer from Amazon

Oh, I found the juicer we used last night for the Citrus Margaritas. Think I may get myself one. I posted the link to the left if you feel you can't live without it either.

I grew up with a health obsessed mother. No sweets, no cokes, no bread (this was pretty advanced thinking for the 70's). Fruit for breakfast, fruit for camp care packages (the counselors never made me share), fruit in the morning, fruit in the evening, and I'm surprised no fruit for supper time.

And then she discovered the juicer. We were scared. Fearful that we would be on liquid diets of juice for the rest of our lives. But once we tasted the sweet nectar of apples, bananas, mangoes, lemons and oranges, and strawberries all juiced together (this was before we had pineapplebanana juices from Dole) we were hooked. So pretty much every afternoon mom would juice up some juice and she would pour us a small, okay more like a shot glass size, of juice to suck down in two seconds. We always wanted more but she was stingy. I didn't understand why. Until my parents went out of town. I had free range of the juicer. and I juiced the minute they stepped out the door. I juiced a whole big pitcher full of juice, skins and all. That's a lot of fruit. And I greedily drank it all myself. About 20 minutes later I understood the wisdom of Mom not giving us more as I headed towards the powder room

This brings me to last night. Friends came over for tacos. They hadn't seen the house so I told them to come on over for tacos out of a box. Nothing fancy. Jen asked what could she bring? How about Margaritas!? she said. I have this new juicer and can make them from fresh lime juice. Sounds great as I told her my last memory of juicing. So they show up with the juicer, a pretty large stainless steel contraption and a basket of fruit. So we drank lime, orange, mango margaritas. The juice was so sweet, so delicious. Don't worry, I was ever mindful of my realization back in highschool. I never thought about making cocktails with the juicer way back when. But now I want to get a juicer for only that reason. She says she brings the juicer everywhere. Her husband is getting sick of lugging it around but they were certainly the life of the party with their cocktail buffet. Everyone mixed their drinks according to what juice they were feeling like at the time. We drank Tequila. Frank opted for Vodka, I think. he says he had a bad experience with Tequila-haven't we all. And J reminded him that he had a bad experience with whatever he was drinking at Uncle Bob and Aunt Liz's wedding in Chi Town. But I'll save that story for another time.

Singing class for Tots

We went to singing class again this morning. W was in quite an outgoing mood and jumped right in the minute we arrived. Last week he kept to himself and my side. The teacher had a bunch of big blow up balls. The tots went crazy. They loved them. I must get some for our back yard. Anyway, he's not much for following directions. A lot of the babies weren't and although the teacher is very laid back at times I could tell she was getting impatient if the moms weren't making them do what she wanted. For example at one point she wanted them to sit in our laps. W was not having any part of it. He was standing there mesmerized by her so I didn't force the issue. This time she sang more familiar songs. My friend K and I still didn't know them but atleast it was easier to sing along to them then the random french songs she sang last time. Dance time was at the end of class. He didn't want to dance so he and I just twirled around a bit so as not to piss off the teacher. He liked it but just wanted to play with the big bouncing ball.

Contrast Between Sean Payton and Mayor Nagin

Nola Blogger: Contrast Between Sean Payton and Mayor Nagin

I read this on Nola Blogger today and wanted to share.

Walk tall and carry a big stick

I learned that expression from my parents. My mom takes it literally. She's always apt to carry a big stick wether it's hiking in the woods or walking around the park. She does it for steadiness in the mountains and protection in New Orleans. W must have inherited that gene from her but HE does it to have a good time. Papa came over and watched the Little Buddy this afternoon while Mimo and I went to preview some furniture for the my empty house. Boy, they must have had a good time. When we got back, W had TWO sticks he had found on their walk outside, the house was a mess and Papa's Wall Street Journal looked as if it had never been touched. When he left, W promptly stuck out his lip, it began quivering and then it developed into a full blown wail. It was kind of sad. Well it was really sad. I couldn't even be jealous that he wasn't more happy to see me because it melted my heart that the Little Buddy loves Papa just as much as I do.

