Trip Report, Day 2: First Full Day at Sea

Today, we woke up, got ready and headed right over to breakfast at the Garden Cafe Buffet. When we finished our waffles and eggs, we looked for the Spinnaker Lounge where they were selling bingo cards. When we finally found it, we waited to get the cards and then played bingo. Not one of us won anything and TK and I took turns walking Jax around because he wouldn't sit still.

After losing, we headed over to the kiddie pool so Jax could splash around and he loved it. They had a mini indoor pool with a little elephant slide in it. He didn't want to leave, but we had to. We tried to sit by the pool, but he didn't want to do that either because it was too hot and the pool deck was very crowded. TK, Jax and I headed inside to grab some lunch from the buffet. They had pretzel rolls that I loved.

When we were done eating, we went back to the room to get ready for the Pub Hop. Jax was going to hang out with my parents for the hour we were gone. TK, Uncle George and I met the small group of five at Malting's Beer and Whiskey Bar. It was $25 each and we visited five bars on the ship and received a drink or more at each one. At the first bar, we had to chug an entire Stella Artois and then flip the cup. We jumped right in! I came in the middle. Two college-aged sisters won. When we headed to the next bar, Mandy, the crew member who led the hop, had us chanting and singing. It was a little embarrassing, but none of those people would ever see me again, so I did it. At the next bar, we played a game, which I won, but I still had to drink an entire Strawberry Margarita and a half. At the following bars, we played a game with an apple that we had to get through our clothes, we did a waterfall and then we played a game where we had to transfer a balloon from one person to the other and then run to the bar to take a shot. It was much more involved than I thought it would be, but it was also a lot of fun. Uncle George beat a girl in a chugging contest, so he won a t-shirt. It was impressive.

After the Hop, we got to Shakers Martini Bar and waited for everyone. Since we were already there, we decided to participate in the Martini Tasting for $15 each. We had a flight of six small martinis. I knew dinner was soon, so I just sipped on them and didn't finish most of them, except for the Appletini. I enjoyed that. I also answered a trivia question correctly and won a Chocolate Raspberry Martini, which was also very good. That one came to dinner with me. We met up with everyone while the tasting was going on and my parents headed into the casino and left Jax with us because he was napping. So, we finished up there and headed back to the room to get ready for dinner.

For dinner, we had reservations for Moderno, the Brazilian steakhouse on-board. It was delicious! There was a salad bar and the waitresses came around with all kinds of meat for us to eat. I love Brazilian steakhouses. Well, steakhouses in general, actually. After dinner, my family went to the casino and Jax and I went back to the room and then for a walk around the ship. We tried to take Jax to the "World Beat" show, but of course he wouldn't sit still enough for the show to start, so TK took him back to the room. Selfishly, I stayed and watched the whole show, but I am not sure if TK would have liked all the twirling. The singing was OK though. After the show was over, I went back to the room and saw that my kid had ran all over it, so it was time for bed.

Trip Report, Day 1: Cruising on the Norwegian Gem

Since you know we have a toddler and you know that we like to travel, my family and I decided to take a cruise together on the Norwegian Gem. We all had cruised before, but never all together, so we were super excited to get away for a week and cruise the Atlantic Ocean. The travelers on this trip included my husband Tom (TK), my two-year-old son Jackson (Jax), my parents (Mike and Angie), Uncle George, Aunt Rosie and me, of course. We normally travel in big groups. It's more fun that way!

On Saturday, May 31, we got up and started to get ready to leave. TK, Jax and I were actually ready and waiting for my parents, for a change. We packed our bags and gear in their car and then we headed over to Burger King for breakfast. Jax likes French Toast Sticks, so we knew Burger King was a safe bet. When we got our food, we headed into the city and to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on 50th Street and 12th Avenue. By 10:30 a.m., we were in the Terminal, checking in and meeting up with Uncle George and Aunt Rosie. We were able to wait in a VIP area because one of the crew members handed my father a paper that got us in. We still have no idea why that happened. At around 11:45 a.m., we were allowed to board and we walked on the boat. We were greeted on the 7th deck by crew members and I made my way to one of them to sign up and pay for the Pub Hop that I read about online.

From the 7th floor, we headed up to the 12th for lunch on the pool deck. Fortunately, we were able to find a table and we got burgers at the buffet and drinks from the waiter. I had the drink of the day in a souvenir glass, which had a funny name, but essentially, it was a Mai Tai and a pretty good one (It had better be for $9).

While we were hanging out, there was an announcement that our rooms were ready and we abandoned the table and headed down to the 5th floor. Our room was an inside cabin, so it was a walk-in closet with furniture. We were missing the toddler life preserver and the pack n play, so we told the stewardess, Deisei, and she said we would have everything before the end of the night, which we did. We had to muster at 3 p.m. and hear all about what we should do in an emergency. Jax was making noise the whole time, so everyone in Muster Station G2 was on their own.

Afterward, we did a little exploring to see where everything was on the ship and cruised past the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazano Bridge. As soon as we passed the bridge, we came back to the room to see if our luggage had arrived, and some of it had! TK's bag arrived first and Jackson's arrived last. Jax and TK took a nap, so I went with my mom and Aunt Rosie up to the spa and fitness center for a raffle. I actually ended up winning a $100 voucher for the spa, but the stipulation was that I had to use it while we were at port. Then, I came back to the room to wake up TK and Jax, and get ready for dinner in the Magenta Dining Room. The Magenta was on the 6th floor, so it was only one floor above us. I had a Broccoli Soup, Surf and Turf and a slice of Apple Pie for dessert. Jax had his first Macaroni and Cheese meal.

After dinner, we headed out to the bars and lounges and everyone hung out in the casino, but Jax and I made our way outside because it was way too smokey in there. TK, Jax and I walked around the ship for a little bit and then to Malting's Beer & Whiskey Bar where Tom had some scotch drink that I wanted nothing to do with. Soon, Jax started to fuss and we decided to go to bed. We were cruising and the next day was a full day at sea.

Toddler Packing List

When we travel with our little guy, we have to bring A LOT of stuff. And, by A LOT of stuff, I mean a full packing list for him on loose-leaf paper, front and back. Honestly, when preparing to be away from home for a week or more, it really helps to have a checklist and everything we need.

So, I would like to share my list with you, just in case you need your own to check off. Please keep in mind that this is the list I used for a one week family vacation with my son when he was 16-months-old and we went to Walt Disney World and 23-months-old when we went on a Caribbean cruise.

The Fabulous List:

- Outfits (9 daytime, 7 nighttime)
- Undershirts
- Pajamas (7)
- Socks (7)
- Sunglasses
- Hats (2)
- Shoes, Sandals and Sneakers (2 dressy and 2 casual)
- Water Shoes
- Bathing Suits with Matching Rash Guards (4 sets for the cruise, 2 for WDW)
- Sweatshirts (2)
- Diapers (56)
- Swim Diapers (1 pack)
- Wipes
- Wipes Case
- A&D
- Baby Powder
- Travel Diaper Bag
- Changing Pad
- Pacifiers and Holder (for the younger trip)
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush
- Travel Baby Wash
- Travel Baby Shampoo
- Travel Baby Lotion
- Nail Clipper
- Baby Comb
- Baby Hair Gel
- Baby Tylenol
- Boogie Wipes
- Little Teethers
- Baby Sunscreen
- Wash Mits (2)
- Thermometer
- Antibacterial with Holder
- First Aid Kit
- Safety Swabs
- Baby Detergent
- Stroller Rain Gear (for WDW)
- Baby Poncho (for WDW)
- Stroller
- Stroller Attachments
- Baby Carrier
- Snack Pods (2)
- Sippy Cups (4)
- Bottle Brush
- Dish Soap
- Tiny Diner or Placemats
- Food Pouches
- Ice Packs
- Snacks (Goldfish, puffs and cheese curls)
- Vitamins
- Bowls (2)
- Animal Paper Plates (1 pack)
- Over-the-Head Bibs (2)
- Pack N Play Sheets (quilted and regular)
- Blankets (1 thick, 1 thin)
- Sound Machine (16 mo.) or Night Light (23 mo.)
- DVDs (3) and Portable DVD Player with Charger
- Books and Toys (cars and planes for my kid)
- Child Harness
- Birth Certificate (16 mo.) or Passport (23 mo.)
- Mickey Ears (WDW)
- Mat Board with Sharpie Markers (for WDW autographs)
- Beach Toys (cruise)
- Swimmies
- Wash Cloth (for cooling down in theme parks)

This completes my list, but, by all means, add your own stuff because you may go on a ski vacation or a camping trip (God help you) and need a lot of different things than what I have listed. Make it your own. I did.

