Nola Girl

Dear Jane: Big Lights Will Inspire You

2012-01-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Jane,

Let's hear it for New York! Tomorrow, Daddy and I are taking you on a trip to New York City. There you will get to see your Nana, Uncle Barn and Aunt Alissa, Uncle Tommy and Aunt Jen, and Aunt Marie again. You have grown so much since you last saw them. You will also get to meet your Uncle Gabe and Aunt Liz, Uncle Trevor and Aunt Alexis, and Aunt Kat. Most exciting, you will get to meet your brand new cousin, Connor. I get butterflies in my tummy when I think about how special it will be for you to meet all of these wonderful people. I love that your world, which is already so full of love, will grow even more full.

Janey, New York is a place you have to experience to truly understand it. It is a magical wonderland that comes alive the second your feet hit the ground. It's hard to describe, little one. When you walk the streets of New York, you can feel the energy of the city running through you. From Central Park to the Highline and from Fifth Avenue to Bleecker Street your eyes will dance with the lights of the city. I cannot wait for you to get to experience it for the first time. I know you will never remember this trip, but we will always remember your it.

There is no place in the world more inspiring than New York. I can't wait to see your sweet face light up when you see it!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Trendy Wednesday - Bathing Beauty

2012-01-25T17:24:00.000-05:00

In my opinion there is nothing more wonderful than a long hot bath. Since having Jane, I have taken baths as often as possible. I love my time with her, but every once in a while I take advantage of daddy/daughter time and sneak off to enjoy a moment of solitude. Here are a few tips I have found helpful in creating the best bath time experience.

Bubbles

Who doesn't love the luxury of a bubble bath? With the Laura Mercier almond coconut honey milk bath, you simply swirl the honey dipper into the product and place under running bath water. The scent is divine!

Laura Mercier's Almond Coconut Milk Honey Bath

Bath Salts

A bath is the perfect time to exfoliate your skin. If you're taking time to relax and renew your soul, you might as well renew your body's glow! This product pairs so well with the milk bath mentioned above.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub

Candles

I like to turn the bathroom lights off and light a candle or two. Their glow is so peaceful, and they add another dimension of fragrance. My candle of choice is the Capri Blue Jar Candle in Volcano. It has the essences of sugared oranges, limes, lemons, and tropical fruits. It reminds me of being in a spa in Mexico or the Bahamas. The second it starts burning, I drift away to a tropical paradise.

Capri Blue Jar Candle in Volcano

Rolled Towel

For ultimate comfort, I like to roll a hand towel into a pillow to rest my head on. I recently went to the Ritz Carlton spa here in New Orleans care of a birthday gift from my parents. It is truly the most wonderful, heavenly place in town. There is absolutely nothing softer than their towels. Next time I'm there, I'm going to get some from their spa store. You can get them online if you don't have one nearby.

Ritz Carlton Plush Hand Towel

Lotion

I have not always been a fan of lotion. I found it would leave me feeling sticky and oily. And then I discovered Bliss Spa's Vanilla and Bergamot Body Butter. I would lather this stuff on ten times a day if I could afford to. It has all the creaminess of other butters but leaves your skin feeling light and soft. There is certainly a fragrance to it, but it is never over powering. It's the perfect end to your bath.

Bliss Vanilla and Bergamot Body Butter

Comfy PJs

Right before I had Jane, I stopped by the intimates shop, Basics Underneath, around the corner from our house to pick out sleepwear for my post-delivery hospital stay. The best advice they gave me was to find something colorful rather than something black. The store owner said that while black is often thought of as the more flattering option, something colorful adds vibrancy and joy to your whole outlook. I left with a fabulous turquoise knit gown and this adorable Missoni-inspired robe. It is incredibly comfortable and so playful. I was so happy I chose something I really loved that I could wear in the delivery room and enjoy slipping on after each relaxing bath I get to enjoy!

Of course there is no bath time better than Jane's. What is it about baby baths that are absolutely adorable. After her baths, I snuggle Jane up in her ducky robe, and we rock in her glider until she is warm and cozy. I think it is my favorite Jane activity.

Do you have any favorite bath time suggestions?

Girls Night In

2012-01-23T17:46:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that after my maternity leave ends and I go back to work I will not feel this way, but for the last few weeks, I can honestly say that Monday is my favorite day of the week. While I love our time spent as a family, there's something very special about the time I spend alone with Jane. After busy weekends, Mondays seem to give the two of us a quiet time to catch up.

Mondays also give the two of us two reasons to stay in, cuddle up together on the couch, and get our fill of girly drama.

I know its stale and they keep reusing the same "characters" over and over again, but I cannot help but watch The Bachelor. Even when I'm not really enthralled with the candidates, it sucks me in. And two weeks ago, without fail, I surrendered my Monday evenings to Bachelor Ben and his lovely ladies.

DSS should probably come and take Jane for me subjecting her to this kind of television, but I take it as a learning opportunity and tell her things like "Janey, you do not need to measure your worth by a man," "Janey, rather than tear down other women, let's try to build them up," and finally, "Janey, if Mommy knows you are accepting a key to anything called a fantasy suite you better believe I will be on the next plane there to drag you from that den of sin!"

After wrapping up two hours of dates and rose ceremonies, I then quickly turn to my favorite network, Bravo, to watch the drama of Beverly Hills unfold. I imagine tonight's finale will be incredibly sad as the ladies talk about the passing of Russell, Taylor's husband. It has been very interesting to see how they have treated that very sensitive subject this season. I hope for her that after this episode airs, she can find some closure in this chapter of her life. I also think this episode will be filled with joy as a result of Pandora's nuptials. I am sure that Lisa will stop at nothing to make it the grandest celebration in all of Beverly Hills.

Will you be watching either of these guilty pleasures? What's your guiltiest of television pleasures?

Trendy Wednesday - Ballet Flats

2012-01-18T15:53:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, I started getting cramps in my feet every few days. I figured it was a result of wearing ridiculously high pumps to work. I was willing to suffer for fashion until I found that the cramps were waking me up in the middle of the night. While I wasn't ready to give up on the addition four inches of height that my heels provided, I did decide to wear a pair of flats every so often. The good news is that designers are creating flats with so much character and charm that they really can add something sweet to an outfit. And as a girl who took ballet for most of her life, I have to say that there's something special about throwing on a pair of ballet flats that takes me back to my dancing days.

Here are a few pairs that I am loving...

Steve Madden Karisma Blush Suede Flats

I love the blush tone and the sweet little diamond bows!

Me Too Kaden Flat

I love this two-toned pair. They feel very Chanel without the hefty price tag!

Sam Edelman Cadence Flat

I love ankle straps on any shoes, but on ballet flats, I find them pure perfection.

Anthropologie's En Pointe Flats

Again, I am drawn to the ankle strap flat.

Kate Spade Tasha

The color combo of apple green and navy is just adorable. These would add the perfect pop of color to jeans and a white tee.

Tory Burch Cheetah Reva Flat

This pair covers two trends in one - ballet flats and animal prints!

Burberry Check Print Flat

This would be my big splurge pair. I love the belt details. The handbag that matches these is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

I think Jane will love all of these when she gets to be a big girl, but for now, she seems pretty happy in her ballet flat tights!

Tasty Tuesdays: Honey-Glazed Pork with Wilted Greens

2012-01-17T20:46:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that Jane turned 8 weeks old yesterday. Most days I feel like we were just seeing her ultrasound image for the first time. When I found out I was pregnant last spring, I promised myself that I would try to be as healthy as possible throughout my pregnancy. I ate well, drank a lot of water, and did something active daily until I was about 37 weeks. I was lucky in that my weight gain was relatively low, and I lost most of it right after Jane's delivery. Within the first few weeks, I had shed the 27 pounds I gained while pregnant. Now, comes the tough part. I need to lose the ten to fifteen pounds I had been promising myself I would lose before getting pregnant. Because of a post-delivery complication, I have been unable to exercise. So eating healthy has been my main focus. Recently, I've been eating bananas for breakfast, salads for lunch, and trying to have a lean protein paired with veggies for dinner. I love this recipe for honey-glazed pork with wilted greens because it is an easy to prepare meal that is both flavorful and colorful. I find that a plate appears boring makes me feel like I am missing out on eating what I really want, but when I see a plate full of color, I am more excited about dinner. I hope you find this dish tasty and satisfying. (And I hope that I find the motivation to keep on keeping on and lose a few pounds each week so I go back to work and enter tax season feeling great!)

Honey-Glazed Pork with Greens

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
4 tablespoons raw honey
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon plus 4 teaspoons olive oil
1 3/4 pounds pork tenderloin (about 2)
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced lengthwise into thin strips
1/2 head escarole, cut into 2-inch strips
1/2 pound spinach, washed well

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon mustard, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, garlic, rosemary, and 2 teaspoons oil.
Place pork tenderloins in a shallow baking dish; pour glaze over pork, turning to coat evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; season with pepper.
Roast in oven, spooning glaze over pork occasionally, until thickest part of pork reaches 155 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; let rest until pork reaches 160 degrees, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, make vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons honey, 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 teaspoon mustard. Whisk until honey is dissolved. Slowly whisk in 1 tablespoon oil until emulsified. Whisk in any accumulated cooking juices from baking dish, if desired.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Add fennel, escarole, spinach, and a splash of water; cook until greens are slightly wilted, about 1 1/2 minutes.
Add vinaigrette and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to pan, stirring just to coat greens, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat; divide among four serving plates. Slice pork about 1/2 inch thick; arrange alongside greens. Serve immediately.

Golden Girls - My Favorites from the Golden Globes

2012-01-16T20:32:00.000-05:00

Jane and I had our first mother/daughter awards show night last night. I think she loved it as much as I did. Like most people we enjoyed Ricky Gervais's witty puns and the winners touching speeches, but we were really in it for the fashion!

Here are my favorite looks...

IN THE NUDE

From head to toe, she is my winner. I thought she was just so perfectly styled.

I loved the color of Jessica Alba's gown. I couldn't find a close up, but her earrings were to die for!

I know that the nude color washes her out, but this dress is just glamorous. If I was getting married, I think I would want my wedding gown to look just like this but in a cream color.

PUMP UP THE VOLUME

While I don't love her purple hair, I do love this dress. The shoulders look great on her frame and accent her narrow waist.

She absolutely wins "best train." I love the shape and texture of the gown!

LADIES IN RED

I think this is the best she has looked in a long time. The dress pops off the carpet and is perfectly accented by her red lips and satin bag. Gorgeous!

You'd never know that she once headlined the wrestling circuit. I thought she looked classy and stunning in this dress. I'm hoping their relationship lasts through the rest of award season so we can continue to see her in dresses like this one!

Not at All Saints Day

2012-01-15T17:32:00.000-05:00

Well, yesterday was simply not our day. It's hard to win a game when you turn the ball over five times. I applaud the Saints for hanging in there and coming about a minute and a half away from giving us one dramatic victory.

I think we're all stick in a bit of shock after the defeat. Getting us through the close of this year is the faithful anthem "there's always next year." And the thing is that next year our fair city will be hosting the NFL's biggest game. I think we are primed to be the first team to host and play in a Superbowl. Next year is certainly worth waiting for!!

Here's a few pics of the best little Saints fan in Who Dat Nation...

Baby, it's cold outside!

2012-01-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

After a warm week last week, Mother Nature has brought us some chilly weather for the weekend. While summer clothes are fun and flirty, there is something about winter clothing that feels so elegant and timeless. These are two looks I saw on Pinterest that I am dying over. They make me want this weather to stick around for a while!

Isn't this coat gorgeous?! I would love to know who makes it if anyone has any ideas!!

Link

This look is so simple and so put together. And her hair is spectacular.

The other thing I love about winter is how cute Jane looks all snuggled up in her "Snug as a Bug" sack.

Hope you find something stylish or snuggly to keep you warm!

Tasty Tuesdays: Lemon Wedge Jello Shots

2012-01-03T21:41:00.000-05:00

Photo and Recipe Courtesy of E is for Eat

I don't know about yall, but all I can think about is the sports week ahead of us here in New Orleans. It all starts tonight with the Sugar Bowl. There are tons of Michigan and Virginia Tech fans swarming the city. I love watching all of the coverage of sporting events hosted here. The city always looks its very best.

By this weekend, there will be black and gold as far as the eye can see. The Saints take on the Lions Saturday night on prime time in the wild card playoff game. I spent the evening adding a little black and gold flourish to a gold sequin fedora I plan to wear to the game. Who dat!!!!

And on Monday, the most hyped rematch in college football history will pair LSU against Alabama. It'll be a home game for the bayou bengals. Geaux Tigers!

With all of these visions of tailgates dancing in my head, I could not help but share a clever twist on a tailgating staple - the jello shot. First of all, the presentation couldn't be cuter, and the thought of turning a traditional lemon jello shot up a notch by using sweet tea vodka or whipped cream vodka is just fantastic!

Lemon Meringue or Arnold Palmer Jello Shots

Use lemon peels as vessels for two delicious lemon jello shot combinations.

Ingredients

6-10 lemons (depending on size)
1 (3 ounce) package of lemon jello (I used sugar free)
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup vodka (use whipped cream vodka for lemon meringue, use sweet tea vodka for Arnold Palmers, or use citrus vodka for classic lemon drops)**
1/4 cup cold water*
*to make stronger shots, use a full cup of vodka and omit the cold water

Instructions

Cut each lemon in half, and carefully juice them without tearing the peel. (Save the juice for another recipe or a marinade).

Hollow out each half, taking care not to puncture the peel. Place the halves in a muffin pan to help keep them stabilized while setting.

Make the jello according to package directions, except in place of the cup of cold water, substitute 3/4 cup of whipped cream vodka (for lemon meringue) or sweet tea vodka (for Arnold Palmers), along with 1/4 cup of cold water. Transfer to something with a pouring spout (such as a liquid measuring cup) to make for easier filling. Fill each lemon half and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Once the jello is completely set, use a sharp knife to slice into wedges and serve.

**(Note: the photos are of the Lemon Meringue flavor. Because of the "tea" color of the sweet tea vodka, the Arnold Palmers will have more of a golden/reddish hue to them).

Jane's Newborn Photo Session with Twirl Photography

2012-01-02T17:58:00.000-05:00

Well, hello blogger! I have missed you. My computer decided to take a winter break and freeze (literally) to death. You know when you see that rainbow circle swirling around that you're in trouble. It was stuck in limbo for the last ten days. We finally figured out how to solve the problem, and I feel so relieved to have access to the world of blogging again.

