Little girl, Big city

The day after Valentine's we took Mattie on her first trip to the big city, New Orleans.  At 8-weeks-old, I don't think she thought too much of it...all in time:)

We were in the city for my dear friend and long-time co-worker's wedding.  We had been looking forward to the wedding since shorty after I got pregnant.  Since I'm nursing Mattie, a weekend is just too long to leave her.  So, Mr. and I decided to leave Jackson with my parents and just take Mattie with us.

The weekend worked out perfect.  Jackson had a blast with Loli & Pop, eating them out of house and home and learning how to play soccer.  And Mattie got some much needed bonding time with her daddy.

 

The trip over took a little longer than we expected Friday night.  I had to work later than I intended, so by the time we got the car packed and Jackson dropped off, we hit terrible traffic the entire way to Nola.  We completely missed the welcome party Friday night, so we met up with the Wilson's for an awesome steak dinner instead.  Yes, steak two nights in a row...my favorite!

Mattie took her first stroll across Bourbon St. and slept through our entire dinner.  She had no idea what she was missing!

Saturday, the day of the wedding, was beautiful.  Mr. met his dad for breakfast and kept the black-out curtains drawn tightly closed, with the "Do not disturb" sign on our door...and I got to sleep in, until 10:30AM!!! This momma was on cloud nine, let me tell you! I called Mr. when we awoke and he came back to our room with Starbucks and breakfast.  He really does know the way to my heart:)

Mr.'s dad and step-mom have an awesome little apartment in the heart of the city, so they were able to babysit Mattie for us during the wedding.  The wedding was in the early afternoon, so between nursing, showering, pumping and dropping Mattie off with her Mimmy & Beh, we barely made the wedding! It still amazes me, even the second time around, how time completely vanishes before your eyes.

But, Mr. and I had a wonderful afternoon.  We danced, drank champagne and enjoyed each others company (most importantly).  We were the last ones to leave the reception and didn't want the night to end...well, I did want to get off my feet and out of my heels!

Sunday morning came early, but I missed my big boy and was ready to head home to our little city.  Mr. had a big hearing/trial to prep for and I knew the week would be long.  We got packed up and headed home to watch Jackson and his mad soccer skills!

Until next time Nola!

Read more...

Valentine's Day 2013

It's not everyday that I feel particularly loved or special...especially now that Mr. is busier than ever with work and we're a family of four.  More work, more laundry, more chores and less time to do it all.  However, I can't get over how sweet and special Mr. made me feel on our Hallmark holiday Valentine's Day this year.

Between a house full of company for Mardi Gras, prepping for a big hearing/trial, and leaving for a weekend in New Orleans...Valentine's Day was the farthest thing from my mind.  I managed to get treats together for Jackson's class earlier in the week and had already gotten Mr. a year's membership for massages...check and check, I was done. 

We were headed to the city for my friend/co-workers wedding the day after Valentine's Day, so there was much to be done! Bags needed to be packed, my hair needed highlights and my nails needed some TLC!

Mr. tended to Jackson after school while Mattie and I spent the afternoon and early evening getting pampered making me look human again.  When we pulled in the garage we were greeted by our boys and my heart melted.  Mr. and Jackson decorated the kitchen with some lovely Pre-K3 artwork.  Flowers and balloons were sitting on the counter, next to champagne and petit fours.  And my absolute favorite dinner, grilled steaks and potatoes were waiting to be served. 

Jackson was so stinking excited about my present that he blew Mr.'s cover and got it out of hiding as soon as I walked in the door.  He was so excited that I had a present and he couldn't wait for me to open it.  Truth be told, the best gift that Mr. gave me this Valentine's Day was not in a box.  As cheesy as this sounds, it was the gift of showing our son how to treat a lady or someone that you love.

Mr. was and is so busy, but he took the time to cherish his wife.  He made me feel loved, special and irreplaceable.  He was patient with our son and let him pick out balloons and carefully taped up his school artwork.  Each and every detail was done with love and set an amazing example for our son.  I only hope that one day Jackson finds a special someone that he can spoil half as much as his daddy spoils me:)

Love,

Read more...

Mardi Gras Mambo x 3

Mardi Gras season has come and gone and despite falling super early in the year, we were able to partake in parade festivities three times! Thank goodness Mattie is game for pretty much anything because her brother was all about the throws and beads and mastered the saying, "Throw me somethin', mister!".

The first parade we took the kiddos to see this season was one that Mr.'s dad and step-mom ride in.  To say we ended up with some loot was a bit of an understatement.  Bags of beads and stuffed animals made their way home with us and Jackson was ready for more!

And more he got!

In keeping with tradition, Stephanie and the girls made their annual trip over for the week of Mardi Gras.  Not only did the girls get to meet the newest princess of our brood, but they got to see two parades this year! The first parade was Saturday morning and the kids had a blast.  The parade was a little smaller, so they were able to hang on the street and catch beads up close. 

On Fat Tuesday we headed to my parent's Mardi Gras krewe headquarters and camped out for the day.  The weather was warm, but dreadfully rainy and gross.  We all wore our rain boots and let's just say by the end of the day the kids had to strip down to their undies before heading home.  Puddles, fun jumps and mud had never been more fun! Of course, Miss Mattie slept through the festivities and didn't even know what fun she was missing.

Read more...

Big Brother, Jackson

I always knew that Jackson would be an amazing big brother.  He has an extremely tender heart and has always adored his 'melia's.  I am pretty sure that Amelia will always hold a special place in Jackson's heart.  Maybe more so than Mattie, but only time will tell:)

Watching Jackson love and interact with "his baby" is nothing short of pure love and joy for me.  I always want to remember these times and special things.  And I may need to remind Jackson of a few of these when Mattie starts stealing his toys and using his dinos for teething rings:)

Big brother, Jackson:

You do not like it when I burp Mattie because you are convinced that I am hurting your baby.  You take my hand away and ask me not to "pap" her.

You call Mattie your baby.  And I truly believe that in your heart of hearts, you think she is your baby.

You cannot wait for her to have slumber parties in your room and you want her to sleep in your bed every night.

I cannot count the number of times or things I find in her crib.  I am pretty sure you visit her through out the night to give her a princess or stuffed animal.  And every time I remove said item from her crib, the next time I go in her room it is right back where you had it.  You started putting little treasures in her crib before she was even born.  The first was a Minnie Mouse princess crown that you brought home from school.  Mattie may have to wear it to high school graduation because you will not let me part with that crown.

I always call Mattie the prettiest girl...and you love to refer to her as the prettiest princess in the world.  You melt my heart when you lay down next to her and tell her that she's the prettiest princess in the world.

You have your moments when you show a bit of jealousy and want me to put the baby down and come play, but it's far less than one would expect of a 3.5-year-old.

For some reason, you absolutely cannot stand when she has her pacifier in her mouth and insist that she doesn't need it...until she starts crying and you can't hear your show and your pissed.

You love when Mattie makes the littlest of noises because you think she's talking to you.

Recently, you started to read to Mattie.

There's nothing sweeter than your little voice saying, "I love you, baby".

You love to give Mattie kisses and get borderline obsessed with getting in her face.

You make me so incredibly proud to be your mother, every single day.

I love you to the moon and back, big brother Jack!

Read more...