Monday, September 28, 2009

On the Road Again

Baby Owen mesmerized by the camera flash
Benjamin and his great-great grandma Dot in Opelousas
The Turner's and the Washington's at Owen's christening
Owen and his godparents - Jenny and Seth
Benjamin and his Uncle Mark (same silly smile on both of them!)
Baby Owen after his baptism
Baby Owen receiving the oil of chrism
The Washington Family
Aunt Sarah and Baby Owen, getting ready for his baptism

Whew! We have had a very busy weekend (and beginning of this week) traveling across LA attending baptisms, symposiums and visiting old professors! This past Saturday Owen got christened in New Orleans...Seth is his godfather and Jenny Lee is his godmother (hands off, Jenny! - j/k). Owen was adorable (of course) in his baptism outfit...he is getting great head control and is very, very smiley - especially at his Aunt Sarah (could it be because I was carrying the camera with the cool lights/flash?...nah!). After the baptism we went back to Em and J's to finish watching the Tigers barely beat State and to eat these fabulously fattening cupcakes - thanks Em!!
Our whole family squeezed (literally) into Frankie and Johnny's for dinner, then it was off to the Queen and Crescent (disappointing) for some sleep. On Sunday Em, J, Virginia, Owen, me, Seth, Ben and mom went to the Audubon Zoo (Ben's first trip!). We had a great time!!! The elephants were super cool (and super smelly), and Ben LOVED the jaguars! Benjamin and Virginia got to actually pet the elephant! After a few hours and a few sno-cones (the first sugar-free grape ones we got were "rancid" - long story I will have to tell you face-to-face) later, we finally left to go back to Em and J's to feed Ben and get back on the road.
We set off with the intention to drive to Ruston (we didn't leave NO until 5:30 pm) that night...but Ben had other ideas. We ended up at Uncle Mark and Aunt Duby's doorstep around 9:30 pm, and they graciously took us in. We woke up bright and early the next morning (Monday) to head to Ruston, where Seth's Aunt Malinda and Uncle Jon live (and the home of LA Tech University, my graduate school alma mater). Aunt Malinda, Ben and I spent all day shopping and eating (102 Bistro, Counter Culture), and Seth drove to Shreveport for his symposium...Seth and a few of his colleagues from his last job in BR were speaking about a paper they wrote about a remediation project he worked on. I also got to visit an old professor of mine from graduate school, Dr. Tilman Sheets. He was probably my favorite professor, and I had not seen him since I graduated! Benjamin played in the kitchen, bathtub and bedroom at Aunt Malinda's house -- he had a very good time! Ben really likes their puppy dog, Jingle!!! We got up early Tuesday morning and hit the road again, stopping in Opelousas at the Palace Cafe for lunch with Benjamin's great-great grandma Dot and cousin Hugh.
Whew! Did I already say that? Now that we are back home, I have laundry, dishes and housework to think of...not to mention exercise (which I did not even think about while we were traveling).
Benjamin playing in the kitchen at Aunt Malinda and Uncle Jon's

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Splish, Splash

Benjamin loves taking a bath...usually his daddy does bath time and the last bottle before bedtime, but tonight mommy and daddy played with Ben and his bubbles during bath time. It was neat to watch him corral his ducks (very funny), splash and sing to the bubbles, and snuggle with his dad when he got out of the tub.





Sunday, September 20, 2009

Family Fun-Filled Weekend

Em, Me, Mom, Owen, Ben and Virginia
Em, Dru, Mrs. Debbie, Owen, Ben and Virginia
Me and Baby Owen (a happy "little tiger")
Benjamin and his Aunt Emily
Nana, Benjamin and Virginia in the big, red firetruck
Mommy and Benjamin
Benjamin got to spend some time with his cousins and his Nana this weekend when Mom, Em, Virginia and Owen came to Lake Charles. I cannot believe how much Owen has changed!!! He is like a different baby since I last saw him a few weeks ago - now he is holding his head up, smiling ALOT (still screaming alot too!), and looking more like a big baby boy than a newborn. Of course, Virginia is as sweet and as active as ever...
We spent Friday night together at the Lee's house - Auntie M and Uncle T-Tom were very excited to have so many babies in their house! Saturday we played at the park (Virginia is a monkey), had a long lunch and watched the LSU game (Geaux Tigers!). Saturday night Seth and I went to a friend's wedding, (actually a blessing of vows) and then reception where we had a great time! It was really nice to hang out and have drinks with our friends (and not worry about our baby boy).
Today we went to Mass, then met Em and the kids (and Jenny and James) for lunch at Piccadilly. After lunch, Em and the kids came back to our house so that Virginia could swim before they go home tomorrow morning. Uncle "Sef" (Seth) was the only taker with Virginia and the pool...they both shivered while Virginia jumped off the diving board (only after Gracie demonstrated that it was indeed safe) then ran around the pool to do it again..and again...

Monday, September 7, 2009

Where are we going? Galveston!

Benjamin playing with the penguins

Seth has been planning a surprise trip for me and Benjamin for the past week or so...He told me to wear shorts and tennis shoes (and that's it!) and promised we would be home in time for the LSU game (Geaux Tigers!). I thought and thought about the possibilities...fishing, hiking somewhere in Texas, the zoo?? Bright and early Saturday morning we left Lake Charles and headed west. We drove and drove (and Ben did NOT nap) - finally, we took an exit that said Galveston!! I was very excited! We were to spend the day walking on the Strand and going to Moody Gardens.

Daddy and Benjamin in the rainforest
Mommy and Benjamin looking at turtles
Ben in the car on the ferry - excited about this trip!
Our family on the ferry, feeding the birds

We had lunch at a cool place on the strand, (and ran into many Tiger fans) then did a little shopping. Ben took a nap while Seth and I went to an old-fashioned soda shoppe and enjoyed an ice cream and a Dr. Pepper. Then we took off toward Moody Gardens.
At Moody Gardens we went into the Rainforest and the Aquarium pyramid. Ben seemed to really enjoy himself...he was wide eyed the whole time. He had a small scare when a seal came directly at him (playing with him), but he recovered quickly. He LOVED the penguins and the clown fish!! Finally, when he was well worn out from a long, exciting day (with no afternoon nap) we made it to the tunnel with the sharks. Ben was tired, but I am sure he enjoyed it...We made it home about 45 minutes before the game...Ben went to bed, Seth soon followed, and the Tigers won! What a great ending to a super day!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Dancing again!

Ben started acting like his normal, happy self again today. Whew! I wasn't sure how much longer I could go with so little sleep (and such an unhappy baby boy).
We got up early, he ate all of his breakfast and then played and talked to himself while I had my morning cup of coffee. Then we walked to the post office and mailed stuff to his Aunt Emily and cousin Owen. After lunch and a good nap, we blew bubbles outside. I knew my baby was back when he started dancing this afternoon. Whenever Ben hears music (or something that could be mistaken for music), he bobs his head and bounces his upper body and smiles. He is a clip of my little "rockstar" dancing with his favorite ball.