I have been meaning to share some of Jane's photos from her newborn photo session with the lovely, talented, and wonderfully patient Jennifer Zdon of Twirl Photography. Jennifer spent three hours with us on Jane's fifth day of life to help us document how sweet those early moments are. Jennifer has a way of soothing a baby into the most peaceful and restful sleep and also making moms and dads feel completely at ease during the session. She captured moments of Jane that we will treasure forever. Jane has grown so much already since her session making me so incredibly grateful to Jennifer for the time she spent with our family. I cannot wait for her to join us again when Jane turns six months old!!

This is Jane's birth announcement photo!

Jane in the blanket her Nana made for her.

Jane and her Daddy

Jane and her Mommy

I will never have to forget just how small her little finger were...

I could look at these all day!

To check out more of Jennifer's photos, please visit her website http://www.twirlphotography.com/

Tasty Tiger Treats

2012-01-02T17:23:00.000-05:00

My sister has been busy in the kitchen baking up cake balls for some LSU Tiger fans who are already planning their tailgates for next week's BCS Championship.

Here in New Orleans and looking for the perfect thing to bring to your tailgate? Checkout her facebook page for flavor options and ordering information!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanies-Cake-Balls/161938160520601

Holiday Dishes: Sparkling Sugar Cranberry Brie Bites

2011-12-15T21:22:00.001-05:00

Photo and recipe courtesy of Yummy Mummy Kitchen

I have found Pinterest to be the best holiday planning tool! The number of amazing and creative ideas people post on there are too many to count. I saw this one and thought it was a beautiful presentation that feels so festive! And who doesn't love the decadence of brie at the holidays?!

Just add a glass of champagne and you have a very fancy start to any holiday party!

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites

makes about 16

Sugared Cranberries

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup good maple syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.

Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.

16 crackers

8 oz Brie cheese

cranberry chutney or cranberry relish

fresh mint for garnish

Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Tasty Tuesdays: Pecan Sandies

2011-12-06T19:17:00.000-05:00

I mentioned a few posts back that we have been thinking about ideas for traditions that we could start with Jane. Traditions have always been very important in my family, and Mark and I are so excited to create new ones. Recently, I saw on a blog post an idea that I fell in love with. The blogger and her family spend Christmas Eve baking cookies for Santa. Every person got to pick their favorite cookie to make for ole Saint Nick. I love the thought of a family filled kitchen!!

Even though we still have a few weeks until Christmas Eve arrives, I have been scrouing the web for cookie recipes that sound perfect for the occasion. After going through several "cookie of the day" options on Martha Stewart's website, I arrived at one for Pecan Sandies that sounded delicious and easy to prepare. Even more perfect, I currently have all of these ingredients in my fridge and pantry - and you probably do too. I love a recipe that is full of flavor but has basic, always-in-the-cupboard, ingredients. I think this might be my cookie choice for 2011!!

Pecan Sandies

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined. Fold in pecans.
Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, and place on two baking sheets, 2 inches apart. With the dampened bottom of a glass, lightly flatten each ball.
Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer to wire racks, and let cool.

Do you have any Christmas traditions that you love?

Dear Jane: Welcome to the World

2011-12-05T19:08:00.000-05:00

Dear Jane,

It has been two whole weeks since we welcomed you into our world. In some ways it seems like just yesterday, and in others, its hard to remember our lives without you. I thought I'd tell you the story of the day/night we welcomed you into the world.

On Sunday, November 20th, I woke up feeling not much different than I had the day before. I felt achy in my lower back and hips, a lot of weightiness in those areas as well, and I was growing more and more anxious to deliver. As we got closer to my 41 week mark, I was getting nervous that I would not go into spontaneous labor and would have to be induced. There's nothing wrong with that, but I was truly hoping it would happen on its own.

So we woke up Sunday morning, and we decided to walk until I could walk no more. When walking, I would actually have contractions. Once I was rested - none! So daddy and I walked for an hour and took a break. Then grandpa, grandpa and your aunt joined us for a walk to Laurel Street Bakery. More rest. A little football. Another walk around the neighborhood. We threw in some spicy Popeye's chicken for good measure.

Finally, around five thirty, daddy and mommy went for one last walk. We walked for a little over an hour, and I had random mild contractions throughout the walk but nothing constant. So, we stopped into Whole Foods to pick up a few things for dinner. About five minutes after we got home, I heard a little "pop" and felt a sudden gush of fluid. I ran to daddy and shouted "I think my water just broke!"

At that point, we started rushing around to prepare ourselves for the trip to the hospital. Daddy straightened up the house and finished packing his bag. I showered, dried and straightened my hair, and put on make up. About halfway through doing these things, my contractions were strengthening and increasing in intensity so I told daddy we had to go - NOW!!

Daddy very patiently drove us to the hospital after asking our friends and neighbors to look after Beignet. By this point, my contractions were becoming unbearable. I wanted an epidural more than I've wanted anything before. Even though we had called ahead and gotten directions to get us to the ER, we ended up in the wrong garage and had to turn around in a hurry! It was not funny then, but it's funny now to think about Daddy getting turned around.

Daddy dropped me off in the ER to get checked in around 8:15. By 8:30, they had checked me, and I was four to five centimeters dilated. Around ten to nine, they gave me my fluids and antibiotics and told me the epidural would be administered in about a half hour. I could not imagine having to bear the contractions for another 30 minutes, but sure enough that time indeed passed and the second the epidural came, I felt the kind of relief I've heard other moms talk about. Ahhhh...

My epidural had kicked in so I was feeling wonderful and very excited!!

I was checked again around 9:15 and was six cm and progressing rapidly, so we visited with grandma, grandpa, aunt S and uncle m. By about 10:30 when they checked me again, I was 8-9 cm. At that point, they showed me how to push and prepared me for what I would need to do once Dr. Champlin arrived. It was all happening so fast, I couldn't believe it.

I expected to be laboring into the wee hours of the morning, and instead, I was preparing to push! At around 12:15, I was complete, and I pushed through three contractions with the nurses. By 12:30, Dr. Champlin arrived and administered pushing through one contraction. Then I pushed through the next. And just before the next push he said "Let's meet this baby." It was a surreal moment. In just seconds I was going to push for the last time and see your sweet face and learn your gender.

I took a deep breath and before you know it you had arrived. What a truly magical moment. To see you for the first time took my breath away. Daddy said, "So... what is it?," and the nurse, nurse's aid, and Dr. Champlin called out in unison, "It's a girl!!!" We were speechless. We were both convinced you were a boy.

Love at first sight...

After I held you, they took you away for a bath and then gave you to daddy. To see him hold you was the most amazing moment of my life so far. It was the purest love I've ever seen and made me love daddy more than I ever thought possible. Neither of us had ever seen something as perfect as you, and we were in awe of your little face and fingers and toes. To say that you are a miracle is nothing short of the truth. We continue every day to be thankful for you, Baby Jane. To watch you grow is the greatest gift in the world.

Daddy's girl

Love you more each day,

Mommy and Daddy

I'm Thankful For...

2011-11-25T14:25:00.001-05:00

Ten Little Fingers

And Ten Little Toes

Two Bright Eyes

And One Button Nose

Sweet Baby Jane, there is nothing we have ever been more grateful for than you. Daddy and I love you and are so lucky that you have joined our family. I can't remember a day when I lived without you.

In thanksgiving for our many blessings,

Mommy and Daddy

Happy Birthday, Baby...

2011-11-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

At 12:42 on Monday, November 21st, we joyfully welcomed sweet Baby Jane into our family. She is absolutely perfect, and even though she has been in our lives for less than 24 hours, she has changed them forever. There is no love I have ever known that is more instantaneous than my love for her. And to see Mark hold his baby girl only strengthens my love for him.

From our little family, thank you for all of the well wishes. We cannot wait to share many wonderful memories with you.

Patiently Waiting...

2011-11-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

Dear Baby A,

We're trying so hard to wait patiently for your arrival. But we're starting to get more and more anxious about your arrival. I know it's warm and cozy in my belly, and it's a little chilly outside, but I promise we have a lovely little sweater for you and plenty of blankets to keep you warm. Please come and join us soon!

I thought this summed it up well!

40 Weeks: Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, Baby A

2011-11-16T10:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Baby A,

Today is your due date birthday! I really cannot believe that 40 weeks ago you were just a twinkle in our eyes. We are so very excited to meet you anytime you're ready.

Maternity Tee Via Fleurty Girl

Do you know that Mommy and Daddy found out about you on March 12th? Mommy had worked all day and met Daddy at the St. Patrick's Day parade. We watched the parade roll by and enjoyed all of the revelry that ensues at this annual celebration. On the way home, we stopped by Walgreens and picked up a pregnancy test. Sure enough, two lines later and Mommy and Daddy were joyously celebrating our good fortune. I think it was perfectly fitting for a Nola baby like yourself to announce your presence following a parade.

Today, Mommy will be attending a very fancy lunch hosted by the Captain of Daddy's parade. The lunch is for a few of the women who volunteered for the Krewe last year. I did the calligraphy for the Krewe's Mardi Gras Ball invitations, and I couldn't have been more honored to received such a gracious invitation. As much as I have wanted you to arrive, I think it's kind of special that you will be able to go to the lunch with me. There are so many things about New Orleans that I cannot wait to share with you, but Mardi Gras, with all of its festive traditions, is the one I am most excited about.

Some of my earliest and fondest memories take place along a parade route. If I close my eyes, I can see the exact movements and signals that indicate the parade will soon be passing before you. First, you begin to notice that the speed of the cotton candy/peanut vendors picks up. They are no longer casually passing by with their shopping carts filled with brightly colored spun sugar. Instead you see them walking faster and faster until they are almost jogging to get to a break in the crowd so that they can make way for the parade.

Then, from a distance you can hear a blurred "bloop-bloop" of a police siren. It's not a full round of the harmonious sound that their vehicles will soon make, but it's enough to let you know that they are nearing. And just like that the crowds start to push forward edging closer to the street. Everyone wants a good spot for the upcoming spectacle.

And just when my Daddy was fairly certain that my anticipation was about to boil over, I'd get an elevated seat on his shoulders so that I could excitedly inform the crowd around us I could see the parade in the distance.

Once seen in the distance, you can literally feel the parade coming. The parades open with a round of police sirens followed by either the horns of the Shriners or the drums of one of the city's finest marching bands. You start to feel the beat of the drums in the ground, and that is when you know - it's Mardi Gras Time!

Since the day we have found out about you, I have pictured you dressed in the cutest costume we can find (we already have a ducky costume for you) along the parade route. I imagine sharing the excitement I still feel every time those vendors start to move a little faster. I image seeing the spectacle through your little eyes and living the childlike fantasy that is Mardi Gras through you.

I imagine showing you just where Daddy is on his float and seeing your excitement as he hands you all of his most prized Krewe treasures. That is the moment I truly cannot wait for. To see your little face light up when you see your Daddy roll by will be the highlight of the season for me.

And the season feels like it is beginning now! And you will get to be a part of it.

Let's let the good times roll, Baby A.

You are our little Mardi Gras baby. We absolutely cannot wait to meet you soon. It's all we talk about. We love you to pieces and have so much to show you.

Enjoy these last few moments with Mommy and see you soon,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Pilgrim Hat Cookies

2011-11-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Woman's Day

Tomorrow is not just my due date, it is also my firm's annual Thanksgiving potluck luncheon. I have signed up to make one of my favorite holiday dishes, Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Bananas and Brown Sugar. I figured since by next week Baby A will likely be more of a priority than cooking a turkey dinner, I might as well take this opportunity to cook up my favorite recipe of the season.

However, when I saw these adorable (and hassle free) cookies, I almost caved and gave up on the whole cooking thing to bring these. They literally require assembly only and couldn't be more adorable. For anyone looking for an easy recipe with a great outcome, I think you've found THE ONE!

Recipe Ingredients

•16 chocolate wafer cookies (such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers)

•1 tube orange frosting with piping tips

•16 small peanut butter cups

Recipe Preparation

1. Place cookies on work surface; squeeze a dime-size dot of frosting in center of each

2. Unwrap and invert peanut butter cups on frosting, pressing down gently

3. Using the round piping tip, pipe a "hat-band" with frosting around peanut butter cup and a square "buckle."

Let frosting set before storing.

If you liked the idea of the recipe but want to add a slightly more homemade touch, here's a great recipe for chocolate wafer cookies...

Food Network's Crisp Chocolate Wafer Cookies

Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving?

Pink and Green Thursday: You Got to Put on That Party Dress

2011-11-10T12:52:00.000-05:00

There is a chill in the air today in New Orleans, and for the first time this fall, it feels like the holiday season is nearing. There is nothing more fun than planning for the holidays! With Baby A's arrival on the horizon, I haven't loaded my calendar with holiday parties and open houses, but it hasn't stopped me from web window browsing. Don't you just love shopping for that perfect holiday party dress?! I love the look of a simple dress in a great color paired with a sparkly broach or a statement necklace or that perfect pair of jewel toned heels.

To celebrate with Trish over at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover, I have picked out a few pink and green party dresses that would fill my closet with holiday cheer!

Abi Ferrin Nikki Five Way Dress

This dress could be dressed up or down, but I love that it would be perfectly appropriate for a work party. And like it says, it can be worn five ways!!! So you can get a lot of use out of it without feeling like you're always wearing the same thing.

BCBG Palais One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress

I love how this dress draws your eye in. For my body type (I have no waistline), that is essential.

Foley and Corinna Stretch Sik Dress

This dress is the perfect backdrop for a stunner of a statement necklace. A good dash of sparkle adds such a festive flare to any holiday outfit!

Kate Spade Blaine Silk Dress

I think Kate Spade is the master of creating a sophisticated but fun party look. I am in love with the color of this dress! And the bow is adorable.

Darcie Silk Dress

This little number just feels like Christmas to me. I wouldn't pair it with the tights shown here, but I would pair it with the very blingy heels below!!

Kate Spade Charm

I hope you have time to hop on over to Pink and Green Thursday!

Week 39: The Bond We've Shared

2011-11-09T13:06:00.000-05:00

Dear Baby A,

We are getting to the point in our journey where you could arrive any day now. While I cannot tell you how excited it makes me to think that we will get to see your perfect little face and hold your sweet little hands sometime soon, there are certainly things about having you in my tummy that I will miss.

