Jackson's First Trip to Disney Day 1: 11/22/13

Friday, November 22, 2013 is the date we have all been waiting for. It's been months and months since we started planning for my son Jackson's first Disney vacation. Our trip members included: me, Tom, Jackson, Nonna (my mom) and Poppy (my dad) from N.Y.; Aunt Rosie and Uncle George from N.J. and Georgie, Paige and Garrett from FL.

The Jambo House Christmas Tree

Our flight from NY was at 6:15 a.m. We took the earliest flight to get the fun started immediately. I scooped Jackson out of his crib at 4:30 a.m. as my dad knocked on the door. The car was already packed from the night before, so we only had carry-ons to lug along with us. We headed for the airport and Jackson was awake already, and he was soaked. As soon as we got into the airport, I changed his diaper and his clothes, and then we sped over to security. We let him run around in the airport before boarding because we knew he would be confined to a seat once we were in the airplane. On the plane, we put the portable DVD player on and started Cars 2. And, then we heard from our angels as the flight attendants said we could leave all electronic devices on throughout the flight. YES! He watched the movie and had some snacks, which kept him nice and comfortable. About one hour into the flight, he fell asleep and we laid him on the seat between us that was left empty, for obvious reasons. No one wanted to sit next to a crying baby for more than two minutes, never mind two hours. Jax didn't even cry once. He remained quiet and didn't wake up until we landed.

Upon departure, we got our stroller at the gate and made our way toward the Magical Express terminal to bring us to our resort. Uncle George and Aunt Rosie met us there and my mother handed out the Magic Bands to all of us so we could use them as our ticket aboard. Jax fell asleep again as we made the drive to our resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village. We had to make stops at Pop Century (we stayed there in '04 and '07) and the new Art of Animation Resort (more on that later on in the trip).

Walt Disney World Railroad Station

We finally made it to the resort and saw all of the decorations, including a huge Christmas tree decked in African animals and animal print. It was gorgeous! We could already see zebras on the savannah from the lobby windows, which is what makes this resort so special in my eyes. Unfortunately, we found that our room was too far from the lobby, bus stops, etc. for my aunt who just had back surgery, so they kindly changed our room to a more suitable location the next day. By the time we got to the room, we were all hungry, so I changed Jax and we headed to Jambo House and Mara for lunch and to get our refillable mug. We chose the "Length of Stay" option for $18, but only bought one mug for Tom and I. (I had the Carved Turkey Sandwich, but for more on what I ate, visit yumness.wordpress.com.)

After lunch, we went back to the resort to see if my cousin, his girlfriend and her son showed up yet. They just got there when we did and we were able to talk a little bit and then get ready to head to Magic Kingdom, since we had MVMCP tickets for that night. Tom and I decided to stop at the concierge to put a credit card on our Magic Bands for easier purchasing. Our dinner reservation was at 5 p.m. for Tony's Town Square and we were able to get in with our tickets at 4 p.m. After dinner, we decided to ride Pirates of the Caribbean because it's a favorite, and I was glad it was Jax's first ride.

Afterward, we headed back to Main Street to claim a spot for the show and parade. While we waited, a few of us got hot cocoa and cookies in Tomorrowland. After both events, we were super tired, so I decided to take Jax into the baby center and then make our way to the front of the park for the castle show and Holiday Wishes. Uncle George and Aunt Rosie left and Georgie, Paige and Garrett went on rides. The castle projection show was awesome. We were able to do a little shopping after and then leave the park.

Unfortunately, we missed the dance parties, but that just leaves some things to look forward to the next time we visit.

 

 

It's been a while

A lot has happened in my life in the past few months, and I haven't posted anything, so I apologize for that or maybe you are thankful, who knows? Let's review ...

