Langston Family Blog

Jenny and I have been friends since our St. Angela days (elementary school). Our moms used to teach together at St. Angela so we grew up having lots of sleepovers and always hung out together. We have stayed in touch but have not seen each other in ages. She owns a store on Magazine Street and I was off today so we were able to get together and catch up at PF Chang's at Lakeside. It was so nice to see her. I was lucky enough to meet her 14 month old daughter, Ella. She is adorable! She is also pregnant with baby boy now. She looks fantastic!

Jenny, it was great to see you! I hope that we can get the husbands and get together soon :)

Today is my mom's birthday - I will keep her age to myself. She looks wonderful! She had a great day today. My dad sent her a dozen beautiful roses at school this afternoon. Then, Gavin and I stopped by and brought her a berry cake from Whole Foods that is like a strawberry shortcake. Gavin II brought her some daisies (her favorite). After we left, she went to dinner with my dad. Nice day!

Happy Birthday Mom (and Juju). We love you! Glad you had a great day...

Happy birthday, happy - happy birthday. This is your day but we'll have all the fun...blow out the candles on your cake and make a wish and we'll serve everybody's favorite dish, dish, da-dish dish dish. Happy Birthday, happy - happy birthday. This is your day but we'll have all the fun!

Don't ask - it's a longtime tradition in the Walker house to sing this song at all birthdays. The day is not complete until the song is sung. It dates back to mom's days as a nun. Yeah, she really was a nun - for 10 years!!!

A "cut out" of Michael from his Jesuit days. They told William that the picture was of his daddy and he said "No, that guy's got hair!" So funny!
Gavin and William playing together (Don't they sort-of resemble each other?)
This is the "public" car that Mike drives around - complete with sirens and all. Look out for his campaign for Mayor of Kenner in a few short years.

I am so glad that we got to catch up with Natalie and Richard while they were in town. Their little boy, Spencer, is SOOOOOO cute. He is just a beautiful little boy. He looks JUST like Richard and JUST like Natalie. Richard says it depends on who's holding him - he's right. He is so funny - he told us all of his body parts, gave us his best "birdie" imitation, said bye to airplanes, etc. We also got to see his advanced soccer skills for a not-even-2-year-old!

Natalie and Richard look fantastic as usual. We were so glad to see them!! Please come visit again soon :) We miss you guys - ya'll always make us laugh so much :)

Gavin II kept telling us on Thursday that he wanted to get up at 4 am to shop. He would randomly tell us "Mommy, you know Macy's opens at 4 am tomorrow" or "Mommy, we HAVE to go to Toys R' Us on Saturday from 5 am until noon, ok?" and "We have to go to Target - it's a 2-day sale!"

I got this plate and cup at Pottery Barn kids. I knew he would love having a special plate for his meal - and he did!
Looking for ingredients in the fridge - Gavin was probably asking questions!
Waiting for the food to be served

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! This is how we spent our day - very low-key! It was so nice. We got up around 7am and got ourselves ready. We headed over to Juju and Pappy's for Thanksgiving lunch / dinner. It was yummy - great food!!! Gavin II actually got a "glow" from the food and passed out after eating - Pappy was proud. Pappy is usually asleep less than an hour after eating a big meal :)

Nana and Papa went to visit family in Ferriday, LA. so we were not able to be with them. We missed you guys and hope you had a great day!

The grandmothers :)

Gavin and Cousin Ray - yep, Rudolph made appearances in several photos - so cute!
Daddy taking it all in near the river

Shaun and Jessica (Gavin II's girlfriend)

Nana and Papa doing some shopping
Say hello to our little friends :)

Gavin and I took GML II to Toys R Us on Saturday to get "The Big Toy Book". While we were looking around, I found a Pound Puppy. I know all the girls my age remember these. I know that all things are coming full circle from our childhood - I wonder when Popples will make their comeback??

Thanks, Cherie, I meant to put in my original post that the $42.99 price is not for the pound puppy. I just put it on a random shelf to take the picture :)

Not happy about the itchies

Michelle prickin him - he was SUPER!
No redness or welts yet!
There it goes!
#1 and #3 are milk and egg - these are OUT for several years. #25 is oats.

This morning, Gavin II and mommy went for GML II's allergy appointment. We were supposed to do an oats challenge today but mommy and daddy changed plans. We did not feel as though oats would open a whole lot of doors. Our idea was to skin test him the big ones - milk, egg, and soy. We woud not do wheat skin testing due to his history of anaphylaxis with wheat and we chose not to do peanut because we can do without peanuts and peanut reactions tend to be so bad that I did not want to risk it - not worth it!


So, the skin testing did not turn out very well. His milk and egg were really reactive. Oats were negative. Soy started off negative and then got a small positive. The doctor felt as though the ats would be the next challenge if we chose to do it and then soy after that. Being that soy is positive, we have decided to try to have him admitted as an outpatient to the PICU (Peds intensive care) at ochsner and do the soy challenge there. The allergy clinic is across the street from the hospital and we are NOT comforable doing it there - too far from emergency assistance if needed. The MD is not comfortable doing it in the clinic either. We are going to try to set up the soy challenge maybe right after the holidays.

Anyway, Gavin II is staying home with me today. I had to give him 25 mg of benadryl after the skin testing and the MD slathered him with hydrocortisone cream because he was SO uncomfortable with the itching. He is KNOCKED OUT right now. I usually give him 3/4 teaspoon benadryl but the MDs recommended giving at least 25 mg - 10 ml (2 teaspoons!). I think we may go to the movies this afternoon and keep it a low-key day.

This is not a bad thing - everything happens for a reason :)

Click on the top picture and compare to Gavin's. This is how much he loves High School Musical on Disney Channel. This shirt came yesterday. Corbin Blue is his favorite character. Can you tell?

I found this in his school bag this afternoon. It is from one of his girlfriends, Caroline. How cute is that?!