Every Tuesday night for the last 34 weeks, right before we go to bed, I read to Daddy an update from Baby Center about how you're are growing inside of me. Each week we learn about what fruit or vegetable you are similar to in shape, weight, or length. Before we check on the week's fruit, we go through the progession of weeks and reminisce about just how tiny you once were. To think we started this lttle weekly routine when you were just a sesame seed is amazing. You were a blueberry when we told my mommy and daddy about you. You were a kumquat the week we first saw you and heard your heart beat. You were a lime when you turned 12 weeks and we got to the point where we could share our good news with the world. To think that you are now the size of a mini-watermelon is truly amazing.

Even though it just takes a few minutes to read all about what lies ahead for you in the coming week, that time has become the best part of my week. I love sharing it with Daddy. When we read your 39 week update last night, it occurred to me that it could be the last time we do this. And as excited as I am to meet you, I realized just how much I am going to miss keeping you with me every minute of every day.

I did not truly understand the bond between a mother and her child until I had the chance to hear the sound of your heartbeat. To realize that you were growing inside of me was miraculous. From that moment forward, I felt like your protector and your caretaker. I wanted nothing but to keep you safe and warm and completely secure. And just when I start to feel completely uncomfortable, I get a little kick from you, and I think about how much I am going to miss having you in my tummy. I am going to miss knowing just where you are and being able to shelter you from all of the things that could cause you harm.

So while I am definitely feeling ready, Baby A, I am also trying to appreciate every moment that we have together, just you and me. It has truly been the single greatest experience of my life to share the last 39 weeks with you. Each and every day I find myself wanting to be better and more selfless knowing that you are a part of me.

I feel so lucky to have had the chance to feel you move and kick and flip and grow. Even though we have not yet met, I feel like I know every little thing about you. Now, I cannot wait to share you with Daddy. There is nothing that makes me happier than to think of seeing him hold you for the first time. We both love you so much, and we want nothing more than to share that love with you.

Until you are ready to be in our arms, stay warm and cozy Baby A. We will see you soon!

All the love in the world,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesday: Voltaggio Brothers' Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apples

2011-11-08T09:50:00.000-05:00

Did anyone happen to catch The Voltaggios Take On: Thanksgiving on the Cooking Channel?

It was the first holiday cooking show I have seen this season, and despite the warm November we are having, it got me in the holiday spirit! I absolutely love this time of year. Whether we are preparing a big meal here at home, or whether we are spending Thanksgiving in NYC with Mark's family, there is no better way to give thanks than to spend time at a table sharing memories with family and friends.

Thanksgiving will be a bit different for us this year. Every other year, we spend Thanksgiving in Manhattan, and this was our year to do so. Baby A had other plans. Since Baby A is due November 16th, there is a chance that he or she will be here in enough time for us to have set holiday plans. If Baby A decides to stay warm and cozy in my tummy for a few extra days, we could be dining on hospital turkey and gravy rather than the Voltaggio's specialties. So we're already getting a taste of this "play it by ear" life we're about to begin.

Knowing that my taking part in preparing the Turkey Day feast won't really be an option, I am hoarding all of the delicious recipes I find for Christmas. I am thinking we'll do a dinner of roasted beef tenderloin, pommes puree, cornbread stuffing, and the Voltaggio's brussels sprouts.

I was certainly not a brussels sprouts fan growing up, but a few years back I tried a perfect version of roasted brussels, and I fell in love. They still had that strong somewhat bitter taste I remember hating, but the roasting process had allowed them to caramelize and take on a rich and buttery flavor too. The version the Voltaggios prepared sounds just lovely with the addition of the onions and apples and the smokiness of the bacon. i think it'll be a real treat and a very colorful addition to our meal.

If only we didn't have to wait until December to try it!!

Ingredients:

For the sherry-Dijon vinaigrette:

8 1/2 fl. oz. canola oil

6 fl. oz. extra-virgin olive oil

3 1/2 fl. oz. sherry vinegar

2 Tbs. Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Kosher salt, to taste

For the Brussels Sprouts:

2 lb. brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise

8 oz. double-smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium yellow onion, julienned

2 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 green apples, peeled and sliced

3 fresh thyme sprigs

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:To make the vinaigrette, in a blender, combine the canola oil, olive oil, vinegar and mustard and blend until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Set the vinaigrette aside.

Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Salt the water so it tastes like seawater. Fill a large bowl or casserole dish with equal amounts of cold water and ice to create an ice bath.

Add the brussels sprouts to the boiling water and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes; do not cook too long or they will lose their bright green color. Remove the brussels sprouts from the water and shock them in the ice bath to stop the cooking. Let the brussels sprouts stand in the ice bath until cool, then remove them and set aside.

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook until the fat renders and the bacon crisps, about 7 minutes. Add the onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and let it melt, then add the apples and thyme sprigs. Toss to coat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the blanched brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sprouts are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.

Drizzle half of the vinaigrette over the brussels sprouts and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately. Pass the remaining vinaigrette alongside. Serves 4 to 6.

Have you started planning your holiday menus yet?

Got Milk?

2011-11-05T22:38:00.000-04:00

For my birthday, my sister gave me one of the best cookbooks I've read in a long time. If you are someone who enjoys reading a cookbook for its content and not just its recipes, this one's for you. Baking is indeed a science, and Christina Tosi makes a great science teacher. It's the perfect cookbook for this time of year when baking just comes naturally.

The best part - there's an entire section on crack pie. I sampled some this spring when I visited NYC and it is incredible!!!!! It's dangerous to think I could have it at my finger tips any time I felt like making it!!!

38 Weeks: The Nursery is Complete

2011-11-04T11:22:00.002-04:00

Dear Baby A,

This Wednesday, Mommy turned 38 weeks and 31 years old all on the same day. Daddy and Beignet woke me up and announced that there were several birthday surprises in store for me. When I went into the kitchen, Daddy had a bouquet of balloons and a bouquet of flowers waiting to greet me. On the kitchen counter he had two beautifully wrapped gifts. The first was a Flip camera. I was so excited to have something that we can use to record all of your special moments. The second box contained Mommy's push/birthday/likely every other holiday gift - a lovely baby bag. Daddy was so excited about showering you and me with treasures and with love on my special day.

Just when I thought I had opened up all of my gifts, Daddy said that we had to go upstairs. As I walked into your nursery, I found the most wonderful surprise. Daddy had had a handy man come by and hang up all of your drapes. He also ordered the chandelier that matched your furniture and had that hung as well. You wouldn't believe how much those two things make your room come alive. We spent the next 30 minutes just sitting in your room talking about how excited we are to know that you are going to be joining our family any day now. I cannot wait to bring you home and sit with you in this special place that Daddy made for us.

I love the chandelier!!!!

Baby A's bookshelf is already filled with treasures

Baby A's crib

The dresser/changing table

The glider with Beignet standing guard

Baby A's sleep sheep and horsey toy chest

I think the Moses basket will make the perfect place to store stuffed animals!

Quote of the morning from Daddy: "That looks like a nice place to put a dirty diaper." I love it! I think it'll be the perfect match to our red stroller!

There's only one more gift left to receive, and that's you little one. We cannot wait until you arrive!!! It is all we think about and all we talk about each and every day. You have the best Daddy in the whole world, and I look forward to the day when we get to celebrate your birth.

Lots of love, and we'll see you soon!!!!

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Tuscan Chickpea Soup

2011-11-01T23:05:00.000-04:00

We spent most of the day Sunday preparing low calorie freezable meals that we could simply defrost and reheat once we bring Baby A home. I wanted dishes that would be flavorful but that would also help me get on track with Weight Watchers fairly soon after I deliver. We made a ground turkey and red bean chili, slow cooked pork loin with tomatoes and mushrooms, lentil soup with turkey sausage, and one of my trusty old WW favorites - Tuscan Chickpea Soup.

I have made this soup several times, and each time I am amazed by how this combination of simple ingredients creates such a filling and delicious soup. The addition of the balsamic vinegar brings the perfect zing to the dish. Pair this with some warm crusty bread, and voila!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onion
8 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water
1 teaspoon minced fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the water and the next 5 ingredients (water through tomatoes), and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
Place 2 cups soup in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Pour the pureed soup into a bowl. Repeat procedure with 2 cups soup. Return all pureed soup to pan. Stir in the vinegar, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Spoon 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 6 bowls; sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Do you have any freezable meals tips or ideas?

Weeks 36 and 37 - Traditions

2011-10-31T23:09:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Can you believe you will be here in just a few weeks?!?! You are going to be arriving just in time for the holidays - Mommy's very favorite time of year. We have been talking a lot about our plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it has led to many chats about what traditions we have and what traditions we hope to start with you.

You are being born into a family that has a strong sense of tradition. In fact, just the other day, my mommy shared one of her family's traditions with us. In her family, the first harvest of the season was tasted by any expecting mothers that year. My mom and dad saved the first satsuma from their fall crop for me, and after I had the first taste, we all shared in the delicious fruit. It was such a special tradition to get to experience, and it made me even more excited about continuing and creating traditions with you.

The new tradition Mommy and Daddy have decided to start this Christmas ties into one of my favorite family traditions that has lasted for as long as I can remember. Each Christmas Eve, my Daddy reads The Polar Express to us, and each and every Christmas it is as beautiful as the first time he read it. It is truly my favorite moment of the entire holiday season. We thought that to make that tradition something we could share with you, each Christmas Eve, we will gift to you a silver sleigh bell. I hope that each year, you will treasure hearing the retelling of the Polar Express and that each year the sound of the silver sleigh bell will provide you with a wonderful sense of love and warmth and holiday cheer.

We truly cannot wait to meet you and hold you and start a lifetime of traditions with you. It brings us such incredible joy to know that your arrival is just around the corner. And just in time to give thanks and share the blessings of the holiday season. I couldn't think of a more perfect gift!

We love you to pieces!!

Mommy and Daddy

New Orleans - My Inspiration for Spontaneity

2011-10-24T22:10:00.000-04:00

I would say that spontaneous is certainly not an adjective I would use to describe myself. I am the kind of person that adds "create to do list" to my to do list. I like order and consistency and to have a plan for everything. Lately, with the impending arrival of Baby A, I have been preparing to cope with the realization that certainty and planning may be a thing of the past.

In an attempt to squeeze every minute out of one of our last pre-baby weekends, I prepared an itinerary of fun Saturday activities. We would wake up early and head to Cafe du Monde for coffee and donuts. Then we'd walk over to Anthropologie to pick up a few hostess gifts. Then we'd go to Orient Expressed to cash in a groupon we had. Finally, we'd pass by the pumpkin patch in Claiborne and Jefferson to pick up a few festive porch decorations.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the ~~forum~~ Quarter. When we couldn't find a parking spot in the lot behind Cafe du Monde, we decided to park closer to Esplanade. And it was there that we saw what appeared to be the start of a parade. We had a choice - we could go to Cafe du Monde, or we could change our plans and see what it was that the McMain marching band was doing lined up along Frenchman Street.

In a first step to embracing the positive side of the unplanned, we chose the latter. And what we discovered was a beautiful experience that I believe can only exist in a place as special as New Orleans. The second installment of abstract art exhibits throughout the city, Prospect.2, kicked off on Saturday with a unique concert experience. Five 50 member marching bands were staged at different locations in the Marigny. Each had been taught the same composition by R. Luke DuBois. At 11:30 exactly each band began to march toward Washington Square Park playing the composition. The drum majors kept the beat with the other four drum majors by listening to rhythmical clicks of a walkie talkie. Each band met at the park and continued to play the piece in complete harmony.

We followed McMain's band and second lined with a collection of Auburn fans, locals, and a pair of tourists from Australia. When we arrived at the park and heard the beautiful sound these five bands made as they came together, we were truly moved. It was such a unique and incredible experience, and it was one we would have missed had we not veered from the plan I had put together. It was one of those days where you thought to yourself "only in New Orleans." To think we almost missed it...

Week 35: Walkin' Through New Orleans

2011-10-20T22:45:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Fats Domino once sang, "New Orleans is my home, that's the reason while I'm gone, yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans." There's something about that song that I absolutely love. There were many times when Daddy and I were stuck in the Atlanta airport trying desperately to get back to New Orleans that I would have considered walking just to be on my way home.

About two weeks ago when we suddenly realized your arrival was approaching quicker than we realized, we decided to walk to dinner once a week. And each time we head out the door, I sing to myself a slightly different version - "We're walkin' through New Orleans."

So far, we have walked to La Thai and had a spicy meal at one of their outdoor tables. Last Friday, we had a date night in the courtyard at Martinique Bistro. It was so romantic and beautifully lit and perfectly delicious!

Mommy and Daddy have been busy making a list of all of the places we cannot wait to take you to. There are so many charming little spots in our neighborhood that we can walk you to in your fabulous stroller. It arrived last week, and we practice strolling it around the house. We can walk you to the park and to the zoo. We can walk to take a street car ride and we can walk to get groceries. There's so much to show you and it's all just steps (or pushes) away.

For now, Mommy and Daddy are trying to enjoy each and every moment we have together before you join us. It's not that we're not looking to share our life with you, but we know that when you arrive, appreciating our time will be harder to do. So for now, we'll take a little time out each week to walk and talk and dine together. And all in good time, you'll get to join us on these adventures.

We love you, and we can't wait for the adventures to begin,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesday: Saltine Cracker Toffee

2011-10-18T19:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the final income tax deadline of the 2010 filing year! Woohooo!!! As a little October 17th surprise for my colleagues, I decided to put on my apron and whip up a very special treat. Everyone in my office loves a salty and sweet snack, and I had just seen the perfect recipe on pinterest for such an occasion - Saltine Cracker Toffee.

I tried this for the first time at a friend's house in Beaufort and could not get over how delicious it was. The sweet caramel flavor of the toffee blends just perfectly with the saltiness of the cracker. The chocolate layer adds a nice richness, and I like to sprinkle just a bit of sea salt and toasted almond slivers as a fancy finish.

Given that it was gone by lunch, I think they found it as yummy as I do! It also makes a fantastic gift, so if you're like me, you'll add it to your pinterest "holiday recipes" board right away!

