Friday, March 8, 2013

Disney 2013: It's Different With a Baby


Oh, Disney World. What a magical place you are. We've been so many times, and this time was SO. VERY. DIFFERENT. Going to the parks with a 7 month old was a whole new experience! So here's the thing... these pictures are not in order so we'll be bouncing around a bit as far as timelines go. Just bear with me :)

Both trips, Ellie slept on the flight for the first hour. The rest of the time we had to keep her occupied. She really did fantastic though. Everyone was telling me how good she was. 


One flight attendant even gave her wings and as we began our descent she came on the PA system and said that the flight crew would like to thank Ellie for choosing Southwest Airlines :)

This was taken after Ellie had a little incident in the park and needed a change of clothes. She is very excited to be wearing jeggings for the first time. 

Seeing this never gets old. I love this castle. 

I had a plan to get a picture of Ellie in front of the castle, but that never happened. That's because our day in the Magic Kingdom was not our best day. It was hot, Ellie was not having it, she screamed a lot and SHE NEVER TOOK A NAP IN HER STROLLER NOT EVEN ONCE. Oh my goodness. Ellie with ZERO naps is not a very good Ellie. It was not her happiest day. Plus, our trip was cut short since my sister-in-law got sick and we were all taken out of the park in a Disney van out a back exit of the park. It was probably for the best though. Ellie wasn't thinking that this was the happiest place on earth!


 One of the best parts of the trip is spending time with our nieces and nephew. Evan and Emmy turned 4 while we were there and I so love spending time with those precious little munchkins.

Isn't Emmy just beautiful?!

This was our last night of the trip. We took a boat to dinner at Downtown Disney. It was downright chilly!

Ellie did a little better in Epcot. We stayed at the hotel that morning and let her get a good morning nap since she refused to sleep in her stroller. This picture kills me. She loves to prop up her feet!

Ellie and her Baba got some great bonding time on this trip!! She's the baby whisperer :)

Oh, our Olivia Claire. The curls. I can't handle her cuteness. She's a ham and she and Ellie really bonded on this trip too. Ellie LOVES her Livi. They are only 2 years apart so we're pretty sure they will be good buddies a few years down the road....

Epcot. The giant golf ball. 

Hi. 

Mr. Evan Charles. 4 years old. That smile.... he is just too much. He says the funniest things and he still gives great hugs. He loves his "Guncle Grant" and he is ALL BOY. 

This was the only smiling pic I got on Magic Kingdom day. The onesie is an Etsy purchase. 

Three generations. The dad life!

Chase and Ronda's kiddos were KNOCKED OUT. Love this pic. Disney World is exhausting!

My sleepy girl!

They aren't fancy at all. Isn't this what everyone wears when they eat hot dogs?

Ellie just loved being with her cousins!

This girl traveled by plane, train, bus, boat and car. What a trooper!

We only rode 2 rides with her the whole time we were in the parks. And, let me tell you, SHE DID NOT LIKE THEM. She sobbed. Big tears. I felt so bad... I don't want to traumatize her! She held on to me so tight. Poor darling girl. She really didn't want anything to do with the parades either. 

Now, what she DID like.... watching her cousins dance. Amazed. 

These kiddos are looking so old....

The curliest girl in all the land....

My little Minnie Mouse girl...

The leg!

We really did have such a good time! The first day was rough but we soooo love being with family that it makes it all worth it. We know we'll bring Ellie back soon and she'll love it. She just needs to nap a little better next time :)


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Excused Absence

Well, I've been missing.

There is no blogging happening as of late.

And to put the cherry on top of this situation... I MISSED THE OSCAR BLOG.

Here's what happened:

We went to Disney World. We went with the family and we brought our 7 month old daughter which means SO MANY THINGS HAD TO BE PACKED. Pretty much her entire nursery came with us on the plane. As we zipped up our suitcases to head to the airport, I had to make the executive decision to leave the laptop at home. It was just one more thing I would have to carry and I just couldn't justify the extra weight and hassle.  I was going to miss most of the Oscar ceremony anyway and I just didn't think I would have the energy to gather photos and write a witty blog about all my favorites at the end of a long day.

As it turned out, I really didn't have the energy whatsoever and I'm content with my decision. I just couldn't do it. I am still recovering from a week long trip with an infant. Y'all. Seriously.

We had a great time and I will absolutely post pictures in the near future. But for right now I just wanted to come explain my absence.

On another note, here are three things I am looking forward to:

1. I'm having lunch with my dear friend Liz today for her birthday, which was a long time ago, but we are just now celebrating. I miss my friend and I'm so glad to be able to sit at her kitchen table and visit.

2. Grant comes home today. He's been in Austin and I miss him. Ellie misses him too.

3. I ordered Ellie's Easter dress on Etsy a few months ago. Yes, months. Easter dresses are important, y'all. And this one KILLS ME. Everytime I open Ellie's closet and I see it hanging there in all its glory... I just get giddy. It's perfection. Can't wait to put it on her. Oh, I love Easter.

In closing, LOOK AT THIS GIRL: