tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47220033722207794092024-02-07T22:11:14.747-05:00Figuring Out The DetailsI'm figuring out the details of life.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-66754846147309368052013-05-12T20:47:00.000-04:002013-05-13T00:37:07.631-04:00Happy Mother's Day, 2013.Happy Mother's Day! We had a lovely day yesterday having a picnic in the park with our family, and then my mom and I continued the celebration today with lunch and pedicures. I'm grateful my mom is such a great part of my life, and I'm grateful for the little dude who made me a mom too.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8732810369/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/8732810369_74257d992f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8732811099/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/8732811099_a012e56291_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8733928190/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8733928190_4a74c81c19_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8733927562/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8733927562_e6db3297d6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8733928476/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/8733928476_5c0b59b708_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8733928898/" title="Mother's Day 2013. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/8733928898_d1f99566e1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2013."></a></center>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-58249653288309789222013-02-11T11:45:00.000-05:002013-02-11T11:45:00.763-05:00George's first trip to Epcot.How did I never post this? Back in December, George went to his second ever Disney theme park, Epcot. This park is my all-time favorite, and I have so many good memories of going there as a kid with my family. Riding on Spaceship Earth, walking around the countries, meeting Figment (my all-time favorite character, which is <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2011/02/well-hey-check-place-for-baby-to-sleep.html">why there are a bunch of Figments in the nursery</a>). With all this nostalgia fueling me, I was especially excited to have the opportunity to introduce my son to this park.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8273262317/" title="DSC_5983 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8273262317_e801b21526_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_5983 former raw"></a></center><br />
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George was a bit excited too.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8274329092/" title="DSC_6013 sooc by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8274329092_8b0a02f11f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6013 sooc"></a></center><br />
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Although that excitement might have had a little something to do with all of his friends joining us at Epcot too.<br />
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Also, fishies.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8273263027/" title="DSC_6016 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8273263027_b4180d0843_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6016 edited"></a></center><br />
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And his daddy.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8274329580/" title="DSC_6017 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8274329580_a3a4fb1158_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6017 edited"></a></center><br />
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And more fishies. After we left the Living Seas, I put the camera away for a good while and just focused on enjoying my family and friends.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8273264165/" title="DSC_6055 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8273264165_4375452cd9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6055 edited"></a></center><br />
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It was such an awesome day, and I am so grateful we were able to go. We hit nearly all of my favorite attractions, including Journey Into The Imagination. Of course, the thing that ended up amusing George the most was water dripping from the monorail track. He stood there for several minutes, waiting for water to hit his head.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8274331292/" title="DSC_6107 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8274331292_2f67e412e8_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_6107 edited"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8273265615/" title="DSC_6112 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8273265615_67d874b024_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_6112 edited"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8274332048/" title="DSC_6121 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8274332048_d3faf2ae9b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6121 edited"></a></center><br />
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Life is good, guys. And my thanks to our friends who made it possible for us to go to Disney and to share our love of the parks with George.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-41015280493436780832013-02-07T23:11:00.000-05:002013-02-07T23:12:53.125-05:00George's first time meeting Mickey (and first trip to Hollywood Studios).So, this happened:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8448796076/" title="Me, George, and Sorcerer Mickey. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8448796076_8198547a3c_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Me, George, and Sorcerer Mickey."></a></center><br />
What you don't see is everything that lead up to this moment. This was George's first time at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and it was on my bucket list for him to finally meet Mickey. To give you some context, the kid loves Mickey. <br />
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He even took some of his first steps while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse:<br />
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<center><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="569" height="320" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b577827f7a&photo_id=6925592180"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=b577827f7a&photo_id=6925592180" height="320" width="569"></embed></object></center><br />
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George will hand us the television remote and ask for Mickey. The kid knows what he wants. So when I told him he was going to meet Mickey, I didn't necessarily think he knew what was coming, but I did know it was going to make an impact. <br />
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And it did. George's eyes lit up as soon as he saw Mickey Mouse. Squeals of "Mickey, Mickey, Mickey, Miiiiiiiiickeeeeeey!" began emanating from his smiling mouth. <br />
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Here's the problem - young toddlers don't understand the concept of lines. He was viewing Mickey from the end of the queue, and there were quite a few families ahead of his. I tried distracting him with toys, including one of his favorite little Mickey figurines. Despite my best efforts, the tears were revving up, and the toddler flinging himself out of my arms and trying to literally claw the floor in an effort to escape my arms in order to photobomb some poor family's long-awaited photo with Mickey.<br />
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Oops.<br />
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Luckily, we went with fantastic friends who encouraged me to take George for a little walk while they held our place in line with their own comparatively calmer toddlers. This was the break George needed to not melt down into a puddle of distraught apocalyptic toddler ooze. When we returned, there were only a couple folks ahead of us. George wriggled as he watched his two little friends go ahead of them. One ran straight up to Mickey, all smiles and happiness. The next was slightly more apprehensive, but still game. And then there was George.<br />
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George took off running towards Mickey. And then he stopped short. It all caught up to him, the emotional wait, my promises that he would meet his favorite character that day, and the realization that there was his beloved Mickey Mouse towering over him. He was frozen to the carpet, before deciding to do something that shocked me. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8454114457/" title="George shared his Mickey toy with Mickey Mouse. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8454114457_e625689250_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="George shared his Mickey toy with Mickey Mouse."></a></center><br />
He took that Mickey toy, gently placed it on the floor in front of his idol, and stepped back. And Mickey kneeled down, picked it up, and showed it to George. And George was happy.<br />
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I'm writing this as a ghost, because the cute killed me.<br />
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He was still apprehensive, so I got in there and held George while introducing him to Mickey Mouse. We even got him to kiss Mickey's nose:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8448798944/" title="George kissing Mickey on the nose. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8448798944_0cc0a4dcf7_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="George kissing Mickey on the nose."></a></center><br />
Yup. I'm dead. But what a magical way to go.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-53145129659103791082013-01-21T09:39:00.000-05:002013-02-08T20:20:39.965-05:00Cruising with the kiddo (and my mom, one of my nieces, and that guy I married).<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311633337/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8311633337_4fc0e7a88a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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Several weeks before Christmas, El Hub said to me, "Let's go on a cruise."<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311855224/" title="DSC_6290 sooc by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8311855224_a50cdc7e55_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6290 sooc"></a></center><br />
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The memory of my response has dulled with time, but I am pretty sure I said something like, "Hang on, I have mental whiplash from you suggesting a vacation, give me a minute to think about this."<br />
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And we did think about it. We were big cruisers in our pre-baby days. We even went on an <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2009/10/honeymoon-want-to-be-on-plane-not.html">amazing European cruise for our honeymoon</a>, and our <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2010/10/hello-monday-and-goodbye-vacation.html">babymoon was a cruise</a> as well. But now that we have a toddler, how did we want to approach this cruise? Did we want to bring him or leave him with my mom? How long of a cruise did we want to go on? Why do cruises charge full price for toddlers? (That last question is one we never got an answer to. So absurd since toddlers certainly don't eat as much as an adult. The kid doesn't even know what a buffet is yet, much less how to totally take advantage of one.)<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8312699838/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8312699838_e7cef2cbc4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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Our biggest concern was the kiddo's sleeping. He cannot fall asleep with someone in the room. To him, that is a cue that it is party time. And El Hub and I do not envision a vacation being relaxing if all our kid wants to do is party all the time.<br />
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So we started wondering if we could convince any of our dear family to think it would be a good idea to go on a cruise with us. That way, we could get an adjoining room, let George fall asleep in our room, and hang out in the other room while obsessively listening to him chat away on the baby monitor (that last part might have just been me). And two of our family members stepped up to the plate; my mom and my niece Cassandra volunteered to be the brave souls to go with us.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8322980708/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8322980708_f756b4bab1_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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We had no idea how it would go. We didn't know if George would sleep, we didn't know if he would get seasick, we didn't know if he would hate the boat and the food and the activities. But we wanted to get back in touch with our love of cruising. So with a wing and a prayer and a credit card, we booked our vacation.<br />
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And it was a blast.<br />
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Seriously, one of my favorite vacations ever. If you are thinking about taking your toddler on a cruise, then keep reading, because I have an awful lot to say about this. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311653746/" title="DSC_6165 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8311653746_2698d1def4_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_6165 former raw"></a></center><br />
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Everything went better than we could have hoped. The room logistics we chose with an adjoining room worked wonderfully; one of the four of us would stay behind while George was napping or down for bedtime, and we would switch off who had the freedom to go explore. Our room was technically interior, but since it was the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas, we chose one that overlooked the "Royal Promenade." George loved people watching from our window, and we loved the lower price tag. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311641647/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8311641647_b59e8d319a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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We chose a five day cruise but probably could have happily gone on a seven day; we intentionally picked a cruise with two at-sea days since we were not really focused on exploring the ports with George. This worked out even better when one of our two ports, Labadee, Haiti, was a private Royal Caribbean-controlled area with the beach, food, and even a splash pad in walking distance.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311654366/" title="DSC_6193 sooc by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8311654366_d38603f8d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6193 sooc"></a></center><br />
