Happy Mardi Gras, Y'all!

Pumpkin celebrated her first Carnival the way any little Louisianan would – being pelted in the head by plastic beads that were being lodged at her from a moving trailer full of drunk revelers! That’s right, we took Pumpkin to the Children’s Mardi Gras parade yesterday to celebrate her 10-month birthday. Happy Mardi Gras, y’all.

As we anticipated, Aly definitely enjoyed her first parade. The decision to go was not an easy one – Pumpkin has had a touch of a cold for the last week, hasn’t slept too well, and just generally was not in the best of moods on Sunday. She wouldn’t nap, wouldn’t eat, and wouldn’t really smile most of the day. Add that to the fact I wasn’t sure what she would think of crowds or loud music.

Well, we finally decided to go meet some friends and no sooner did we arrive then a smile crept across her little face. We danced to the music, shouted “Throw Me Sumthin’ Mista’” and caught and wore lots of colorful beads. She did actually get pelted in the head at least once that I know of and she didn’t even flinch! That’s my girl!

The funniest part of the whole day was that about half-way through the parade Pumpkin passed out. As evidenced by the look on her face, all that partying and her lack of sleep quickly caught up with her. She didn’t fuss or cry. Instead, she laid her head on my shoulder and fell asleep in my arms, covered in beads and just steps away from the street party going by. Her peaceful home and comfy crib couldn’t even compete with the exhausted satisfaction of a girl celebrating the Mardi Gras! My biceps have doubled in size after holding a 24-pound baby for half an hour with no reprieve.

Despite her not feeling great, the weekend was full of other fun including discovery of Pumpkin’s latest favorite food – ravioli! This was really the first time that she took the initiative to feed herself and boy did she love it. She ate every last, disgusting, messy bite by hand. She would pick each ravioli up one-by-one, squeeze it through her little fingers, shove her entire first in her mouth, and then look at me and crack up laughing. Ten raviolis took about half an hour to eat and created at least that long of a clean-up, but I still cannot tell you who laughed more – me or Pumpkin. I guess for now it looks like ravioli has made the menu for her first birthday!

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