Maui Fever

We caught the sneak peak of Maui Fever on DVR tonight. My favorite quote by far is something like this:

If we're 40 and still partying and hanging out like this, then... we're smart.

I laughed my butt off. Not sure if those were the exact words. I'll get back to you on that because I will certainly watch it again. For those of my fans who have never watched it and want to watch a bunch of cool surfer dudes "rage" check it out on MTV. It comes on right after the Real World on Wednesday nights but you can always catch it on a rerun during the week.

I know. It's sad that I'm a middle aged mom and I'm still watching this crap. But I LOVE IT!

Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam"

To quote Uncle Bob re: "give me one" thing he taught W

"Gimmie Five!" was just so.... so, 'Haslett'!
"Gimmie One" on the other hand, is just so...so....well, see below!

and then he inserted this link
oh well, he really inserted another link which I can't pull up but he also included this link to Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam"
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-C.jpg

It's wierd, the similarities.

Give Me One

"Uncle Bob" and "Aunt Liz" are two of our closest friends. Uncle Bob taught W how to "give me one". I am not really sure what it means or where it came from but W not only caught on pretty quickly but loves "giving one" to Aunt Liz and Uncle Bob. It's kind of their thing. It's especially funny to see the LB give UB one because UB's fingers are a gazillion times bigger than W's. Just so you can kind of get the effect here's a photo of W giving Aunt Liz one on Saint's Game Day last Sunday.

Olives, Olives and more Olives

W is finally getting settled into the new house. He is letting me go to the kitchen while he is still playing in the den and tends to hang out in his room when I want to run to mine to get the phone. If you ask him if he wants to go to W's room he's off in that direction so I think he likes it. It is my favorite room in the house too. But he especially loves the front and backyards and is constantly whining to go out. We went out today to bring in the garbage cans and he wouldn't let me back in. I resigned myself to freezing outside while he toddled around the yard talking about the plants and other things. It was so cold that my mouth got numb as I was trying to talk on the phone. I finally had to bring him kicking and screaming back inside. It was about that time...to go to Mimo and Papa's. Papa was furiously trying to cook the quails they were having for dinner before Mimo got home from Bridge. She doesn't particularly like Papa in the kitchen due to the inevitable mess he makes. But the outcome is always delicious and he enjoys it so much. You'd think she would be able to overlook the mess. Anyway, to keep W out of his tasmanian devil path I put him in his chair and gave him a tomatoe for supper. He ate a whole one yesterday over there. Didn't want it. You just never know, do you? He saw me eating an olive so I gave it to him. He had 4 jumbo olives for dinner. If the pimento had fallen out he wouldn't eat it. If it was still in it he didn't know it and gobbled it up. That can't be good for him. Can it? Well if ate half a pb&j back here and drank a bottle so I think all that combined can qualify for dinner-peanutbutter for protein, olive for good fat and the pimento for a vegetable? Sounds good to me. Tasted good to him.

W is back to finicky eating. I don't know what to feed him anymore. He only eats peanutbutter crackers, goldfish and bananas. I feel bad. He's got to be sick of those things. He doesn't even get excited about his guacamole anymore. I don't know what to do about it.

He had a busy weekend and a busy morning. We went to visit our friends who just moved back into their house in Lakeview. It's nice to see progress going on our there. So we played for an hour before having to come home for a nap. Playing with other kids really poops him out.

Saints

Okay-so the Bears beat us but atleast all the fans had fun up until then. We watched the game on our puny tv. I wanted to have a big party but a. J didn't want a lot of talking and b. there were really only 4 good seats to watch the puny tv. and c. I am not sure how many people would want to spend such a crucial game watching it on the puny tv so we didn't have a party. But we made wings and good salami and cheddar sandwhiches. I also made turkey, avocado, red pepper, brie and chutney sandwhiches which would have be delicious had I not used the too thick ciabatta bread.