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The ship itself was big, but we never once used our stroller on it. George was happy to walk nearly everywhere, and once he wanted to be carried, it was never far from our destination. <br />
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We packed light and just brought a duffle bag for George with diapers, one change per day of day clothes and dinner clothes, diapers, and his bedtime ritual stuff. RCCL has a partnership with Fisher Price, so during the day they have a room full of toys that parents can hang out at with their kiddos. They also have a toy-lending program, like a little library of Fisher Price toys. But we never needed to use it because there was so much for George to do and see, and we didn't spend much time in the room. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8312676506/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8312676506_822fb52887_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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There was also a nursery for $8 an hour that we did not use until the third day, and I regret waiting that long. George LOVED it. Full of Fisher-Price toys, and the ladies there will feed them food to your specifications if you leave your kiddo there during a meal time. He always left happier than when he arrived. <br />
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Before the cruise, we had been wondering if we would be able to do the fancy sit-down dinners or if George would pitch a fit at the leisurely meals. We never tested this as breakfast and instead always went to the Windjammer buffet, but we were pleasantly shocked that George happily made it through dinner every night. That is not a short meal. But they sat us at secluded tables, and we let him play on the floor blocked into the corner until the food arrived.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311629115/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8311629115_b4f1d01a1d_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br />
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And finally, employees on cruise ships LOVE KIDS. Holy moley. George was a rock star everywhere he went. I think sometimes it is that the employees miss their families, but then the rest of the time I think that the employees just like the change of pace that kids provide. But oh man, he was loved. And of course, George loved that, and it made him even happier to be on a cruise.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8311855846/" title="DSC_6304 sooc by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8311855846_de796abe9f_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_6304 sooc"></a></center><br />
So ta da! We went on a cruise with a toddler and not only survived to tell the tale, but happily so. Now I just need to await the next time El Hub turns to me and says, "Let's go on a cruise." Maybe this time I won't have the mental whiplash.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8312693616/" title="Untitled by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8312693616_c496670e9f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a></center>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-80527763395346472112013-01-19T20:57:00.000-05:002013-01-19T20:57:04.696-05:00Christmas 2012.Well, this is only almost a month late! But I know I'd be kicking myself later if I never bothered to record this for posterity, so here's the requisite Christmas post.<br />
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Last year I wrote about <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2011/12/georges-first-christmas.html">George's first Christmas</a>, and mentioned that "I can only imagine how much more fun it will become in the future as George grows and he 'gets' it more." High five to my past self for acknowledging the limits of my imagination, because I could not have anticipated how much he would enjoy it this year. And trust me, he still did not get it. No clue who Santa is, or that the "twee!" was a Christmas tree, or that there are other presents to open after the first one. That last one we had a pickle of a time with because all of the family members gathered were so excited to see the little one tear into their present to him, while George just wanted to play with the last present his was given. Whoops.<br />
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We hosted it at our house again, and my lovely MIL cooked again. Both sides of our family congregated at our house. By the end of the day, it looked like a toy bomb hit it (still does nearly a month later, to be honest). This year differed in that we went to visit my dad later on in the evening. All in all, it was a lovely holiday, two enthusiastic thumbs up, would do again.<br />
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Here, have some photos of our big ole' family Christmas:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329154346/" title="Our 2012 Christmas tree. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8329154346_c0df2dac20_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Our 2012 Christmas tree."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329154516/" title="Mickey ornament. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8329154516_2a3ebaf5a2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mickey ornament."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329156298/" title="Sitting down for dinner. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8329156298_3018dde213_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Sitting down for dinner."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8328097997/" title="Our family at Christmas. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8328097997_10610b758a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Our family at Christmas."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329156872/" title="Present time. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8329156872_481736c2a4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Present time."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329157918/" title="A stroller for Mr. Owl. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8329157918_666166f58d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="A stroller for Mr. Owl."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329158850/" title="Christmas with Dad. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8329158850_66e09a28d3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Christmas with Dad."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8328100797/" title="Christmas with Dad. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8328100797_57964f8480_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Christmas with Dad."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329159554/" title="Rob, George, and me in front of the tree. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8329159554_e3b152a57f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob, George, and me in front of the tree."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8329160406/" title="Rob kissing my cheek. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8495/8329160406_844a439e3b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob kissing my cheek."></a></center>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-41633771805074581442013-01-19T20:40:00.001-05:002013-01-19T20:43:15.146-05:00Glad to say goodbye to 2012.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8397024412/" title="Big boy on the slide. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8397024412_f592011a62_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Big boy on the slide."></a><br />
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<i>Here, have a cute photo of the kiddo on a slide.</i></center><br />
I have been procrastinating on writing here, because I have not felt like I can write about the topics I really want to expound on. In past posts, I have briefly touched on how crazy this past year has been, and part of me feels a bit like a drama queen for doing so.<br />
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But the reality is that it's been a rough year. For a lot of different reasons.<br />
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Several trips to the ER, three hospitalizations. My dad not only going into a nursing home, but now being at his third one, one that we had to scramble frantically to find and get him into. Medicaid application, the most cumbersome pile of paperwork I've ever seen. My mom sold their house and moved in with us. El Hub works unspeakably long hours, so much that the kiddo sometimes doesn't see him for days on end because El Hub leaves before he wakes and come home after he goes to sleep. The year involved lots of packing, lots of research, lots of doctors, lots of co-pays, the sort that add up to make your eyes pop while simultaneously making you grateful for insurance (until that very insurance refuses to pay for something you need). And a few of us in my family entered this new year still waiting for answers, with appointments already penned in our 2013 calendars.<br />
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I feel like this year hasn't been as utterly awful as it could have been because we are a close family. I was raised to believe that family is vitally important. Name your cliche - get in each other's hair, rub the wrong way, drive each other up a wall. We can drive each other nuts, but we are infallibly dedicate to being there for one another.<br />
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Some people not as close to us in our lives have quietly slipped away, which hurt. But tough times are a test of fire; not everyone can take the heat. And since it's not happening to them, they are not required to stick around. So they don't. I imagine we've all been guilty of it at times in our lives, but that doesn't exactly make it easier to bear when you realize that the people you care about don't quite care about you the same way.<br />
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Others reached out, for which I am forever grateful. Even the text messages I received acknowledging what we were going through could bring a smile to my face. But when limited with time and energy, sometimes all we were able to do was text back a quick thank you. And that doesn't do these folks justice for trying to find something comforting and helpful to say during these difficult months. It's my goal to reconnect with all of these folks to give them the time and attention they deserve.<br />
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Then there are the people who were able to weave their way into our chaotic lives. I cannot tell you how many folks offered to help out with the kiddo, bring food, and just talk any time we were ready. One family member hopped on a plane. Friends shifted their own kiddos' schedules in order to take care of ours. People listened to me rattle on about the latest issue complicating our circumstances. People remembered, and followed up with us when they knew we were supposed to have updates. These people I also hope to be a better friend to this year, when the time arrives that healthcare and bills and houses consume less of my thoughts.<br />
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So all of these dominoes may have been crashing down in our own lives, but our friends and family helped us feel less alone. This is what I am grateful for.<br />
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Like most, I had hoped to feel that we could wipe the slate clean for 2013. But money, homes, and especially health are sometimes out of our control. So instead of the unrealistic starting fresh, I am thinking in terms of starting differently. Tackling the day differently, changing certain priorities. Getting back to all those friends who texted. And writing here.<br />
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Wish me luck. And I wish you a happier 2013.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-29840797603621654622012-12-13T22:50:00.002-05:002012-12-13T22:50:06.008-05:00Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8270579607/" title="DSC_5861 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8270579607_f4e06e48bb_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_5861 edited"></a></center><br />
El Hub and I were watching Parks and Rec, and there was a scene that had me go, "No, no, no. Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope cannot get together. They will drive each other crazy."<br />
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So then El Hub just looks at me. And I look at him. And then it clicks - he is likening himself to Ron Swanson, and me to Leslie Knope.<br />
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And then I laugh for three minutes straight until tears are streaming down my cheeks.<br />
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It's a fair enough assessment - El Hub is "not a sharer," as another character described Swanson in the latest episode. He's quiet. He's even-keeled, and his deadpan expression helps him excel at keeping a straight face at all times. He may not do woodworking or have a couple of scary ex-wives named Tammy, but there are still a few similarities there.<br />
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And he thinks I'm like Leslie Knope - excitable, optimistic, and raring to check things off my to do list. I even spent many years working in Recreation and have a couple of public administration degrees. I may not have the hots for Joe Biden the way Leslie does, but hey, who cares when I've got my own personal Ron Swanson?<br />
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And look, I even stuck my foot in my mouth like Leslie is sometimes apt to do. I'm sorry, El Hub. Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope could totally get together. And they might drive each other crazy sometimes, but they would love and care for each other through it all.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-22314374154886022232012-11-22T00:29:00.001-05:002012-11-22T00:29:40.005-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!Happy Thanksgiving! This may be my favorite holiday thanks to its simplicity of expressing our gratitude while spending time with loved ones. It's been a rough several months here for our family, and I am grateful we are all here today to reflect on the changes in our lives. And on a lighter note, the awesome food doesn't hurt the holiday either. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8208028622/" title="Busted Dad out when the girls were in town a couple weeks ago. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8208028622_013d27401e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Busted Dad out when the girls were in town a couple weeks ago."></a></center><br />
