Lunch in Melville

We loaded up in the car and headed to Melville to have a fried fish lunch with Mimee.
Jack ate a ton...including an entire can of pineapple that he worked so hard using the spork to help him eat it.
After lunch he had ball climbing into and out of the little green chair that Mimee had in the living room.
He had fun climbing in and out of the rocking chair too....they were both a perfect size for him.

We all had fun watching him play in the living room while we visited with Mimee.
Here is Jack "clowning around"!
This pose didn't last long...you can tell in his face that he is scheming up what he is going to get into next.
A group shot before we head back to Baton Rouge.
Glad Jack was comfy in the back seat...Brian and I didn't have much room to nap.

Resting up in the Sun

Jack and Papa had breakfast together every morning. This breakfast started out with Jack having dry cereal but once he tasted Papa's with milk...you know how that ended....with coffee milk of course!

Jack had fun playing with Aunt Kathy...can't say what they were doing here...but looks like fun.
It was finally pool time and it took awhile for Jack to warm up to the water but after that he loved floating around and playing with his pool toys.
I love his little flippers in this picture. After the float Jack thought it was so fun to watch Papa swim under water...the anticipation of him popping out was oh so fun.
Swimming like a fish worked up an appetite so a picnic of goldfish with Bebe was perfect to refuel.
The picnic continued with Papa...looks like he needed some goldfish to give him some energy after swimming all those laps.

The Big Easy

Grandma and Grandpa Relle with Blake came to pick Jack and I up from Hotel Montego for a day of fun in the French Quarter.

We had lunch in the River Walk Food Court. Jack loved looking at all the people milling around.
After lunch we headed to the Aquarium where we all know Jack loved looking at the fish (and people!).
Grandma pointed out all the fish to Jack.
And so did Grandpa!
I was nervous nelly about Jack running around with all the people so Bijorn it was til Uncle Blake rescued him by carrying him.
That way they could play on the frog...
With the seahorse...
The Seal and Starfish...
and the Whale!

The aquarium was just big enough that Jack was starting to get ready for a nap-and so were the rest of us after chasing him around.
But we had to get a snack of cold ice cream on the way to the car in the River Walk.

Back at the house before laying down for his nap Jack played a bit more.
Sadly it was time to say good-bye to Grandma, Grandpa, and Blake.

Hotel Montego

Saturday morning Jack quickly started helping Papa work on the pool so that it would be ready for them to swim in after our trip to New Orleans.

Jack got on the phone with his Dad and had a ton to say about how since he wasn't there Jack had to step up and take care of the manual labor around the house.

After a good morning nap Jack got dressed and was waiting patiently for his Uncle Eric and his friend Britney to get there to play with him.

It didn't take long for Jack and Uncle Eric to warm up to each other and start having fun!

Jack talked Uncle Eric into walking with him on the steps of the pool. I think Eric was kinda nervous about this game.

I think this was more up both their alleys.

It was great spending time with Uncle Eric...hope he is having fun on his trip to Hawaii.
When we got to New Orleans Jack didn't pay too much attention to Gabriella because there was a new place to explore...but he would check in every now and then to see how she was doing.

It was hard to keep Jack still for long enough to take the picture....but Gabriella was always there, ready to smile.
This was the typical scene...Jack on the move, Gus not far behind him, and Gabriella looking for some love and attention in all the hussle bussle.
Bedtime came and this was Jack's second place to rest his head...but not the last. No one got much sleep because of all the wee ones crying, stirring, and well....being babies. Hotel Montego was a tired place to be Sunday morning!
No hard feelings for a rough night...Gabriella and Jack kissed each other good-bye the next day til next time (well-Jack kissed Gabby...she wasn't too into it)
Gabriella and I...can't wait to see her again this Summer...she is growing up too fast (sounds familiar huh?!?).

Callin' on Baton Rouge

Friday afternoon Nick took Jack and I to the airport for our trip to see Papa C and Bebe.

On a side note- looks like a good set up for a backpacking vacation huh?!? We could take Jack back to his roots in Italy...anyone want to sponsor this educational trip?!?
Papa surprised Jack by being on our flight from Dallas to New Orleans.

"Jack are you sure you are supposed to be on this flight...small world huh?!"

Waiting for the plane to take off Jack and Dad emptied the magazine pocket, refilled it, and repeat that about a million times. Barf bags included. Anything to keep him contained.
Here is Jack milk drunk after his bottle from take off. Not long after Papa and I were drunk too having to chug our adult beverages because drinks and a baby on a plane are not a good mix...no relaxing here....he was good....but really, really active.
The car seat was another adventure....with no manual, in 800 degree weather, we had to wing it until we got home and were able to look up the directions on how to install it. Only in Louisiana...pretty sure it wouldn't pass inspection at the local Fire Department.

(Note: we would not have used it if it was not in snug and he made it to Baton Rouge in one piece where that night the seat was installed correctly for future car trips)

Mommy and Me Mondays @ the Arboretum

Monday Jack and I joined Olivia and Karen for a Mommy and Me Outing at the Arboretum. They have a theme each week...this week was Police. Out in the Pecan Grove there was a petting zoo, Police Motorcycle, Police Car, Face Painting, Professional Pictures, Crafts, a Creative Movement Class, and Kindermusik Class-all of which were included in your admission. The kiddos enjoyed the Petting Zoo, exploring the Police Vehicles, and sorta participated in the 2 classes...the other stuff was either too advanced (crafts), too messy (face painting), or an extra cost (portraits). The day was pretty hot, but it was great to spend time in such a beautiful setting with my little man and our friends. We even ran into Lindsey and Hannah from our first Mom and Me group...we hadn't seen them since last Summer.

Olivia and Jack checking out the animals.
Jack wasn't big on petting...but did observe the animals from afar.
Guess I have created a monster by always tending to his hair-all he wanted to do with the goat brushes was comb his own hair!
Jack and Olivia had fun playing in the back of the Cop car. Nick told Jack that was his first and LAST time he better be in the back seat of a Cop car.
The Creative Movement class was a bit advanced but Jack liked to dance, clap his hands, and watch all the big kids exercise.
Isn't he perfect?!?
Little Miss O had been up since 6ish (Jack slept til 8:30) and so with them not having a morning nap it was time to chill on the blanket, have a snack, and regroup.
Picnics are always fun (but a workout too)!
Listening to the Kindermusik teacher.
When we got to the arboretum the ticket booth ladies said no balls allowed...well...as you can see-We got busted! j/k
The Police were very nice, couldn't believe that they didn't allow balls in the Arboretum, and gave the kids their own Police badges.
After Kindermusik we thought about putting the strollers down and attempting for us to get some exercise in hopes that the kids would nap but decided it wasn't worth the possibility of the kids melting down so back to the burbs we headed.



Nick and I are planning on becoming members to the Aroborteum in the Fall so that we can enjoy it for all 4 Seasons. It was a great start of a week and I can't wait to see the pictures from Karen's camera from the day...Hint! Hint!