THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER!!!

In true New Orleans fashion, Ray and I toted our little 4 month old to Mardi Gras. Well, we felt it was only fitting, being that she was born in New Orleans, that she experience the craziness and amazement that is New Orleans Mardi Gras!!

So...we bundled up, headed to the heart of Uptown, strolled up St. Charles, and finally settled into a family-friendly spot on Napoleon...

We people-watched (And trust me, even in the family-friendly zones, there is plenty to see!)...

We broke it down with the marching bands (I am definitely considering getting Taylor a pair of boots with tassels!)...

We caught some beads...

And by the end, we were exhausted! Taylor was asleep before we could get the straps buckled.

All in all, is was a wonderful 1st Mardi Gras! And... she is already a natural. We had been at the parade for around 2 hours and we were teetering on that fine line between happy baby and fussy, sleepy, hungry baby. Ray and I had finally decided it was time to pack it up and head on home. As we began gathering our things, another float approached. We had been so careful to protect
Taylor from the flying beads, doubloons, and random throws. But, one got through from this float. And like slow motion, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flashy, red, string of beads hurling toward the baby-bjorn. Before I could react or Ray could jump in the line of fire, Taylor opened her tiny little hand. As if the beads were meant for her only, they landed right in her tiny palm and she quickly clasped her fingers shut. That's right, folks, she caught herself a Mardi Gras bead!!!