I'm thankful for family visits. For a safe and healthy place for my dad to live. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143265319/" title="DSC_4980 by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8143265319_177c6e4d91_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4980"></a></center><br />
I'm thankful for George sandwiches.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8133577948/" title="George, Mr. Owl, and his lovey. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8133577948_359e7ea97b_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="George, Mr. Owl, and his lovey."></a></center><br />
I'm thankful for a happy and healthy toddler.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures" title="Rob FaceTime-ing with George"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8190158920_0f4801ebe7_z.jpg" width="361" height="640" alt="Rob FaceTime-ing with George."></a></center><br />
I'm thankful our kiddo has a goofball dad who loves him to bits.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107495216/" title="DSC_4299 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8107495216_99893b1083_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4299 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7982989403/" title="My friend Erin is entertaining the kiddos. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7982989403_a7ac089888_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="My friend Erin is entertaining the kiddos."></a></center><br />
I'm thankful for friends.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107493950/" title=""My 1st Haircut" by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8107493950_1b861324e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt=""My 1st Haircut""></a></center><br />
I'm thankful for Disney and beginning to fulfill the awesomeness of introducing the kiddo to the parks I love so much (DISNEY!).<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8133528905/" title="DSC_4875 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8133528905_732ab76644_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4875 former raw"></a></center><br />
And I'm thankful I'm here. It's a good place to be.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-40865385262467422172012-10-31T22:43:00.002-04:002012-11-22T00:29:56.289-05:00Happy Halloween!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143264293/" title="DSC_4953 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8143264293_a3fe0f9df6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4953 former raw"></a></center><br />
George's trick or treating began at a visit to my dad. This may be one of my favorite photos, ever. Some of my favorite people, in a beautifully happy moment. I pinky swear we didn't match their clothes on purpose.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143264871/" title="DSC_4975 no address by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8143264871_ff4c5972df_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4975 no address"></a></center><br />
Then we went home to hit up the neighbors and wow them with our son's cuteness. But first, I handed the camera over to my mom to get a few photos.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143265319/" title="DSC_4980 edited no address by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8143265319_177c6e4d91_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4980 edited no address"></a></center><br />
We call this a George sandwich. We usually do it because George sees up kiss, gets upset, and then insists we pick him up and give him affection. He's bossy, but he has cuteness working in his favor (for now).<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143266593/" title="DSC_5014 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8143266593_a167d6db5f_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_5014 edited"></a></center><br />
Our little Mickey Mouse.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143266139/" title="DSC_5010 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8143266139_d43a9cbac9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_5010 edited"></a></center><br />
One of our neighbors gave George a car instead of candy. In the past few weeks while out on walks, George has been given: bubbles, balls, a toy truck, non-Halloween candy, and now a toy truck. It's good to be a charming toddler, apparently.<br />
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We walked all the way around the block, which is just about a marathon for a toddler. Or for a tired parent who carries a clingy toddler who refuses to walk because all the trick or treaters are weirding him out. But we got to see lots of neighbors and fun costumes, so we called it worth it.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8143269167/" title="DSC_5097 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8143269167_5bdb24b279_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_5097 former raw"></a></center><br />
Plus, candy. When we got home, we heard a candy wrapper rustling and then saw that George had a lollipop in his mouth. And that would be how we learned that George can take the wrapper off a lollipop.<br />
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Happy Halloween!<br />
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Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-19322633488109993382012-10-31T22:32:00.002-04:002012-10-31T22:45:46.692-04:00First haircut.Technically this was his second haircut. His first haircut occurred several days earlier, after El Hub nagged me yet again about George's crazy curls. I took a little pair of scissors to the kiddo's mullet curls and El Hub was still not satisfied. Meanie.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107482793/" title="George's pre-haircut curls (and snack). by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8107482793_563c378009_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George's pre-haircut curls (and snack)."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107491572/" title="George's pre-haircut curls. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8107491572_cc4b3449a6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George's pre-haircut curls."></a></center><br />
Man, those curls. But El Hub seldom asks for anything, and he had been asking for this for months. And a dear friend offered to help us go to the Magic Kingdom Barbershop to take advantage of the first haircut experience they offer.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107483083/" title="Magic Kingdom Barber Shop. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8107483083_8b84e1973f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Magic Kingdom Barber Shop."></a></center><br />
Check out the barbershop quartet of pumpkins up there. Hey yo to Halloween.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107483225/" title="Being bribed with a car toy distraction. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8107483225_532a1b31fe_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Being bribed with a car toy distraction."></a></center><br />
It's Disney, so they naturally see a lot of kids. Which means the hair stylists are well versed in the ways of soothing nervous toddlers. AKA bribing them with toys.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107491864/" title="Mohawk. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8107491864_9291a36cfd_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mohawk."></a></center><br />
Not even paying attention to his temporary mohawk.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107492414/" title="George gives Dada a sticker. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8107492414_3f8e5aebc2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George gives Dada a sticker."></a></center><br />
George felt his dada could be improved with a few Mickey Mouse stickers. Good call, buddy.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107492584/" title="Momma breaks out the stickers. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8107492584_f0d4bf5d58_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Momma breaks out the stickers."></a></center><br />
This momma right here handed the camera over so there could be some photographic proof that I was indeed there that day. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107484933/" title="Buzzzzzzz. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8107484933_c90b514f2d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Buzzzzzzz."></a></center><br />
The only time George became concerned was during the buzzing of the trimmer. But the lure of the Lightning McQueen toy was too much for him to do anything about his concern.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107493540/" title="Freshly shorn. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8107493540_1ce83e15ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Freshly shorn."></a></center><br />
Ta da! And he got a Mickey hat for his first haircut experience. And we got a lock of his hair to take home and skeeve him out with it when he's in high school.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107493950/" title=""My 1st Haircut" by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8107493950_1b861324e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt=""My 1st Haircut""></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107495026/" title="Our big boy and his new haircut. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8107495026_1c4a26dc81_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Our big boy and his new haircut."></a></center><br />
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He's growing up. Eating pretzels. Getting big boy haircuts. Sitting on stools by himself. Saying Mickey Mouse and shouting about cars. It's amazing, and I love it. I love this kid.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/8107495124/" title="The pretzel didn't stand a chance. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8107495124_e57224467c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="The pretzel didn't stand a chance."></a></center><br />
And he's pretty amusing, too. Om nom nom, kid.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-59251597974758409612012-09-12T16:38:00.002-04:002012-09-13T23:44:32.172-04:00Life in a state of flux.It's a shame that when life gets crazy and it would soothe the soul to write, that it is the very nature of that time that makes it impossible to sit down and write. Things have been busy here, to put it mildly. Until things are more settled so I can properly write about them, here are some random photos to bring you up to speed:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7651247856/" title="George playing with the phone in Dad's hospital room. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7651247856_6a792ab011_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="George playing with the phone in Dad's hospital room."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7673613706/" title="Hung up photos in Dad's room at the rehab center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/7673613706_5835e9e9b2_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Hung up photos in Dad's room at the rehab center."></a></center><br />
The super busy-ness began few months ago, when my dad was in the hospital and then transferred to a short-term rehab facility. I did my best to make the latter a bit more like home with those 3M stickers for hanging pictures. Those stickers even get used in our own home because I have terrible commitment issues when it comes to frame arrangements.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7659585066/" title="How many toddlers can you fit on a rocking chair? by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/7659585066_8f6cc1fd17_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="How many toddlers can you fit on a rocking chair?"></a></center><br />
Friends have been a saving grace during this time. All those cliches about finding out who people really are during tough times are true. I feel wildly fortunate to have great friends. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7894566240/" title="EEEEEEEE MICKEY SHOES! We're home now and George keeps bringing them to me to put back on his feet. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/7894566240_d86e22e6e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="EEEEEEEE MICKEY SHOES! We're home now and George keeps bringing them to me to put back on his feet."></a></center><br />
George got new shoes. You may not think this is important, but George sure does. They have Mickey Mouse on them, so he shrieks "MIIIEEE!" every time we put them on. And if we DON'T put those on him and dare to put another pair on his feet, he freaks out and cries. The kid is a serious Mickey fan (woohoo!).<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7940265938/" title="After running through the ran to the car. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7940265938_b75e4f7b99_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="After running through the ran to the car."></a></center><br />
A few months ago, I signed George up for the gym daycare. Best $10 a month ever. With El Hub constantly working insane hours, going to the gym is the best way for George to get to play with other kids without me hovering, for me to get my workout on, and for El Hub not to receive texts from me that go WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME THIS IS ABSURD (confession: he still receives those texts from me sometimes, but on average I've increased my tolerance from 8pm to 10pm). I took this photo during one of the evenings when we got stuck leaving the gym when it was pouring rain out, and George was adorably fascinated by it.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriap/5184738700/" title="IMG_0757 by victoriasii, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/5184738700_d55a024499_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="IMG_0757"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7908859684/" title="The bathroom is almost finished! by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/7908859684_e01c77e536_n.jpg" width="239" height="320" alt="The bathroom is almost finished!"></a><br />
<small><i>Before and After</i></small></center><br />
We kinda sorta finished our bathroom update. Kind of. I should do a proper post about this one because I am so elated about it. Goodbye, faux green marble formica. Ways in which I dramatize my joy over this: 1) I avoid ever using our guest bathroom anymore because it's just not as pretty, and 2) I taught George to say "Ooooooooh" when we go in the bathroom.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7943403474/" title="Waiting for the doctor at George's 18 month appointment. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/7943403474_336c7dbd41_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Waiting for the doctor at George's 18 month appointment."></a></center><br />
