We're Back


We made it back from our trip to the "Big Easy". Man did we have fun! We left early Monday morning and checked into the Hilton Riverwalk. (One of my favorites) After getting everything in our rooms and freshening up a bit, we headed to the Aquarium. Once again, Audrey loved it. She adored the otters. This aquarium has an area set aside for kids only, which includes a slide, a petting pond, and several other fun things. Audrey is a lover of the slides. She must have gone up and down that thing 50 times. My niece Allie really had a good time petting the baby sharks.

After we finished seeing all the exhibits, we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Audrey did not behave at all. At one point, I thought we were going to be asked to leave. After lunch, we headed to Jackson Square to catch the buggy ride. I love doing this. Audrey of course fell asleep...this was a very welcomed nap! We went the the Riverwalk Mall, where I spent way to much money. And of course we had to buy some of that delicious fudge from "The Fudgery". We top off our first day with some of the best Louisiana seafood.

Tuesday morning we woke up early and got ourselves ready for a day at the zoo. Ward was able to spend the entire day with us. We saw everything. The monkeys, the big cats, the birds, the reptiles, the sea lions...you name it, we saw it. We had lunch at a cafe in the zoo. We had snow cones, and some very chewy salt water taffy. Audrey spotted another slide, and yes she slid over and over. Only this time she didn't want to wait her turn. I think she may be a brute. She certainly acted like one.

After the zoo, Ward drove us all around New Orleans. We rode through the Garden District and much of downtown. We drove by Anne Rice's home. It was just a delightful day. Full of fun, and the weather was perfect. We were pretty tired, so we opted to have dinner at one of the hotels restaurants. Audrey really misbehaved, and not only did I think we were going to be asked to leave the restaurant, I feared we may even be asked to pack-up and vacate the hotel.

We slept in a bit Wednesday before heading home. We had breakfast at my favorites, the "Cafe De Monde". Love those beignets. I can't wait to go back and stay longer.

LOOK OUT NEW ORLEANS....
HERE WE COME!!
Well we are off to New Orleans on Monday. Me and Audrey are going on a quick trip with my Mom, Kathy, Mary Catherine, and my niece Allie. (Jake's daughter) We are planning on a day at the zoo, and of course the aquarium.

I've been talking it up to Audrey alot. I know she isn't quiet 2 years old yet, but somehow I believe she understands. She gets so excited when I mention the aquarium. I wonder if this means she will grow up to be a marine biologist??? Although, she also throws her hands up above her head each time she hears a siren as if she were being arrested...Lord I hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

She has never been to a zoo, and I cannot wait to see her expression when we get there. Ward is going to be in New Orleans Monday, so we are hoping he will be able to relax a bit. Nothing says relaxation like a day at the zoo.

My Whole World

Just look at my pretty little angel. She is growing so fast, and learning so much. Her teacher at her daycare took this picture. I love it!! Audrey had her very first Easter Egg Hunt yesterday. Although she didn't find the golden egg, she had a blast.

Hot Mama's Club

It's official...I'm a soccer Mom. I am now the VERY happy driver of a brand new Honda Odyssey. Ward and I decided it was time for us to have a second car. We went back and forth on what type of car we would purchase. For me, I had my heart set on a mini-van. Ward wasn't quite so easily sold. We looked at the Yukons and I'll be the first to admit, the Yukons are nice. We test drove one and immediately I was sold. I forgot all about the Odyssey. After all I'm only 37 so maybe I just wasn't old enough to own a mini-van.

So the day comes that we decide to purchase the Yukon, when Ward says to me, "what do you think about a mini-van?" The look on face must have been shocking to him because he acted stunned when I became a little grouchy. I'm not one who enjoys shopping for cars. I just get an idea of what I want in my mind and nothing else matters. For instance, when we bought our Envoy, the only thing I wanted were large A/C vents. How easy is that?

Okay so we leave work early to go test drive the Odyssey. Let me tell you, the second I got behind the wheel all I could think was where in the world have you been all my life. I think I actually said that out loud. Driving is something I really have never enjoyed, I'm more of the happy-go-lucky passenger. Well now I can't wait to drive. Surprisingly enough, Ward loves it, and so does his little side kick Audrey.

I like to consider myself as the newest member of the "Hot Mama" club.

Daddy's Home
Ward made it home yesterday...thank goodness. He has been in Hammond, LA all week getting our new office up and running. Audrey has been going through withdrawals. The look on her face when she saw that her Daddy was there to pick her up from daycare, was just priceless. I've never seen her smile so BIG. They were both so happy to see one another. Lots of hugs and tons of kisses. Just as I thought....Mommy ceased to exist. Only Daddy could play with her, feed her, bathe her....blah blah blah.

It's Potty Training Time
Audrey is in the middle of potty training, and she is absolutely hilarious. We bought her a potty about 3 months ago, and on the first day I sat her on it every 30 minutes. Audrey would without failure potty every time. I thought WOW this is going to be a breeze! So the next day I did, or I tried the same technique, but unfortunately, Audrey didn't want to have any part of it. Her screaming her head off told me so. So her daddy and I decided that maybe it was a bit to soon.

This past weekend we decided to give it another try. She has been doing great so far, but still has a ways to go. The first time she sat on it, she grab a magazine as if she was reading. Man, me without my camera. Ward and I laughed so hard, we were about to have an accident ourselves. This child of ours is so funny.

So it's Monday morning and I'm running around crazy trying to make sure that I have everything needed for the day, and that Audrey has all that she needs. I put her on the potty and waited and waited. Nothing!!! I turned on the tub, brushed her teeth, let her hold a warm washcloth, still nothing. It was getting late, but I kept asking her if she needed to potty. She kept answering with "no". After about 10 times of asking her, she kindly rolled her eyes at me and yelled NO NO NO!!! That was my cue that it just wasn't going to happen. (Of course she gets her attitude from her daddy)

We were all dressed, everything was in the car, and we were heading out the door right on schedule. Just as I locked the door behind me, Audrey grabbed my face to have me looking at her eye to eye, and screamed as loud as she could "PEE PEE MAMA, PEE PEE". This of course had me rolling with laughter. So I just changed her, and gave her a big kiss, and off we went. Both on time, and with smiles on our faces. What a Happy Monday Morning.