Zoo To Do

We took our first family trip this morning to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. The weather was great and so were the kids. A great time was had by all. Enjoy the pics!

***PICS ARE NOT WORKING. WILL RETRY LATER MONDAY***

Jacob's Favorite Things

Each year, there's a very cool expo that comes to town for anything related to kids. Of course, we haven't had much reason to go in recent years past but felt Jacob was old enough to enjoy himself today. So I took him for about an hour and a half.

We knew Barney would be there but weren't sure of the times. So I did not tell Jacob that he might get to meet Barney, his first TV "friend." Barney has become less and less important in our lives (although I'm sure he'll return). But every once in a while, Jacob will ask us to pull out one of his old Barney favorites. I cannot describe the look on Jacob's eyes when he saw Barney. He got his picture made, plus another with Elmo, who he also really enjoys. And I took him into a petting zoo for the first time. He played with some goats and pigs and bunny rabbits. He wasn't so sure about this chicken...but we had a good time anyway!

Conversations with Jacob

Now's the time. I'm expecting a challenge and am getting it. Jacob is really getting to the age where he's saying some really funny things. I cannot remember all of them. He's questioning everything. Wanting to know what everything is, wanting to know who's on the phone, etc.

Here are a few "conversations" off the top of my head:

CONVERSATION #1
DADDY: Jacob, do you want to go with daddy to Home Depot and Target?
JACOB: Yes, party time!!!!

CONVERSATION #2
(Daddy was putting up clean dishes from the dishwasher when he picked up an object and couldn't remember the name. Knowing that Jacob would ask the name and daddy would be embarrassed, he quickly rushed to put the object in the drawer but was not quick enough.)
JACOB: What's that daddy.....a wisk???
DADDY: Yes, Jacob it IS a wisk!

CONVERSATION #3
(Daddy was up in the attic getting 12 month clothes (!!!) down for Patrick. Jacob still believes daddy can fix anything, not realizing he really can fix much of nothing without messing it up)
JACOB: Daddy, you OK in the attic? Need screwdriver??? Need screwdriver for 'jamas???
('Jamas is short for pajamas).

CONVERSATION #4
MOMMY: Jacob, what's the name of the dinosaur on Toy Story?
JACOB: Ummm, I don't know.
MOMMY: Is it Rex?
JACOB: Ummm, I don't know.
MOMMY: Why don't you call Bennett to find out.
(Jacob gets his Nemo cell phone)
JACOB: Bennett? Hi. You sick? What's the name of the dinosaur on Toy Story? Rex. OK. Bye!
(Jacob to mommy)
JACOB: Yes, it's Rex.

Mardi Gras 2011

Another New Orleans Mardi Gras is in the books and this one certainly had a special feel to it. I truly cannot think of anything to compare to the ride in the Bacchus parade Sunday night. It was well worth the sleepless nights that preceded the parade!

It was no surprise that young Patrick did not sleep well on any night, waking up numerous times in the middle of the night Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights and about 5:30 every morning. It was also no surprise that he woke Jacob up early every morning. However, every (or most) second was worth it. Jacob had an absolute blast to the point where he said he'd like to make the hotel his "new home" at one point! And little P is developing quite his own personality which will be shown in some of the pictures below.

Patrick and Pawpaw getting ready for dinner Friday night

A stroll across the Riverfront Saturday morning. I love Patrick's hat!

Jacob in front of the place where it all began almost ten year ago

Patrick with some rare sleep

Hebert girls; Peggy, KK, Suzanne just before lunch Saturday

Patrick is a mama's boy-BIG TIME

One of P's first personality traits; the head cock to the side; he'll do it on cue

J&P watching Barney Saturday night; daddy babysat so the others could eat in peace!