Saltine Cracker Toffee

C/O Link (plus some adjustments from me)

40 salted saltine crackers or enough to line your pan
1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips

(optional) 3/4 cup toasted almond slivers

(optional) sea salt to taste

*You can either use salted butter or salted saltines but not both. I used salted crackers and unsalted butter in this one.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Line saltine crackers in a single layer on the cookie sheet.

In a small pot combine sugar and butter and bring to a boil. Once mixture is at a boil, continue boiling for 3 minutes. Mixture should be a deep caramel color. Immediately pour over saltines and spread to cover crackers completely.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes. It will get all bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave and spread in an even layer over toffee layer. Top with chopped nuts and sea salt, if desired.

Cool completely and break into pieces.

ENJOY!

Week 34: The Who, What, Where, and When

2011-10-12T09:55:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

As of today, you are entering your thirty-fifth week! I assume now that you have lived in my tummy for this long you know a few things about me like the fact that I really like ice cream, I tend to scream and curse when we are watching the Saints play (sorry about that), I spend too much time watching the Real Housewives of any city, and I am someone who likes certainty and planning and control over my world.

That last part is where you come in. You are teaching me quite a lesson on how I have to let go and let life take its course. Let's take a look at the who, what, where, and when situation you and I are in as an example. We'll go backwards though... Ready...

The When...
Baby A, you are set to arrive in our lives on November 16th. The planner and the over programmer in me says that that gives us five weekends left and two Saints home games to attend before your arrival. Ideally, I will spend the next few days filling each and every void of time from now until then with some kind of activity or outing. I like to have a full calendar set with plans for about a month out. The idea of a slow weekend is one where we stay in for lunch on a Saturday. I know this will soon change, but how soon? Should I wait to make plans for the weekends in November? Or should we just keep on keeping on and let you join the party at some point? Oh, the uncertainty of it all makes me feel so anxious!

The Where...
As we get closer to my due date I have started thinking a lot about where I will be when you make the decision that you'd rather live on land than in my tummy. I have asked myself, while it would make for a cool story, do I want my water to break in Section 631 of the Superdome with two minutes left in the first half and a mile separating me from the car? Eek? Or will it break in my chair at the conference I will be attending at the Windsor Court in late October? That would be very fancy of you. Will I be on a walk in the park when I feel my first real contraction? What if I'm in pain and Mark has to run home to get the car? Where oh where will I be when you are ready to join us here?

The What...
I had a dream a week or two ago that you were a little girl. I don't really remember much about it, but I know for sure you were a girl. Until then, I really thought you were a boy. Now, I have absolutely no idea! Everyone else is perfectly convinced that because you sit high and centered in my tummy that you are a boy. We have a closet full of yellow ducky outfits for you when you arrive, and we cannot wait to transition to the pink or the blue soon after that.

The Who...
The who - Baby A, this is what excites us so much. We cannot wait to meet you and to get to know you. I find it so indescribable to think that soon there will be a new person on this earth with a new vision of how it should look and a new perspective on how to have that vision come to life. Will you be adventurous like Daddy or cautious like me? Will you be an introvert or an extrovert? Will you prefer to take charge and lead or sit back and participate? What will you be passionate about? What foods will you love? What will be your favaorite color? Will you see the world through rose colored glasses? Will you love the excitement of big cities or prefer the slow pace of the country? Will you dance to the beat of your own drum?

The thing is Baby A that we will love you no matter who you are. You can sky dive or you can wait until the second the red hand goes away to cross the street. You can be painfully shy or outrageously outgoing. You can be president of the student body and captain of the basketball team or you can be the member of every club on campus. You can be passionate about the Saints or passionate about Dungeons and Dragons. You can love every food under the sun or just stick to chicken and green peas. You can see the glass half full or half empty. You can love Manhattan like me or camping on the beach like Daddy.

Or, Baby A, you can find all of these categories too narrow and rigid for your own liking and pick up a drum stick and create your own rhythym to life. You can define who you are and what you like and how you want to live your life. Just know that no matter what, we will always be your biggest fans. We will love you no matter where on life's spectrum you fall. You are ours, and you are perfect. And we cannot wait to take this journey with you.

P.S. Mommy can feel your hiccups now. You're already sort of standing on your head, Mommy shouted Boo! to you last night, and you're too little for a spoonful of sugar. I don't know how to cure them for you, so I hope they're not a bother.

We love you to pieces,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesday: Candy Corn Fudge

2011-10-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

I think candy corn falls into the same candy bucket as swedish fish, licorice, or Peeps. You either love it or you hate it. And by love it, I mean you consume it by the handful. Growing up, I loved candy corn. I now find it a little too sweet, but seeing it and tasting it always brings back such great memories of the coming of fall that I find myself nibbling on a handful of it before I've had a chance to realize just how sweet it is.

I have seen several Fall inspired posts recently that talked about candy corn, and it seems everyone is finding themselves munching on this irresistible treat. When I saw this recipe for Candy Corn Fudge, I thought it was too appropriate not to post. I think it would make the perfect treat to bring to a party or to work. How festive is this fudge!!

Candy Corn Fudge

Ingredients

1 7-oz. jar marshmallow cream

1 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cups candy corn (about 12 oz.)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup salted peanuts, chopped

1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped, optional

1 ounce white chocolate, chopped, optional

Preparation

1. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil; butter foil. Combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk and butter in a large, heavy pan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 235°F on a candy thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and stir in candy corn, chocolate chips and peanuts, stirring until chocolate melts. Immediately transfer to foil-lined pan and smooth top until even. Chill until set, at least 2 hours.

3. In separate bowls over pans of simmering water, melt semisweet and white chocolate, if desired. Using forks, drizzle both chocolates over fudge. Cut fudge into squares.

Are you a candy corn addict?

Fall Inspirations

2011-10-07T18:03:00.000-04:00

While the cool front we experienced last weekend did not stick around long, the fact that we are already one week into October makes me very ready for fall. I have had a bit more time this week to get to read everyone's posts (although I am STILL having trouble commenting on many of them), and I have been so inspired by all of the lovely Autumnal offerings from this week's google reader. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites... Just click on the title to take you to the details of the original post!

Sweet Souther Prep's Thirsty Thursday: Sparkling Autumn Chianti

I love that the recipe calls for rosemary. I've had a few mocktails lately that incorporated fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary and cilantro and they're so refreshing! I think this is a must-make once Baby A arrives.

Paris Pastry's Rustic Apple Tart

There are not many flavors that pair better than apples, cinnamon, and sugar. Throw in some butter, and I'm in heaven! My mom LOVES apple pie, and her birthday is right around the corner. I saw this recipe and could not believe how perfect it will be for her birthday dessert!

Brunch at Saks' Color Palettes for Fall

I love walking past the houses in our neighborhood and seeing pumkins and haystacks on their porches. This picture is just what I want ours to look like!

Saving the Best For Last: Five for Fall

Saving the best for last inspired me to think of five things I would like to accomplish this fall. I have sort of set aside goal setting with the excuse that the baby is due in six short weeks, but I am someone who works better with a to do list and a set of goals. So here goes:

To have a porch that looks like the one pictured above
To create a fun Halloween costume for Mark and me (Beignet is going as a Lady Pug, and I want to be a 1960's housewife and the milkman)
To completely decorate at least ten more shoes for Muses
To bake cinnamon rolls from scratch
To relax a little and enjoy the last stretch of the road we are taking on the journey to meet Baby A. The photo featured above makes me hope that I can settle down my nesting instincts and see the beauty of the seasons changing around me. I want for the next six weeks to be filled with amazing memories of Mark and me appreciating each other and our life together so that we can welcome Baby A into a rested and happy home.

Happy Fall Yall!

Week 33: A Day For Baby A

2011-10-05T22:01:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

You are scheduled to arrive into our world just six weeks from today. Can you believe it?! I honestly cannot. Last week I started panicking because we didn't have everything ready for your impending arrival. I know we have time left, but things have gone so quickly that I know I will blink and you will be here in my arms.

Since Daddy had his day off last Wednesday, I used my last vacation day to spend the day with him. It was a day we set aside just for you, Baby A. We went to Mommy's doctor and learned that you are growing just as you should be. We got to hear your little heart beating. It is a sound that we could hear all day without it ever growing old. It is such an amazing reminder that you are growing inside my tummy!!

From there, we went to Babies R Us and purchased the two biggest items we had left on our list of things we needed for you - a mattress and a monitor. Mommy had been so nervous about committing to each of these because there's so much research out there about which one is best that it's hard to make a choice. With Daddy's help (he has such a level head!) we found just the right ones for us. We also got you some diapers and diaper cream and wipes. We ordered a Sophie doll for you too! It is every baby's favorite toy, and we can't wait for you to love it.

We ended the day by meeting your pediatrician, Dr. Brown. She was so incredibly sweet and patient and excited to meet you. It was so comforting to meet someone that will care about your well being as much as we do.

Daddy and I couldn't have had a better day. Thirty three weeks ago I would have defined a perfect day with Daddy as one that combined a street car ride, a walk through the Quarter, a boozy lunch, and a nap. Now, I would say that the perfect day with Daddy is one spent getting ready for you.

We hope you keep growing bigger and stronger, and we look forward to meeting you in six short weeks!

Lots of love little one,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Fennel Gratin

2011-10-04T22:26:00.000-04:00

These past few days, the weather here in New Orleans hinted at the start of fall - my absolute favorite time of year. I love everything about fall! I love the cool crisp air and the pumpkins that have started to pop up on people's porches. I love pumpkin spice lattes, and oversized sweaters. But most of all, I love that fall brings me a renewed desire to spend lots of time in the kitchen. I love to open a window and let the outside air creep in as I begin to roast and stew and bake.

I found this recipe for a fennel gratin and decided it will be on my menu for dinner this week. I absolutely love cooking with fennel. In the spring, I favor using them in raw form as a crunchy addition to salads, and in the fall, I love roasting them. I have never tried them like this though. It sounds perfectly rich and delicous.

Fennel Gratin

SERVES 4

2 bulbs fennel, trimmed and halved lengthwise

2 tbsp. butter, cubed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1⁄2 cups hot chicken stock
2 tbsp. heavy cream
Freshly grated nutmeg
1⁄4 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange fennel in a 10" baking dish, and scatter butter and garlic around fennel. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add hot stock and bake until tender and browned, about 1 1/2 hours.

2. Preheat broiler. Spoon cream over fennel, sprinkle nutmeg over cream, then sprinkle fennel with parmigiano-reggiano. Broil until golden, about 1 minute.

Do you cook with fennel? What's your favorite fall dish?

Weeks 31 and 32: The Cure to Nesting: A Baby Parisian Shower

2011-10-02T22:32:00.001-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Week 31 brought with it all of the anxiety of a full on nesting phase. Mommy starting making list after list of to dos and things needed. Being the accountant that I am, they are all in excel, and there is a tab for layette needs, hospital bag needs, diaper bag needs, etc. There's even a schedule that reflects pre-k 2 programs that we have applied to and where we are in the application process. Yes, you read that right: pre-k 2 program applications!!!

If I'm being honest, there were a few nights where Mommy had mini-breakdowns that included child-like sobs and Mommy saying, "We're going to have a naked baby that lives in a dresser drawer." Mommy may sound a little crazy, but I promise you that I've read its totally normal. We just want to make sure everything is just right for your arrival. The best cure I have found to the nesting woes is a fabulous baby shower thrown by Mommy's sister and good friends!

Five very lovely ladies put together the most amazing baby shower a girl could ever ask for! They chose a Parisian theme, and they had every little detail just perfect. From the intimate setting at Clever Wine Bar, to the gorgeous floral arrangements, and the amazingly delicious food displays, they could not have put together a more perfect day.

Le Bar

Clever Wine Bar put together a menu of champagne cocktails: Kir Royales, Mimosas, and Bellinis. They had a special mocktail ready for me too!

Cheers to Baby A!

Le Boulangerie

Chicken salad on croissants. Mmmmm.....

Mini quiches and mixed green salad.

Le Charcuterie and Fromagerie

A fabulous assortment of meats and cheeses

Le Patisserie

The dessert selection included raspberry cream tarts, chocolate mousse cups, Nutella crepes, Madeleine cookies

Le Gelateria

and there was also the salted butter caramel ice cream

Le Fleur

Trish and Melanie should go into business together as florists! The arrangements they put together were breath taking and reminded me of the various flower markets we strolled by in Paris.

The girls asked all of the guests to leave a little note with detailing their favorite travel memory for me to share with Baby A. I love reading through them and planning future family vacations.

There are not enough ways to thank these lovely hostesses. They made my shower so incredibly special. It's one of those days that feels slightly surreal. There I was preparing for the arrival of Baby A. I feel like I was just celebrating my bridal shower! It was such a special day that I will remember forever. The thought and detail that they put into making it so perfect makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

Tasty Tuesday: David Leboviz's Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream

2011-09-27T14:45:00.000-04:00

When we were planning our trip to Paris last year, I found David Lebovitz's blog to be informative, interesting, and full of totally sinful recipes. One of his best recommendations was eating as much Berthillon ice cream as a person could possibly consume. I will admit to having more than one scoop, but my absolute favorite remains their salted caramel ice cream. I still get cravings for this deliciously rich treat!

Seeing as my sister is a very talented pastry chef, I mentioned to her that David had published a recipe for the ice cream on his blog and encouraged her to try her hand at making it. She did and included it with a few accompaniments at the restaurant where she works. The special sold like hot cakes, but its run was over before we moved back to town, and I was unable to get my fill of this Parisian delicacy.

When she and my friends began planning my baby shower (lots more on that tomorrow), she asked if I had any special requests. I could not think of any more special a request that having her make a batch of Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream. It turns out that this request set the tone for the day, as the fabulous hostesses planned a Parisian themed shower fit for a queen.

I cannot tell you how many people I heard say after just one spoonful that it was the best ice cream they have ever tasted. I couldn't agree more. I know this recipe is long and probably too cumbersome to wrap your head around after just one read, but if you are ever looking to be an ambitious at home chef - here's your chance!!!

Berthillon's Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream

For the caramel praline (mix-in)

½ cup (100 gr) sugar

¾ teaspoon sea salt, such as fleur de sel

For the ice cream custard

2 cups (500 ml) whole milk, divided

1½ cups (300 gr) sugar

4 tablespoons (60 gr) salted butter

scant ½ teaspoon sea salt

1 cups (250 ml) heavy cream

5 large egg yolks

¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To make the caramel praline, spread the ½ cup (100 gr) of sugar in an even layer in a medium-sized, unlined heavy duty saucepan: I use a 6 quart/liter pan. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or brush it sparingly with unflavored oil.

