We’re TWENTY New Orleans Moms Stronger in 2020 :: Meet Our New Contributors

We are excited to introduce our community to the newest members of the New Orleans Mom team. Each one is a powerful, energetic and inspiring New Orleans mom, and we can’t wait for you all to get to know them both online and in person at any of our upcoming events. We are honored to have these women join our growing team.


Cristina Perez Edmunds

Originally from :: New Orleans, LA (but lived in Miami during High School)

Her Krewe :: Her Husband Chris and son, Oscar “Oskie” (4)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Her Mom’s crawfish etoufee and the fried shrimp po boy from Bear’s.

Her Favorite Snowball Flavor is: Wedding Cake and Cafe au Lait (together, of
course.)

She Believes the Best King Cakes are Found: I loved Sucré’s king cakes. I
need to find a new favorite!

During the Saints Games You’ll Find her: watching the game from home with
my husband and son. Oskie has loved watching football since he was a baby, so
I got into watching it because of him. Before that, I wasn’t as into watching the
game, although I always cheered for the Saints. I was lucky enough to sing the
National Anthem at a game once, and would love to do that again!

Kids at Jazz Fest? One day! Both me and my husband are professional
musicians, so when we go to Jazz Fest it’s usually to perform. When Oskie is
older, I’d love to take him to see either me or his daddy perform on stage at Jazz
Fest!

Raising kids in New Orleans is: fun, interesting, and frustrating all at the same
time. There’s lots to do, and Oskie loves the aquarium. He’s always up for going
out to eat with us — even if he doesn’t eat off the menu (he’s tube fed, but will
eat bread and whipped cream!) The city is very inaccessible to wheelchair users
like my son — so that is super frustrating. It’s hard to take him out walking in the
quarter, which is one of my favorite things to do.


Laura Pere

Originally from :: Elmhurst, New York

Her Krewe :: Husband Steve and twins, Landon and Dylan (6)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: A BIG one – char grilled oysters with French bread, a roast beef po-boy with fries, fried shrimp, chicken and sausage gumbo with potato salad, and boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes (okay, so that’s like 5 meals, but I
figure I could just eat all day!). Can’t forget beignets for dessert!

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Strawberry

She believes the best king cakes are found :: At the Cajun Pecan House in Cut Off. Strawberry and cream cheese filled is the BEST – I have no idea how it’s not more popular!

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Attending a couple of parades , but mostly relaxing with my family and enjoying all the king cakes!

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: If I’m not hosting a football party at home, I’m cooking, doing laundry, and catching up on chores.

Kids at Jazz Fest? Meh…you do you! If your kid can handle it, bring them along! Just make sure you bring hearing protection for the little ones at loud concerts.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: the best of both worlds – great city with amazing culture, food, and diversity, but still has a charming, small-town feel.


Jeanne DeLasalle

Originally from :: Harahan, LA

Her Krewe :: Brodie (11)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Fettucine Alfredo from Impastato’s

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Chocolate with condensed milk from Ro-bear’s

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Dong Phuong Bakery

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Uptown before the big weekend and in Disney World for actual Mardi Gras.

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: In section 201 of the Loge. My family has had season tickets to the Saints games since their inception and playing at Tulane Stadium.

Kids at Jazz Fest? While I used to attend Jazz Fest in high school and college, that is most likely when I will allow my son to go.  For others, I see no issue with having your kids enjoy the culture that is Jazz Fest.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: The best decision I ever made. There are so many activities to do around the city, there is no reason for kids not to have a blast. While New Orleans has its good and bad, the good far outweigh the bad.


Erika Lockhart

Originally from :: Harvey, LA aka THE BESTBANK

Her Krewe :: Chris (my 35 year old child), Zane (3)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: fried catfish and potato salad

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Root Beer – I know, don’t judge me!

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Antoine’s Bakery

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Traveling

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: In her living room shouting at the tv with family and friends

Kids at Jazz Fest? Not for me.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: a fun, filled adventure with something to do every weekend!


Melissa Mediamolle

Originally from :: Marrero, Louisiana (The Wank, Bestbank, WB)

Her Krewe :: Blake (12), Owen (7)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: turkey omelet with a cherry freeze from Camellia Grill

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Orchid cream vanilla or nectar cream (notice cream is a common theme!)