George had his 18-month appointment. He's still a little guy, but he's a healthy guy, and that's what I care about. Also I bribed him with a new $2 wooden airplane toy from Target, and he can now make "whoosh!" flying sounds as he zips it through the air.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7952698416/" title="Trying to grow up too fast. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/7952698416_fa3dccf1ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Trying to grow up too fast."></a></center><br />
George apparently thinks he's grown more than he has though, as he's taken to putting on our shoes. Nice try, kiddo.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7944446370/" title="George insisted on wearing all Mickey stuff, ears included. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7944446370_5685835a1f_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="George insisted on wearing all Mickey stuff, ears included."></a></center><br />
Did I mention that George loves Mickey? He put the hat on voluntarily and then kept it on for a hot walk. That might even be more extreme than my own love of the mouse.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7978709126/" title="80 letters. This is how I spent my evening. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7978709126_03ac6ce411_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="80 letters. This is how I spent my evening."></a></center><br />
My mom sold their house last week and is moving out in a few days. She'll be moving in with us until she can find a place to buy. Speaking of where she'd like to buy, she wants to live in our neighborhood. El Hub is okay with this, pointing out that my mom has been a mother-in-law to my brothers' wives for over 20 years now, so she's pretty good at it at this point. I'm okay with this because my mom is awesome (I take after her, of course). I'm so okay with this that I printed, folded, stuffed, and labeled 80 letters to my neighbors with small houses, asking them to pretty please sell their house to my mom.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7973788452/" title="Hanging out with Dad at his new rehab center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7973788452_9debfc3ffc_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Hanging out with Dad at his new rehab center."></a></center><br />
Skipping back to the topic of Dad, he ended up going from short-term to long-term care which involved moving to a new facility. And then another new facility a week after that. (I'm telling you, I could write a book.) George likes the television at Dad's new nursing home, Dad likes George, and I like watching them hang out together, so there's a lot of happiness at visits.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7979729939/" title="George loves shouting "CHEESE!" when he holds this old camera up to his face. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7979729939_89f38b2a4a_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="George loves shouting "CHEESE!" when he holds this old camera up to his face."></a></center><br />
And finally, George has learned to shout "CHEESE!" when he holds a camera up to his face. Maybe if he likes photography, I'll actually be in some of these photos I post someday.<br />
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Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-31077332518673174102012-08-27T23:58:00.002-04:002012-08-27T23:58:38.361-04:00Siesta Key.So life has been uber duper crazy lately. El Hub is working all the time (like, right now as I type this at 11pm on Monday night), my parents' lives are in a state of flux right now, throw in some health issues because those are always fun - that kind of crazy.<br />
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You know what's nice when life gets crazy? A vacation.<br />
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Thanks to a very kind friend of my mom's, we got to spend a week at the beach near where I grew up. El Hub even took off a couple of days from work to spend the first part of it with us. George and I were originally slated to go with him middway through the week, but then I smacked myself silly for not thinking to take advantage of staying the whole week. Hope my mom actually wanted us to stay the whole week, because that's exactly what we did. I also hope she wanted my oldest nieces camping out in the condo's living room, because that's exactly what they did. Basically, it was like my childhood on steroids with a kid of my own in the mix, just a three minute walk from the beach.<br />
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Lots of playing in the sand.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877770952/" title="DSC_3676 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7877770952_8aa86fbd90_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3676 edited"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877772774/" title="DSC_3689 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7877772774_aa0069082d_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_3689 edited"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877771746/" title="DSC_3683 edited by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7877771746_42aaaf0be2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3683 edited"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877782850/" title="DSC_3948 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7877782850_acb18917b1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3948 former raw"></a></center><br />
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Lots of goofiness.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877777858/" title="DSC_3820 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7877777858_42643dc352_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3820 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877774864/" title="DSC_3721 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7877774864_30d513b3dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3721 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877770012/" title="DSC_3670 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7877770012_f51c3bca8f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3670 former raw"></a><br />
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<small><i>Yes, that is El Hub working on vacation. Go see the first paragraph about him working all the time.</i></small></center><br />
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Lots of family photos.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7770609462/" title="Our family, August 2012. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7770609462_040db767b0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Our family, August 2012."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877783118/" title="DSC_3950 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7877783118_324783993d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3950 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877781546/" title="DSC_3874 by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7877781546_05d53cb2f6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3874"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877782228/" title="DSC_3930 by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7877782228_3d1e29bbf4_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="DSC_3930"></a></center><br />
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Lots of hanging out at the beach during sunsets.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877783394/" title="DSC_4021 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7877783394_cf4ef2753a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_4021 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7877777610/" title="DSC_3802 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/7877777610_79709399c4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_3802 former raw"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7798772830/" title="George at sunset on Siesta Key beach. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7798772830_4f3b8cc207_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="George at sunset on Siesta Key beach."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7798799062/" title="Me and George, silhouettes on the beach. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7798799062_e3293ed845_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Me and George, silhouettes on the beach."></a></center><br />
Now it's back to the busy life and the temptation to get caught up in it all again. I'm grateful for these photos, and for the memories of George running into the surf, laughing with the girls and my mom, a couple of lazy days with El Hub, and the feel of the breeze at the beach. I'll try to remember how it all felt on this trip the next time I feel that pull of life's craziness.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-25290891762647498692012-07-23T22:50:00.000-04:002012-07-24T13:53:22.259-04:00I needed a win.It's been a rough week. And an even rougher day. The kind of rough that I want to write about but can't bring myself to write about publicly, since it's the complicated sort of story that's not really mine and involves health which never seems like a good thing to write about publicly on the internet and oh man my head hurts. You get my drift.<br />
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So I could really have used a victory today. I would have taken just about anything. So I decided to reinstall our bathroom cabinet doors, which I removed three weeks ago when I spontaneously decided to stain them. The idea came to my head on a Sunday and I started making it a reality on a Monday. And then didn't reattach them for three weeks. ANYWAY. Reinstalling them should have been an easy win, especially since I was obnoxiously detailed about putting each hinge in its own little labeled baggie, "Left Cabinet, Right Door, Bottom Hinge." I am not joking. I was a cabinet door newbie.<br />
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Can't say that anymore! Because when I went to reattach the doors, I got to the very last hinge...<br />
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And a spring popped off just as I was about to screw it in.<br />
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Are you kidding me!?! Where's my easy win?!?<br />
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In case you want to see the ridiculously tiny piece that popped off, here, let me show you:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7634290154/" title="War Against the Spring by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7634290154_f677625ff6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="War Against the Spring"></a><br />
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See it?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7634290878/" title="War Against the Spring by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7634290878_3d8d8cf85c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="War Against the Spring"></a><br />
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Here, this should help:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7634334670/" title="Spring of evil. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7634334670_ae3e9b2f82_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="Spring of evil."></a><br />
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Yeah, that spring. Popped off. So I did what I know best, googled it. This part hasn't existed for a long time. So long, that the manufacture doesn't even list it on the discontinued parts section of their website. <br />
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Then I thought, well, it's not broken broken. Maybe I can fix it. Hah! That spring needed to not only be wedged in a tiny spot, but it also needed this little metal dowel-like thing that was already attached to the other side forced under it as well. To make a long story short, picture me 1) fighting with my needle nose pliers and all these teeny tiny metal bits and realizing I need another set of pliers, 2) not being able to find my other pliers in our sty of a garage, 3) running to the grocery store 10 minutes before it closes to buy another pair because THAT'S HOW MESSY OUR GARAGE IS, 4) wrestling with these little parts and two pliers and cursing and agonizing and then winning. Yes, that is the short version of the story. I didn't include part 2.5 which is when mentally seething at an unnamed individual who treats the garage like a dumping ground. Now you know the long version too!<br />
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The most important part of all of this is that I won. I fixed the hinge. I have beautiful stained cabinets with doors actually attached to them that I may someday post photos of when the bathroom a mess. I didn't get my easy win, but I got the win I needed.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-2539494257916482692012-06-20T22:36:00.000-04:002012-06-20T22:36:00.134-04:00Happy belated birthday to me!Happy birthday to me! Or, happy birthday to me last Saturday. I was too busy celebrating to actually write about it, which is the best kind of birthday.<br />
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It is absolutely wild to think about how different this birthday was from last year's. Not to go all drama llama, but last year may have been one of the worst birthdays of my life. I had a particular rough day of feeling like I was failing my miserably sick newborn, and I was lonely over El Hub working past George's bedtime. It was also <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2011/09/end-of-breastfeeding-and-beginning-of.html">the last day we breastfed</a> (which, let's face it, probably hormonally added to my memory of it being one of my worst birthdays ever). <br />
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But looking back I can also say it was a positive turning point. That day I spent lunch with a wonderful friend and her awesome baby, a woman I am grateful to still be friends with today. In the past year, I've been lucky to make even more friends since then. In the time since then I have gone on to make other awesome momma friends who make me laugh and help keep me rolling with the punches. And making friends as we get older is hard and scary and feels way too much like dating except without the benefit of clearly spelled out hopes and expectations a la online dating. (The whole making friends thing probably deserves a post of its own.) And by going exclusively formula-fed, we were able to rule out certain factors and get a step closer to getting George healthy. Finally, that day was also a reminder that if I want to have a good day, whether it be a birthday or a weekday or any day at all, it's up to me to make it happen.<br />
