I am creating a sibling

When TK was a child, he had a happy little life with his hamster and his mother, and the new dad he had just met the year before. That was until his mother became pregnant with his younger brother. She went into the hospital to have his brother Steven and TK went to stay with a family member. When everyone returned to the home, the nursery was newly painted and TK's hamster was dead. TK would never forget the day he gained a brother and lost his beloved pet. He thought his new sibling killed his hamster, which we all know is not true, but it was such an issue that it made an appearance in Steven's best man speech 26 years later.



Steven and TK

I am praying that the transition for my little boy is a lot easier and a lot less traumatic than TK's experience. The fact is that Jackson is getting a sister. She will be almost three years younger than him and he knows that she is in my belly right now and that her name is Addison.

We are trying to be really smart about introducing her to him because we don't want his little perfect life to change. So, the first step is designing a full Cars bedroom for him. We have diamond plate wallpaper, Cars Fatheads, a Lightning McQueen bed and added Cars items. We still have the carpet on its way and the dresser that TK will be painting black and red. Today is my due date and his room is still not done, but Addison will be in my bedroom for a few weeks, so we still have a little bit of time to get it ready.

Next, we have a few Cars Radiator Springs race track sets to wrap up for Jackson from his new sister. He loves to open presents and if he receives one from her, it may soften the blow of a new person living in our house. We also bought him a few new cars to add to his collection of more than 100. He is always excited for new cars. Yep, he is spoiled, if you can't tell.

So, the final step will be the introduction of the two. I hope it is a very loving meeting and Jax does not smack her in the face or squeeze her too hard, but that's what a brother does, so if it happens, it happens. These two little beings will be the most important and most cherished people in my life and it is my job to keep them cared for and loved throughout their lives. I just hope that they find love for each other and realize that when they have no one else who understands them, at least they have their sibling.


Me and My Brother, Michael

Disney Planning ... AGAIN! (YIPPEE)

Cinderella Castle

Yes, Jackson will be 3-years-old and yes, Addison will be an infant, but we are planning another trip to Walt Disney World. You may not think so, but there is still a lot that we haven't done or seen at the "Happiest Place on Earth." And, there is nothing like watching a child's face when they see Mickey Mouse for the first time or when they wonder why the elephant that they are sitting in is now flying. Fortunately, our family can enjoy everything about Disney World together and create countless memories—and, we love it!

This year, there are several things that I am looking forward to. They range from mom things to foodie things to family things, but they are all fun things.

And, here they are:

1. Dressing up a baby girl in Minnie, Tinker Bell and princess outfits. You can't say that little girls don't look adorable all dolled up. Think about it. See?
2. Eating at Boatwright's at Port Orleans. My parents said the food there was the best on property. I accept their challenge.
3. Riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It is new this year and we need to give it a whirl. 
4. Trying anything at France in Epcot. The photos of the elegant French pastries really look amazing, so I just need to eat one ... or one dozen of them. There's a Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich, an Ice Cream Martini and Profiteroles au Chocolate. They just all sound delicious. 
5. Shopping at the new Sanuk store in Downtown Disney/Disney Springs. We love Sanuk flip flops so much that our family should be sponsored by them. There is also a new allergen-free cupcake shop called Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC.
6. Drinking a Frozen Hot Chocolate. TK and I loved them at Hershey, so we need to try them everywhere now. 
7. Checking off festive food in the Holiday Food Passport at Epcot. I know there's a Cronut listed on there and a Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate. Both will be ingested.
8. There is some dessert illusion called Biramisu. It is Tiramisu, but it is made with beer instead of coffee. Now, I am just curious. 

Jax and Donald Duck

This year, we are also hoping to throw in a little Legoland and a little Busch Gardens Christmas Town. We've experienced Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, so now we want to see how they do it in Tampa, Florida.

Any other thoughts on what we should not miss this year? I may have already done it the other 14 times I've been to Walt Disney World, but you can still suggest it and I will definitely take it into consideration.