1. TK went away on a family golf trip with a bunch of my male relatives, so Jax and I stayed with my mother for a week. It was nice to stay in my parents' house for a little while, and also have dinner made for me. That was the best part.
2. I had my first Mother's Day, and it was great. I got flowers from my parents and the card said how "proud" of me they are. That felt nice. TK had Lauren take photos of Jackson holding letters to spell out M-O-M and when I opened that gift, I cried I was emotional. I also received a $25 gift card to Target from my in-laws and a $100 gift certificate from Dad so that Mom and I could go to a spa together one day. I am DEFINITELY planning on that. Who would pass up a spa day? If you answered, someone very dumb, that's right.
3. I gave a presentation on Social Media as a FREE Marketing Tool to a group of people from the Bellport and Patchogue Chambers of Commerce. It was a little nerve-wracking because I wasn't sure if they were picking up what I was putting down, but I couldn't eat breakfast until it was all over. I get a nervous belly before presentations. I like when they are over.
4. June 29, 2013 marked 10 years since my grandmother passed and I had a wedding to attend that night. Once, I had to excuse myself to go have a nice mini cry while looking out on the water, but then I pulled myself together and sang "Rapper's Delight" to TK on the dance floor.
5. My little man turned one and we threw him a huge Mickey First Birthday Party! It was great. We had a bounce house, a dunk tank, a tent, two portapotties and a snow cone machine. Jax changed from one Mickey outfit to another during the party and he fell asleep for a little while too because we tuckered him out. I made him a big cupcake for his actual birthday and for the party too. He got white icing all over my uncle's face trying to share the cake with him. It was adorable. Everyone had a great time and people think I should plan parties for a living. Hmmm ... (Stay tuned for a party post that I want to share for Pinterest.)
6. Jackson has had two haircuts, one was two days after his first birthday and another on August 16. Both were traumatic for both of us. He screamed like I was torturing him and I had to hold him down or entertain him the whole time, and also try not to get either of our fingers cut off. At one point I was afraid my hair would get cut along with his. I still haven't had a haircut since New Year's Eve, so maybe I should have slipped some of my hair in there accidentally on purpose ...

So, I guess now you are caught up. 

What do you stand for?

Recently, I found myself having to stand up for what is right and fight against what is wrong. I prefer to tell the truth, always, because it means I have less to remember, especially after having a baby and suffering from baby brain. I also tell the truth because it is the right thing to do. I sleep more soundly at night because I don't have anything weighing on my conscience to obsess about.

So, while I was making the decision of whether to stand up for myself and my friends, I decided that if I did not make the wrongdoing known, how could I tell my son or anyone else to stick up for themselves? How could I stand behind my values and the values I teach to my son? I decided that I couldn't and that I had to speak up.

Now, I ask you, what do you stand for? Would you do the right thing even if it meant people talking about you behind your back or chastising you? Would you stick up for yourself even if it meant the loss of what you have? Would you fight for what is right instead of just allowing the wrong to win?

I am not perfect, by any means, but what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong, and that's how I have lived my life and how I plan to live it in the future. I also choose to surround myself with people who feel the same way because liars, cheaters and thieves have no place in my happy life.

So, what do you stand for? Just a thought.

Things I've Learned in One Year

On July 10, my son turned one and I realized how different my life has become since his birth; in good ways and in bad ways.

Here are a few things I have learned along the way:

1. Don't buy expensive clothes, they will just get stained or ruined in some way. Formula can stain a white shirt yellow, and veggies that have been spit out of a baby's mouth can land on your clothing. 
2. Poop is great. You want a baby that poops. A baby that does not poop is a VERY unhappy baby. 
3. A boy baby can pee at any minute, even if they just peed two seconds ago. 
4. Everything ends up in your child's mouth. This includes paper, toys, phones, remote controls, shoes, etc. 
5. Do not leave small items around the house. See #4. 
6. Do not get too drunk at a wedding or a party. A hangover with a screaming, tired baby is worse than any hangover you had in college. 
7. Don't wear bras that don't completely fit. Your son will pull your shirt down in public and instead of everyone seeing your bra, they will see your boob. 
8. Don't decorate your living room with fancy items because they won't match your Graco swing or your Baby Einstein Jumperoo.
9. You can never just run into a store again. Everything takes at least a half an hour. 
10. You may forget to eat because you will focus on making sure your baby is fed.
11. Little kid songs are very catchy. Everyday, there will be a new one stuck in your head.
12. Nothing is yours anymore. Everything belongs to your child. 
13. Take A LOT of pictures. You will end up showing them to everyone you know. 
14. Enjoy every minute. You will turn around and your kid will be a year old already.

So, I have learned plenty so far, but I am still learning, every single day.

Mommies and daddies, what did you learn during your first year as a parent? 

Mickey Mouse First Birthday Party

Table Decor

On July 13, 2013, we hosted Jackson's first birthday party in my in-laws' backyard and it was a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme. First, I did some research online to see what I wanted the invitation to look like and I found a pocket invite on Etsy that I thought I could recreate. I was right!