2. Heat the sugar over moderate heat until the edges begin to melt. Use a heatproof utensil to gently stir the liquefied sugar from the bottom and edges towards the center, stirring, until all the sugar is dissolved. (Or most of it—there may be some lumps, which will melt later.) Continue to cook stirring infrequently until the caramel starts smoking and begins to smell like it’s just about to burn. It won’t take long.

3. Without hesitation, sprinkle in the ¾ teaspoon salt without stirring (don’t even pause to scratch your nose), then pour the caramel onto the prepared baking sheet and lift up the baking sheet immediately, tilting and swirling it almost vertically to encourage the caramel to form as thin a layer as possible. Set aside to harden and cool.

4. To make the ice cream, make an ice bath by filling a large bowl about a third full with ice cubes and adding a cup or so of water so they’re floating. Nest a smaller metal bowl (at least 2 quarts/liters) over the ice, pour 1 cup (250 ml) of the milk into the inner bowl, and rest a mesh strainer on top of it.

5. Spread 1½ cups (300 gr) sugar in the saucepan in an even layer. Cook over moderate heat, until caramelized, using the same method described in Step #2.

6. Once caramelized, remove from heat and stir in the butter and salt, until butter is melted, then gradually whisk in the cream, stirring as you go. The caramel may harden and seize, but return it to the heat and continue to stir over low heat until any hard caramel is melted. Stir in 1 cup (250 ml) of the milk.

7. Whisk the yolks in a small bowl and gradually pour some of the warm caramel mixture over the yolks, stirring constantly. Scrape the warmed yolks back into the saucepan and cook the custard using a heatproof utensil, stirring constantly (scraping the bottom as you stir) until the mixture thickens. If using an instant-read thermometer, it should read 160-170 F (71-77 C).

8. Pour the custard through the strainer into the milk set over the ice bath, add the vanilla, then stir frequently until the mixture is cooled down. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or until thoroughly chilled.

9. Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

10. While the ice cream is churning, crumble the hardened caramel praline into very little bits, about the size of very large confetti (about ½-inch, or 1 cm). I use a mortar and pestle, although you can make your own kind of music using your hands or a rolling pin.

11. Once your caramel ice cream is churned, quickly stir in the crushed caramel, then chill in the freezer until firm.

Note: As the ice cream sits, the little bits of caramel may liquefy and get runny and gooey, which is what they’re intended to do.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Weeks 29 and 30: It's a...

2011-09-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

At this time we do not know if you are a boy or a girl. But there is one thing we are certain of - you are a Saints fan! Baby A, you and I spent weeks 28 and 29 gearing up for Mommy and Daddy's final trip of our life pre-you. I am sure that between the brat on a pretzel roll, the cheese curds, and the weiner schnitzel Mommy ate and the unusually cool summer air, you figured out that somewhere along the way we weren't in New Orleans anymore. No, Baby A, we were in Packers country.

You got to be a part of what most sports fans would consider the ultimate in professional sports experiences - gameday at Lambeau Field. While I know you were there and a part of it, I wish you could have seen it. It was truly something magical. We were greeted by some of the friendliest away fans we've ever met. They are a prideful bunch, but considering their team's histry, who wouldn't be. There is an aura that surrounds the grounds of this hallowed venue that is unmistakable and likely unmatched anywhere. The only thing that could have possibly made this experience even better would have been a different outcome to the game. As you probably know from the cursing you might have heard from a lady that sounds a lot like Mommy, ok it was Mommy, we lost the game. We certainly did make it interesting until the very last minute though!

Baby A, I have to tell you that the life of a Saints fan is not always easy, and when it's good, it's has a way of taking over your whole week. But for all of the anxiety we expend on this team, I can tell you being a Saints fan is the greatest thing in the world. I cannot wait for you to create memories like I have of Sundays spent watching the games with my dad. We would watch together as he would explain to me fourth down conversions and holding calls and all of the other assorted rules of NFL football. And we would share in the joy, and more often than not, in the pain of being Saints fans. And when we won the Superbowl, the fist call I made was to him. He taught me how to love this game, and all I wanted was for him to get to see us win the big one!

That's what's so wonderful about sports. Sure, it's just a game. But we here in New Orleans know more than anyone, that sports has a way of transcending the action on the field. Sports weaves its way into our lives and becomes a part of our timeline. Lucky for you, your sports timeline begins with a trip to Lambeau Field. I truly can't wait for you to become the next member of the Who Dat Nation!

With lots of love,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken with Croutons

2011-09-20T23:39:00.000-04:00

I mentioned last Tuesday that we'd be hosting a Parisian inspired dinner party last Saturday. With several sticks of butter, some rosemary, lots of lemons, and a variety of cheeses, it went off without a hitch.

I initially pictured a tablescape that was more French country than anything else. I was thinking white linen table linens and fresh lavender bouquets until I saw this Eiffel Tower candle holder at Pier One. I decided instead to go with red linen table clothes and on each side of the Eiffel Tower centerpiece I added two small bouquets of white hydrangeas. The glow from the candles against the red linens and the white hydrangeas felt warm and chic at the same time.

The main dish we served at dinner was Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken with Croutons. I always like to serve one dish that does not require a lot of attention so that I can focus on the other dishes and my guests. For this dish, I prepared the croutons earlier in the afternoon and had them ready in the serving dishes I planned to use to serve the chicken. About an hour before the guests arrived, I put the chicken in the over and let it roast for an hour and a half. After fitting minutes of resting time, it was ready to serve. Voila!

Ingredients

1 (4 to 5-pound) roasting chicken
1 large yellow onion, sliced
Good olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 lemons, quartered
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
6 cups (3/4-inch) bread cubes (1 baguette or round boule)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Directions

Take the giblets out of the chicken and wash it inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers. Toss the onion with a little olive oil in a small roasting pan. Place the chicken on top and sprinkle the inside of the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the lemons inside the chicken. Pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels, brush it with the melted butter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken.

Roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Cover with foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. (The onions may burn, but the flavor is good.)

Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until very hot. Lower the heat to medium-low and saute the bread cubes, tossing frequently, until nicely browned, 8 to

10 minutes. Add more olive oil, as needed, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the croutons on a serving platter. Slice the chicken and place it, plus all the pan juices, over the croutons. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm.

Louisiana Ladies Book Club

2011-09-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

A friend from work mentioned a few months back that she missed being in a book club. So did I. As we got to talking about what makes a book club great, we decided to try our hand at starting one. Rather than reading NY Times bestsellers or all chick lit or some other common topic, we thought it would be fun to read books by Louisiana authors.

For our first book, we wanted something that was not too heavy, that was a good New Orleans read, and that lent itself to easy conversation over a potluck supper. Neither of us had read it, but we knew enough about Julia Reed's The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story to know that it fit the bill. It was a story about a journalist's coming of age in the city we both loved. It was a story about building both a home and a life here. It was a story of how one storm had the power to change everything and how that storm gave people the power to change as well.

The book, like its author, is not without its flaws. Julia's Katrina story is personal and sincere and unique. And I imagine if I was from Omaha or Tacoma or Virginia Beach or some other part of our country where I did not have my own Katrina story, I would find empathy for her. But I have my own story, and at times when reading hers, I couldn't help but feel like she was slightly out of touch with those of us who lost so much.

I did find that Julia has a way of capturing the essence of life in the Big Easy. From her tales of days spent strolling through the French Quarter to long Friday lunches at Galatoire's, she perfectly describes all of the things that made rising from Katrina's ashes worthwhile. I have no doubt that she, like all of us with a New Orleans story, believes that life should be lived surrounded by the company of good family, good friends, and good food.

I can't wait to hear what everyone else thought this evening when we meet!!

Has anyone out there read the book yet?

Tasty Tuesdays: Caramelized Apple Napoleons

2011-09-13T22:09:00.000-04:00

recipe, presentation and photograph created by Peggy Bucholz www.finedinings.com

We have a guest coming in this weekend, and we thought it would be fun to host a little dinner party to celebrate! Even though it's not quite fall yet, I have been craving this roasted lemon chicken with croutons that my friend Christie made a while back.

Since the recipe comes from Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris, I thought we'd have a French theme for dinner. We're going to start with mini croque monsieurs followed by a mixed green salad with baked goat cheese croutons. For our entree we will have Ina's delicious lemon baked chicken, and for dessert, I am going to try my hand at these caramelized apple napoleons.

One of the tastiest thing we ate in Paris was a mille feuille (a Napoleon as we know it). It translates to a million layers, and who can resist a million layers of pastry dough covered in caramelized apples and whipped cream!

Bon Appétit!

Caramel Apple Napoleon Puff Pastry Dessert

serves 2

Prepare Puff Pastry

Frozen puff pastry, thawed

1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar

Cut into 6 (3-1/2 x 3-1/2-inch) squares, place on baking sheet; prick with fork and dust with powdered sugar. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes. Flatten with a spatula; bake 5 more minutes until lightly brown; remove from oven to cool. They can be made ahead.

Caramelized Apples

1/2 cup sugar

8 teaspoons water

1 tablespoon butter

1-1/2 cup apples, peeled, cored, sliced thinly

In skillet over medium high heat combine sugar and water; cook until it turns medium amber; lower heat to medium; add butter and apples; cook until apples are tender and browned; remove from heat to cool. They can be made ahead.

Assemble

1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar

2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted

2 small scoops ice cream (flavor of your choice) made with a melon baller

fresh Mint sprigs for garnish

Dust baked squares again with powdered sugar. Place one on plate, add 1/4 of apple mixture; add 2nd square turning a quarter turn, with 1/4 of apple mixture; end with a square turning a quarter turn, each plate should have 3 pastries. Repeat process for each napoleon dessert.

Garnish plates with almonds, ice cream, mint sprigs and serve Napoleon caramelized apple dessert.

Tropical Storm Lee Brought with It...

2011-09-05T22:11:00.000-04:00

Lots and lots of rain...

Photo Credit

High Winds

Photo Credit

An O.C. marathon

Photo Credit

And now temperatures in the low 70s

Photo Credit

Mark and I ended a long weekend with a stroll through Audubon Park. The sky was slightly gray and there was a breeze in the air and if I hadn't lived here all my life and suffered through some very hot late September evenings, I would have thought that fall was here. I think it's just a little taste of what's to come!

28 Weeks: Hurricane Katrina, The Before and After

2011-08-29T09:31:00.001-04:00

Dear Baby A,

For the past two years on August 29th, Mommy has written a post that reflects on our Katrina story. Growing up here in New Orleans, you will come to learn that everyone has one. And before you roll your eyes at all of the grown ups talking about that mean old lady Katrina again, I hope you can spend a minute and read our story.
Peace
Katrina: Five Years Later- The Day We Left
Katrina: Five Years Later - Out Came the Sun

You see, Baby A, six years ago today, we didn't know that life would change. We didn't know that we would live in this world of the before and after. In a world where the calendar on which you view your life would somehow start over on 8/29/05. It is a world where your memories no longer reside in the places on the streets you where you made them. They reside solely in your dreams. You can see them late at night when you are fast asleep and the man in the moon allows you to. I hope that while you live inside of me that when I close my eyes and I see our big peach house on Polk and Catina, you can see it too. I hope you can see how full of love that house was. I hope you can see the big pecan tree in the back yard that would leave its nutty treasures scattered at our feet for us to collect. I hope you can see the long narrow side of the yard where my dad taught my sister how to pitch an indoorball with speed and precision. I hope you can see the beautiful dark hardwood floors in the dining room where your Aunt Stephanie and I would put on socks to make our feet sufficiently slippery and play ice skater. Or that you can see the fireplace where we took every important picture that needed to be captured, whether our date was our dad for father/daughter dance or some nervous young boy for homecoming. I hope you can see my mom tucked away behind the bright light of the camcorder that she operated every Christmas morning as we paraded out to see what Santa had left under the tree.

Most of all, little one, I hope that you can see that it is not the value of one's residence that makes it special or priceless or worth saving. In the mind of each and every New Orleanian lives memories just like these. All made within the four walls of the place they called home. And today each of them will remember with sadness that they can't actually show their soon to be little ones where all of this goodness took place. They will remember today a life before and a life after Katrina.

What I have come to realize as time distances us from our pre-Katrina life is that the post is shaping up to be just as sweet and the pre. As a city, we are more vibrant today than we were six years ago. As a people, we are stronger and more resolved to hold on to the beauty that resides innately in this city. It is a place full of hope and promise and desire for a better tomorrow. It is a place that I am so proud to introduce you too. While you might only be able to learn of the pre-Katrina New Orleans through our tales of times gone by, I revel in the fact that you will be a part of our new life here.

And Baby A, I live with the hope that you will be our new beginning. You will be our new measuring stick. There will be our life before you and our life after.

With Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Today we remember all of those whose lives were lost as a result of Hurricane Katrina. No matter their age, they were someone's little one. Their lives are our inspiration to make New Orleans the place they didn't want to leave.

Week 27: Picture Perfect

2011-08-17T13:42:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Today you are 27 weeks old! Based on our weekly update from Babycenter.com "You weigh about two pounds and are 14 1/2 inches long with your legs extended. You sleep and wake at regular intervals, open and close your eyes, and perhaps even suck your fingers."

Until yesterday, we could only read these updates and imagine what your little world was like in Mommy's tummy. Mommy and Daddy spent yesterday evening at Daddy's office where Miss Jan expertly took us through an hour in the life of Baby A. We got to see you stretch and yawn and rub your eyes. We even saw you open your eyes once. But most of all we got to see you looking sweet and content and comfortable in your home away from home.

There were so many magical moments that Miss Jan captured for us, but our very favorite was this one. You look like a little angel peacefully resting. Seeing you this closely made us so incredibly excited to meet you and hold you and kiss those little cheeks. And I have to say that I cannot count the number of times we have looked at this picture. As soon as your sweet face disappeared from the screen, we missed you.

It's hard to believe that we won't see you again until the day I hold you in my arms. As we've experienced over the last 27 weeks, time has a way of escaping us. I'm sure November will be here before we know it. Until then, little one, get your rest, grow strong, and enjoy the rest of this journey that you and I have together. As excited as I am to meet you, I am going to miss knowing that you are with me every minute of every day.