My float

The annual family Mardi Gras picture

Jacob was quite impressed with daddy's costume; the hat and mask would've scared him to death, though

Assuming the position

For those who don't know, the reason there are no pictures of us actually riding the float is that this ordeal is a day long process, quite literally. Ron and I went to the convention center at 7AM to load our beads. We returned at 12:30Pm to get dressed and convene at the float and meet with the family. This last picture was taken around 2:30 as we got ready to ride toward the beginning of the parade. After an hour and a half, we stopped for a "pre-game" dinner of steak and lobster. We re-entered the float for the ride which began for our float around 7:15. The route starts on St. Charles and again, I can't think of anything to compare to it. The only hint I could give is to imagine any major concert you've been to when the band comes out and the crowd cheers...that's what it sounded like...for nearly five hours. We went down St. Charles to Canal and eventually back into the convention center for the ball. I would officially like to say thank you to those who made this happen and to Suzanne for dealing with the children on minimal rest for me to have this memory. I will truly never forget it!!! And I think it's the start of great Mardi Gras memories for our children.

Mardi Gras Madness

Mardi Gras is in full swing around here. The Heberts hosted a small gathering at KK's condo (also in Beau Chene) with easy access to the parade route over the weekend. Jacob has been to a couple of parades in the past but this was his first real experience. He thoroughly enjoyed it. The Parnells came over to KK's and everyone had a great time, despite Jacob's apparent reluctance to hug Lila below.

A Milestone and a couple of conversations with Jacob

At last report, Jacob had still not gone "poo poo" on the potty. Well, that has changed! Jacob has been "poo poo" on the potty twice in the last three days. There's still a ways to go but he's getting there. Daddy has witnessed both of these memorable events.

Since Jacob is growing older, his mother is really hammering home the importance of giving up his "binkys." He only uses them at night when he sleeps, and it's been that way for a month or so. But she and I are trying to get him to give them up for good. He's not going down quietly. Jacob received Knuffle Bunny Free for Valentine's Day. This is a story about a little girl giving away her favorite toy to a crying infant on an airplane. These have been the last two conversations Jacob and I have had after reading Knuffle Bunny Free.

Friday night
DADDY: Jacob, do you think you'd want to give away your binkis?
JACOB: Not right now.
DADDY: When?
JACOB: Monday.

Sunday night
DADDY: Jacob, would you like to give anything to a sad baby?
JACOB: Binkys
DADDY: You'd give up your binkys?
JACOB: Patrick's binkys.

Good times.

An Update on Life

I sit in a quiet house tonight as Su gets a much needed "girls night" with her friends. I enjoy coming home "early" these days and spending some time playing with the boys and giving her a break. Life is obviously busy and I'm not posting on the blog as much. So I thought with some quiet time, I'd bring everyone up to speed on life with anything that pops into my head.

Jacob is certainly evolving into a "big boy." He's got more and more of a mind of his own each and every day. I only wish I could think of some of the funny things he says, most of which might not be understood on this blog. He's thoroughly enjoying sports right now, much to the delight of his father. He likes to hit and throw the baseball, hit the golf ball, and kick the soccer ball. His favorite television show is American Idol and I wish I was joking. Tonight, he said the best singer was "Rob," whoever that is. Jacob has become scared of things gs as well. Yesterday, he told me he heard noises in his mouth. There are always noises in his room and well as EVIL SHADOWS!!! He and George have a love-hate relationship. Well, fortunately George loves Jacob...however, Jacob chases George one minute and is running from him the next. Jacob pees pees on the potty fairly regularly. No poo poo yet despite our bribe of five M&Ms for a successful try (he gets two for pee pee).

Patrick is growing older as well. He is flipping over in his crib. He doesn't like that too much...yet. When he gets tired, he plants plenty of wet ones on his parents. We think he is close to crawling. For now, he rocks on his knees in that crawling positions. Patrick loves to pull hair, faces and whatever he can get those rough hands on. His top two teeth are coming in and we think a third on the bottom.

As for me and Su. Well, I work and so does she (the free kind). The end!

I'll close with the funniest video ever posted on this blog. Just watch and see.