Mickey Invitation

I cut black Mickey ears out of card stock and the red pockets out of card stock and the white invitation circle out of a higher pound printer paper. I was even able to download the Disney Waltograph font for free from an online font site. The only issue I had was with the buttons. I had to visit a few Michaels locations before I was able to get enough buttons to create all of the invitations. Some invitations had to have white buttons because I couldn't wait for Michaels to get them back in stock. I got the envelopes from Michaels and they were easy to find. Our return address stamp has a Mickey face on it already, so that fit in with the theme too.

We rented a tent, tables, chairs, a bounce house, a dunk tank and two port-a-potties, one for ladies and one for gentlemen. The tent reservation came with a snow cone machine, so that was a bonus. I bought black, yellow and red table cloths at the dollar store and my mom was able to find Mickey Mouse decorations at Party City and another local party store.

Food Tables

We also bought red Solo cups, black cutlery and I found red and white plates at Sam's Club for the food. For the cupcakes, I purchased Wilton Mickey Mouse cupcake stands from A.C. Moore. I bought two, but at different times so I could use a coupon for each of them.

For the centerpieces, I put pictures from Jax's first year in small picture frames and placed one or two on each table. Some family members ended up taking the frames home because they wanted photos of Jax for themselves. I also created Mickey centerpiece bags for each table. I cut large black Mickey heads and red pockets out of card stock, then glued them to red craft paper bags. Then I cut out #1's and glued them to each side of the bag. We hid balloon weights in them and tied balloons to the handles of each bag, and hid those too.

Table Centerpiece

Fortunately, my friend Catherine had a Mickey Mouse party for her son too and had an extra high chair sign that she gave to me for Jax. I thought it was adorable and it was a nice addition to the decor.

High Chair Garland

To sing "Happy Birthday," I made a large Devil's Food cupcake just for Jackson. I bought black fondant from Michael's and rolled it out to cut Mickey ears. After the cupcake was frosted, I placed Mickey scrapbook paper around it to create the cupcake liner and used toothpicks to stick the ears on. After we sang and blew out the candle, Jax put his hands in the cake and got it all over himself and Uncle Frankie. He loved it.

Mickey Smash Cake

Everyone else was able to eat the Mickey cupcakes that my mother and I made for dessert. We made the cupcakes from boxed mixes and used red and white polka dot liners. For the Mickey ears, we used mini Oreos that can be bought in the cookie aisle of the grocery store. The cupcakes were very cute and everyone enjoyed them.

Mickey Cupcakes

At the end of the night, when all of the food had been eaten and the bugs were ready to come back out, we said goodbye to Jackson's guests and everyone had a great time. We went back to my parents' house and opened up Jackson's abundance of gifts. He is one lucky kid and we are all so lucky to have him. Happy Birthday to our little meeska, mooska, mouseketeer!

Mickey Ears Straight from Walt Disney World

Dear Martial Arts (AKA Kickboxing)

Dear Martial Arts Class,

I really do love you, but I would love you more if you worked extra hard to bring my pre-preggo body back. I'm working hard. I mean, I sweat a lot and my body aches in the morning. I do everything you ask of me, and not in a fragile flower, dainty lady way that my mom and husband would prefer. I am really punching and kicking like the pad has taken the last Reduced Fat Oreo.

I would love to have my flat stomach back and for my gigundo boobs to shrink a size or two, so I can actually look good in a dress or a bathing suit or even a tank top, and not look like that ham hanging from a rope at the local deli.

Please help me with this goal, and if you are feeling extra generous, I'd like to know how to do an arm bar so that when TK gets fresh, I can teach him exactly how to speak to his wife.

Thanks,
Class Member in the Mickey Shirt
(P.S. When my classmates ask me who I am thinking of when I punch the pad, it's actually mother nature. I blame her.)

Bug 1; Melissa 0

These past few days have been less than fun. Let's just say I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

On Sunday afternoon/early evening, I started to feel a little crampy in my stomach. I chocked it up to eating too much all at once at dinner (I've been known to do that), but it didn't end and it actually got worse. I got the bug ...

From then on, I was in bad shape. I will spare you the glamorous details, but that virus was awful and I thought I was going to die. I haven't had a stomach virus for 20 years, at least. I was shocked because I've eaten tuna fish sandwiches from 7-11, fruit that I haven't washed, rare hamburgers and I try everything at least once. My stomach is usually cast iron with no issues, but this time a bug got the best of me and I lost in a big way. I am hoping that I lost some weight also as a two-day bulimic/anorexic, but we will see.