We love you more and more each day,

Mommy and Daddy

Howdy Neighbors

2011-08-15T09:25:00.000-04:00

So guess who moved in just two blocks down - Matthew and Camilla!! I guess they're only here for about a month, but still! How exciting is that!!!

Mark saw Matthew running in the park, and we saw Camilla chatting on the phone on their porch when we took Beignet for a stroll. I hope they love our little neighborhood. It would be crazy to bring by a basket of muffins or something, right?!

26 Weeks: No Pain, No Gain

2011-08-12T16:19:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

I am two days late in telling you, Happy 26th week. Things have been kind of hectic around here. This week, Daddy went to Atlanta for robot school so he can learn to use the Da Vinci. Aren't you proud?! Mommy had dinner with your grandparent's on Monday, a late board meeting on Tuesday, a girls night out to see The Help on Wednesday, and a Delta Gamma advisors meeting last night. Whew, I'm pooped just thinking about the week in review.

I have been thinking about all of the things I want to share with you this week, but I think the most important one is a lesson I was reminded of this past weekend. You see Saturday morning, Mommy woke up to the sounds of Annie, our 17 year old Jack Russel Terrior, crying. Poor Annie didn't look so good, so Mommy sat quietly with Annie in her lap trying to calm her down. In all honestly, I think somewhere deep inside, I knew there was something really wrong and innately knew that I needed to spend some really special and peaceful time with her. Your grandparents came over because they could tell I was worried, and they went with me to take Annie to the doctor. I was never more grateful to have them near me as I was that morning. When we met with the doctor, it was clear that Annie had taken a sudden and severe turn for the worse. And while I knew that the decision to help her go peacefully to rest was the right one, I have never had to make a harder choice in my life.

Annie was a part of my life longer than most of the people currently in it. I have known her since I was just fourteen. She was a loveable and joyful and spunky little thing who, up until about three years ago, still had enough energy to go running with your Daddy. She spent the last few of her healthy years happily in Beaufort where she enjoyed our walks through Habersham and her time lounging in the sunshine on the porch. And I guess if I had to tell you how I will remember her most it will be with a silly grin. I am not kidding, she was a dog who could smile.

To think of her sick and in pain, as she was on Saturday breaks, my heart. To know that we had to help her find peace breaks it even further. And it made me realize that there is nothing in this world I want more than to shelter you from pain and suffering and sorrow. I don't want for you to spend one second of your life sad or heartbroken. If only I could shelter you from all of the things that could hurt you...

But little one, there is one thing I have learned from sadness and tragedy. It was a lesson I first learned following Hurricane Katrina when, after wishing that I had never even heard of a place called New Orleans so that my heart wouldn't hurt like it did, it was clear that pain comes from a place deep inside of you and fills the void where love once lived. If you didn't feel pain, you wouldn't have ever felt love. For my heart to be as broken as our levees it could only mean that I had truly loved New Orleans. For me to feel as empty as I did when Annie passed away showed just how big a space she occupied in my heart.

And there is one thing I want more for you than to keep you safe and that is for you to love with every fiber in your being. To not be afraid to share your heart with someone or someplace or something because you worry what life will be like without that person, place, or thing. I can assure you that your life will always have been better having lost a love than having never loved at all.

We love you to pieces and cannot wait to take you to the Superdome tonight to see the Saints play in their first home pre-season game.

Enjoy the rest of your 26th week, little one.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

One Year Ago Today: The Saints (and I) Go to the White House

2011-08-08T10:26:00.000-04:00

One year ago today, I was just entering the White House where I would soon find myself surrounded by the world champion New Orleans Saints, and of course, President Obama. it was truly one of the single greatest moments of my life. Even after a year has passed, it seems almost to surreal to explain fully... But here goes...

Pinch me!!! I'm still in shock that just yesterday I was in our nation's capital standing only feet away from President Obama and the Superbowl Champion Saints!!!

For four years, since Mark began his tour of duty at the Naval Hospital Beaufort, we have been flying back to New Orleans for home games. Each and every time our plane landed safely in New Orleans, I was grateful that we were able to see our Boys in Black and Gold play football. It is a sport my dad taught me to love, and a game that brought me such pure joy in the days of darkness following Katrina. Like marriage, I have loved this team in the bad times - you know what I'm talking about - remember having two inept Billy Joes and the time Aaron Brooks threw the ball backwards to an offensive lineman?? But I have also loved this team in the good times: September 25, 2006; Deuce's push to the goal line v. Philly, Drew's seven td's to seven different receivers against the Giants in week four (the day I bought our flights to Miami), and Superbowl Sunday.

Yesterday, the height of my Saints fan career was reached when I was able to stand in the East Room and watch Coach Payton and our team represent all of the Gulf South as the 2009 World Champs!

For your viewing pleasure, here are some pictures from truly one of the most amazing days of my life!

I was still a little anxious in this picture because I was so nervous my name was omitted from the list, but I couldn't have been more excited to be in line and about to enter the White House gates.

As we approached the entrance to the White House, we caught our first glimpse of the players. They were holding a clinic for kids from the Boys and Girls Club as a part of the NFL's Play 60 campaign.

Upon entering the greeting room, we were met with the familiar sounds of New Orleans jazz played by the Marine Corps band.

One by one the players began making there way into the greeting room. We were not the only ones to be in awe of this incredible experience. Here, Jonathan Vilma is taking photographs of the band. Do you spot Reggie Bush???

Maybe this close up shot will help!!!! (Tracy Porter is in the background. I wanted to ask him why he didn't have an image of the White House shaved into his head, but I got too shy!).

Here is a photo of Alex Brown (our newest addition at defensive end) and me. He was so nice and very excited to be a part of the team.

And here is one of Wendell Pierce and me. You may remember how much I love the show The Wire, and of course, Treme is a favorite too. And, as a local he has taken on a role in the Be the One campaign. Meeting him was incredible. He brought his mom and dad and his brother, and it was sweet to see how excited he was about meeting the team!

Drew Brees is in the building! Woohoooooooo!!!

After much anticipation, we all filed into the East Room. The announcer came on and asked us to stand and congratulate the 2009 World Champion New Orleans Saints. And as the players filed in and found their places on the bleachers at the front of the room, the band played "When the Saints Go Marching In." It was such a special moment. And you could see how touched the players were as they all had out their cameras and videocameras. Truly once in a lifetime!!

And for the moment everyone had been waiting for, we were asked to stay rising to welcome the President of the United States. I thought President Obama's speech was funny and heartwarming and truly captured the magical relationship this team has with its fans.

The President invited Drew to join Coach Payton on the stage to recognize him for the work he is doing to emphasize the importance of health and fitness in the lives of children. What a great guy!

Mickey Loomis (the Saints GM) joined the President on stage, and I imagine in this moment he is telling Drew how they will manage to be back at the White House this time next year. Can you say "Two Dat?!?!"

After the team presented the President with his very own jersey, the President went to each player to express his warmest regards and congratulations.

After the President congratulated the players, they were escorted out of the East Wing and onto the lawn where they watched as the President left via Marine Force One.

On our way out, we managed to spot a few familiar faces heading to the team bus. Doesn't Jeremy Shockey look fabulous in his salmon seersucker blazer. He stopped to tell us hi and take pictures with us (my eyes were closed dangit.).

And here's Mr. and Mrs. Benson. He was so excited that I swear I thought I saw him sneak in his signature Benson boogie!

He couldn't wait for us to get a shot of his ring. I have to say they are GORGEOUS! And props to Mr. Benson for taking his look old school and sporting the pinky ring...

This post would not be complete without a HUGE thank you to my friend Anne. I'd first like to thank her for adopting New Orleans as her home and spending time in DC this summer lobbying on behalf of the Audubon Institute for clean energy. But I'd also like to thank her for considering me for this amazing experience.

When I got a call from her on Thursday asking if I could get to the White House by Monday at 8:20 am, I thought they were going to have to take me to the ER. My heart literally stopped beating. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be in the East Room as the Superbowl Champion Saints met the President. This experience will be one that I will never fully be able to put into words. But, to be there to see our boys, our team, celebrate the pinnacle of success - holy cow. From the bottom of my heart that pumps Black and Gold blood through my veins, thank you Anne. This was truly one of the greatest days of my life!

Anne and me in the East Room

Ten Things on Thursday

2011-08-04T09:59:00.003-04:00

I have missed participating in Lisa's Ten Things, so I thought I'd play along to one she put a few weeks ago. Here goes:

1. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?

Without a doubt it's Ina Garten. I actually have this hope that one day soon Mark and I will take a trip to the Hamptons. I will be at the market selecting perfectly unperfect heirloom tomatoes when I spot Ina. She comes over and says "now that's a lovely batch.' And I say, "yes, well I'm working on heirloom tomato pies for supper." And she loves the idea so much that she asks me to come over and show her how to make them in her kitchen. Then Mark and Jeffrey join us for a wonderful meal with the perfect tablescape. A girl can dream!

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?

Most of the peple in my life know I blog. It's been a great way to stay in touch with everyone we love who live in a million different places.

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?

I am a very particular shopper and would love if the check out person would let me bag my own things. I like all of the frozen items bagged together, then the meats, then refrigerated items, then produce, then dry goods. It sounds crazy, but it's so much easier to unload that way. Unfortunately, even when I set them out in that order, they end up getting mixed in the bags. Grrr.... I love reusable bags because they're not only better for the environment, but they also hold so much more and are easier to carry!

4. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?

Photo Courtesy

I prefer to dine outdoors. It reminds me of all of the fabulous cafe where we had wine and cheese in Paris. Of course, living in New Orleans, I prefer to dine whereever I am not 100 degrees...

5. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?

I say aunt that rhymes with can't. Mark says it the other way, and I think it sounds so funny.

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?

I love to take a nice hot bath. I find it so incredibly relaxing. I might indulge in a good bath every month or so. This makes me think I need to do this more often!

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?

Every wall in our house is painted a very light neutral color with cream trim. This would not be what I would have chosen, but right before we moved in the previous owners had the house professionally painted and their is not a spot out of place. We have 13 foot ceiling downstairs, and I just can't bring myself to consider a color change now. I think next summer we might have them done, but until now neutral it is.

8. Do you have a green thumb?

NO! I wish I did. My dad is a wonderful gardener. Unfortunately, I am not very thoughtful when it comes to taking care of plants. I once won this beautiful rose topiary at a fundraiser and it died before I got it home. I'm not kidding. When I got back to work from the event, I had about two hours left to my work day, and I assumed since it was hot outside at the nursery, and it was hot inside my car, those two things were equivalent. Well, apparently, plants shouldn't be kept in a hot car...

9. Describe your ideal weather.

My absolute favorite thing in the world is feeling the first cool breezes of fall. I feel renewed. I love when it is just cool enough where you need a light sweater and a scarf. It's still sunny during the day so you can really enjoying sitting outside with a good book or a good friend. And I love when you start to see pumpkins on people's porches. It's like one day the fall fairy arrives and everything feels a little bit more festive.

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?

French! It is not the most practical, but it sure is beautiful.

What's your ideal weather? Or your favorite Food Network Star?

Week 25: Daddy's Project

2011-08-03T11:41:00.000-04:00

Benjamin Moore Pismo Dunes

Dear Baby A,

It is the start of week 25! To get things going, Mommy had her glucose screening today. Rather than the orange drink most moms have to drink, Dr. Champlin recommended two donuts and a bottle of oj. So Mommy and Daddy had breakfast at Blue Dot Donut where I ordered two cinnamon twists and a large juice. You will come to learn that cinnamon sugar is quite a perfect combination! Fingers crossed my lab results will come back just fine, and we'll have one less thing to worry about. The closer we get to meeting you the longer my "worry list" gets!!

Baby A, last night I came home to find your daddy high atop a ladder covered in paint. Can you guess what project he was completing? It is a very special one, indeed! Of course, he was painting your nursery. For weeks Daddy has been asking if he could get started on your room, but Mommy has a hard time making final decisions when it comes to paint colors. Well, two Saturdays ago we settled on Benjamin Moore's Pismo Dunes, so Daddy began working on your room this weekend.

I cannot begin to tell you how lucky you are to have such a wonderful Daddy. From the moment we picked the color, he has been saying how excited he was to have a project to complete just by himself especially for you. He could have asked for help, and lots have people who love you would have joined the paint party, but he wanted to get it ready all on his own as a little present for you. It makes me so happy and content knowing that your daddy loves you that much.

I would love to share all of the experiences I have had with Daddy that make me so certain he will be a wonderful father, but to do so would take as long to tell as it did to live those moments. What I can tell you is that your Daddy is warm and kind and patient and supportive. He is wise and thoughtful. He is a wonderful story teller. He has a laugh that is contagious and a smile that fills a room. He thinks of others before himself. And he loves you more than you will ever know. Already. Without meeting you, he loves you. And he always will.

When I think about seeing you in your Daddy's arms, it makes me ever more ready to meet you, little one. I can't wait to see him hold you and rock you and kiss away your bobos and tell you all is right in the world. Seeing the smile on his face as he stood in your room and admired his gift for you made me know one thing is certain, you are already the sparkle in your Daddy's eye.

Have a wonderful 25th week. (PS - The Saints have signed some pretty amazing free agents. You got to be at their second day of practice, and I think you were their good luck charm. Later that day, they signed Mark Ingram to his rookie contract!)

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Buffalo Chicken Bites

2011-08-02T11:00:00.002-04:00

Photo Courtesy of The Other Side of 50

One of my very favorite things is stumbling on a fabulous blog. I feel like I've hit the jackpot when I spy a site that encompasses everything I love to spend my free time reading about: food, travel, fashion, crafts.

Last week, I found Your Southern Peach and fell in love with her Friday Five post. Who doesn't love mason jar projects, football, and ice cream parties?!

One of Southern Peach's Friday Favorites took me to Copacetic in Carolina's post "Southern Fried Football: Tailgate Fare and SEC Superfans." I was in heaven - two fabulous new blogs in one day!!!

As you may have guessed from last week's post, I have football on the brain. Going to training camp Saturday only exacerbated my condition. It's all I think about. Have we signed Zach or Jermon? When will Cam Jordan finally come to camp? Who will we get for depth at defensive tackle? There's just so much going on in the frenzy that is the post-lockout NFL.

I love Copacetic in Carolina's tailgate recipe collage!

