I think what you're dealing with are Pear Slugs, which may or may not be what Beeman mentioned above. I used to see them on my pear trees and would just squish 'em when I found them. I don't see them anymore. In small numbers they didn't seem to do much damage, just mining the leaf surfaces here and there. They are a serious pear pest though in other parts of the country. Here is a link that might be useful: Pear Slugs

Looks like it might be an armyworm to me.

There are two caterpillars. In the second picture, it’s not a shadow. Do they walk out of their skin growing? I have no idea, but that what it looked like. A pile of discarded clothes. I check on them every day. Always getting nervous if I don’t see them at first. Wonder if these were the eggs.

I'm thinking that your caterpillar is Menduca rustica, called the Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar and a very close relative to the tobacco and tomato hornworms. The rustic is quite likely to be found on gardenia. Please know that there can be considerable variation in appearance between individuals.