Now, I am a little sheepish to go out to dinner or take a fork to a rich meal, but I will get back on my fat horse very soon.

How about we hand out trophies for winning, for a change

Now that we are parents, TK and I have decided that the trophies that our children get for just showing up and participating are going right in the garbage. They may not even make it to the garbage at home. I may throw them out in the parking lot of the baseball, soccer or football field. A trophy for participation is not real life.

Would your boss have you compete against another colleague for a promotion and give it to the both of you because you "participated?" No, because that is not how things work in the real world. In the real world, there are winners and losers, and if you lose this time, you will try harder for next time.

Children should learn about discipline and disappointment. Coaches become motivators and disciplinarians on the field or court. They teach children that if they show up late to a game or do not participate in a practice, they do not play. It is not fair for the person that shows up 15 minutes early for every practice and a half hour early for each game to sit on the bench while a player who showed up 45 minutes late plays in a game. In the real world, if you are late to work numerous times or do not show up, you can get fired and for good cause.

The little league field should prepare our little athletes for real life. So, coaches that allow all kids to play regardless of their lateness to practices or games are doing children (and parents) a disservice and giving them a false sense of entitlement. I would prefer a coach that benches my child for lateness than a coach that just lets it go. There are teaching moments throughout our lives, and I have had plenty on the field or the court. For instance, fouling out of a basketball game showed me that my actions have repercussions. Striking out meant that I was not focusing. And, letting a ground ball roll through my legs meant that I was not keeping my glove down or using the tactics taught to me in practice. When I lost a game, it felt awful and there were times that I even cried, but those losses lit a fire inside me to want to win and I strived to accomplish that goal. I will not take those feelings from my children.

So, I repeat, there are teachable moments throughout our lives and our children's lives. Make use of them and prepare our children for a responsible, successful and respectful future. And, if you want our children's trophies, you can have them because they mean nothing, unless they actually earn them.

Getting Organized

My little guy is growing and growing, and I don't care what those percentiles mean that I hear at the pediatrician. He is eight and a half months old and in nine month clothing now. So, it seems like he is on par for his age.

Today, I decided to organize Jax's ever-growing clothing collection. I started with the bins in the garage and noticed that I already labeled one of them that contained all of his clothes from newborn to three months and his summer and fall outfits that he had grown out of. His old clothes were so small and cute, and I kind of miss those days, but we are having a ton of fun now so I prefer now to then. There were two other bins in the garage that needed organizing, so I took them out and took every piece of clothing out and made size piles. When my friends give me their kids' hand-me-downs, I take them and pack them away, but I don't really go through them until Jax jumps sizes. Well, this time, I went through every piece and made three bins: 12-18 months, 18-24 months and 24 months +. I had to make sure I wanted all the clothes that were in there and that none of them had stains. None of the clothes had been washed by me and that is fine because when the time comes, I will just do a couple loads of wash and Jax will have a whole new armoire of clothes to wear.

I also like to go to thrift shops and secondhand stores to buy Jax's clothes, even if the clothes can't be worn for a year or more. Baby and toddler clothes are always in pretty good shape in those stores because A. babies grow out of clothes fast, B. moms donate what they don't like or C. moms donate clothes because they cannot take them back to the store without the original tags. My kid grows fast too, so I don't understand spending a lot of money on an outfit that he may wear once or twice.

Jax may be all set for the next year or so with clothes, but his ensemble will probably double in size a few times over by the time he is three. My mom always comes home from a store with something for him, Joey Russo is growing out of his clothes and so is Grady Thompson. So, we're good for another year and a half ... unless there's a sale.

Fighting Like a Girl

When I was a teenager, I wanted my father to teach me how to box because his father boxed and I was fascinated by the artistry of some fighters, but he refused. His argument was that girls would definitely hit me back and it wouldn't feel good. He also convinced me that punches would leave marks on my face and I wouldn't look the same. It made sense because I have a big Italian nose and one dead on punch to my nose would probably break it instantly. OK Dad, I get it. However, he did teach me how to defend myself when put in the position to and I am thankful for that.

Ronda Rousey, UFC Bantamweight Champion

Not every Saturday, but some Saturday nights I watch UFC fights, and when it is on, I watch the Ultimate Fighter Competition with my husband. Some people think it is barbaric, but I think it is entertaining and a legitimate sport. These fighters are trained in mixed martial arts (MMA) which includes fighting while standing up (striking) and while on the ground (grappling). The menu of experience for the fighters includes boxing, judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing and karate. There may be other fighting techniques, but these are the ones I know of.