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So I made it happen this year. I asked my parents' to watch the kiddo overnight so we could go to dinner without worrying about when to arrive home (...or to be hangover-free in the morning). I made a dinner reservation. I decided on the Science Center as a George-friendly place to have a little fun before taking him to Mammaw and Grandpa's for the night. And I asked Rob to take some photos of us.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391763106/" title="My birthday with my baby boy. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/7391763106_fb2596b5c7_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday with my baby boy."></a><br />
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<small><i>George is trying to say, "You better be getting my good side, Dada."<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391764994/" title="My birthday with my baby boy. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7391764994_e669a185e8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday with my baby boy."></a><br />
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Then he goes, "Just joshing, I look cute no matter what."<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391763904/" title="My birthday with my baby boy. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7391763904_b32d774171_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday with my baby boy."></a><br />
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But then he's like, "No, seriously, make sure you get my adorably chubby cheeks."</small></i></center><br />
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This was Rob's first time coming with us to the Science Center. Having another person to help wrangle the baby means I have enough hands to bring the DSLR along.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391765290/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7391765290_609a2a06d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391765492/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7391765492_0993e20380_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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Unsurprisingly difficult to take a decent self-portrait in a dark, gigantic kaleidoscope. But it didn't stop me from trying.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391766620/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7391766620_8bf5c34950_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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SCIENCE!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391766958/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7391766958_3e85bfa0e8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391767526/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5319/7391767526_8a0491ae03_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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George wanted to bring this hedgehog home and love it and squish it and maybe throw it. What can I say, he's 15 months old and recently enamored with throwing small things.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391767712/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7391767712_b521d4911a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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I'm pretty sure this stingray was mooning us.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391767966/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7391767966_c74048c5d5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391768736/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7391768736_6d1f50cbf3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a></center><br />
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And then we took this incredibly cute, beloved child and ditched him at his grandparents' house. Later tater! Don't worry, he didn't miss us at all because his Mammaw lets him watch all the television he wants and walk around with her nail polish and play in her kitchen cabinets. Toddler paradise.<br />
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Momma-on-the-evening-of-her-birthday paradise looks a lot more like this:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7383019506/" title="Birthday martini! by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7383019506_8040c0e79b_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Birthday martini!"></a></center><br />
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That is a s'mores martini. It tastes uncannily like a s'mores. With vodka. Good job, bartender.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391990900/" title="Me and Rob at the Melting Pot on my birthday. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7391990900_3eb5e8481b_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Me and Rob at the Melting Pot on my birthday."></a></center><br />
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This is the point in the evening where El Hub pulls out the big guns. He gave me two red roses, had restaurant take a photo of us, and then handed me a card. The card is a big deal - El Hub would happily live the rest of his life never receiving or giving another card. Whereas I love them and have saved every single card I've received since I was about five years old. So he gives me a Mickey Mouse card...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391994482/" title="Birthday card from Rob. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7391994482_a2cf5bd2eb_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Birthday card from Rob."></a></center><br />
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...with this printed inside it...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391999278/" title="Birthday card from Rob - inside. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7391999278_875d54ebb1_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Birthday card from Rob - inside."></a></center><br />
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For the unfamiliar, those are the lyrics to a Disney happy happy birthday song I have fond memories of from my childhood. It goes a little something like this: <br />
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<center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H0khVaJGR7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
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I listen to this song every year on my birthday. I send it to Disney geek friends on their birthdays. I cross my fingers and toys that maybe Disney will someday bring this song and accompanying show back to the parks someday. (This will never happen. I am a delusional Disney fan.) But just as El Hub isn't a fan of greeting cards, he's not a big fan of Disney either. So for him to get me a 1) Disney 2) card that he 3) printed lyrics on 4) from my favorite Disney birthday song might be the best birthday card I've received yet. I cried.<br />
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And then I drank more of my martini.<br />
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After dinner, we were off to a 9:10pm (!) movie downtown to see Snow White and the Huntsman. These were my tweeted thoughts: <br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center"><p>Saw Snow White & the Huntsman. KStewart, why doesn’t your face move? Charlize, I luff you. Thor, you HOTTIE!</p>— Victoria Shade (@vshade) <a href="https://twitter.com/vshade/status/214200404920111105" data-datetime="2012-06-17T03:38:50+00:00">June 17, 2012</a></blockquote><br />
[SPOILERY SPOILER FOR SPOILSPORTS] Also, if she was locked in a tower for a decade, why did she have shoes to run away in? And since people saw her escape method, why didn't they put bars over it so people couldn't use it in the future? And why did Greta get her youth back? Lame. Lame, I say. But delightful for making fun of and for admiring the prettiness of Charlize and Thor. Good times.<br />
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And then we went home and still managed to go to bed before midnight. I'm old, I admit it. And I'm okay with it because life is pretty awesome these days.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-50127572967968875692012-06-18T13:34:00.002-04:002012-06-18T13:34:23.196-04:00Surprisingly sweet sleepy toddler.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7395454148/" title="George in the ball pit. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5311/7395454148_51a2dbddcd_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George in the ball pit."></a></center><br />
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George officially switched to one nap a day a few weeks ago. Around 12:30pm each day, we need to be ready to put him down for a three hour nap, or the world ends. It's been interesting learning more about this stage, but it hasn't been fun for George on the days in which he doesn't get enough rest. (Or for me either. SLEEP CHILD SLEEP.) Sorry, butternut.<br />
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Today he had a bit of a meltdown right before I began putting him down for his nap, a sure sign he was veering into overtired territory. I anticipated a terrible fight trying to get him into a fresh diaper and sleepsack (I was right), reading him a book (I was right), and singing him a lullaby (I was wrong).<br />
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George snuggled up against me and laid his head in the crook of my neck in a way he lately only ever does in the middle of the night when he's not feeling well. I sang to him and caught his little smile out of the corner of my eye. George lifted his head and pursed his lips in the way he does when he is asking for a kiss. I obliged, and then he laid his head down while I continued singing. Then he lifted his head again for another kiss. We repeated this at least a dozen times, with him smiling a little smile each time.<br />
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Sometimes they surprise you. It's the best.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-50447318200479358152012-06-17T23:33:00.000-04:002012-06-18T09:29:44.600-04:00Happy Father's Day.Happy Father's Day to my dad, who helped teach me the value of being curious and how magical the world can be...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7223157690/" title="Me and my dad at the Magic Kingdom a couple decades ago. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7223157690_8c05d954f5.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Me and my dad at the Magic Kingdom a couple decades ago."></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207351556/" title="Me, George and Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7207351556_dd5aa7a239.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Me, George and Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6018998014/" title="My dad and George, just chilling together. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6020/6018998014_41e04e3df1_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="My dad and George, just chilling together."></a><br />
</center><br />
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<br />
...and to the loving and clever father of my child, who is going to teach George so much about the world as well. (I can take care of teaching him about the magical part. Thanks again, Dad.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7393927182/" title="Rob's Father's Day gift. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/7393927182_f55e9def80_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob's Father's Day gift."></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/5651921846/" title="Outtake. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5304/5651921846_6811cdd836_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Outtake."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6273970025/" title="Rob and George at Tijuana Flats. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6116/6273970025_2fae2fa6e0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob and George at Tijuana Flats."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980713548/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/6980713548_2b2396d73a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225043926/" title="George trying to escape while Rob looks over his shoulder. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7225043926_f36b921634_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="George trying to escape while Rob looks over his shoulder."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7391766620/" title="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7391766620_8bf5c34950_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My birthday! at Orlando Science Center."></a><br />
</center>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-11273543102556274102012-05-23T08:36:00.000-04:002012-05-23T08:36:00.476-04:00Coping with the Mommarazzi.The Mommarazzi approaches the subject, having been tipped off to his whereabouts by the sound of blocks being banged together.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225045812/" title="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 1. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7225045812_b071f3fc42_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 1."></a><br />
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<i>*snap*</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225046180/" title="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 2. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7225046180_834f7f325b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 2."></a><br />
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<i>*snap*</i><br />
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"Whoa, hey..." He gets up and toddles over to the Mommarazzi to investigate the situation.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225046556/" title="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 3. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/7225046556_03d2a5f197_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 3."></a><br />
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<i>*snap*</i><br />
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"Dude, that flash is a bit bright, ya know? You've already gotten your photos, could we maybe lay off a bit so I can go back to my blocks? Or you could feed me. That's always an option."<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225046694/" title="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 4. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7225046694_8c9589702c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 4."></a><br />
