We went to Disney World!

Yes, our little family plus Mimi ventured to Disney World last week and had a blast! Avery (um, and Me, and Dave, and Mom) are big Disney lovers, so we knew it was going to be fun, but I am happy to report that Lucy survived and seemed to have a good time as well. Avery is really into a ton of Disney movies, so it was great that she knew most of the characters, music, themes, etc., and of course she LOVED seeing all of the princesses. She was a little hesitant about the rides at first, though she warmed up by the end of the trip (who wouldn't be apprehensive about loading into a boat and ricketing off into the dark if you had no idea what was going to happen). She also liked the shows, it's great that they were based on her all time favorite movies- The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, and the Lion King! What she loved best though was meeting the characters- she didn't mind standing in line, and she didn't even care about their autographs, she just wanted to see them up close and get a picture with them. We did two different meals where princesses wandered around the restaurant to greet you, and she was in heaven. Ok for the record, I am going to list all of the characters who we met, all of whom were so so friendly, patient, and sweet. Here goes: Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Mary Poppins, Jasmine, Tigger, Eeyore, Little Einsteins Leo, Annie & June, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, Cinderella's stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella plus Lady Tremaine, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, ARIEL, and Prince Eric, Aurora, Lilo, Stitch, Pocahatas and Mikko, Flik from A Bug's Life, Pluto, Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Buzz Lightyear, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Fairies Rosetta and Videa, Alice in Wonderland, Mulan, and Marie the Aristocat. WHEW! We physically waited in line and personally greeted all of those people! She was thrilled, so therefore we were too. We would scope out the time schedule, head to one place, then send Mimi and Lucy to stand in another line while we took shifts photographing and waiting in line. It really wasn't that bad, luckily the parks weren't too crowded while we were there. We had to wait about an hour for Ariel and about an hour for Rapunzel, but the rest were about 10-20 minute waits. It was totally worth it!

First night in Epcot before our first princess meal in Norway:

 

We all know Avery loves Nemo

sweet patient Lucy

Avery's first princess- Belle. See how she melted into her? She literally laid down on the ground beside her she was so star struck! 

classic Epcot shot

first day at MK

Mimi and Avery cutting a rug at the Move it Shake it Street Party

Unbridled joy =)

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my favorite picture from the trip. Avery is OBSESSED with Ariel, so she was so excited. I want to blow this up and put above our mantel, ha ha.

princess dress before a princess dinner (no, we didn't do Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique this time... Avery doesn't like anyone messing with her hair so we thought we'd save it for next time)

worn plum out

Avery- thrilled, Lucy, not so thrilled.

check this out if you can, my sister Katie and Lucy look just alike!

Group shot at Animal Kingdom- Mount Everest on left, Tree of Life on right

Mimi and Lucy's favorite pastime, bird watching! Looking for birds totally occupied Lucy the entire week! We were so lucky to have Mimi with us on the trip to help with both the girls. We made some wonderful memories =)

Minnie Mouse dress that I wore when I was 4 years old =)

Loved the teacups

Toy Story Mania!

Minnie checking out the vintage dress

Classic!

Also classic!

Lucy enjoying the street party

Mimi and her gals

Love it!

Lucy's Birthday

On February 16th, my Lucy Ellen turned 1 year old! At 20.11 lbs and 29.75 inches long, she is a bundle of pure joy to our family. Lucy has been walking since she was 10 months, so by now she can get around pretty darn quickly. She is sneaky and will high tail it up the stairs or swish her hand around in the super fun toilet water the moment you leave the gate open or the potty seat up. She has recently started climbing everything, and loves to stand at the top of Avery's sink-stool and act like she's brushing her teeth. She has been climbing the stairs for months, can climb up onto Avery's bed, and yesterday she climbed up the entire steps to the top of the swingset. Then this morning I found her sitting happily on top of two stacked Lego boxes! Lucy is very affectionate with those she loves the most, and can usually be prompted for a wet sloppy kiss or a sweet hug. She is a cuddler, when she's not trying to keep up with Avery, and Lucy loves to lay around in her bed for a while after she wakes up the morning. That's quite a switch from Avery who is go-go-go from the moment her eyes flutter open. Lucy is a good sleeper at night and will usually take one long nap every day as long as Avery's schedule isn't interrupting her too much. Lucy loves loves loves her "beets" (Little Giraffe velvet blankie) but couldn't care less about a pacifier, though she does think it's hilarious when she sees any other kid with one in their mouth. Lucy is a great eater, though she never wanted to eat any Gerber baby food or other bland infant stuff. She went from being breastfed until 9 months straight to roasted chicken, green beans, string cheese, and waffles. Her absolute favorite is fish- she loves tilapia, salmon, mahi-mahi, and catfish, and she will eat meat over fruit any day of the week. She loves pot roast, pork tenderloin, chili, chicken tikki masala, and chinese chicken with broccoli.

Lucy is also quite serious and studies things a LONG time before she cracks a smile. She takes everything in, and can give the cashiers at the grocery store quite a hard look! But she is quick to warm up to people, especially her sweet grandparents. She, of course, adores Avery beyond belief but will stick up for herself in a battle over Ariel or a stuffed penguin or kitty. Lucy isn't saying many actual words... just Mama, Dada, and Cat (Dat), but she definitely has no problem getting her point across, and has quite a strong opinion about many things, including which book she wants to read. She will find her favorite Elmo or kitty book, bring it to you, turn her sweet booty around, back up to sit in your lap and really just won't take no for an answer! She loves animals a TON, is obsessed with our cat, Dawkins, and loves to pet and follow him around. He is such a good sport with her and will lick and nibble on her but never use his teeth or claws. She will go right up to dogs when we go on a walk, and LOVES to look for birds. This was a wonderful distractor at Disney World with all the long transit rides and princess-viewing lines =) Lucy loves to be outside, toddles around with no fear, and would prefer to be sitting in our sand box than playing with any toy in our house. She is a sweetheart and a blessing to us all, and I quote Avery in saying that "I am so thankful that God gave Lucy to us" =)

Here are some pictures from her birthday and her birthday party that she shared with her sweet friend Audrey Mewbourne, a birthday buddy born two days after Lucy.