So today is Monday and I've gotten a lot of organizing done around the house while the little buddy is sleeping. Even called about the fireplace screen that we need for the mammoth fireplace we have. Turns out it will have to be a custom order since it's so big. Ugh. Nothing is easy.

We're slowly getting settled. My goal is to have emptied out the old house by next Tuesday and get a cleaning service in there to clean so we can start showing it to sell. I will be very relieved when that is all in the past. I loved that place and there are definitely some things I will miss, especially the memories of the Little Buddy growing up over there. But I know there will be many fun new memories over here. I'm looking forward to it.

J and I ate at Crepe Nanou on Friday night. I have to say it and I hate saying it but it sucked. My fish was so charred I didn't even eat it. I feel like it's gone down since the storm-the quality of the food which makes me sad because it was always like going to a good cook's house for dinner. Nothing too fancy, but always good. This is like the 3rd meal in the past few months that I have not enjoyed there. The mussels were exceptionally good though. Of course I won't abandon it entirely but I will definitely take a break before going back.

This week coming up J has first pick on dinner destinations since he didn't get to choose where we went on his birthday. He thinks it's funny that I'll have to go to one of the restaurants that I cannot stand and he still thinks Nirvana is an option. It's not. I'll go anywhere else, but I cannot go there. If anyone can recommend another Indian restaurant that he may like I would love you forever.

#1 Rule of being a Saint's Fan

If J has learned anything from being married to me he would know that the #1 Rule of being a Saint's Fan is to not be hungover when they play in the NFC Championships. Guess who is no longer allowed to be a Saint's Fan?

I'm ready. I've got my Who Dat shirt on-a beautiful gold tank with black fleur de lis and many small rhinestones formed to look like a large fleur de lis over my left breast. My sister-in-law also was a kind enough Who Dat (that's how Who Dat's are, kind) to paint a black fleur de lis on my right cheek to offset the rhinestone fleur de lis.

Let's bow our heads and say a prayer for the boys in black and gold as they go forward on this NFC Championship day. May we be with them in all black and gold spirit if we are not able to be with them in body. WHOOOOO DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!

Angelina is becoming a NOLA Mom like me!

For those of you who don't know, Angelina and Brad are moving to NOLA. I asked Angelina if I could I write about it and although she wasn't thrilled she understood that I had an obligation to my fans and that I would compromising my blogger integrity if I didn't. Rumors were flying, fast and furiously about where they were living and where the kids were going to school. Some said Trinity, others Newman, other the French Immersion school. Some said parents had to sign a release and that Newman was way too white bread for them.

Here's the scoop.

They bought an historic mansion in the French Quarter.
The kids are going to the French Immersion School. Ange told me that the immersion schools in San Fran were very good and that's why they started looking into it in NOLA.
She wants to hang out with normal moms like herself who won't judge her for wearing a vial of blood around her neck... because that's normal. She laughed when I interjected that. She can be so funny in a self-deprecating sort of way. Anyway, there's the skinny if you haven't heard it already.

W fell asleep in his crib sitting up today. I should have taken a picture. Next time.

New Home Sweet Home?

We're still trying to get settled here at the new house. I still don't really believe yet that it's our new home. There are a few things that need tweaking although I do really love it. It's just that it doesn't feel like home. I guess after living in one place for so long it will take awhile to adjust. I have to wear a hat in the den at night because of the glare from the massive chandelier. It must have something like 1 gabillion watts of light. J makes fun of me but the hat makes all the difference in the world. I'll have to do something about it because I think even my sassy beach hat is going to get old.

W is still getting used to everything too. He is my shadow. He follows me everywhere from one corner of a room to another and he is still getting used to the threshholds and is tripping more often than usual. He kind of looks like a raggamuffin with all of his dings on his head. Poor Little Buddy, he really has been a trooper.