While our final roster remains a mystery, one thing is certain... it's August. With August comes pre-season football and with football comes a tailgate. In the South, that means only one thing - good food, good friends, good times. When you're cooking for a crowd, you have to have tasty easy recipes that can be eaten on the go. Every recipe featured in CIC's post is better than the next. But, if I had to choose the one I cannot wait to try on Friday, August 12th (the night of the first Saints pre-season home game) it would have to be the Buffalo Chicken Bites.

Buffalo Chicken Bites

Printable Recipe

Yield: 48 small bites, or 30 medium bites

3 cups shredded cooked chicken (About 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, skin discarded)
1/4 to 1/2 cup hot sauce (or more to your taste)
3 1/2 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sharp or medium shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 – 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce until combined. Stir in the cheddar cheese and green onions.

Using a small cookie or ice cream scoop, spoon out the chicken mixture and roll into about 1 1/2 inch balls. Place on a plate or separate baking sheet (not lined) until ready to dip.

In three separate bowls, set out the flour, eggs and Corn Flakes. Dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the egg and ending with the Corn Flakes.

Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

**If freezing for later, place the dipped and uncooked chicken balls onto the parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready. To bake, place the frozen chicken balls back on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350˚F for 25 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.

What's your favorite tailgating food?

Bachelorette Bonanza

2011-08-01T20:50:00.000-04:00

I was going to tell you all about our weekend, but I can't because tonight Ashley has taken over my living room! I cannot wait for a marathon of mush. From the finale to the after the rose, there is nothing on my agenda aside from the Bachelorette!

Here's Ashley in her Randi Rahm engagement gown...

Who do you think it will be??

Ben F.

or JP?

I am not very certain this time around. I really like her chemistry with JP, but I think that Ben F seems like such a wonderful guy.

Wait no more... The answer is just around the corner!!!

Let's Go Camping

2011-07-29T09:49:00.002-04:00

Recipe for Smores Brownie Bars HERE

I will admit I am not the camping type. I know that sounds very high maintenance, but it's true. My favorite thing about such an adventure is not being at one with nature or the calm of leaving the real world filled with modern conveniences behind. No, it's the smores. I love the taste of melted chocolate on a crisp graham cracker combined with that smoky gooey goodness of a melting marshmallow. There's just nothing like it. In fact, just last week I made those smores brownie bars, and holy cow, they knocked our socks off!!

So while you won't find me pitching a tent in the woods bright and early tomorrow morning, I will indeed be going camping. Training Camping that is!!!

In just 35 minutes, the Saints open the doors to the 2011 training camp, and tomorrow, we are heading to their morning practice. I cannot wait to arrive at the team facility and see the green turf lined with players dressed in their finest black and gold. Since free agents can officially be signed this evening, we should see some new faces on the field. And of course, there's a bit of sadness as we had to say goodbye to some of our favorite Saints.

For more from my trip to the White House HERE

To my dear Reggie (I consider us on a first name basis since we met last year at the White House),

I am one Saints fan who will be forever grateful for what you did for our organization. I truly think there was a higher power at work when the Texans chose to take Mario Williams with their first pick in the 2006 NFL draft. At a time when it seemed our franchise was moving to any city that would take us and our people were living in any city where they could find refuge, you were drafted by our team. For the first time in team history, we had a face to our franchise. You made us a brand name. Growing up a Saints fan, the only time you saw a black and gold jersey in a commercial was when someone else's offense was breaking our tackles and scoring touchdowns. Not so any more thanks to you.

As a 22 year old kid, you came to this city and before stepping foot on a field, you gave back. You donated vehicles to first responder units, field turf for a football stadium, and money to a high school in desperate need of operating funds. You took us on as your project, and we took you in as one of our own.

Much will be speculated about your career here and what could have been and what should have been. All I know is, with you, we went to the NFC Championship game in 2006 and won a superbowl in 2010. At a time when we didn't feel like waking up everyday and giving life in New Orleans another go, you inspired us to push on and move upwards. You were a part of an extraordinary group of men who played this game for us, the fans, so that we could wake up on a Monday and feel joy and relief and hope that if we all have one common goal and we work toward that goal anything is possible. Gayle Sayers did many things, but he didn't do that.

I wish you nothing but the best. You were a class act when you arrived in New Orleans and a class act as you left. I hope you always call this place your home, because to us you're a Saint for life.

WHO DAT!!!

24 Weeks: Home is Where Your Heart Is

2011-07-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Can you believe you are 24 weeks old?! I know it's too early for you to understand division, but 24 divided by 4 equals - six. I'm six months pregnant! Holy cow! I told your daddy that six months pregnant seems like such a grown up thing to be. He thinks that's very silly, but seriously, for some reason when I think of being 6 months preggo I suddenly feel very much like an adult. I know, I know, I have been an adult for some time, but it really hits home that sooner than later we'll be your parents. Me, a parent. Wow! It's exciting and kind of scary all at the same time. I hope you take after your daddy and are patient while we learn all there is to know about raising a little one.

This weekend, daddy and I decided to go for an adventure to St. Francisville, La. On our way, we stopped in Manchac for some thin crispy fried catfish at Middendorf's. Once in St. Francesville, we toured the Rosedown Plantation. You should have seen it, BabyA. It is just lovely. Imagine how beautiful it will be in the fall when the flowers are in bloom! After our tour, Daddy and I drove around the charming streets of the historic district. It is a picture perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Rosedown Plantation

You see, Baby A, you will have the privilege of being raised in the great state of Louisiana, South Lousiana to be exact. Down here we celebrate all of life's big events, but we celebrate nothing at all just the same. Down here you will come to associate the seasons as follows: your first football game of fall, your first parade of winter, your first crawfish boil of spring, and your first evacuation of the summer. You'll come to find that no matter how different we all are, when you're from South Louisiana, at the heart of it, we're all really very much the same. We love food, we love life, and we love our family. And family isn't defined by the people you're related to by blood. Your family is made up of all of the people that surround your little world and fill it with love.

Daddy and I had an amazing experience of living in Beaufort, SC for four years. And in that time we truly came to love that community, and more than anything we loved the people we met there that will be our friends forever. But there was one thing that was certain while we were away, we had left our hearts in LA. For me, it is home. It is the place where I feel most like myself. Where people understand why you might not want to leave when a storm comes your way, because you truly can't imagine a life anywhere else.

As you get older, I promise to try not to guilt you into staying down here and living your life here. I will be honest with you, I'm an Italian Catholic, so guilt is my primary resource when it comes to this type of thing. Instead, be prepared to spend your childhood going to festivals, strolling through the French Quarter, touring plantations, taking afternoon drives through the cane fields in the fall, sitting high atop a ladder at every parade that passes down St. Charles Ave, boiling crawfish, and going to Saints games. If I can't guilt you into making this place your home, certainly we can show you how special it is so you can see that there's just no place like it. And even if you decide to go away, you'll visit all the time!

Home is where your heart is little one. I truly hope you find that your heart tugs everytime you're away from this place too long. Then you'll know you left it here too.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry

2011-07-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

While I'm certainly not dieting during my pregnancy, I have been trying to eat light and resist the temptation to eat whatever my little heart desires. It certainly is tempting to do so, but I know the only person who will have to confess to the Weight Watcher gods come mid-November about what my real pregnancy cravings were will be me.

The one thing I've learned on WW over the years is that, if prepared correctly, you can make a flavorful meal that is satisfying and hearty and very very tasty too.

For help in this area, I always turn to Gina's Skinny Taste blog. Recently, I had the urge to order Chinese food. I'm not sure why as that's not something we regularly do in our house, but it sounded very appetizing. Rather than order the Madarin Chicken that comes deep fried and coated in a mystery sauce that is what heaven must taste like, I added Gina's recipe for Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry to our weekly menu. Whew! Cravings disaster avoided.

This dish was one of my favorites we have made in a long time! It called for Thai Kitchen's Pineapple and Chili Dipping Sauce, but after a mad search at two groceries, we settled on Thai Kitchen's Sweet Chili Sauce. To avoid tremendous heartbearn, I left out the optional red chili pepper. Also, as a way to bulk up on flavor and reduce calories, I cut back on the amount of chicken we included and added one onion cut into large chunks. We served this over jasmine rice (which I think has such a lovely flavor and aroma) and topped it with a few teaspoons of toasted and chopped cashews. Mmmm!! The addition of the fresh pineapple and the cilantro make the dish perfect for summer cooking! This recipe is the cure all for your next take out craving...

Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Size: 1.25 cups • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts

Calories: 186.6 • Fat: 4.6 g • Carbs: 15.5 g • Fiber: 0.9 g • Protein: 20.8 g • Sugar: 8.3

Sodium: 557.2

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 tbsp Thai Kitchen fish sauce

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp oil, divided

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp minced ginger

2 cups cubed assorted colors bell peppers (1/2-inch cubes)

1 red chili pepper, chopped (optional or to taste)

1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

1/2 cup Thai Kitchen Pineapple & Chili dipping sauce

cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Directions:

Mix chicken and fish sauce in medium bowl. Add cornstarch; toss to evenly coat. Set aside.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add garlic and

ginger; stir fry 30 seconds. Add bell peppers, chili pepper if using and pineapple; stir fry 3 to 5 minutes or until peppers are tender-crisp. Add sauce; cook and stir until heated through. Remove from skillet.

Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Add chicken; stir fry 5 minutes or until cooked through. Return bell pepper mixture to skillet; stir fry until well blended. Garnish with cilantro.

Do you have a savory dish that calls for fresh pineapple? I love the sweetness it adds!

The Boys Are Back in Town!

2011-07-25T19:46:00.000-04:00

136 days!!!

136 days without football is far, far too many. But as of 10:00 am tomorrow morning, the Saints players can enter the team facility for the first time since the lockout began on March 3rd. It truly would not be July without the hopes and dreams that come along with training camp. July brings with it the hopes of the fans that we'll once again hoist the Lombardi trophy and July brings with it the dream of every kid who imagined they'd one day put on a shiny new helmet emblazoned with one of 32 exclusive emblems.

We can start talking to free agents tomorrow and can officially have them signed on Friday evening. It's going to be a mad rush to secure our own free agents. I wish all the luck in the world to our GM Mickey Loomis and all of our players who are needing to be re-signed. Our team wouldn't have been the same without a single one of them. And if by some chance on Friday, the team and our free agents have to part ways, those guys will be Saints forever! And, of course, they will always be 2009 World Champions.

Who Dat! I'm ready for some football!

23 Weeks: Best Friends Forever

2011-07-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

You are 23 weeks this week! I can't believe how fast time is going by. This week, I have been feeling you move a lot more. You're getting so big and strong. I love feeling you flip around in my tummy!! It is the most amazing feeling mommy has ever felt.

Mommy got a wonderful and completely unexpected surprise this week. When I got home from a long day at work, there was a large box on our front porch. When I opened the box, I discovered the most beautiful gold and white striped tissue paper that hid beneath it a Kate Spade green and turquoise box wrapped in a perfectly tied chocolate bow. It was so pretty I almost didn't want to open it. ALMOST! I just couldn't imagine who had sent such an extravagant gift...

And I opened the card discreetly tucked in the box, and it read, "A stylish tote for our stylish friend! We can't wait to welcome lucky Baby A into this world! Love your NYC girls: Kat, Jen, and Marie." Baby A, mommy's sweet friends sent us your baby bag. It was truly one of the most special and generous gifts I have ever received. I talked to each of your NYC aunts, and they love you so much and can't wait to get to meet you over Christmas!

Baby A's baby bag

Baby A, I don't want you to think I'm saying that a glamorous gift is the measure of a friendship. But knowing that your friends are thinking of you during such a special time certainly is. Mommy and Daddy have been truly blessed with the most wonderful friends. There is no way to measure how much they have enriched our lives. One of the things I look most forward to is introducing you to them. It is such an incredible thing to share this experience with the very girls who spent nights with me staying up late giggling about my crush on your Daddy, stood by my side at our wedding, and welcome us into their homes for Thanksgivings and Easters. They are more than our friends, they are our family. And with you, that family will grow even stronger.

I hope you have a wonderful 23rd week!

Mommy and Daddy

Week 22: A Bump and Baby Bedding

2011-07-15T16:43:00.001-04:00

Good afternoon, Baby A!

Can you believe we're past the 22 week point? You have officially made your way into the world this week. Last Sunday, Mommy had to break down and purge her closet of almost all of the non-maternity clothes. Why? Because what has long been just an exaggerated muffin top is finally a real live baby bump. I have to admit, while it creeps me out to think people are focusing more and more on my abdomen, I really love seeing you growing in there. Every morning when I get ready for work, I am amazed to see that your are in fact living in my tummy!

Just in case you are a little fashionista, I thought I'd share with you Mommy's favorite shopping spree item...

A Pea in the Pod two button blazer in Navy!

Baby A, your bedding finally arrived this week! Daddy and I are so excited. It is just like what we pictured. This weekend we are going to pick out a paint color for your nursery and fabric for your glider. By the end of the month, your furniture should arrive, and your room will start to look more and more like it does in Mommy's head (or rather on the pages of Restoration Hardware Baby and Child).

I can't wait for you to see it! It should be a very peaceful place. It will be focused around colors like cream and taupe and white. I don't want you to think that we expect you to be boring, it's just that as much as I try to be one of those surprise "pops of color people," I'm not. Which makes me wonder what kind of person you'll be. Will you be more like me or more like daddy? Or will you be some combination of the two of us, uniquely your own? I think the farther along I am in my pregancy, the more I begin to wonder about you. And the more I wonder, the more excited I get to meet you!!

Have a great week, Baby A

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Cookies

2011-07-12T20:23:00.000-04:00

I have had a few people ask me what, if any, pregnant cravings I have had. My response- peanut butter and watermelon. Not together, silly! But, those are the foods I think about all day long! I could eat an entire watermelon in one sitting. I'm not kidding. In fact, I had about a cup of it at lunch today. It just tastes so refreshing. As for the peanut butter, I keep a jar of Peter Pan reduced fat, whipped PB in my desk drawer. Yesterday, I went to the cafe downstairs and bought a banana and spread peanut butter on it bite by bite. It might have been the most delicious thing I'd eaten in weeks! All that talk of PB and bananas, one of my favorite flavor combos, made me interested in discovering a new PB and banana recipe. I discovered the website Baking Bites on my search and came across their recipe for PB and banana oatmeal cookies. They sound too good not to try. I love that they were described as a cross between oatmeal cookies and banana bread - how do you go wrong with either of these?!?! I can't wait to bake a batch this weekend.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/2 cup peanut butter (I'm going to use crunchy)
1/4 cup mashed banana (from 1 sm/med)
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats (not instant)

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, cream together sugars and butter. Beat in egg until smooth, then mix in the peanut butter and mashed banana. Working by hand or with a mixer on low speed, blend dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture. Stir in the oats.