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<i>*snap*</i><br />
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"All right, that's it. Your camera is mine."<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7225047056/" title="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 5. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7225047056_edd41f6a7c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Coping with the Mommarazzi, 5."></a><br />
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<i>*snap*</i>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-34024698662578407072012-05-21T10:36:00.000-04:002012-06-21T01:21:37.451-04:00Disney Disney Disney DISNEY!<i>Miss the first post? <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-i-love-disney.html">Click here to catch up.</a></i><br />
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Our day at Disney began with me losing the tickets. I start wracking my brains for where it could have gone and cursed myself for putting them in my back pocket. Amateur move, I know better. While I was panicking and seeing my visions of George standing in front of the castle fade away, El Hub kept calm and found the tickets in my shirt.<br />
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Apparently I cannot feel paper against my skin. Or maybe it was the panicking. Let's keep it real, it was probably the panicking. But DISNEY!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207348552/" title="DSC_0031 by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7207348552_bed1ed2311_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0031"></a><br />
<small><i>First visit button.</i></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207349000/" title="Mickey's got a nametag. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/7207349000_3a80021dc1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mickey's got a nametag."></a><br />
<small><i>I have three or four of those nametags in my closet. Ah, the good old Cast Member days.</i></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207349584/" title="On Main Street: Me, George, Rob and Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7207349584_f869227e90_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="On Main Street: Me, George, Rob and Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
<small><i>DISNEY!</i></small><br />
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</center> Our first stop was straight to the Baby Center. I knew the Baby Centers existed, but had never been in one and had no idea how awesome they are for parents and their kiddos. They have decked out diaper-changing rooms, a quiet nursing/bottlefeeding room, a little kitchen, and baby basics like formula, bottles, purees, diapers, and products along those lines for sale. But we went there to take advantage of the room with high chairs so George could chow down on breakfast. He even got to watch a Disney movie while he ate. I think he was thinking this place is better than home.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207349824/" title="Magic Kingdom Baby Center. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/7207349824_b786bc0ba2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Magic Kingdom Baby Center."></a><br />
<small><i>Even the bananas taste better at Disney.</i></small></center><br />
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Then it was time for my top priority of the day, our photos in front of Cinderella's Castle.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207350988/" title="Me, George, Rob and Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7207350988_4a946caf13_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Me, George, Rob and Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207351556/" title="Me, George and Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7207351556_dd5aa7a239_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Me, George and Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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</center> Next we walked on over to Tomorrowland for a few rides, including my favorite Magic Kingdom ride that happens to be George-friendly: the Peoplemover. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207351754/" title="Tomorrowland. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7207351754_73d589e54e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Tomorrowland."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207352826/" title="Rob's Disney face. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7207352826_1ac84e4e6b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob's Disney face."></a><br />
<small><i>Handsome El Hub on the Peoplemover. Disney is very serious business for him.</i></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207353328/" title="Buzz Lightyear. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7207353328_12f13f6b06_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Buzz Lightyear."></a><br />
<small><i>To infinity, and beyond!</i></small><br />
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</center> It was George's naptime at this point, and we began keeping a closer eye on him. We headed to a nearby quick-service restaurant for lunch, and the manager came to see us personally to help us find something that George could safely eat due to his allergies. Again, huge fan of Disney customer service and concern for the health and safety of their guest. DISNEY!<br />
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A tip to anyone bringing a toddler to the parks is to bring a couple toys from home. The fan accidentally doubled as a toy, but the cat George picked out before we left the house. That cat saved a bit of our sanity in the line for Dumbo, when George was truly beginning to suffer from lack of nap.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207353968/" title="A fan? For me? by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7207353968_b95556a28a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="A fan? For me?"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207354310/" title="Cat toy from home. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7207354310_0cd1543bf0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Cat toy from home."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207354146/" title="Curl boy waiting for the Dumbo ride. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7207354146_677e62fd47_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Curl boy waiting for the Dumbo ride."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207354922/" title="Dumbo's flying. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5232/7207354922_690fcd5e56_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Dumbo's flying."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207354776/" title="Dumbo ride. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/7207354776_8fffd724d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Dumbo ride."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207356172/" title="Rob and George getting into Dumbo's ride. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7207356172_716ba90170_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Rob and George getting into Dumbo's ride."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207356928/" title="George's Dumbo face. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7207356928_c213b355eb_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George's Dumbo face."></a><br />
<small><i>George's Dumbo ride face, aka OMG GUYS I REALLY NEED A NAP.</i></small><br />
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</center> After that, we wanted to take a chance that George would maybe possibly consider deigning to sleep in his stroller. He hasn't done that since he was a few months old. But after being awake for nearly seven hours straight, George was in need of sleep. We decided to let him loose to burn off some walking energy before trying for a nap in the stroller. Spoiler alert: this strategy worked.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207359144/" title="George pointing at the Indy car ride. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7207359144_a555dfbe64_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George pointing at the Indy car ride."><br />
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</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207357724/" title="George in his Mickey shirt, 1. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7207357724_708c438bb0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George in his Mickey shirt, 1."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207358402/" title="George in his Mickey shirt, 2. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/7207358402_07dc037e30_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George in his Mickey shirt, 2."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207358526/" title="Happy George. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7207358526_7507975b77_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Happy George."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207359602/" title="Passed out in the stroller. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8023/7207359602_565e99e215_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Passed out in the stroller."></a><br />
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</center> During this time, I sneaked on over to the Haunted Mansion to see all the changes from the past few years. The change to the Hitchhiking Ghosts? Awesome. I just about lost my head laughing. Wink, wink.<br />
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When George woke up, we made our way over to the 3 o' clock parade.<br />
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Neither did I, actually. Why did the dancers look like time travelers from the 70's? Sorry Disney. Still love you. Mwah! <center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207360176/" title="When is the three o' clock parade? by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7207360176_ed5caaa0a3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="When is the three o' clock parade?"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207359760/" title="Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7207359760_952e14187e_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207361206/" title="Cinderella's Castle from below. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7207361206_139b869fbe_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Cinderella's Castle from below."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207360024/" title="Mickey Mouse topiary in front of Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7207360024_e95dbf219c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Mickey Mouse topiary in front of Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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</center> Friends recommended the teacup ride as being amusing for kids George's age. This was less of a DISNEY! and more of an urrggh. Anyone who knows me enough to have traveled with me, even on just a short car ride, knows that I am prone to motion sickness. Going on the teacups with my family was an act of love. And nausea.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207360604/" title="Tea cups. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7207360604_f6f21d0c5b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Tea cups."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207361012/" title="George's tea cup ride face. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7207361012_c0285b30d9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George's tea cup ride face."></a><br />
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</center> Our undocumented adventures included the Enchanted Tiki Room (which worked out fabulously because George is fascinated with birds lately, but unfortunately probably now wonders if any of them will break into song), the carousel, a ride for me on Space Mountain while El Hub let George burn off some running energy on a quiet walkway (thanks, El Hub!), and a walk through the future Storybook area. When we go back, I would like to do It's a Small World, the Carousel of Progress, the Jungle Cruise, and take photos of George with Mickey Mouse. Someday. DISNEY!<br />
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But there was one more thing we got to cross of my list...<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207366420/" title="George running from his daddy. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7207366420_9b5d5aeff2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George running from his daddy."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207365168/" title="George, Mickey ears, and the castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7207365168_151ebc136f_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="George, Mickey ears, and the castle."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207365760/" title="Curls under that Mickey Mouse cap. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7207365760_1339d875ac_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Curls under that Mickey Mouse cap."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207364888/" title="George in his Mickey ears. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7207364888_6536d4c77a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George in his Mickey ears."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207364504/" title="My favorite of George in his Mickey ears. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7207364504_66fd2ed984_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="My favorite of George in his Mickey ears."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207364742/" title="My second favorite of George in his Mickey ears. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7207364742_289b77cff0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My second favorite of George in his Mickey ears."></a><br />
<br />
</center> So there you have it. Our family's magical day at Disney. Sometimes, when we have long-standing high hopes for a moment, it can be so easy to feel disappointed if things don't go perfectly. I wasn't looking for perfect this day. Let's be real, George didn't even know where he was in the slightest. But he had fun. I had fun. I think even El Hub had a few moments of Disney magic. It was a wonderful day for which I will always be grateful. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for instilling this love of Disney in me. It's brought me a lot of joy over the years.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-80902335686499920952012-05-18T08:37:00.000-04:002012-06-21T01:20:49.447-04:00Why I love Disney.I am not going to be able to do service to what I am about to write.<br />
