Wordless Wednesday

Parker...7 months

Parker - 7 monthsCampbell - 7 months

What an unbelievable Super Bowl and Mardi Gras!

We're back and still quite excited about our incredible win over the Colts and a great Mardi Gras. The boys and I left on the morning of my birthday, and I have to say...they decided that they were going to give me the best birthday present ever! There was not one tear, hint of fussiness, or whining the entire trip to New Orleans. Yes, my two boys were so patient with the 1 hour wait in the security line, and could not have been better on the airplane. Parker drifted off the minute the plane took off, and Campbell, well, he was just so excited about going to "New Oh-lins" that he didn't have a thing to fuss about. When the Captain said it was okay to turn on the electronic devices, out came the DVD player, headphones, and "Lightning McQueen" movie, really known as "Cars." At the end of the flight, a few people stopped me to ask if I had given them something to make them behave so well. I was flattered and so proud of my little guys.

That Sunday, we started off the day with our first Mardi Gras parade. Very low key, which was good since Parker had never experienced one before. He did so well, that he fell asleep during the parade. That night, we watched the Super Bowl with my family and boy what a game! I don't think anyone sat down the entire game. Even Campbell and his cousin, Ana, were running around with nerves. Below is a video of C when the Saints were having some trouble...

So...the Saints did it, they won their 1st Super Bowl and we were in the Big Easy to see it! I couldn't have asked for anything more.

After the win, we had all week to prepare for Jason to arrive and for the Mardi Gras festivities to begin. Campbell couldn't wait to go to more parades and to "march" along with the bands. Before Jason arrived, our wonderful friends who used to live up here (and now live in Shreveport), came down to visit. We started the morning off with beignets and then a trip to the Children's Museum. You could barely tell that the kids hadn't seen eachother since June. We all just picked up where we left off, with the exception that there are 2 new babies in the mix.

On Saturday morning, we hit the ground running! Spent the day with tons of friends and gorgeous weather, watching 2 parades. Parker did great, slept in the carrier, the whole time! This was pretty much the name of the game for the little guy. I think I need a massage after holding him for so many days/hours!

The adults got all gussied up on Saturday night and headed to Mystic. This was Jason's first year as a member and had a great costume! A highlight of the evening was Dad re-proposing to Mom in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary coming up in July. It was one of the sweetest things ever and I just pray that Jason and I are as happy as they are in 42 years. We are looking forward to a fabulous Rapier family trip to Colorado to celebrate the big 50!

The next morning, up again and out to more parades. The Sunday before Mardi Gras is one of our favorite days. Fun parade, good food, and awesome weather!

By Sunday night, we were all done! We stayed in and I did what I do best, slept on the couch while Jason watched the Olympics. Happy Valentines Day!!!

Monday, we went to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants and got our fried shrimp po-boys and Campbell even liked the fried shrimp. Hint, we did have to call them chicken nuggets. But hey, what harm did it cause?!?!

That night, we went to my aunt's to watch the Monday night parades. We've done the past 2 years and really love being with her family for the parades. Campbell was hysterical, picking up his trumpet every time a marching band would come by and joining in! Parker, well, Parker did what he did most of Mardi Gras. Slept in the carrier on my chest. As cold as it was that evening, I was certainly nice and toasty with 20 extra pounds (sleeping pounds) on me.

Our second to last day, Mardi Gras day! Jason rode again this year, so I was on my own with the 2 guys. I have to say, managing the parades with 2 on your own is quite interesting. Thank God for my sister-in-law and brother for their extra hands. When Jason's float came by, Mike put Campbell on his shoulders and Mike's friend, Gail, took Parker. I was able to get some fun shots and to see the fun Campbell was having catching something from Daddy.

It was a beautiful day, cold but beautiful. We ended the day with another ball and took our friends from DC with us.

So everyone, after my lengthy recount of our trip, I have to say it was great. I am so happy that we were able to be there for the Super Bowl and to enjoy yet another Mardi Gras. It means so much to me and Jason that our kids love and know New Orleans. Campbell even said the other day that he wants to go back to New Orleans to see Kiki and Tater, but without me or Jason. I am not kidding, he really said it! So, Mom and Dad, you ready for him alone?!?!?!? Just kidding!

Of course, there are TONS of photos on our picasaweb...take a look and enjoy. www.picasaweb.google.com/spencefam2

An anniversary, two new teeth, pajama day, and the Saints are Super Bowl Bound!

The month of January is already a fog! I think I spent the whole month running around like a crazy woman. Don't know why, but I did. On January 12th, Jason and I celebrated our 8th anniversary. The weekend before the 12th, we spent the night at a new hotel in Old Town and enjoyed a completely kid free 24 hours. Ashby came at lunch time and we were out of there faster than she could put her bags down! We enjoyed lunch (sushi - my favorite), then a little spa time, followed by a wine tasting at the Prince Michel tasting room on King Street. Back to the hotel for showers and then to dinner at Brabo - the new restaurant associated with the hotel. It was fabulous and I highly recommend it to anyone who has not eaten there yet. It was so much fun being a tourist in our own city. And a special thank you to Mom and Dad for the beautiful flowers!