Shape dough into tablespoons and place on baking sheet, flattening each slightly with your fingers.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies just begin to turn golden around the edges.

Cool on a wire rack.

Makes approx 2 dozen.

Do you have any cravings lately?

Commenting Issues

2011-07-08T09:35:00.000-04:00

Grrrr.... Do you ever read a blog post and then spend a considerable amount of time writing a comment only to find that you are unable to publish the comment?

This has been happening more and more lately. I have found that even though I am signed in, I will write a comment and then blogger will request that I choose an identity. When I select google login, it will make me sign in again. You'd think that would be the solution, right? Wrong! It then logs me in as anonymous and continues to ask me to login. It's a cycle that has me wanting to pull my hair out.

Does anyone have any suggestions?? If you can't comment, feel free to email me at imanolagirl@gmail.com.

I hope to be leaving you little thoughts very soon. I have really been enjoying what eveyone has to say, and I wish I could tell you each individually!!!

21 Weeks: Here and There and Everywhere

2011-07-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

You are 21 weeks today! Your daddy and I were talking about what a milestone that is. We are now more than halfway there and closer to meeting you than ever. The time goes so fast, and while I am very excited to get to see your tiny little face, I am trying to appreciate every moment we have together - just you and me.

This weekend, you traveled to South Dakota and celebrated your first 4th of July with Daddy's mommy and all of your aunts and uncles. Everyone loves you so much already, especially Uncle Barnaby who has accepted our request that he be your Godfather. Did you know that mommy knew Uncle Barnaby way before she met daddy?! He's an accountant just like me. Isn't that funny, Baby A. One day, you can read all about how Mommy and Daddy met, HERE.

It was about ten years ago that Mommy boarded a plane headed to North Dakota to visit Daddy and see where he grew up. It was the first time Mommy had ever been that far north! I didn't know on that trip that I would return to the Dakotas ten years later married to Daddy and with you on the way. What I did know then was that your daddy was very special, and he was someone I wanted to travel the world with.

And Baby A, one of my greatest hopes for you is that you too get to travel the world and see all of the beautiful things it has to offer you. I want for you to see the majesty of Aspen when its mountains are covered in snow. I want you to wonder at the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. To ride a carriage through Central Park and walk the Brooklyn Bridge and have breakfast at Tiffany's. I want you to see the crookedest street in San Francisco and the beaches of San Diego. I want you to smell the blooms of the bouquets that abundantly line the markets in Seattle and pick wild flowers in Portland. I want you to taste Ropa Vieja in Miami and build sand castles in Destin. I want you see where Democracy lives in DC - visit the Capital and the White House. Learn about justice and freedom. I want you to sail in the Meditteranean and hear the sound of an accordian playing in the streets of Paris.

Baby A, I want for you to see that the world has no boundaries. I want you to learn that we are all connected in one way or another. I hope that by seeing the world, you find a bit of yourself in each place you visit and each person you meet, and in doing so, that you gain the understaning that it is not our similarities that make us beautiful but our differences.

Have a wonderful 21st week!

Love Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Easy Caramel Rolls

2011-07-05T21:16:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, life couldn't be sweeter!! Our vacation started with some very good news - I got a big promotion at work. That news was followed by a caramel roll from Tally's Silver Spoon in Rapid City and the world's best prenatal massage. Seriously - how sweet it is!

I find that in the South it is easy to come by sticky buns or cinnamon rolls, but it is not as easy to find a caramel roll. The one we sampled at Tally's was absolutely delightful. It was sweet and buttery and crispy on the outside but soft and doughy on the inside. My sister-in-law made some caramel rolls yesterday for breakfast, and they were just as good as Tally's. She had a very handy method for making them using frozen bread loaves. I thought I'd share this delicious and easy to prep recipe!

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Combine the brown sugar, melted butter and cream in the baking dish and spread evenly in the bottom of the pan.

Roll the bread dough into a 12x16 inch rectangle.

In a small bowl or plastic bag, combine the sugar a cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the rolled out dough.

Roll into a long jelly roll and cut into 6 rolls (12 if you want smaller servings).

Place the rolls over the brown sugar mixture.

Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and set in a warm place to double in size, about 30 to 40 minutes.

When ready, bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes or until brown on top. Invert onto a platter and serve.

I hope it adds a little something sweet to your day!

20 Weeks: We're Half Way There

2011-06-30T08:44:00.000-04:00

Dear Baby A,

Yesterday Mommy and Daddy started our morning by dancing in the kitchen while I sang "Living on a Prayer," because we are just so excited about being halfway through our journey and that much closer to meeting you. I wonder if you could hear me singing, "Take my hand, and we'll make it, I swear..." Two things: one, it is not nice to swear, so please don't think Mommy meant it, and two, you will learn that Jon Bon Jovi is awesome! Baby A, we have so much to teach you. Did you know that Mommy and Daddy saw Bon Jovi live at Jazzfest this year with his favorite follower, your Aunt Sarah. Mommy and Aunt Sarah spent a lot of time in college dancing to his music. You'll think he's really old by the time you understand who he is, but you'll be able to say that you saw in person when you were in my belly.

Meet Baby A

Speaking of living in my belly, Baby A, I would love to start feeling you move around in there. I know you are a rambunctious little one because when we saw you on the ultrasound you were quite literally doing flips. Mommy and Daddy's friends would always talk about how magical it was to see their babies, but it wasn't until we got to see you that it all made sense. It is so amazing to see what your life is like in there. To watch you yawn and kick and stretch made us love you even more than we already did. And we loved you a ton already.

Hi Mommy and Daddy!

If there is one thing we want you to know each and every day, it is that you are loved. And each and every day, we love you more than we did the day before. That is not to say that there will not be times where we we are frustrated or disappointed or angry with you, but even in those times, or maybe even especially in those times - we love you. My parents told me they loved me every morning and every night, and I always felt the warmth and comfort of knowing that there was nothing I could do to destroy that love. I hope we provide you with the same feeling of security in knowing that no matter what, you live in our hearts.

If I'm a girl, look out! The shoe bills I might run up could rival Mommy's!

Have a wonderful 20th week, Baby A. Tonight, you will be travelling to South Dakota to meet all Daddy's family. They are so excited!! And we are too!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Tasty Tuesdays: Berry Pound Cake with Whipped Topping

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Growing up, my family would spend a bit of our 4th of July making a red, white, and blue dessert. It's been a long time since I've been here in New Orleans for the 4th, but we've managed to keep the tradition going no matter where we celebrate.

This year, Mark and I will be joining his family at his uncle's cabin in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have plans to hike in Spearfish Canyon, shop in Rapid City, take in some Cowboy culture in Deadwood, and see fireworks live from Moutn Rushmore. I cannot wait for a little break from life here in the deep South. This time of year the thought of spending more than ten minutes outside, unless sitting in a pool, makes me feel stifled. The heat has become unbearable! So I am looking forward to family time in the heart of the Midwest.

I'm also looking forward to keeping our tradition and whipping up something sweet and patriotic. I absolutely love the simplicity of Martha Stewart's Berry Pound Cake with Whipped Topping. The fact that it makes two loaves is also helpful given that we'll be serving ten people. I can't promise that my wgipped topping will look nearly as pretty as Martha's, but how can you go wrong when you add butter sugar and flour together and finish them off with sweetened cream and fresh berries?

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cake flour (not self-rising)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs, plus 1 large egg white
1 cup whole milk

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

1 cup (about 4 ounces) fresh blueberries

1 cup (about 4 ounces) fresh raspberries

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Line with parchment paper, allowing a 1-inch overhang on long sides. Butter parchment; set aside. Whisk together flours, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

2.Put butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk.

3.Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake until dark golden and a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Lift cakes out; let cool completely on rack. Trim tops of cakes level. Cakes can be stored at room temperature, covered, up to 1 day.

4.Put cream and confectioners' sugar into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with a leaf tip (such as Ateco #113). Pipe a ruffled pattern on tops of cakes. Pile blueberries in center of 1 cake, and raspberries in center of the other.

What are your plans for the 4th? Does your family have a Fourth of July tradition?

A Very French Date Night

2011-06-23T21:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was simply the very best day! Mark and I started our day at my nineteen week OB appointment. We spent about a half hour with my doctor's wonderful ultrasound tech. There on the screen appeared our perfect little baby. We saw baby's feet and hands, and we got to see the baby kick and yawn. To see the baby come to life onscreen makes me feel so special that this baby spends its days living inside of me. It is truly the most amazing feeling in the world!

To celebrate, Mark and I decided to go for a little date night! I have been dying to see Midnight in Paris. So we started our evening at this wonderful French wine bar and bistro called Delachaise. I had the tomato soup with mini grilled cheese and duck fat fries with a Thai peanut dipping sauce and a malt vinegar aioli. Mark had the steak frites. We finished out meal in perfect French fashion - with a cheese plate. It was such a wonderful meal and reminded us of our time in Paris.

Following a lovely meal, we headed off to see Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, and company take on the streets of Paris. This moving was as lovely and quirky as most Woody Allen films are. The backdrop of Paris was just fabulous. It was not a deep film, but it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Have you seen Midnight in Paris? Do you plan to?

Prenatal Yoga at Wild Lotus

2011-06-17T10:25:00.000-04:00

Last night I took my first step into the world of prenatal yoga at Wild Lotus yoga studio. I had no expectations going into the class and just hoped that it would be another alternative to my exercise options. So far, I have enjoyed walking three miles a couple of times a week from our house and once around Audubon Park and back home. I have been going to pilates over lunch and occasionally trying a more intense workout at Body Pump classes. I thought yoga would be a nice addition to the mix.

Well, let me say that it was the best and most relaxing hour and a half I have spent to myself in ages. We began class by introducing ourselves and stating how far along we were, our doctor’s names, and if we had any aches or pains this week. One of the other students announced that her doctor was my husband and I was so proud!

We then began the class by releasing the stress of our day from our bodies, and our teacher worked with us on focusing on our breathing techniques. She had us place both hands on our bellies and instructed us to fill our abdomen with air on our inhale and hug our baby in on our exhale. This may sound very silly, but at 18 weeks I have yet to “feel” pregnant. I don’t really have a firm bump yet, just kind of an expanded muffin top, and I haven’t felt the baby move. And while we have been reading books and planning the nursery, it all seems a bit surreal. Our teacher emphasized connecting our breath to our baby’s breath and focusing on our heartbeat being the sound our baby’s hear. It was truly the most connected I have felt to the baby so far. Throughout the class, our teacher would point out which positions were particularly important for strengthening our abdomens and our pelvic floors for labor. We spent considerable time stretching our hips and stomachs to create space for the baby. And finally, we spent about two minutes with our feet extended overhead pressed firmly against a wall of the studio to assist in the relief of the swelling in our feet and ankles. We ended our class by placing one hand over our heart and one on our baby with our eyes closed and our teach saying the words “let your breath be your baby’s breath.” What a wonderful and fulfilling experience. I cannot wait to go back next week!

Have any of you tried yoga or prenatal yoga? Do you find it helps you become more in tuned with your body or your baby?

Pink and Green Thursday: Cupcake Wars

2011-06-16T07:48:00.000-04:00

Do yall watch the show Cupcake Wars? I get sucked into that show like you would not believe. I could do without the corny jokes, but I love to see how creative people are. Some of the flavor combinations that they throw at the contestants seem impossible to incorporate into a cupcake, but they always seem to manage. Now matter what kind of cupcakes they whip together, I find myself craving a bite of something sweet.

Here are some images of pink and green cupcakes that make smile and make me very very hungry!

Photo Credit

Are you a Cupcake War fan?

Trendy Wednesday - Neutral Nursery Inspiration

2011-06-15T14:03:00.000-04:00

I mentioned that Mark and I have decided not to find out the gender of our baby. At first, I found this decision really complicated how we would decorate the nursery. I couldn't conceptualize a gender neutral space.

Because Mark found many of the coffee and cream toned nurseries we looked at sterile or uptight, we decided to go with a green and white scheme. We initially chose the scalloped pique bedding from Pottery Barn Kids in light green and the PBK chenille dot curtains in green, but I was having trouble tying in the paint colors with the fabrics, etc. I had reached a point where I was frustrated and feeling like our nursery would never look the way they do in magazines. And then I discovered Restoration Hardware Baby and Child!

I fell immediately in love with every room they featured. Once Mark saw that linens and creams and whites could feel soft and sweet and reminiscent of all things baby, he changed his mind about a neutral toned nursery. And the nursery preparation began!

Our inspiration is this RH Baby and Child nursery

I knew this was the one when I found myself finding time to go to their website just to look at it. I love absolutely everything about this room!

So far, we have secured the Adele extra wide dresser

I wanted something that would comfortably store all of the babies things. I'm a "shover" - meaning that I will overstuff small drawers until everything I needed to fit in a dresser fits. The problem is, it is impossible to keep that system going long term and have any semblance of order. So we opted with the extra long dresser to have some additional space for the baby's clothes and supplies.

We have ordered the Adele topper

Rather than buying a changing table, we have decided to add this topper to the dresser to keep the baby nice and secure when we change him or her.

I think the reason I fell in love with the Adele collection was due to the bookcase.

There was something about those little feet that I loved.

There was a Serena and Lilly bedding set was just what I wanted, but at $950, there was no way we were going to get it. The RH Baby and Child embroidered trellis & vintage wash percale nursery bedding had a very similar feel and a much better price. We scooped it up this weekend and it gets delivered in mid-July. I can't wait!!!

Here are a few other pieces that we're planning to add to the room...

The Etienne Chandelier

Weathered Frames

Weathered Shelf in White

Vintage Wood Farmhouse Crates

Chambray Animals

Vintage Hand-Carved Storage Horse

Shaggy Plush Bunny

I think for the crib we're going to choose the classic Jenny Lind crib. We're getting ours from Pippen Lane where we will also get our glider. We're waiting for the bedding to arrive so that we can be sure we choose a coordinating fabric that ties in with the bedding.

I can't wait until everything arrives and we can start setting up!!!!