Now, when I say I like watching MMA, I mean that I like watching fights with submissions, ground and pound and boxing, but there are some fights that bother me because I am still a mother and a female. For instance, I hate when a fighter hammer punches another fighter's face until the fighter flops around like a rag doll. It can be disturbing. I picture this person's mother having to watch her son getting beat until unconscious and it breaks my heart. (Note: a hammer punch is a punch that uses the under part of a person's fist as if they were swinging a hammer.)

This month, UFC 157 included a female fight as the main event for the first time and it introduced Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche to the UFC. I told TK that we were ordering this fight on Pay Per View because I just HAD to watch. The inclusion of a female fight on a UFC card is a huge achievement for female athletes. They are paving the way for other females in yet another male-dominated sport. To end the fight, Rousey won due to an arm bar in the first round. (Note: an arm bar is a submission move that hyper-extends a person's arm to the point that it might break if they do not tap out.) After watching the fight, I wanted to learn about the personality behind the fighter so I watched YouTube videos that a colleague sent me. The emotional back stories and intensive training regimens were impressive and I became a fan. Rousey is even an Olympic judo champion. These girls are no joke!

So, next time you say someone "fights like a girl," think of Ronda Rousey and how she can flip over a 200-pound man and put him in an arm bar without messing up her hair. It's OK to be impressed.

Momtrepreneur-to-be

Yesterday, I took the first step to becoming a momtrepreneur, or whatever you want to call it. I took one step toward having a home office with orders coming in over the phone and through email and meetings via Skype where I can wear a blazer on top and flannel plaid PJ pants on the bottom, without anyone knowing the difference. OK, maybe that's all just a dream, but I did really start an Etsy shop. Yea, it may be something small, but it is something.

It says on my resumé that I have an art degree from Penn State, but I haven't used it since I designed promotional materials for Langistic Networks, and I am starting to piss myself off. I never wanted art to become a weekend hobby. I wanted art to be my talent and then become my career, but that obviously never happened. Well, fast forward 11 years and here I am with a husband, a house, a son, a master's degree, and a 7+ year career in public relations with no art anywhere. I enter my drawings in exhibits, but they were created years ago and I never even received an offer on one of them.

I am not quitting. I am an artist and that's what I've wanted to be since I was four-years-old, so I started an Etsy shop that I opened up by selling bottle cap magnets and photography prints of pictures that I've been taking for years on my DSLR. Eventually, I will add drawings, watercolor studies and maybe even portraits that I can do on a commission basis. It is a start. It may not be a six-figure salary or a home office, but it is something. I will not let my creativity flat line, especially at 32-years-old with a NEED to create. My Pinterest account is exploding. 

So, my Etsy shop is named MAK80 and it can be found at: www.etsy.com/shop/MAK80. Take a look and support a rebounding and rejuvenating artist, I mean, if you want.

Fifty Shades of Annoyance

For my 32nd birthday, my husband bought me the Fifty Shades trilogy. So, I read Fifty Shades of Gray and Fifty Shades Darker and liked them both, but then I got to Fifty Shades Freed and, to be honest, I am still on it. I got through the first few chapters, and that was about it. The little pebbles of annoyance that I saw passed in the first two books grew to the size of a boulder in book three.

 

Not every word was bad, don't get me wrong. During the first two books, I appreciated the highly imaginative descriptions and interactions, even though they were mostly sexual. I also liked that it was reminiscent of Pretty Woman, with a rich businessman falling in love with a quirky female who needs to find her way. The Christian Grey is jealous, has control issues and has sex with Anastasia Steele on a piano, so I saw an obvious Pretty Woman likeness. I mean, she even wears a grey tie for him ... really?

Now, those pebbles that I was talking about, yes, they exist and I will list them for you. First, the whole thing is unrealistic, especially Christian Grey's salary. I calculated that he would make $208 million a year or more, by making $100K an hour with added investments. That seems a little crazy. Second, I disliked how she mentioned his frown or his "straight-lipped smile" every other page. We get it, he makes facial expressions. He is a human being with full musculoskeletal control of his face. Got it. Also, it's annoying that Anastasia personifies her subconscious and has it wearing "Burberry" with its "arms crossed." What? That's just silly. And the final thing that had me saying, "Enough already," was the sex. They have SO much sex. On a bed. In a car. In the torture chamber (that's what I call it). In the bathtub. On the bathroom floor. I mean, it is A LOT. This is an erotic novel, so I understand that there has to be sex and plenty of it, but with all of this sex, someone should have a UTI by now or even a yeast infection. Sorry to go there, but it's true.