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To say that Disney was a huge part of my childhood almost seems like an understatement. I grew up a few hours away from the parks, and my parents prioritized so that we could have season passes most years. While I am sure they did this in part because they knew it brought me joy, I hope that they also did it for themselves. <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/search/label/dad">My dad</a> had severe strokes before I was born, and for the most part as a young child, I was pretty unaware of his differences from other people. It's only now that I'm older that I can better imagine what life was like for them at times. <br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7223157690/" title="Me and my dad at the Magic Kingdom a couple decades ago. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7223157690_8c05d954f5_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Me and my dad at the Magic Kingdom a couple decades ago."></a><br />
<i><small>Dad and me at the Magic Kingdom a couple of decades ago.</small></i><br />
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</center> But it was at Disney that my dad could truly be like everything else. He could move quickly thanks to the scooters they rented out, he could access the rides, he could get to where he needed to go in their restaurants. Disney gave us a gift that no one else ever could, and I will eternally be grateful to them for giving me a playground that I could play with my family at.<br />
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Plus, it doesn't hurt that Disney is just awesome and I love it. The parks, the movies, the characters, the music. I loved it all as a child. I loved it enough as an adult to join the College Program. I loved it enough to stay on afterward and <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-days-at-disney.html">work for several more years</a> as I made my way through university and graduate school. I loved it enough that <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2007/07/disney-illuminations-newspaper-article.html">an undercover group of reporters wrote very nice things about me in the Orlando Sentinel</a>. (I didn't love it enough to limit my dating to other Disney fans, so poor anti-Disney El Hub tolerates it for my sake. Oops. Sorry, honey. I also didn't love it enough to prioritize for buying my own pass after leaving my Cast Member days behind. Sorry Disney, you are expensive.) I loved it enough that I knew from a very young age that if I was lucky enough, I wanted to be able to introduce a child of mine to Disney. And now I have had the opportunity, thanks to <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2012/04/water-table-water-loving-toddler-water.html">a wonderful friend</a>. <br />
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Going to Disney is not like it once was in my carefree baby-free days. El Hub and I psyched ourselves up for it the night before, packed what we could, and steeled ourselves for not knowing how our crib-loving two-naps-a-day kiddo was going to handle the outing. We loaded up everything first thing in the morning, and that was when it hit me. DISNEY! That is what I randomly exclaimed in El Hub's ear several times during the car ride to the Magic Kingdom. DISNEY! DISNEY DISNEY! Don't you want to ride in a car with me on the way to the parks? It's a real auditory experience.<br />
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The Magic Kingdom takes an extra bit of psyching yourself up. There's the parking, then there's the walking to the monorail or ferry, then there's the actual ride to the park, and then you get to enter the magical destination. And what happened right when we got to the ticket gate?<br />
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I couldn't find the tickets.<br />
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Yes, really.<br />
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To be continued. Spoiler alert: this story has a magical ending. Here's a sneak peek.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207348552/" title="DSC_0031 by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7207348552_bed1ed2311_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_0031"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207360024/" title="Mickey Mouse topiary in front of Cinderella's Castle. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7207360024_e95dbf219c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Mickey Mouse topiary in front of Cinderella's Castle."></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7207364742/" title="My second favorite of George in his Mickey ears. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7207364742_289b77cff0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My second favorite of George in his Mickey ears."></a><br />
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<i>Edit: <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2012/05/disney-disney-disney-disney.html">Click here to see the follow-up to this post!</a></i>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-19289818615312365342012-05-13T22:30:00.000-04:002012-05-14T02:16:55.805-04:00Our Mother's Day.Did you know Mother's Day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year? It makes sense, mothers don't want to clean the house and cook in the kitchen on a day when we would prefer to relax. But going to a restaurant, waiting for a table, waiting for service, waiting for food... Spending the day waiting doesn't seem very relaxing either. (Confession: I totally own to prodding El Hub to make reservations somewhere, but when that didn't happen, we went with this plan B. He's a lucky man.)<br />
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And luck was on our side. My mom suggested a picnic, and the weather threatened storms enough to cool off the Florida heat but never actually rained on us. The park was beautiful, and we were able to snag a picnic table. The overcast sky even provided ideal conditions for midday photos. Perfection.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193025764/" title="George and his Nana on Mother's Day. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7193025764_150462f4e8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George and his Nana on Mother's Day."></a><br />
<small><i>George walking is a delightful novelty to his Nana. I was like, check ya later, I'll take your photo while my butt stays planted on the bench.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193027222/" title="Mother's Day picnic. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7193027222_c0abe13017_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day picnic."></a><br />
<small><i>George still throws a lot of his food, so we made sure to put him far away from us. Or maaaaaaaybe the straps to his booster wouldn't work on a bench and this was the safest alternative. Definitely one of those two options.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193027968/" title="The lake at Cypress Grove Park. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7193027968_8395384eda_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="The lake at Cypress Grove Park."></a><br />
<small><i>Cypress Grove Park is one of the prettiest parks I have ever had the joy of seeing.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193031000/" title="The matriarchs of our families. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7193031000_2209d7561c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="The matriarchs of our families."></a><br />
<small><i>The matriarchs of our families.</i></small><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193032588/" title="My mom and me on Mother's Day. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7193032588_b364e15908_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="My mom and me on Mother's Day."></a><br />
<small><i>My momma.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193028328/" title="The lake at Cypress Grove Park. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/7193028328_458ffff69f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="The lake at Cypress Grove Park."></a><br />
<small><i>Did I mention this place is beautiful? It is. Fact.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193035378/" title="Throwing George in the air. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7193035378_8dae6108b5_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Throwing George in the air."></a><br />
<small><i>George skipped his morning nap today (WHY GEORGE WHY) so by the end of our lunch, he was beginning to lose his tumultuous toddler mind. Clearly, throwing him in the air was the answer.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193036492/" title="Three generations. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7193036492_acc34a9344_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Three generations."></a><br />
<small><i>And then we tried to wrangle a few more photos out of this overtired baby. He hammed it up at first.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193038428/" title="George and his Mammaw on Mother's Day. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7193038428_01efd2e2cf_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George and his Mammaw on Mother's Day."></a><br />
<small><i>You think he's staring lovingly at his Mammaw, right? Perhaps. Or perhaps he's a nanosecond away from reaching out and snatching those glasses off her face. It could be both.</small></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7193039458/" title="George and his momma. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7193039458_1406004338_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George and his momma."></a><small><i>Thanks, Mom, for standing next to El Hub as he took this photo and making hilarious distracting noises to perk George up and make him happy for one final photo. Love you, Mom.</small></i><br />
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</center>All in all, a lovely Mother's Day. Here's hoping next year's is just as awesome (except maybe with more napping).Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-85726946615395450732012-05-13T00:27:00.000-04:002012-05-13T00:35:40.989-04:00Happy Mother's Day.A year and two months since I became a mother to this little butternut. Three years ago, babies were just a vague, hopeful idea on the horizon. Two years ago, I was in the beginning of what would become a devastating miscarriage. A year ago, I was learning how to live with a beautiful, unbelievably perplexing newborn. This year, that baby is on the cusp of becoming a toddler. Walking, babbling, signing when he wants milk or more food, taking joy in the most random bits of life in our world. He is one of my greatest gifts.<br><br>
My own mother is one of my other greatest gifts. George was only a couple of weeks old when <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2011/03/nothing-like-becoming-mom-to-make-you.html">it began to hit me how supportive my mom has always been</a> of me and my life. It has been a joy to watch her love George as his Mammaw since before he was even born, and I hope we all get to experience her love for many healthy years to come. (P.S. super duper sorry for being a bratty kid and annoying teenager. Oops.)<br><br>
As well as the love of all the other wonderful women in our lives. George's Nana and Big Nana, the two most formative women of El Hub's childhood years, love George to bits. And the friends I have made over the past year dote on George as well, they know his allergies and his favorite foods and the way he kicks his legs when he's happy. I am grateful to all the mothers in our lives.<br><br>
Happy Mother's Day.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/5523474720/" title="Brand new baby. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5097/5523474720_69d9dc9bf2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Brand new baby."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/5559207149/" title="Motherhood so far. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5175/5559207149_6d4047705d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Motherhood so far."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/5702283108/" title="Mother's Day 2011, Part 4. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2508/5702283108_e883d620f3_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Mother's Day 2011, Part 4."></a><br>
<small><i>Rob, George, and George's Nana Darlene</small></i><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/5702284664/" title="Mother's Day 2011, Part 1. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5307/5702284664_fd8135b53e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mother's Day 2011, Part 1."></a><br>
<small><i>George, George's Mammaw Diane, and me.</small></i><br><br>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6091364202/" title="Me and Mister George. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6196/6091364202_46d96b6769_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Me and Mister George."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6128432077/" title="Mammaw and George. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6195/6128432077_c057f84823_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mammaw and George."></a><br>
<small><i>Mammaw and George.</small></i><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6304289327/" title="Me and my pensive baby. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6304289327_38c136d28f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Me and my pensive baby."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6567630859/" title="George and I on Christmas Eve. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6567630859_3a69e9d640_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="George and I on Christmas Eve."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6923645636/" title="George's 1st Birthday Party (34 of 36) by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7266/6923645636_0f0cf75f17_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="George's 1st Birthday Party (34 of 36)"></a><br>
<small><i>George and his Big Nana Bess.</small></i><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980719232/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/6980719232_f13050aac1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-31481383845125063542012-05-11T20:54:00.000-04:002012-05-14T02:15:24.861-04:00Sleep - and not the baby's sleep.One of my favorite advice columns (from a columnist who readily admits that some of the best information is found in the comments rather than in her post) is <a href="http://www.askmoxie.org">Ask Moxie</a>. Today she shared this quote: "She's always lonely, but she never has any time to herself." <br />