Traveling with a Toddler

My son Jackson is 23-months-old and he has been to Busch Gardens in Virginia, Walt Disney World and on a Caribbean cruise already. He even has a passport because he needed one for the cruise. I didn't have a passport until I was 19 and my husband didn't have one until he was 37, but we love to travel, so we bring him with us and we love it. Lucky kid! I have a few tips that I found while I was researching how to travel (kind of) easily with a toddler. I am not trying to patronize anyone or act like I know everything; these are just a few things that worked for me and my family.

The first thing I will advise you to do is to travel with more adults than children, if you can. We have traveled with my parents, my Aunt Rosie and Uncle George, and my cousin Georgie, his girlfriend Paige and her son Garrett. By having a bunch of adults, we are able to take turns walking him around and keeping an eye on him. At WDW, we even took turns taking him on rides, so that each of us could get in a picture and he had plenty of people to play with. 

When we went to WDW, I sent a box of my son's supplies to the resort because they accepted packages two weeks before the reservation. By sending the box, I didn't have to figure out how to get all of his diapers, food pouches, sippy cups, bath toys and towels on the plane. Keep in mind, a toddler averages six to eight diapers per day, so that's a lot of diapers for one week. All of his stuff that would be used on the trip was already at the resort in the box when we got there. We just had to ask for it at the reception desk when we checked in. Fortunately, we were able to take a quick trip to the grocery store for milk, water and extra pouches, as well.

If you are flying, you are allowed to keep small electronic devices on throughout the entire flight from take-off to touch down. This was great to hear after sitting down in our seats. So, I suggest bringing a portable DVD player with a few of your child's favorite movies. Jackson was able to watch Cars for the entire flight to Orlando, have some snacks and then he actually fell asleep about an hour and a half in. It was glorious, and I was very nervous about how he would act on the plane because he has a lot of energy. It was a breeze! On the cruise, we were able to watch movies on my father's laptop at the end of the night because there was nothing for a toddler to do after 8 p.m., and my kid stays up late.

My son loves cars and planes, so we make sure to take a few of his toys and small board books from home with us. I keep them in a Ziploc freezer bag, so I can throw them all in a bag or underneath the stroller when we are on the move. They are lifesavers for when we are waiting in line or hanging out in the hotel room with nothing to do. Also, bath toys are important for your child to enjoy their bath in a new place. We even bought some new bath toys while in WDW because we found a package of Cars ones and Jax LOVED them. He still does.

For a toddler to stay happy, I've learned that you have to keep their bellies full and their bodies rested. So, I made sure to take a snack pod everywhere and two or more pouches, just in case he won't eat the food we buy him at a restaurant. The snacks I bring for my little man are Goldfish, toddler cheese curls, Cheerios and puffs. I also make sure to have at least two sippy cups while out and about, one with a water/juice mixture and one empty to be filled with a new, cold water/juice mixture or cold whole milk, depending on the time of day. Having sippy cups means having to clean them. In some resorts, they supply dish soap, but on the cruise, I brought the bottle brush and a Ziploc of dish soap so I could wash the cups every night.

To each destination, we bring one of our little guy's strollers. He is able to nap whenever he gets tired and we have pockets for everything he needs in the day. We also can strap a fan, a bag or a cooler to it and it makes it so much easier to transport everything. A stroller also adds some shade to the hot, steamy summer days, thankfully. However, at WDW they make you park your stroller outside of every ride, so if your child falls asleep in his or her stroller, it is a good idea to take a baby carrier. When we got on line for the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom, Jax was asleep. I picked him up and put him in the carrier and parked the stroller outside. He slept against me in the carrier and I didn't have to struggle with holding him as I walked through the queue. It was easier on my back and my arms to have a carrier, and he slept soundly. Unfortunately, he slept through ALL of the animals, so we will just have to go back ... Also, tie a noticeable ribbon on the stroller so you can spot it in a sea of strollers at a theme park. You would be surprised how similar they all look.