So, Fifty Shades Freed is on my nightstand collecting dust because Anastasia Steele and E.L. James are like my husband's snoring: OK in small spurts, but really annoying when it doesn't stop. E.L. you were alright at two books or you could have just killed off Ana in book three. Just saying.

A Lifetime of Travels ... Disney Travels

My family and I have recently discussed the possibility of traveling to Walt Disney World again in 2013 and I am ALL for it, as per usual. And, this time, for the first time, I will be bringing a toddler because Jackson will be a little over a year old when we want to go. I cannot wait to see WDW through his little, innocent, open eyes. Luckily for me, I have done it all, so I will not care if he wants to splash around in a fountain for an hour, go back to the hotel room for a nap or stand in line to meet Mickey. However, if he is anything like me when I was a toddler, he will be frightened of the characters and run in the other direction. But, as an infant, he already stays awake when we have company over so that he doesn't "miss" anything, just like his mama, so we may be doing A LOT.

Like I said, I have an extensive Disney history. I have been to Walt Disney World 13 times and to Disneyland once, and every time was wonderful. There were times I just went with my parents and my brother; with just TK; with my parents, TK and my aunt and uncle; and one time with 13 family members. So, here is my list, in chronological order with the places I stayed also listed (the purple items were added to this post after it was published):

1. 1983 - Orlando Vacation Resort (with parents, brother, Uncle Beaver and Viola)
2. 1986 - Days Lodge in Old Town (with parents and brother)
3. 1989 - Polynesian Resort and Las Palmas (with parents, brother and grandmother)
4. 1991 - Caribbean Beach Resort (with parents and brother)
5. 1993 - All Star Sports Resort (with parents and brother)
6. 1995 - All Star Music Resort (with parents and brother)
7. 1997 - Dixie Landings Resort (now Port Orleans Riverside) (with parents and brother)
8. 2003 - Westgate Vacation Villas (with TK)
9. 2004 - Pop Century Resort (with 13 family members)
10. 2006 - Swan Hotel and Caribbean Beach Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George and Aunt Rosie)
11. 2007 - Pop Century Resort (with TK, Georgie, Jade, Bob and Cissy) Got engaged!
12. 2009 - Saratoga Springs Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George and Aunt Rosie)
13. 2011 - Kidani Village Resort (with parents, TK, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie and Georgie)
14. 2013 - Kidani Village Resort (with Jackson, TK, parents, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie, Georgie, Paige and Garrett)
15. 2015 - Kidani Village Resort (with Addison, Jackson, TK, parents, Uncle George, Aunt Rosie, Georgie, Paige and Garrett)
16. 2017 - Polynesian Village Resort (Kuehnles, Gonzalezes, and Wallaces)
17. 2018 - Dolphin Resort (our 10th wedding anniversary)
18. 2019 - Bay Lake Tower (Kuehnles, Gonzalezes, and Wallaces)
19. 2020 - Art of Animation (Kuehnles and Gonzalezes) 

As you can see, I have stayed on-site a number of times and I think that is the best way to go because you get the luxury of the Magical Express, bus, monorail and boat transportation. You also get the benefit of package delivery to your hotel, so you don't have to lug your purchases around the parks all day. But, the main reason I like staying on property is that I can enter the world of Disney and not have to leave and come back. When I am in, I am in until we check out.

Now that my family belongs to the Disney Vacation Club, vacations have gotten more and more exciting because we stay on-site during every visit and we have the ability to try more things. For instance, during our 2011 trip, we were able to embark on the "Backstage Safari" at Animal Kingdom Lodge and get up close to the giraffes, zebras, ostriches, etc. and then enjoy a multi-course dinner with wine pairings. It was expensive, but it was wonderful!

So, next year, I am hoping to do something I've never done before ... bring my son to Walt Disney World as a mother. It will be a whole new world for me. (Get it? "A Whole New World." It is a Disney reference. Anyway ...) I can't wait!

So, I had a baby ...