My favorite part about the move is that I have quickly taught W that my shoe cubby holes (that I have talked about in previous posts) are a no no. I knew it was going to be an issue since they are at his level and the minute he saw them he promptly began pulling out my shoes. It was socks at the old house and it used to drive me nuts. He would pull them out in the morning when I was taking a cat nap and J was watching him and and night when J got home and took the LB upstairs to change. J never seemed to care. They weren't his socks. So I nipped the shoe thing in the bud the minute it started. Now he goes straight for J's shoes. and J is so neat and tidy I know it's killing him. Even though his shoes are in cubby holes just like mine, they even look neater than mine. It's just the way he is. Instead of Beauty and the Geek, it's Sloppy and Tidy. Ha! Not so catchy, I guess. My saving grace is that I'm the primary caregiver and am able to encourage the messing up of Daddy's shoes over Mommy's shoes. Sorry J.

The Hills Season Premiere

I TOTALLY FORGOT! K had to remind me about it and luckily I was able to find it on this afternoon and tevoed it. Wheeeew. Okay. So I'm watching it right now and I'm thinking what an idiot LC was for not taking the internship. HELLO!

Then the theme song comes on and I am dancing around like a teenage girl-like we did everytime we waited for Michael Jackson's Thriller to come on ( back then I seem to remember the videos were scheduled. Do they even have videos anymore?) and I am so excited. I'll be back. Just needed to take a break from all the dancing (2nd work out of today) and put the chicken in the oven.

Who Dat?!?

I can't believe I neglected to give a shout out to the boys-WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT THEM SAINTS!

I know, I have been quite the "Ain't" this year and I am eating my words.

I'm Back

but not fully with it. I finally got my internet straight at the new house. It was so frustrating. I am really dependent on email and the interent. It's like crack. So I am very happy to have it back. The Little Buddy slept like a champ his first night here but I can tell he's still a bit out of sorts. He doesn't like me to leave his sight. In the old house he would play by himself for awhile but here he is constantly on top of me. He'll play for a minute, then crawl on top of me for another. I guess it's going to take him awhile to realize I'm not going to leave him alone in this strange new house. And now I have a nice new office for all of my "work" stuff. The computer is in here and it's a great room except that W hates it. He absolutely hates the room. Isn't that ironic. I finally get a cool space for the computer, out of the hallway, where he can't push on the buttons etc. and he hates the room. Ugh.

The house is a mess. I'm trying my best to get organized and I am determined for it to be. Before I buy anything new. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'll be in touch. I am sure with many new organizing websites to pass along to my fans.

Oh! and for stay at home moms out there, I am trying out a 6 week music class this week. I'll let you know if it's worth joining.

Packing up and Moving

We're packing and moving on. I have cried once today already. I don't know, I've lived here for over 10 years-really I grew up here almost and found myself, found my husband, brought my baby home (if only for 5 days before the big K). It's very emotional and I am sure there will be more outbursts. J was going to work today but decided to stay home and help out. I wanted to cry. Then I talked to L and she said she got kind of sad thinking about it because my house reminds her of when C was a baby. They used to just lay on the rug while we chatted and laughed and sometimes complained about our new status as moms. I got off the phone and wanted to cry. Luckily I was at Harry's Hardware looking for "those little thingies that hold the shelves up in the kitchen. Tee hee." I know they thought I was such an idiot girl. If I had broken down and cried, no telling what the manly hardware men would've done. but I found exactly what I was looking for. I feel very accomplished. Just call me HandyMan.

Anyway, I may not be posting until after the weekend. Cable will be hooked up tomorrow (J told me it was the single most important thing I had to do and it wasn't an easy feat, believe me. The pressure didn't help my emotional state any) But I have a feeling the computer won't be connected. So please don't panic or abandon me, fans. I have a post about JOY that I want to share so stay tuned. Now, I'm not saying that I won't be posting because I can from J's computer just want to give you a heads up just in case.

J was out of town last night. It was kind of fitting that I spent one of my last nights here by myself since I moved in here as a single girl. I sat in my big chair, drank some wine and read one of my journals that I am destroying. I laughed so hard. Ironically it was one from when I first moved in here. I wish I could keep it but I would be mortified if I died and anyone read it.