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Dong Phuong stuffed with cream cheese

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: on St. Charles watching Rex!

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: shopping while the boys watch the game.

Kids at Jazz Fest? only during the week if they play hooky from school.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: filled with colorful cultural experiences that they take for granted until they get older and realize just how unique of a place they grew up in.


Erica Tran

Originally from :: Metairie, LA

Her Krewe :: Benjamin (3) and Joshua (6 months)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: A messy, sloppy, fully dressed roast beef poboy with extra gravy and a side of crawfish, fries, onion rings, and a fountain Coke.

Her favorite snowball flavor ::  Ice cream flavored snoball stuffed with soft serve ice cream. So unnecessary… so delicious.

She believes the best king cakes are found ::  Randazzo’s

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Celebrating Metry Gras at a family house with her kids and enjoying it mostly because they are.

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Watching on the sofa with a book and trying not to be too invested because it’s “just a game” but ultimately dying of anxiety inside.

Kids at Jazz Fest? In general? Sure! My kids? I’m not brave enough.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: such a blessing and so different from anywhere else. We get to raise our kids in one of the most unique places surrounded by deep rivers of culture and tradition. That being said… it is also hot. Very, very hot.


Rebecca Meany

Originally from :: Metairie, LA

Her Krewe :: Samantha (17! ), Noa (12), and Thea (4)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: A Roast Beef Po-Boy from R&O’s (if you haven’t had one-GO NOW!)

Her favorite snowball flavor :: King Cake Cream from Lou Lous in Jefferson!

She believes the best king cakes are found :: At Caluda’s!

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Marching along side her daughters dance team, or on the corner of Magazine and Jefferson (I like to go to the VERY beginning). Oh, and on Cleo Friday, riding!

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Wearing her tackiest attire in section 613 with her hubby and friends!

Kids at Jazz Fest? YASSSSSS! Some of my fondest memories of Jazzfest include dancing with my kids! BUT we always do one day with kids and one day adults only; it’s all about balance.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: an adventure! I talk about living
other places, but at the end of the day this is home and always will be for us


Vianca Price

Originally From :: Hernando, FL

Her Krewe :: Selena (9), Lauren (25), Marissa (24)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: My husband’s crawfish etouffee

Her favorite snowball flavor :: mango or pineapple

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Nonna Randazzo’s

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Parade hoppin’ with my mini all over the North & South shore

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Watching at home with my husband.

Kids at Jazz Fest? We’ve actually never been, but Lizzo is playing this year so hoping to make this our first time!

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: so unique. I experienced my childhood in rural Florida and the metro Houston area and NOLA definitely walks to a different beat. I couldn’t imagine raising my little anywhere else.


Seleigh Taylor

Originally from :: New Orleans, LA

Her Krewe :: Skyler (8), Leighton (3)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Crawfish Stuffed Beignets from Katie’s!

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Tres Leches stuffed with Cheesecake

She believes the best king cakes are found ::  At Manny Randazzo’s

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Surrounded by friends, having a drink while holding a kid on my shoulders!

During Saints games, you’ll find her ::  Group texting my fellow die hards and checking my blood pressure after every play!!  Who Dat!!

Kids at Jazz Fest? No Way; but they do enjoy a day or two at French Quarter Fest.  They are cute, but not worth the cost of an extra ticket!!

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: EXHAUSTING!!!  Finding amazing extracurriculars, great schools and keeping up with friends can have you driving back and forth from one end of the City to the other multiple times per day!  But, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!


Kelly Vollmer

Originally from :: Mechanicsburg, PA

Her Krewe :: Emma Jane (7) and Hannah (3)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Smothered Chicken from Jacques-Imo’s

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Chocolate with condensed milk 

She believes the best king cakes are found :: at Haydel’s

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: At any parade she can convince her husband to drag the ladder to and hoping for at least one invitation to a nice spot on an Uptown parade.

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: trying to watch the game, but ultimately watching whatever movie my girls have on repeat at the time.