I fell asleep watching the home run derby. Before TK fell asleep, his last words were, "Feel free to wake me up at 2:30 when your water breaks. Good night!" It was 2:22 a.m. and I woke up and felt funny, so I figured it was time to visit the bathroom to empty the bladder. I wasn't even able to walk past TK's side of the bed before my water broke. It was like I spilled a Dixie cup full of warm water on my pants. Whoa! So, I yelled to TK that my water had broke and then I ran to the bathroom and told him to bring me the phone. I guess he planned it this way because he made me eat spicy General Tso's Chicken for dinner and then take three laps around our backyard, and we live on almost an acre of property.

So, as I sat on the toilet I made a call to the overnight service and they connected me with the doctor on call, who was not my doctor ... and a male. It is not that I am sexist or anything, I just didn't (past tense) know why a man would choose to be an OB/GYN. Seemed very odd to me. Anyway, I asked him if I should rush on in and he said to get to the hospital as soon as I could get myself together, but not to rush. An hour later (3:30 a.m.), we got to the hospital and I wanted to head to admitting. The security guard asked me if I was sure and TK told him that I was a trooper and that I was fine. So, after all the paperwork, I headed up to the maternity floor and waited in the lobby for them to call me in. My parents arrived and sat with us until they called my name. I went into the freezing delivery room that would be my new home for the next 14 hours and changed into my new outfit. The nurses asked me almost a million questions about tattoos and piercings, family history and contractions, and then they gave me a sonogram to see if I really broke my water ... and I did.

Then TK and my mom came in to stay with me and the doctor decided to induce me with Pitocin because I wasn't having contractions on my own and I was only two centimeters dilated. The IV didn't work in one wrist, so the nurse switched it to the other arm, and I was all set, until the contractions started. 

HOLY CRAP! Contractions are no joke. It feels like the worst period cramp that you have ever had because your stomach tightens and you have to remind yourself to breathe through the pain. TK thought he could talk to me during this time, but I politely reminded him that it was not a good idea and he would need to shush while I have a contraction. Instead, he watched my contractions on the machine to see how crazy they got every time. The nurse then asked if I wanted an epidural because there were six other preggos that came in with me, so if I did, I would have to get it right then and first. I said, "Most definitely!" And, they ushered TK and my mom out and invited the anesthesiologist in. I didn't really feel the needle go in because the contractions kind of distracted me, but as soon as the meds made their way in, my hips got tingly and my back felt like someone poured warm oil down it. It was sensational and I REALLY don't know why a woman would turn it down. Eventually my stomach and legs went numb, but my feet and ankles did not. Then, the waiting game began ...

Around 4:30 p.m. while under four blankets and with half of my body regaining feeling, I was finally 10 centimeters dilated and I was going to start pushing. That took everything, and an hour and a half. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, but then came the stitches and they were the worst part of it all. When he came out, I asked and waited for the cry, and it came. Phew!

He was out, after 16 hours, and now he is in the world. Jackson (Jax) Thomas, at 8 pounds 3 ounces and 21 inches long, is the best thing I have ever created, and I feel extremely lucky to now have him in my life. What a heartwarming feeling it is to be this little special person's mom and to share him with his father, his grandparents and his family and friends. I am amazed that I was able to make this perfect little guy and that he will eventually call me Mommy.

Almost There

Feet are up and ice cream is in the freezer. We have three weeks left until my due date and are excited, but it is pretty nerve-wracking too.

For instance, I have a few thoughts.

• When will my water will break and where, or even if? 
• Is it a gush of water or is it just a little trickle? 
• What does a contraction feel like? 
• Is it like that feeling you get when you eat Taco Bell and it wants to explode out of your body? 
• Is the baby going to be big and will his head make my privates look like a bomb went off?
• Will TK faint at the first sight of blood and amniotic fluid?
• Will I poop on the table during labor? 

Ugh, do you see how crazy a pregnant woman's mind goes? This baby needs to get out ... sooner than later.

Some Kind of Trip

I had two weeks off and I have been taking a lot of trips. Trips to the bathroom. Trips to and from the car because I can't carry everything I bought at once. Trips to get more clothing to fill the washing machine. However, these are not the trips I wanted to take while I had this time off and now the window has shut on the idea.

All week I have been deleting emails from Travelocity, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Sherman's Travel and Fodor's because I don't want to see what I will miss out on while I am growing and having my child. I don't want to see the countless bars of Key West or the castles of Scotland or even the new attractions slated for Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, because I can't visit ANY of them. Not now and not for a while.