So I feel like we're starting a new chapter. Maybe I'll start a new journal-the kind that anyone can read.

Fear of walking?

We were on our way home from the playground today around 4pm. I came to a stop sign and a car came up beside me-white with tinted windows-I kept going and he didn't. I got half way down the block and the dude was still sitting there watching us walk down the street. I was scared. I picked up my cell phone and called a friend. Told her what was happening. She asked where I was, exactly, so if I "I got kidnapped we will know from where you were taken." I thanked her for her concern, seriously. We were laughing, but we were serious. He finally drove away but I knew for sure that he was going to make the block and come get me. That is what it's come to, here in New Orleans. I grew up in this city, not in the suburbs, in the city, and am very aware of my surroundings. As far back as I can remember, I was taught to look around, be aware and hurry up inside, when it was dark. I accept that as a part of life in a city, at night. It's sad that now I feel like that during the day. It's more than sad now that I have a sweet baby with me to protect.

Heavenly Ham is Heavenly for Babies

We just got back from lunch at Heavenly Ham. W seems to eat better when we are out at restaurants. I think it has something to do with his highchair because my parents bought a restaurant highchair for him and he loves it. Anyway, we headed on over and we sat at one of their picnic tables with W on the bench right next to me. He gobbled down the turkey on half a turkey sandwhich and half of my pickle. He did fall off the bench-oops-felt horrible-but he was okay. He got right back on and swung his legs back and forth, waved to people going by and watched the gross pigeons in battle. It would be awesome if they had highchairs but I think he felt like a big boy without it so it's not required.

My sweet, beautiful college aged cousin called me today. She's in town with her boyfriend and a bunch of UVA kids doing Katrina relief work. I called her back at 6pm-pitch black mind you- and she told me she was with 2 girls window shopping on Magazine. "Where?", I asked her. Oh, the 3000 block. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said to myself.
"Please be careful", I said.
So she said she wanted to stop by before they went to dinner. So I gave her directions to my house and worried the whole time that she wouldn't make it. My phone was ringing off the hook and I frantically cut each and every person off every time the other line clicked. and then I read Chris Rose's column, agreed totally and waited in fear for her to arrive in one piece.

When she got here she asked me if it was really so unsafe. I told her it had gotten pretty bad in the past few weeks. After she left I remembered when I brought my freshman roommate home from college. She was from Waco, Texas. We got here late on a Thursday, I think, and we were waiting for other friends' plane to arrive. We were bored so she suggested we got take a walk around the neighborhood. I laughed and said, "yeah, right. If you wanna get shot" Sad how some things never change.

Getting back to the shoes

As I was putting more shoes in my new cubby holes (see previous post) I came across an obstacle. I couldn't get a pair of shoes in one of the cubbies. I stuck my hand deep into the hole and aha! I found a shoe that the previous owner left behind. It was a designer pump, but only one. If it had been a pair and in my size, I may have kept them. Does that make me a bad person?

Dear God,

J usually puts W to bed but tonight I did. I sang him "You are my sunshine" and then started saying his prayers...."Dear God," and as I held him on my lap he put his little hands together. I thought it was a fluke but a cute one, smiled and finished the prayer and put my baby to bed. Then I called John and asked him if J puts W's hands together when he says his prayers for him. He said that he did and now W does it himself. My heart melted. My sweet boy.

Shoe cubby holes

I have an incredible closet at the new house and have 48 cubby holes for shoes. J also has 48 cubby holes for his shoes which he is obviously not going to need so I probably have about 72 cubby holes for shoes but really only need exactly 48 right now. This much I have decided. That once my cubbies are filled, I cannot buy anymore shoes unless I get rid of a pair.