Kids at Jazz Fest? Can’t even convince my husband to go, but I’m training my oldest to be my future concert buddy.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: so much fun and full of teachable moments. I am so thankful for their exposure to a city with such a rich culture and extraordinary diversity.


Danielle Blanco

Originally from :: New Orleans, LA

Her Krewe :: Blaise (8 months)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: boiled crawfish with a mimosa (perfect pairing I promise!) or my mom’s red beans.

Her favorite snowball flavor :: cream soda and coconut

She believes the best king cakes are found :: McKenzie’s or Randazzo’s with NO filling

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: on St. Charles with family and friends

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: running errands dressed in black and gold. Or at a restaurant during home games when the crowds are at the game.

Kids at Jazz Fest? Yes! But only for one day, adults only for the rest. 

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: unlike anywhere else in the world!


Urooj Siddiqui

Originally from :: Michigan

Her Krewe :: Summer (2)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Charbroiled oysters, beignets and an ube latte from Sweethandkraf

Her favorite snowball flavor ::  Orange

She believes the best king cakes are found :: At Gracious Bakery. I love their nectar cream flavor.

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: at the day parades. We’ve only been here a year and still working up the courage to spend all day and night out there with our toddler and no family to help us out. Baby steps!

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: watching reality TV. Give it some time and I’ll hop on the Saints bandwagon soon.

Kids at Jazz Fest? We haven’t attended yet but would definitely take our toddler.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: truly a fun and unique experience. I love hearing my 2 year old say words like “Mardi Gras”, “beignets”, “fleur de lis” and “more parade!” It’s not the typical vocabulary of toddlers outside of New Orleans and I love it.


Kelly Rovetto

Originally from :: New Orleans born, Laplace raised

Her Krewe :: Jackson (12), Sloan (8)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Anything at Clancy’s

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Satsuma from Hanson’s

She believes the best king cakes are found :: I don’t really like king cakes

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Uptown at day parades, 1 hour limit.

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: at the game!

Kids at Jazz Fest? Jackson, nope! Sloan, yes!

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: memorable. I have made wonderful memories with my kiddos here in this beautiful city. It’s home.


Caroline Wiemann

Originally from :: Geneva, Switzerland

Her Krewe :: Noahn (2), Enora and Caelan (10 months twins)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Crawfish and beignets

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Not a fan and only had it maybe twice (don’t hate me)

She believes the best king cakes are found :: In my kitchen! I make a good Galette des Rois

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Dancing with her Brazilian Krewe Bloco Sereia in Muse

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Depends… are we winning? Then I’m all in! Otherwise I’m grocery shopping

Kids at Jazz Fest? When they are older no doubt!

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: HOT! Why I’m not skinny is still mind boggling to me.  Jokes aside it’s pretty amazing to raise my French speaking kids in this city.


Rachel Ledet

Originally from :: Destrehan, LA

Her Krewe :: Husband Lenny, daughter Addison (9), stepson Luke (8), daughter Amelia (5)… and a baby boy coming in August!

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Crab cake poboy from Katie’s Midcity

Her favorite snowball flavor :: stuffed snowball: strawberry with condensed milk

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Randazzo’s

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: on St. Charles Avenue with the whole family, an icechest full of snacks, and wearing all the blinky throws

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: at home on the couch with her husband and dog

Kids at Jazz Fest? We haven’t attempted to bring the kids, but I may go for it next year!

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: The most fun life ever. We love the outdoors, the festivals, all the activities, and our lake life. It’s never a dull moment, and we always find something new to explore.


Joey Yearous

Originally from :: New Orleans, LA

Her Krewe :: Sam (7 months)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Ideally, charbroiled oysters at Drago’s to start, then onto Brigsten’s for the “Shell Beach Diet” seafood platter, and a stop for white chocolate bread pudding at Palace Café to people watch. But if we are in a hurry, a call-ahead shrimp poboy dressed at Parkway and some cannolis to go at Brocato’s!

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Nectar cream with condensed mil

She believes the best king cakes are found :: at King Cake Hub (ha!) so she can get whatever strikes her fancy in the moment! (Even though she almost always just gets her old reliable: Hi-Do cream cheese!)