Everyone makes fun of the way I pack clothing for trips with my toddler, but I read it online once and was hooked. OK, so I put every outfit, complete with socks and an undershirt, if needed, in a labeled gallon Ziploc bag. The bag says the day and date, so it is easy for whoever is dressing Jax on that day. I make sure he has an outfit for the daytime and one for the nighttime for each day, with pajamas to sleep in. It makes it much easier to find everything when in a rush, and I am always in a rush.

If you are taking an airplane to get to your destination, it is a good idea to take your child's pacifiers, bottles or lollipops, if they are old enough. It will save your child from the ear pressure that may drive them to screaming on a plane full of strangers, and who wants that? Just bring them to be safe.

Also, to be safe, you should bring medications that you think your child might need. An infant or toddler might need teething gel or Tylenol while you are away. Wouldn't you rather have it than need it? 

I want to preface this paragraph by saying that I know it is not for everyone and I used to think negatively of child harnesses (AKA child leashes), but while we were in Walt Disney World, we wanted to give our son his freedom, but there were WAY too many people there for us to do that. So, one night, I gave in and my cousin and husband went to Walmart and got my son a child harness. They spent $10 and came back with a stuffed elephant. Honestly, it was the best $10 I've spent. He had the cute elephant strapped to his back and he was able to walk around and discover everything that Disney had to offer, but we could still keep him close to us. We've also used the harness at the mall and on the cruise. The way I see it, a harness allows him the freedom and activity that he needs without the worry of getting lost or kidnapped. I could not explain the idea of strangers, kidnapping or staying close to mommy to a one-year-old, so I will stand by my decision everyday and it works for us.

The final thing I will tell you about traveling with a toddler is that you should bring your own sheets, blankets and if your child has a favorite stuffed animal, bring that too. The hotels or resorts will supply you with sheets for the crib or pack n play that your child will be sleeping in, but they don't have the comfort of home. I found that my child slept soundly while cuddled up in a pack n play with the blankets he is accustomed to.

I wish you luck on your travels and I hope that you create hundreds of memories with your little guy or girl. Take tons of pictures and enjoy the adventure.

Reconstruction: A Poem

Not the perfect image,
Not the ideal line,
It's alright,
Just give it time.

I won't compete,
I am not your treat,
Don't toy with me,
Or tell me stories,
I'm not in the mood for guts or glory.

Judge me and I will make you regret it,
Where's the happiness that you neglected,
There's sunshine,
There's moonlight,
And a smile always transforms a frown,
Even when life really pushes you down.

Isn't it all what we want life to be,
It is for me.

A Luxurious Stay, Meant to be Remembered

I was just going through some old notebooks and I found some notes on my stay at the Michelangelo in Manhattan. Apparently, I never shared it with you, but I told you I was there when I posted about my 30th birthday. My parents bought me and TK an overnight stay at the Michelangelo, a gift certificate for Victor's Cuban Cafe and two tickets to see In the Heights on Broadway in 2010 for my 30th birthday. We were also heading out on a cruise to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary immediately after we checked out.

The Michelangelo is on West 51st Street and 7th Avenue, right down the block from Victor's and a few blocks from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. It was conveniently located for all of our plans.

Upon walking in, the lobby is very plush and everything is marble. The furniture and tapestries are all in jewel tones of deep orange and red with gold and tan. Very opulent! When we got back from the show, we had a drink in the bar area of the lobby and lounged on the fancy furniture.

In the room, the bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was lovely. There was a leather bench and a magnifying mirror at the vanity. The toiletries were made of citrus and Italian olive oil to create a bright and refreshing scent. And, there were terry cloth robes for our use, which I LOVE.

We had a very simple turn down service and the bell hop, Henry, was so nice and very accommodating. I don't know if he still works there three years later, but if he does, ask for him.

While staying at the Michelangelo, we felt very pampered and special, but I am sure that my parents paid good money for that. If I could afford it or if I found a really great deal, I would definitely stay there again.