Right after Parker's 6 month birthday, his top two teeth finally broke thru! Campbell didn't even get his first tooth until 8 months. Now, he's working on his 5th and 6th teeth. He had a great 6 month checkup and is perfectly healthy. This weekend he started sitting up, almost completely on his own. Of course, with the occasional loss of balance. Still working the rolling over thing...he's totally not into that. He might be one of those kids who walks before crawling! UH OH! I better prepare myself. He is still a wild man in his doorway bouncer. So much so that I have to borrow one from a friend in New Orleans for our 2 week trip.

Campbell continues to be an unbelievable big brother. He makes us so proud to be his parents. When I think he can't be any sweeter or more loving to Parker, he proves me wrong. He is constantly reassuring Parker that he's okay and there's no reason to cry! Sweet, sweet Campbell. I pray that he continues to be the gentleman that he already is and will always be a wonderful role model to Parker. They are so blessed to have each other and I can't wait to watch them grow, play, and laugh together.

Every year at Campbell's school, they have pajama day and serve breakfast food for lunch. It's the most adorable thing seeing all the kiddos coming to school in their favorite pj's! Campbell got the award for eating the most pancakes - 6 1/2!!! Yes folks, my child has quite the sweet tooth. And when it comes to pancakes, he'll eat as many as you give him and if it's not enough, he'll definitely ask for more!

Last Sunday, Jason, Campbell, and I witnessed the unbelievable Saints game. Fortunately, Campbell took a very late nap, so he stayed up with us to watch the WHOLE thing. I think he thought I lost my mind when I was sitting on the sofa saying every prayer I could think of and then praying to every person I know that has passed away. Some may think I really have lost it, but I really think that all of our loved ones up above helped the Saints win! Especially a close family friend's daughter, Kathy. Kathy was one of the biggest saints fans. She even had her bathroom wallpapered with the N.O. Saints logo and then even had some of the players and coaches sign it. This was in the Ditka era. So a special thank you to Kathy, Bubby, Nancy, and Anne for watching over our Saints.

On Friday, Campbell, Parker, and I will be Nawlins bound for 2 weeks. I couldn't be more excited to watch the Super Bowl with my family and Campbell couldn't be more excited about going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, King Cake, and most of all Kiki and Tater! It's been almost 4 months since my parents have seen Parker, so it will be fun for everyone to experience his awesome personality and flirtatious smile. Everyone say a prayer that I can handle the flight by myself.

So, until after Mardi Gras...have a great few weeks, Happy Mardi Gras, Happy Valentines Day, and most of all WHO DAT!!!!! GO SAINTS!!!!!

Happy Half Birthday, Parker!

I know I still need to post about our Christmas and New Year's, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Parker is 6 months old today and I cannot believe that in just another 6 months, he will be turning 1! In the past few weeks he has really developed his own personality. He is slowly beginning to try and roll over and close to sitting up. His favorite thing at bathtime is a wet washcloth. I am serious, he sees me put it under the water and immediately starts reaching for it. All he wants is to suck on it! I guess it's part of the teething thing. He's working on his top 2 teeth and we are waiting for them to break thru any day! We will all be happy when that happens. His other favorite thing is his doorway bouncer. We have it hanging in the kitchen doorway by the dining room and he will sit in it and bounce all the time! He LOVES it. It's hysterical to watch.

So folks, I'm off to spend the last 2 hours with the half birthday boy before picking up Campbell. I promise I will post some photos and information about our holidays tomorrow! In the meantime, you can see the pictures on our picasaweb ... www.picasaweb.google.com/spencefam2.

xo,

Jane

Wordless Wednesday

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

and that's what it did from Friday night until Saturday night! All day Friday, the news kept reporting that we were going to have 8-12 inches of snow by Saturday night. When I woke up on Saturday morning to feed Parker (promptly at 6 am, as usual), we had surpassed the 8 inch mark and the new forecast was for 12-24 inches. Well folks, according to the yard stick on top of our patio table, we had 21 inches at 905 Allison St! You read correctly, 21 inches.

When Campbell woke up, he could hardly wait to get outside and play in the snow. Well, he really just wanted to eat it. After a good breakfast, we bundled everyone up (even Parker) and headed outside. Parker made it for a total of 5 minutes. Enough time for a couple of photos (showing his displeasure)! Campbell, on the other hand, played for hours outside with Jason. They borrowed our neighbor's sled and went down the hill in front of our house. I could hear him screaming and laughing from inside.

By Saturday afternoon, we could barely walk in front of our house. Thanks to Jason, he kept clearing the sidewalks so we'd have a path to get out. We bundled everyone up again (and this usually takes about 15-20 minutes with all of the snow gear) and walked to another family's house for a glass of wine. All of the parents needed to have some social interaction and the kiddos, well...they just loved seeing their friends.

After working all day on Sunday, Jason was able to clear out the driveway and sidewalks in front of the house. Our wonderful neighbor even pitched in to help clear the snow from the drain so we wouldn't have a huge patch of ice at the base of our driveway. Such great neighbors!!!

Jason was able to take a couple of breaks on Sunday to play with Campbell and our friends, the Kuniks. Their daughter Elle is adorable and Campbell just loves hanging out with her. They went over to another street and went sledding. I stayed in and kept Parker company!

We got out of the house today, for the first time. The roads were pretty clear and will hopefully continue to melt with each passing day.

It was quite a weekend, a first for this Nawlins gal. We had snow at Mary Baldwin, but nothing like this. Enjoy the pictures below and on the picasaweb - www.picasaweb.google.com/spencefam2.