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: dancing with her dance troupe The Muff-A-Lottas in a host of parades or partying with friends and family on Orleans for her favorite parade, Endymion.

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: on the sofa watching (unless she was lucky enough to be gifted tickets!)

Kids at Jazz Fest? This would be her first Jazz Fest with a kid, so… nah, too crowded (and almost always too muddy)! 

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: busy and pretty magical! Growing up in New Orleans, there was always something to do – going to festivals and to the zoo and the aquarium, trying new foods, listening to live music, and celebrating something. There’s so much passion for, well, whatever your passion is! Whether it’s food or music or art or history, it’s simply unlike anywhere else. I love that children can grow up in a place where costumes are commonplace and being your happiest self is so encouraged!


Sara Mae Kruger

Originally from :: Phoenix, AZ

Her Krewe :: Leo (7)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: shrimp poboy with chipotle ranch

Her favorite snowball flavor :: watermelon

She believes the best king cakes are found :: BRATZ Ya’ll  we tried their new Pretzel King Cake and died!

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Watching the Krewe of Chewbacchus or under the Claiborne bridge

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: At the nearest kid-friendly sports bar or having some friends over to watch the game

Kids at Jazz Fest? Hopefully next year! My son loves the saxophone.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: always an adventure but it’s never about the destination, gotta remember to keep the focus on the journey.


Sarah Brichetto

Originally from :: Knoxville, TN (Go Vols!)

Her Krewe :: Elizabeth (6); Paul (3, but “alllllmost 4”); and Isaac (18 months)

Her last NOLA meal would be :: a dozen oysters from Casamentos, followed by pan seared sea scallops from Clancy’s, and dessert from Piccola Gelateri

Her favorite snowball flavor :: limeade from Hansen’s

She believes the best king cakes are found :: at Haydel’s (cream cheese!)

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: NEUTRAL GROUND SIDE on the St. Charles with her head up and and hands out, or dancing to the bands

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Pacing the floors between her kitchen and living room, watching or trying not to watch, depending on the game.

Kids at Jazz Fest? Nah – not until they can retrieve and consume their own food and drink and apply extra sunscreen as needed. (That’s just for my fam – the rest of y’all are more than welcome to bring yours!)

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: the most frustrating yet fulfilling adventure I’ve ever been on. We are surrounded by history, which means there is always a story to tell and something to learn; but the infrastructure and many of the city’s systems are also outdated, which means there is always some problem to explain. I’d like to think my kids will be ready to tackle anything after navigating childhood here!


Nicole Deano

Originally from :: Chalmette, LA

Her Krewe :: Emily (6), Talia (3)

Her last NOLA meal would be ::  MUFFULETTA with a cup of seafood gumbo

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Classic rich creamy chocolate, preferably stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with thick condensed milk

She believes the best king cakes are found :: Nonna’s!

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: working, working, working!

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: Cheering, screaming, being way too emotional.

Kids at Jazz Fest? Surprisingly enough… I’ve never even been!.

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: Unique. There’s literally no place like it!


Cori DeRoche

Originally from :: River Ridge, LA

Her Krewe :: Mason, 11, McClelland 9, Mary Margaret 8

Her last NOLA meal would be :: Mint Chocolate chip Banana split with hot fudge whipped cream, nuts, and cherries

Her favorite snowball flavor :: Not a fan

She believes the best king cakes are found :: La Boulangerie

During Mardi Gras, you’ll find her :: Taking turns putting the girls on my shoulders

During Saints games, you’ll find her :: At the grocery!

Kids at Jazz Fest? Yes! We love going the last Sunday as a family

Raising Kids in New Orleans is :: Challenging… but being a parent anywhere is challenging, we just have more fun.

Mary Olivio
Mary is a caffeine addicted boy mom to Noah, Liam and Luke. This “stay at home” mom can typically been found cruising in her minivan, jamming to Beyonce with a Starbucks in hand on her way to carpool or after school activities. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2007. She is a founder of Delivering Hope NOLA and the Vanessa Wolff Scholarship Fund at her Alma Mater. Mary is passionate in the local preemie community and has been heavily involved with the March of Dimes since her sons Liam and Luke were born premature.

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