Family Trip to NOLA

Last weekend we took a trip, just the 3 of us, to New Orleans. Once we found out we were pregnant Nick and I discussed doing something special as a family of 3 before the baby gets here. May 13th was also mine and Nick's 5 year wedding anniversary and rather than take a trip alone we decided to take one with Kate. So we loaded up first thing Saturday morning and set out for New Orleans. We hit up the aquarium just as they opened and we had a great time looking at the fish and feeding the birds in the parakeet exhibit. Once we finished there we walked through the French Quarter to find some lunch before heading back to the hotel for a nap. After we all had some rest we went back out to walk around before heading to dinner at Palace Cafe. Nick and I had a very nice meal in honor of our anniversary while Kate hung out (she wasn't very into the food so she got to watch a video while we ate).

Sunday morning we got up and headed to Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee (juice for Kate) before heading to the Zoo. Our zoo trip was a little shorter than we thought it was going to be because Miss Kate was a little tired (and cranky) from less sleep than usual in a strange place. She enjoyed what she did get to see though and had fun for a little while at the Cool Zoo. We would highly recommend both Audubon attractions that were our big stops for the weekend and were especially impressed with how beautifully maintained the zoo was!

One of Kate's favorite books since she was born is Goodnight Nola. It is similar to Goodnight Moon except it says "Goodnight" to things famous to New Orleans. So Nick and I had discussed the fact that someday we wanted to create a version featuring Kate and thought this trip would be the perfect opportunity to do so. So along with pictures from our trip that I'm sharing below. Here is a link to a photo book that I created on Shutterfly and am ordering for Kate as a keepsake.

Kate at the Aquarium

Family pic outside the aquarium

Kate admiring the fish and sting rays

With Daddy checking out the sharks

In the parakeet exhibit at the Aquarium

Kate feeding the parakeets herself

Riding a fish in a kids play area at the Aquarium

Still in the play area. Kate became pretty territorial over this oyster. She scared off a couple of older kids and I think she would have sat there all day if we'd let her.

Kate and Daddy checking out the monkeys at the zoo. Kate said "Ee, ee!", which is her monkey noise, non-stop around the monkeys

Looking at the white tigers

Kate petting a bunny. Yet another place she would have stayed all day if we'd let her. Unfortunately we didn't and a meltdown ensued after leaving this cute bunny

The "Cool Zoo"

Kate was pretty content hanging out in a pool at the foot of one of the water slides.

I also wanted to give a link to some photos our friend Nicole took of Kate right before she turned 18 months. I forgot to post the link in her 18 month update. Nicole took some awesome pictures of Kate at 6 months so we couldn't wait to get her to take some more a year later. These turned out great too! Click here to take a look.