Moving Day..tick..tick..tick

Moving day is approaching quickly and we are scrambling to move the odds and ends before the movers get here. We must have taken atleast 4 trips loaded with stuff to the new house int he past 24 hours and I feel like the old house looks just as full as it did when we started. After the storm I swore that I wouldn't accumulate any unnecessary crap(UC). Is that really possible? and the problem is I am so overwhelmed with organizational thoughts and don't want to transfer the UC from one house to the other that I have ended up not moving hardly anything. Boy am I pooped.

The O.C.

I'm so upset. Finally, after a horrible season, the O.C. is on fire with Taylor and Ryan getting together. They are by my most favorite couple-besides Seth and Summer-on t.v. right now. and now they are cancelling it. I cannot believe it. It's by far the best teen drama on prime time and I just do not know how they will replace it. I will say a prayer for the show in hopes that they can stick around.

Keds Toe Cap Champions

We went to get a new pair of Keds for the Little Buddy yesterday. I really wanted a pair of red and another pair of white since we had to go barefoot to a friends house the other night since he played in a mud puddle and they were all wet. not that that was a big deal. The freind obviously didn't care but it was frickin' cold outside. So off we went to Haase's, our local children's shoe store. Been around since I was a kid. Much to my dismay they didn't have the traditional toe cap in red. They only had these scooter things. I didn't like them at all. Obviously people do or they wouldn't be selling them. I wasn't sure if Keds just didn't make them anymore or Haase's just wasn't carrying them. Thank goodness for the trusty internet. You know what I found out? I am sure you were wondering. From what I could find out on their website, they don't make them anymore. I even searched ebay and other sites and what I found miffed me even more. There are pink Keds around!!! But no red ones? I think they make them for Nordstroms. So here we sit with only white boring Keds. Not red. Not even blue. Just white.

Now, I always root for the little man. Especially since Katrina. But when prices vary so much I have to look to the internet sometimes. You can buy Keds on the Keds website for $10 cheaper than I have found anywhere. That's a big difference. But there is something to be said for Haase's. I will still buy them there despite the price difference because I am not yet confident in my ability to fit shoes to a toddler. And they are nice and been in the business a long time. But if you know your kid's size and can order them, I say go for it. Oh, and you can buy a pair of Toe Caps right now on ebay for $10, if you are really a bargain hunter.

I hope today was better than the last
although it wasn't too bad and went by pretty fast.

We woke up as usual and bundled up good
Took off for some hot coffee like we usually would.

We talked to the customers and and did a little dance
Gave everyone high five as if it was his last chance.

Once we got home I went Walmart
And W took a nap so that he could have a fresh start.

15 minutes after he went to sleep
The roofers came (who certainly aren’t cheap).

They woke up the little buddy with all of the banging such
I wanted to scream, "You think you’d be quieter since we’re paying you that much"

So we played around the house and was in a surprisingly good mood.
He drank some milk and ate a little food.

Until the time came for the desperately needed nap
He didn’t want to take it and put up a flap.

But he was a much happier kid when he finally woke up.
W looked at me like, “What’s for sup?”

So this day I thought I’d try something new
“I got Vienna Sausages! Just for you!”

He smeared them into a delicious paste
Another thing down the drain, what a waste.

So I tried some yogurt, he’ll always eat that.
He spit it out twice, like it would make him fat.

Here's your milk. You win, you win.
I won't give you Vienna sausages ever again.

I cooked dinner early and thought he would eat some peas
"What are you stupid?" W said, "Momma, please."

So the day was over and it was night night time
If I hadn’t started a “no wine” resolution the night would have been sublime.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Our New Year's dinner was pretty darn good. The coq au vin was better than I expected but terribly filling. Even J only had 2 thighs so I had plenty even after throwing away the over salted one. Liz made a delicious mocha chocolate swirl cake and it was deliciously decadent with the rose Champagne. If 2007 is half as "pretty" as that picture, it's going to be a good one.

W was in good spirits but would not take a photo with a party hat on his head so I settled for one at the table. He danced ALL night but hasn't yet figured out how to add the twirl at the end. He'll get it-what with all of his inherited rhythm.

Here's to a happy, healthy and joyful 2007!