This week, I wanted to discover a new place or lay on a beach relaxing in the sun or drink a non-alcoholic fruit concoction ... but now I will just have to wait, for longer than I probably realize, to start checking more things off of My Life List. Well, I know I can look forward to #26 and that is a wonderful and amazing thing, and I have loved every minute of it so far. I guess I am just coming to the realization that I will be sacrificing yet another thing, while I plan for my husband's trip to Toronto (another place I've never been). I will be home thinking of whether my little boy will have curly blonde or brown hair and whether he will have my brown eyes or TK's blue eyes, all from the comfort of my own home. Ah, to be a mother.

What a SMASH!

Chocolate Malt

A new burger place has come to Long Island! Smashburger is in Hicksville and the burgers, sides and shakes are delicious. My brother-in-law recommended we grab a bite there after a day of bowling, mini golf and the batting cage (I read a book during the batting cage visit because now is not the time to be taking swings).

My BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar

I had the BBQ, Bacon and Cheddar burger that came topped with fried onions and BBQ sauce. I added ketchup too, because that is what I do. The burger was just so flavorful that I think I would be happy with just their Classic Burger with Cheese. I also added the Haystack Onions and a Chocolate Malted Shake. The onions came with a horseradish dipping sauce, like you would get with a Bloomin' Onion. These onions were light and crispy, and for $1.99, they were a definite after a recommendation from my sister-in-law. The shake was also a great choice because it was sweet and creamy with a small dollop of whipped cream as an edible garnish. 

Steven's Classic with Cheese

Even TK was pleased with his meal and he got the Sweet Potato Smashfries and an order of Fried Pickles. He even referred to it as the "best burger" he has had in a while. So now we are both counting the days until we can revisit this heavenly establishment. Anyone want to go for a ride?

Had to go to Moe's

I have been hearing so much about this place Moe's Southwest Grill because of my fondness for burritos. Today, I drove the 25 miles (much to TK's dismay) to give it a try and I was quite pleased.

I ordered the Homewrecker, which is the largest of the burrito options, so it was the obvious choice. I got it with chicken, rice, cheese, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce and salsa. All the ingredients were fresh and the burrito was made right in front of me, which I liked. Every meal comes with chips on the side and they are not cheap with them, as you can see by the picture. Of course, I had to listen to Jackie at work and get the side of queso, which was great advice (Thank you Jackie). I took half of the little cup home to share with TK because I knew he would be a fan of it as well. I couldn't even eat everything, so I am eating the other half of the burrito for dinner tonight too.


Next time, I would love to try their pork or add some bacon to my chicken burrito because that sounded delicious. Now, I just have one question ... when is Moe's coming to Suffolk County?

A Pretty Place on Long Island

Today I took a drive up north to Stony Brook Village and the area is so quiet and pretty. The Shopping District includes small and big name shops, but they are all grouped together in a lovely way. My first stop was the Writing Place, where they sell stationary, gifts and Vera Bradley items. Then I took a walk to browse in the shops near the post office, which included Welcome Home of Stony Brook, Fair Trade Winds and the Stony Brook Gift Shop. All of the shops sold very cute, unique items.

When I left the area, people were parked on the street next to a grassy area with huge trees and a huge pond (Mill Pond), complete with geese and ducks. The shops sell duck food, so I figured this was a place where families can and do visit on a sunny day like this one. Also, close to the harbor there was an unusual statue of Hercules. I didn't get out of the car to go see what his significance was, but I thought it was interesting.

Stony Brook Village is a very nice place to take a stroll on a nice spring day, maybe a little less fun alone, but it was peaceful and interesting.

YAY VACAY and YAY FRO YO!

I am now off for two weeks and lovin' it. Since I am not really going anywhere, I have decided to just do some local things that I have never done or tried before. Today, I did a little shopping and made sure to stop by a new frozen yogurt place named Swirls and Twirls. I love ice cream so the collection of low-fat or nonfat flavors is an even better option. They have so many flavors to choose from and they have them organized so that you can combine flavors to create a new concoction. For instance, combining their Southern Red Velvet and their Icky Sticky Peanut Butter creates the Southern Delight. And, this is before toppings ...

I chose Creamy Cookie Blitz and Icky Sticky Peanut Butter and then topped it with crushed up Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Crunchies, Chopped Peanuts and Whipped Cream. It was great, even though the whole low-fat or nonfat idea went right out the window with my toppings. Oops!