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I found this painfully true in those newborn days. Now I am feeling more fortunate in having friends, playdates, and places to go where I can guarantee at least one conversation with an adult. But the majority of my days are still spent trying to get my kid to understand that not all birds are "Duhs!"<br />
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Moxie offered the quote as part of her answer to a woman named Jen who wrote in asking, "<a href="http://www.askmoxie.org/2012/05/qa-staying-up-too-late.html">WHY DO I STAY UP SO LATE EVERY NIGHT???</a>" Oh Jen. I am right there with you. Every night I stay up embarrassingly late, and the later it gets the more I dread going to bed because the sooner the morning will arrive and the more exhausted I will feel. It's a terrible cycle that leaves my body wrecked and my mind slow.<br />
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So why don't I go to bed on time? Because the night is the only time I get peace and quiet. I love it, I cherish it, and I dread giving it up any time soon. Someday I hope I will become more accustomed to the busy days, the lack of privacy, and the vast majority of conversations taking place with someone who only knows how to babble, but that day is not here yet.<br />
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What are you reading? Any blogs or books to recommend? I need to get cracking on The Omnivore's Dilemma for a book club, but with my attention span I am more suited to reading significantly shorter blog posts like Ask Moxie's.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-45685809202924680232012-04-29T23:25:00.000-04:002012-05-01T23:50:12.865-04:00Great American Pie Festival 2012.This must be the fifth or sixth consecutive year I have been to the <a href="http://www.piecouncil.org/Events/GreatAmericanPieFestival/">Great American Pie Festival</a> in Celebration. I will probably never top the event two years ago with <a href="http://figuringoutthedetails.blogspot.com/2010/04/national-television-debut-all-in-name.html">what is likely to be my only ever national television appearance</a>. But every year, it's something to look forward to attending. I tell all our friends and family about it and cajole people into joining us at the pie buffet. Gluttony is more fun with friends.<br><br>
With a kid who still takes two naps a day and is quite vocal about taking them in a crib, we were in a bit of a time crunch at the festival today. We skipped the vendor booths and activities to go straight to the buffet. For ten bucks, the Pie Police will let you through to a land full of pie for the grabbing (and eating).<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126798699/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7126798699_8e850eb41f_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
It is a very popular event, so be prepared for a crowd. <br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980723110/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/6980723110_16b5decb4d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
The organizers moved the location this year from a big fenced field to the nearest street. There was much less space to sit and a lot more danger for adventurous toddlers, but it was still manageable. Especially if you that toddler's Mammaw joins you.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126799447/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7126799447_c395601a25_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
Then Mammaw can hold the kiddo while other people stuff their faces with pie.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126799887/" title="DSC_9299 former raw by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/7126799887_7756811aac_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_9299 former raw"></a></center><br><br>
Otherwise, your baby may accidentally roll down or intentionally toddle to the creek. And then there's no choice but to body-block him.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126801025/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7126801025_3e71907574_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980716774/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/6980716774_a8f3144393_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
While contained, you may as well take some family photos.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980717130/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/6980717130_bf41cd4345_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980717524/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/6980717524_5e1fca91a7_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980719232/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/6980719232_f13050aac1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980720586/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6980720586_24aa8d2263_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980718920/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/6980718920_cf6baabf39_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
Then remember you haven't taken any photos of the pie or with friends yet.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126810149/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7126810149_db5d81fd9c_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980721536/" title="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/6980721536_3b206b9045_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Great American Pie Festival 2012 in Celebration, Florida."></a></center><br><br>
Then ditch your camera and eat more pie. <br><br>
The end.Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-4849050620262679012012-04-27T11:04:00.000-04:002012-04-29T23:43:25.494-04:00Water table + water-loving toddler = water, water everywhere.Last week, we went to a playdate at my friend Lauren's house to play with her son Will.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980702130/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/6980702130_3f4487592f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
George really likes Will. Enough to pet him. George only pets cats and babies who he really likes. But then he gets so excited that he's petting them, his arms start flailing. That's when I start saying in my Momma Voice, "GEORGE, BE GENTLE. WE BE GENTLE." So far he just looks at me with confusion, but it is usually enough of a distraction to rescue the cat/baby from being accidentally whacked in the head.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980703490/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/6980703490_8b055a77e9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
Will just had his birthday a couple months ago, and one of his new toys is a water table. <br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980704530/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/6980704530_cf0f509e1d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
This was one of George's first times using a water table, so he was a bit skeptical.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126790613/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7126790613_b15d7d6168_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
However, Will is an old pro at this now and was overjoyed when he was given free reign to splash to his heart's content.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126790965/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/7126790965_6f3f3ec503_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
George had to check out for a bit because he couldn't keep up with Will's water enthusiasm.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126792381/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7126792381_110314fb15_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
Will did not seem to care, especially since it just left more room at the water table for him.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980707754/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/6980707754_a9c4816df5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
Have I conveyed to you yet how much Will loves his water table?<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980709128/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6980709128_dddc13a5ac_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
This is how much Will loves it.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126795721/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7126795721_fbf301632a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
Enough to climb in it.<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980711278/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6980711278_7647c1d21a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center><br><br>
And ham it up for the camera. Good job, Will!<br><br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980712140/" title="Playdate at Lauren & Will's. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/6980712140_2461ecf06d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Playdate at Lauren & Will's."></a></center>Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722003372220779409.post-26357431272616213112012-04-24T22:46:00.000-04:002012-05-01T23:42:23.480-04:00Evie's first birthday.Over the course of the past few months, I have photographed many first birthday parties. Right now the temptation is strong to go all cliche on the beauty of the gift of friendship with the women I have met over the past year. And photographing their babies on the day of such a significant milestone has been both literally and figuratively the icing on the cake at these events for me. <br><br>
I love taking photos. I love it. I wish I was better, much better. I will keep working on it. In the meantime, I am grateful for people like Bilynda, who value my skills and trust me with documenting such a love-filled day.<br><br>
Meet Evie, the birthday girl.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980614204/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/6980614204_89c30203dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126704547/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7126704547_d7f2dcdc36_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126705647/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/7126705647_901c11ed96_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br><br>
Meet her lovely parents.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126701067/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7126701067_554aa9d383_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980615792/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/6980615792_e931c9f686_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br> <br>
Her parents who did a spectacular job of decorating their house at the last minute when rain threatened their original outdoor party plans.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980615096/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/6980615096_94c0dcec7b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126700199/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7126700199_3740a4dd97_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980614700/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6980614700_1fe9301638_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126700553/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7126700553_dcb005742b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980617544/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/6980617544_700ec22b09_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br> <br>
And lots of lovely people who love Evie came to celebrate in her home.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126702859/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7126702859_abdc2a923d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126706693/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7126706693_9f215e1959_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126708047/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/7126708047_acdfb70c62_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126710663/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7126710663_6fa53855f0_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980623626/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/6980623626_9d214f524c_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126711445/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7126711445_2d79132088_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980625324/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/6980625324_f40074af79_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126711631/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7126711631_0ec3cca2db_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980627670/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6980627670_a426afe7b2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980627416/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6980627416_13f19e828f_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980628078/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/6980628078_47d300c04e_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126714025/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7126714025_fe47410c46_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126714275/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/7126714275_f5f495964d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126714495/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7126714495_f250c5d7b4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br> <br>
There was cake.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980629074/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/6980629074_0b323b18e9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980629372/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/6980629372_de530ae7d1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126715303/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7126715303_6707285e2d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/6980630624/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/6980630624_d490954385_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126716951/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7126716951_b176125398_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a><br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126716709/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/7126716709_3e862af531_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br> <br>
And finally, Evie napped.<br><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriapictures/7126718165/" title="Evie's first birthday party. by Victoria Shade, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7126718165_6cfdaf51d4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Evie's first birthday party."></a></center><br><br> <br>
Happy birthday, Evie!Victoria at Figuring Out The Detailshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05302746573555612168noreply@blogger.com4