Pals and Pumpkins in New Orleans

There is nothing better than pictures of little ones with pumpkins! While in New Orleans, we went to Becnel's Fruit and Veggie Stand to grab some Satsumas. (Little tangerine-sorta things that are super sweet, seedless and yummy!) Anywho, Will had a good time with their great assortment of pumpkins.

Will in front of a restaurant in New Orleans where we met some precious friends for fried catfish and fried pickles.

At Becnel's, Will picked up several rocks and brought them to me. I just love his little "presents."

Will found a table full of little pumpkins. Oh, so many to choose from.

Found one!

Will wanted one of these pumpkins, too! He grunted each time he tried to pick one up. So cute!

When we arrived to New Orleans, we stayed with Nelda and Cybble. They were so generous to open their home to us for our stay. I don't know where to begin when I speak of these two precious women. Nelda and Cybble are 2 of 4 sisters, that, while not related by blood, are truly family. I have known the four Bucceri sisters, Cybble, Nelda, Roxanne, and Stephanie all of my life. They know all of my secrets! It's so important to have folks like that in my life. These ladies and their precious family members are some of the dearest delights of my heart and we love them. I love you girls!!!!

Nelda and Cybble with a completely pooped Will.

A dear friend of the Bucceri's and mine, Carolyn drove in from North Louisiana to visit with them. We were just lucky to be in town on the same weekend. I called Carolyn the "baby whisperer." She was amazing with my sweet, but sometimes, screaming Caroline. I wish we could have put her in the car with us for the trip back home!

The next day, we went to the home of my dear friend, Sherry. Sherry is one of those folks that is really more like family. She knew my grandmother and grandfather, David and Beulah Golden and my mother, Cindy. I've known her for what seems like forever in a wonderful service organization for girls called the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Her daughter, Danielle, grew up in the organization with me. They are incredibly special people and Mike and I are blessed beyond measure to have them in our lives.

It was so much fun to spend some time with Sherry and her family. Somehow, I failed to get a picture of Sherry and Jody! Danielle and her husband, Brad drove in from Baton Rouge to see us. It was great to our kids playing together. It's hard to believe that we have gone from being giggling, young girls to wives and mothers.

Beautiful Dani with sweet Caroline!

Danielle and her kids, Noah and Abigail. Me with Caroline and Will.

Noah and Will are just 1 month apart!

Will sporting an LSU hat!

Brad playing with Caroline

Will and Noah were in constant motion!

Abigail was so cute holding Caroline

Goodness gracious, but isn't Noah just adorable!

Paw Paw and Gram

Finally in New Orleans! My Dad and stepmother, Cheryl came in to visit at one of our favorite restuarants, Mulate's. Cheryl's grandson, Andrew, came along as well. It was a wonderful visit and the food was great. We even managed to bring home some fried crawfish tails.

Of course, Dad held little Caroline the minute we arrived and had a hard time letting go. I think she know that she has Paw Paw around her finger.

Will and Daddy playing at the table.

My little man!

Will and Paw Paw, giving kisses.

Loving his Paw Paw!

Out like a light.

Gram and Caroline

Andrew and Will were great pals!

Family in Alabama

Our trip through Alabama and Louisiana began with a visit with family from my daddy's side of the family. For the most part, William and Caroline did very well on the long car trip. They were both just very tired once we arrived.

This is Will and Caroline with their sweet Great-Grandma Elva. She is 98 years old and completely precious. She is doing very well and seemed to really enjoy their visit. She wears a device to help her hear better.

Caroline looks so adorable in her Great-Grandma's arms. Grandma kept saying that she was "so cute" and how she loved her pink bow. Of course, my grandma knows southern little girl's look best in bows!

Will was giving her a picture that he found in her room.

Before our stop to see Grandma, we made a short stop to see my cousin, Bruce. Bruce and his wife, Annette, have 5 boys, so needless to say, he was in love with Miss Caroline. Will just thought his office was cool. I have a feeling he is going to grow up loving his cousin Bruce.

Bruce with Caroline and Will

When we first arrived, we had a brief visit from Aunt Anne and Uncle Terry. As you can see from the picture, Caroline was quite tired and cranky and ready for a bottle and bed.

Outside a Cracker Barrel restuarant while on the road.

Day at the Park

Will started walking at 14 months. Now he walks all the time, except at the playground. It was a beautiful day on Friday, so Mike and I took the babies to the park. Will loved crawling all over the play equipment. The park has a special playground just for kids under 4, so it was just perfect for him. Next spring, Caroline will be happy to join him in the fun.

Daddy's boy!

Peek-a-Boo!

Come catch me, if you can!

Caroline just enjoyed the sunshine. She loves being outside, too.

Big Changes

Okay, we've had some big changes around here. In a nutshell, I have gone back to work. Part by choice, part by necessity. This may come as news to most of you, but I am not teaching. I am planning to follow in my late mother and late grandmother's footsteps and pursue a second degree in nursing. My Aunt Margaret is an ER nurse in New Orleans. I seek her out for advice often. I guess you can say that nursing is in my blood. Until then, I wanted a job that would allow me to come home without extra work to do, such as grading papers and lesson plans. So, I am working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in our local skilled care nursing home. I am working the night shift, so that during the day, I can take a few prerequisite classes and prepare for the nursing entrance exam which I will take in December or January.

So, as you can probably guess, the babies now have to go to daycare. Where we live, it was quite a challenge to find a quality daycare. We finally found one about 20 minutes from our home and conveniently very near the college where I will be attending classes. The teachers are really great with our angels and take good care of them. It was very challenging for everybody the first couple of weeks. As any new working mom would say, it is so hard to think of someone else caring for the babies when they are still so little. I cried alot during the first few days. I feel and know that I am missing out of things while they are there, but we have to do, what we have to do. It will be the best for everyone in the long run.

One day last week, I left the camera with the teachers so they could take some pictures. Here is what we got back.

Will painted a pumpkin picture.

I think he may be going after the girls a little bit early. He had sweet hugs for a friend.

That's my boy! He loves to look at books.

It's so cute to see him discovering a leaf.

Will loves to be outside. Ms. Gail says that he is always the last to come in from the playground.

Caroline is the darling of her little group. All the teachers love her and want to take her home.

Kerplop! Fallen over!

Tummy time! She's pushing up and rolling over like a little log.

More catching up

You know a little boy is up to something, when he is too quiet. My little babbler was suddenly silent. When I went to look for him, I found him sitting in the floor eating an apple. The whole darn thing, stem, skin and all. Apparently, he got it out of the fruit bowl that was within his reach. He's never had more than tiny cut up pieces of apple and there he is sitting there eating the apple like he had done it all his life. I just cracked up.

After catching the moment on camera, I thought it would be best if he didn't eat in the floor, so into the highchair he went.

Some pictures of sweet Caroline:

Here is our little Caroline sitting pretty in the glider in her room.

When she smiles, the room lights up!

All tuckered out and ready for some beauty sleep.

Time for a well visit check-up at our pediatrician's office.

Mommy's little pumpkin.

Will discovered the joy of pushing chairs around.

Daddy came along for the visit. It's very difficult to handle both of the babies at the doctor without help. We practice one-on-one defense.

Will makes a disaster of the white paper they put down on the exam table. It serves no real purpose, just toddler entertainment. With some assistance from daddy, he wrapped himself up and had a ball.

Ahhh, Broken free!