Mardi Gras

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy Mardi Gras!

Brad, my Dad and I have been going to Mardi Gras for several years now. This year we took wee little Camden. Yes, I know, it's crazy to take a 6 month old to Mardi Gras, right? But we kept thinking how many beads and good loot we could get with such a stinkin' cute kid! Okay, that was only part of it. We also didn't want to leave him at home for that long. I mean really, the kid is advanced for his age, but he just can't change his diaper or fix his bottle, yet! No, you know what I mean. So we packed up an overnight bag for us, approximately 40 onesies, sleepers & outfits for Camden (you have to change your clothes a lot when your that cool/spit up constantly), and ALL of Camden's play gear. Seriously, we had to have a UHaul for all the baby gear we took to New Orleans. Okay, we didn't really take a UHaul, but we should have. The Expedition was definitely packed to the gills! We took: a pack 'n play (yes, I know the hotel has them, but ours has a bassinet, diaper changer, music & a vibrator), bouncy seat, travel swing, musical gym/playmat, the car seat, the travel stroller, the brand new umbrella stroller, 10 bottles, a collapsable bottle rack, a large bottle of dish soap, 1 bottle brush, 1 Huge Ass Can of Formula & 8 packs of applesauce & 6 travel spoons. Overkill? Yes. Did we use it all? No. Was it our 1st trip with a 6 month old in tow? YES! We definitely learned a lot about traveling with a baby. Namely, we can leave most of that stuff at home. But Camden did awesome. He only had one major melt down (when we went to dinner at his bedtime) and one fretful night (after sleeping in the car all day and then missing his bedtime routine). Oh, and it turns out that Mardi Gras parades are entirely too loud for babies. Damn those Shriners and their souped up dune buggies, and Damn those Marching Bands! So at his first big Mardi Gras Parade, right there on Canal Street, Camden had a mini meltdown before the first float even rolled by. But not to worry, he still scored plenty of cool loot. People on balconies on Bourbon Street thought Camden was super cute and threw him stuff. Yes, it was the middle of the day. No, we didn't take our baby into bars. Except Pat O'Brien's. But he was passed out (I mean asleep). We didn't give him any alcoholic drinks, either, except one Hand Grenade. All in all it was a more laid back Mardi Gras than we are used to, but we still had fun. Next year will be even more fun when Camden won't be scared of the noise and is big enough to sit in a ladder chair!
Dad, Mr. Cool & me in a little park at the front of the French Market. A cool band was playing and there was lots of interesting people/baby watching. This trip was Camden's first exposure to other babies and he found them fascinating! Oh and these awesome sunglasses were a parade throw.

Cousin Tony & Crew in front of the Cornstalk Fence House. If y'all have been to New Orleans, y'all know what I'm talking about. http://www.cornstalkhotel.com/our_history.htm

Yes, I know I look hideous in this picture, but it was the only family photo we got.

Brad feeding Camden in front of the Cornstalk Fence. Nothing gets in the way of that kid and mealtime, not even a photo opp!

Dad drinking an Abita Restoration Ale (because they didn't have Purple Haze- the nerve) out of a brown paper bag at this cool place on Magazine, Ignatius Eatery. Turns out St. Ignatius Loyola was the Spanish founder of the Jesuits and has four universities named after him, including Loyala University New Orleans, which is right next door to Tulane.

Dad eating his Roast Beef Po'Boy, which was their version of a debris po'boy and super tasty.

Camden in the umbrella stroller, and my Huge Pina Coloda Daquiri in the foreground.

Camden has been eating 1st foods for about a month. This was the first time he wanted to hold the spoon and attempted to feed himself. Such a clever boy!

Me & Cutie Pie & the aforementioned Daquiri.

Happy Mardi Gras! Throw me something Mister!