Trip to New Orleans

This past month, we drove the long drive from Illinois down south to New Orleans. We always go at least once a year. I desperately want the babies to know the city and learn to love it's charms. We were also there to attend Grand Assembly, which is the annual statewide meeting of the Rainbow Girls. When I was in my late teens, I had the pleasure and honor of leading this wonderful service organization. So, going back each year is always wonderful and truly like seeing family that I have known forever. This year, was especially emotional, because the babies were formally dedicated to a life of love and service to others in a beautiful ceremony.

While in New Orleans, once again, we tried to do it all in what Mike has come to call my "whirl wind tour of Louisiana." We never have enough time to see everyone, but we certainly try. Our itinerary included the Audubon Zoo, a formal banquet at Grand, the Children's Museum, then a visit to my mother's and grandmother's graves to place flowers, to Aunt Margaret's house, the baby dedication and finally back in the car to head home. Of course, we had to slip in a quick trip to the grocery store so I could load up on 20 pounds of Cajun sausage and foods for cooking back in Illinois. The babies even got to eat their first crawfish while at the store.

My sweet family at the opening banquet at Grand. They wore matching outfits with crawfish smocking and Caroline had a crawfish bow. So cute!

My sleepy little crawfish.

Look mommy, no hands! Still loving her crawfish hairbow.

Daddy heading upstairs to put babies to bed so I could attend the meeting. Oh, I love him so!

Angela Cocran, (just past Grand Worthy Advisor) and past GWA's. I love these ladies and am honored to be in their ranks.

We went to the zoo with our sweet friends Danielle and Brad and their lovely kids, Abigail and Noah. We all road the carousel which was an absolute hit with Will and Caroline.

It was H-O-T!!! 99 degrees w/ 100% humidity. Mike and I worked to keep the kids shaded and cool with cold, wet baby wipes. Caroline loved having one on her forehead.

Will has seen an elephant many times in a book, but never in person. He was in awe and loved it when they sprayed water with their trunks.

My little southern belle with her southern momma! My hat was a bargain find at Target...a little large, but completely necessary in that sun.

Our wonderful white tiger. Ahhh, sleep. Too hot to move.

Danielle and her beautiful daughter, Abigail.

My climbing fish loved the playground.

Will coming down the slide with Noah right behind.

Walking to the Children's Museum. I was so tickled when I looked at Mike pushing the double stroller surrounded by my friend Laura's 4 children. I don't think he's ever been in the middle of so many kids. He looked like a daddy duck with his little ducklings. I just love that man!

What a great picture! Four Past Grand Worthy Advisor's of LA Rainbow and our precious children. We all had a great time at the Children's Museum. I would love to do it again, and again. Can't wait to see them next year. It is going to be so sweet to see these girlfriends and their kids every year. I know that their children and mine will become friends over the years and across the miles. Kind of like cousins, growing up together. Makes my heart swell.

Playing with magnetic gears. They loved the museum and I loved the freedom of being able to say "go play, explore and touch everything!" And, it was air conditioned! Whoo hoo.

My little police man and his trusty partner.

Oh, my sweet Caroline. Back in the south, where little girls where hairbows all the time.

Will and Lilea playing engineer with the train set. They were really cute together.

Beautiful Abigail. A great big sister to Noah.

Caroline and Lilea adored playing on the climbing pit. Caroline couldn't get enough of it.

Will and Noah played very well together. They are only a month apart. They'll be buddies for a long time to come.

Crashing the cars is the most fun!

The Golden Girls! My cousins Genny and Dani, Aunt Margaret and Aunt Melanie with the babies. Mom and Grandma would be so proud!

The baby dedication. Aunt Margaret held Caroline and I held squirmy Will. I asked the Bucceri sisters, Cybble, Roxanne and Nelda to join us for the ceremony as they are like family in every way except by blood.

During the ceremony, they played the song by Martina McBride, "In My Daughter's Eyes," which of course made me bawl. I grew up being told stories of my days as baby at Rainbow events. It was very full circle to have my own children there with my aunt. I look forward to sharing these stories with my children, especially Caroline, when they are older. It was incredibly moving and special.

Will found his first Mardi Gras bead.

She was so good while waiting for the ceremony to start.

I made her a rainbow ruffle diaper cover. So, when her dress flipped up, you saw a rainbow. Everyone loved it and I know my family in heaven was smiling.

