New Orleans Wedding Fun

Tita Arlene!

We went to New Orleans for Brian and Arlene's wedding! For most of the time we were there, the weather was steamy and overcast. So for the first time, Anjali had reason to wear little strappy sundresses and no shoes or sunhat. A change, for sure! The festive city was the backdrop for feasting and socializing. Anjali immediately made friends with Tita Arlene's niece, Jasmine. And there were so many loving relatives everywhere that anytime there were people around, she would look for the next smile and sweet word. Needless to say, she loved it!

Jasmine.

Sisters Naomi and Jasmine.

Many Titas! (Tita is the Filipino word for Auntie.)

Papi and the groom in their Filipino barong shirts.

Saying hi to Arlene as she gets ready for her wedding!

The ceremony took place at St. Stephen's Cathedral, where we even got to take part in the ceremony. Papi was a groomsman, and then Papi and Mommy (with Anjali in the carrier) wrapped the bride and groom in a veil as part of a traditional Filipino Catholic wedding ~ symbolizing their union and being "clothed as one". As soon as we sat down in the pew, however, Anjali wanted to play and talk with everyone sitting around us, so Mommy and Anjali walked around the spacious church through most of the ceremony.

Socializing after the wedding in her fancy gold dress.

The reception was held in Rosy's Jazz Hall. The band played fun, danceable New Orleans jazz until close to midnight. And Anjali was up and dancing the whole time! Several times she focused on nursing and we thought she was done for the night, and then another thumping song would start playing and she would bounce once again. (Her dancing has evolved from up and down to a side-to-side movement. Arms are often extended out to the sides, as seen in the recent little video clips.)

Dancing with Papi.

The bride and groom (not a good picture, but the best I could take in the dim light).

When we weren't out strolling the sidewalks or eating, or helping prepare for the wedding, Anjali and I spent our time in a large living-room type area in the lobby of the hotel. Separated from the rest of the place with stairs (which Anjali has yet to feel confident in descending), it was a comfortable open space for her to play and for me to relax. She did expect, though, that every group of reunion-goers or sports fans who congregated in the lobby would want to talk with her. Lots of them did.

Hotel lobby.

The four legs of our flight there and back were mostly uneventful. On the last leg, however, Anjali had a panicked crying session that had us feeling like "that family" with "that baby" on the airplane, as we scurried to find the Chamomile Calm drops, and *anything* to distract her! Papi walked her around for a little while, and then she finally fell asleep.

Coming home to a house empty of so many friendly loved ones was a let-down for us all.