Last week we trekked on down to New Orleans for our second family trip since making the transition from two to three. New Orleans is a city I've been lucky to enjoy many times growing up, and my Aunt, Uncle and "baby" cousin live just outside the city in Slidell. Adam had been on one of our trips there before, but rain had kept us indoors playing pool and watching movies. Not exactly the Louisiana experience. (Although we did enjoy crawfish; that counts for something, right?) Determined to do it right (and to survive) we packed up our car Thursday, napped while our babe slumbered and than piled in the car at about 1am.
**I am not driving eight and a half hours with an awake carseat-hating baby. No way.**
We spent all of a sunny Friday wandering around the French Quarter; darting in and out of booths full of little trinkets, admiring street artists and eating the best muffaletta in existence (from Central Grocer of course!) under a statue of Joan of Arc.
The warm Louisiana sun mixed with the wet of the Mississippi made it feel like summer was already here; and you have to relax if nature tells you it's practically summer. Maeve was a wonderful little travel buddy. We had her in her stroller for a time, but my mother arms ached to hold her after only a few hours. Is that sad?
Either way, by stroller and sling, she made friends left and right as we went walking. As a redhead people seem drawn to her, wanting to touch her hair as if they'll be able to feel its vibrant color. Since she's a social kiddo, she's pleased to flirt, smile and giggle with each new friend. I'm sure all mothers feel this way, but I will never tire of hearing "your baby is such a doll!" or "look at that smile!" and as if on cue, Maeve will give a gleeful shriek.
Friday night gave way to catching up with family, telling stories and playing with the family's newest member. At one point Maeve began feeble attempts at crawling, hoping to get closer to her Great-Aunt Rhonda! This was an exciting first, and in the week since she's continued to practice pushing up and launching herself forward! I think crawling is coming very, very soon!
Saturday we took to the streets on New Orleans again, bringing my sweet cousin Sarah with us. We found all sorts of goodies, ate way too much food and enjoyed a cool iced coffee at Cafe Du Monde before taking in a street performance in Jackson Square.
As it became dark we mustered up courage and went on one of my favorite tourist excursions, a ghost tour!! I LOVE taking walking tours through the creepy underbellies of worlds past in my favorite cities. My favorite was a tour of Edinburgh, Scotland; complete with catacombs, witches and bubonic plague! The worst, hands down, was in San Diego with a fellow who seemed more into costuming than creepy history. New Orleans is probably the second best I've been on. Founded with crooks and prostitutes, influenced by the French aristocracy and a part of the Civil War there is plenty of colorful history to share within the streets.
Maeve was a sport and fell asleep in the wrap not ten minutes in to our tour, sleeping until its finish two hours later.
In perhaps the best fashion to finish up a vacation, we relaxed around the house on Sunday playing games and telling tales before loading up the car at night for our long drive back. All weekend Maeve reaped the reward of loving family; being hand-fed bananas, playing on the floor and having plenty of people to say silly things to her in sing-song voices.
It always feels so good to be around family, and so sad to leave them. I really miss getting to see all of mine more often. Thank you Uncle Craig, Aunt Rhonda and Sarah!! We had a wonderful time and can't wait until we're able to host you here in good 'ole Texas!
XOXO The "O"s ❤
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