Taking steps with a little help, and one shoe.

Aunt Margaret holding Caroline, very much the same way she held me when I was a baby. Aunt Margaret was my mother's sister and always there.

Time to go. The babies enjoyed watching and waving "bye bye" to all of the cars in the hotel parking lot while Mike loaded the luggage.

Just a sampling of all of the STUFF we had to bring with us. It's getting a little easier to travel with the kids, but we still seem to bring the whole house. It was worth every minute, though. Already looking ahead to next year in Shreveport, LA!

Father's Day 09

This past Father's Day was Mike's 2nd. Since Will is a little older, I let him help me decorate a cake for Daddy. The kids finger painted a rock for him to use as a paperweight. And I gave him a big hammock for the backyard. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be blessed with such an incredible husband and father to my children. He is the man of my dreams. Here are some sweet pictures of that special day.

His #1 Dad cake.

Will putting fruit chews on the cake (with guidance from mommy.)

Throwing on sprinkles. They were everywhere.

Gotta sample the frosting.

Ready for our surprise.

Daddy with his special paperweight.

Caroline loves those musical cards. She loves to dance along.

toddler proofing 101

Mike and I got a hard, month long class in toddler proofing. After many restless nights, near misses, ice packs, and mommy tears, we finally figured out what to do with our little climbing fish. So many of you have given support and advice, we thought we would share our struggles and successes with everyone. Will and Caroline teach us so much everyday. We love them dearly and are blessed to be their parents, but oh, it's been a tough month.

There is a really adorable video of the kids at the end of this post.

It started when Will climbed out of his crib at 20 months old. So, we took off the front railing and lined the floor with pillows. Then we put him in a travel crib for naptime, which he quickly learned to climb out of, then he started climbing into Caroline's crib. Mike and I were eagerly awaiting a toddler rail, thinking this would help him stay in bed and not roll out.



His toddler rail arrived and helped a little. He was still able to get out of bed and wreak havoc in the nursery.



We started out securing all of the furniture to the wall and any loose wires. Then Will learned how to climb open drawers. Mike became "McGuiver" and figured out a way to tie the drawers closed without a hazard of strangulation. Notice the clothes on top. I was not about to undo that rope just to put them away.

My genius husband used rip ties to secure the tall lamp to the wall.

All books or potential "flying objects" had to be out of reach. We had to put the lamp up and down each time we used it.

THEN, one lovely morning, I walked into the nursery to find the destruction Will left behind after an early morning party. (Did I mention that I cried during this fun phase?) I took photos to document and laugh at one day.

When I walked into the room, the first thing I saw was the wall paper torn down.

Then I saw Will sitting in the floor playing with medicines (all closed thank goodness) that WERE completely out of reach. Until he figured out how to climb the knobs of the changing table. They were sick at the time.

While up there, he sprayed baby powder everywhere, knocked down the medicines and unlocked the latch that kept the closet door closed. (All while I was sleeping next door.)

Here is a view of where the furniture was placed. As you can see, the closet is next to the changing table and all of the drawers are tied up.

The fingerprints left behind by our little michievious one.

He also took all of the wet washcloths out of the wipes warmer and flung them everywhere.

So, the solution.... After many pep talks from girlfriends, we decided to get a crib net, but we had to get one that would work with our style of crib. We put it up, then the ring at the top broke and Will fell forward on the floor. Then, Mike fixed it with a stronger ring and put the front of the crib back on. Let's just say after many little trials, we got it right and Will sleeps safe and sound in his crib.

The net tucks completely under the mattress and zips up the front.

He is actually quite happy to go to sleep in his little "tent".

Of course, we had to toddler-proof other areas of the house.

Even through ties and bands, they are able to open the drawers and get things out.

Climbing the stairs together, they like to race to see who gets to the top first.

One of our many stair gates.

Gate to the main staircase. Will can almost climb over this one.

This is the back door to the kitchen that Will opened and walked out of into the backyard before I could realize the door had just closed.

This is the plastic chicken netting that Mike had to put up all around the deck after Will flipped over the middle rail, headfirst, into the gravel below. Just a small bump and another lesson for mommy and daddy.

Mike even made little gates to protect them from going down the deck stairs.

Here is a video of our little darlings racing up the staircase.