Tag Archives: Photography

September 4, 2012

My Tigers, My Weekend

As I mentioned on Friday, we were off to the mountains this weekend. I was just going to post a few pictures of our time together and call it a day, but then I realized you might wonder why the heck we’re petting tigers and so close to a panther.

Here’s the scoop: Some of my relatives own a small zoo in the middle of the mountains, right next to our cabin. It’s totally weird and doesn’t make a lot of sense. I still don’t understand how it survives, this tiny zoo in the middle of nowhere.

Anyways, my sister and I grew up playing with baby tigers, baby bears, and bottle feeding a baby leopard whenever we visited. It was pretty incredible.

This is the last year of the zoo’s existence, just in time for Waylon Tiger to pet his very own tiger. It made my heart swell.

Lest you think I’m bragging about my amazing life petting wildlife and skipping around the mountainside, let me paint you a picture of the rest of the weekend when not petting a tiger:

Waylon was a mess. A hot, buggy, sweaty, end-of-August mess. He whined, he cried, he clung, he skipped naps and refused to eat anything besides animal crackers. If anyone touched him who wasn’t Austin or I, he let out a bobcat scream.

Note to self: do not travel with your barely sleep trained one year old if you have to sleep in the same room. We were all sleep deprived. Every time we let out a tiny sneeze or turned over in bed, he was up and wanting out. Lightest sleeper ever.

It wasn’t all bad. I was able to visit with some of my cousins I only ever see at holidays and get my hair cut. I’m excited to return when the leaves are changing and when Waylon can have his own room.

Here are a few pictures, including Waylon in his true form.

We’re ready for fall.

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Tagged as Family, Photography

August 26, 2012

Waylon: 14 Months

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Filed under Toddler

Tagged as Photography, Waylon

August 13, 2012

Waylon: 13 Months

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Filed under Toddler

Tagged as Photography, Waylon

July 17, 2012

Mid-Summer Photodump

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Tagged as Photography, Waylon

July 2, 2012

Taking Baby To The Beach

We took the baby to the beach.

Actually, to clarify, my parents took the baby to the beach. This vacation was our Christmas present and we definitely lived it up this past week on the shores of North Carolina.

It was a slice of heaven with a side of crab-legs, and much to our surprise (we expected the worst), Waylon took to the beach like a fish to water. Within the first 30 seconds on the sand, he bee-lined to the ocean and clapped his hands with glee.

That’s my boy.

If you’re wondering, the trip took a total of 9 hours each way. We left at 10pm and drove straight through until morning. There was no other way to do it with a one year old in tow. He slept most of the time and screamed a little too, but that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Now that I’ve done it, I’ve been asked for some vacationing with baby tips, which I find very sweet since I know almost nothing about parenting.

Here’s what I came up with.

Five Rules To Make Your Life Easier

#1: Take your parents.

Or your partner’s parents, or somebody’s parents to help you with your kid. Otherwise it is no vacation, no vacation at all.

#2: Take Your Food

We ate out exactly once. The rest of the time we took turns making meals and stocked up on lunch supplies from the local grocery store. There are a lot of advantages to this, but most of all it helps you and your baby’s schedule stay flexible.

#3: Stay Close By

Sometimes you don’t have a choice, but if at all possible–STAY CLOSE TO THE BEACH. Our house rental was right on the shoreline, allowing us to take Waylon in for naps, snacks, or shade any time of the day. If you’re staying 10 blocks away–this becomes an issue. I was probably in and out of our house every hour, grabbing sunscreen, water, another diaper, or another towel. Staying close makes all the difference.

#4: Bring Fresh Water

My friend Kim gave me this tip and I’m so glad she did. Even though Waylon didn’t spend a ton of time in his baby pool, it was great to have fresh, un-salty water to splash on his face and hands after playing in the sand. By the end of the week we left the pool on the porch and simply brought a 5 gallon bucket filled with tap water.

#5: Get Sand In Your Bathing Suit

Vacationing with a one year old is not going to be the same as vacationing with your college friends. Once I came to terms with this, our time together became infinitely better.

What about you? Have you vacationed with a one year old? What are your tips for taking toddlers and babies to the beach?

See below for more vacation photos or click on this album entitled “Nobody Cares About Your Vacation Photos.”

(You know what I mean. It’s like when your friend takes a trip to Paris, you’re first three thoughts are “I want to see pictures of you in Paris!” closely followed by “I wish I was in Paris” and then “I don’t really want to see pictures of you in Paris.”)

Don’t worry, this isn’t Paris.

Enjoy.

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