Victoria's first trip to the US

Yup! Victoria has already started filling up her passport.

Sadly, Simone could not make this flight, but Victoria and I took off for what proved to be quite an adventure. Although Victoria was incredibly good on the flights there and back (and I quote from a fellow passenger, 'I have never in my life seen a baby so good on such a long flight before!'), let me tell you: going solo with a young'un on a nine hour flight isn't exactly the easiest of things in this world to do. But Victoria made quite a few friends along the way. No kidding, she had over ten people stop by our seat on the way to Chicago just to see her. One woman came by three times. One man said, 'She's quite the flirt. You'd better keep an eye on her when she gets older.'

Anyone out there ever try changing diapers in an airplane bathroom? I'm not a small man. It's not a large space. Anywho, moving along.

We took a couple of weeks in June and made our way to Chicago and Springfield to meet the family - some for the first time. Like her cousins Evan and Lauren:

Victoria had a really fun time meeting her cousins. We even went to the zoo with Uncle Bob and E and L . Victoria met some pretty big animals up close and personal.
Grandma and Grandpa and all the rest of the family threw Victoria her first birthday party. It was a couple weeks early, but I don't think Victoria minded. Here is a pic of everyone enjoying some birthday cake.

Victoria discovered a keyboard while we were there. She also likes to help me play guitar. The girl's got rhythm.
She had a great time playing with all her uncles and aunts. Here is a picture with Aunt Amy as we were getting ready to leave. Aunt Amy was very sad. So was daddy.

I also took her to our old neighborhood in Chicago, Lincoln Square. Grandma came with us. We had a good time checking out this and that. She really enjoyed strolling around and people watching.

The flight back was not the greatest of times. It was not a direct. After a long delay at O'hare, we JUST missed our connecting flight in D.C. (literally they were closing the door as we ran up to the gate). We sat in D.C. for an extra five hours and the airline had lost our stroller - so I had to carry her the ENTIRE time. You'd think after this trip I'd have biceps like the Governator. My back is still recovering. Not fun.

We made it home ok. Simone was the happiest person in the whole of Frankfurt airport.