You may be saying, "Why tell us three years later?" But, I figure it's like when someone asks, "Have you stayed at the Michelangelo?" And, I answer, "Yea, three years ago," they would still ask what it was like, so there it is. 

Saving Mr. Banks

On Sunday, January 5, TK and I went to the movies (finally) to see Saving Mr. Banks. I mean, I HAD to see it. 1. It is a Disney movie and 2. It is based on a true story. I am a sucker for both factors.

The Walt Disney Pictures Movie Poster

If you haven't seen it, Saving Mr. Banks is about a woman, P.L. Travers, who created the character of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney's desire, after refusing him for 20 years, to turn her story into a motion picture. The process is a very difficult one as Travers is very (rightfully) picky over how her characters and settings are portrayed, but it ends up becoming a beloved classic, just like this movie is set to be.

When the movie started and I got an idea of what kind of person Travers was, thanks to Emma Thompson, she reminded me of my deceased maternal grandmother. My grandmother used to be a very brash, "tell-it-like-it-is" person who many were afraid of and who thought it was her job to keep everyone's moral compass pointed in the right direction, like Travers. I began to understand Travers' struggle because I understood my grandmother. Throughout my grandmother's life, she worked hard and strong to protect herself, her family, her children and her children's children. Travers was doing the same, only she was protecting the family that she created in Mary Poppins. Even though she appeared to be a tough, mean person, she did let people into her heart, like my grandma did with me. Then, they realize that they can preserve their love and heart, and break down a few walls in the process.

My husband was surprised that the movie was so sad, but it really had to be because in order to depict the internal and external struggle of Travers, the viewer had to feel and see the sadness and difficulty that she felt. Her background and attitude were not just tossed in, the story and film were built around it.

During the movie, an elderly couple in front of us was speaking about the movie while it was on, so I couldn't help but listen to what the husband was saying. He said the movie "was like a tranquilizer" because it was moving so slow. And then, he told his wife that he had enough and was ready to leave, so they got up and LEFT! He talked about how disgusted he was as they walked down the aisle toward the door, and he even said, "Yuck!" I thought it was humorous, but he never really gave the movie a chance to pick up. They had to give the background before they gave away the parts that the audience was looking for.

So, my grandmother's birthday is tomorrow, and even though I never gave it much thought before because I just loved her unconditionally, I understand her like I understand Travers. I didn't care how mean she might have been to someone or how many rude comments came out of her mouth, she had her own reasons for them, and I understood and I loved her, and I understood and loved Saving Mr. Banks too. See it and let me know what you think.  

Trip Report Day 10: 12/1/13

Merry Christmas!

On our last day, we woke up at 7:30 a.m. to get everything ready to go down to bell services. After they took our bags, we followed and waited until 9:30 for the Magical Express bus. I went in the souvenir shop to get one last Minnie's Bake Shop cookie to bring home for my colleagues to try. I couldn't find them, so I asked the cast member if they had them and she said they don't get put out on the shelf until 11:30, but she would go in the back and get me one. That's what I love about Disney; most of the employees are willing to go above and beyond for you.

After the bus came, we got on and had to make three stops before heading to the airport. We were able to go in the wheelchair lane at security because of our stroller, which was very helpful. We grabbed a little breakfast and were on our way back to Long Island. Fortunately, Jax watched Cars 2, had some snacks and fell asleep. Another peaceful ride!

Now that we are back in NY, we look back on our Disney vacation with such happiness and love. Our son had an amazing time discovering new things and our whole family made a lot of wonderful memories with him. This vacation was a special one and we can't wait to go back and make some more memories.

Trip Report Day 9: 11/30/13

Rapunzel's Tower

Unfortunately, it was our last full day of fun at Walt Disney World, so we went back to the Magic Kingdom so Jax could get on some rides. We started out at the Main Street Bakery for breakfast and then we were able to get on the Tomorrowland Speedway, but Jax wasn't tall enough to ride. I thought he would be, but he still had like half an inch to go. He watched us drive around, but he was able to get on Dumbo, the new Journey with the Little Mermaid and the Mad Tea Party.

Since the park was not packed yet, we were able to grab lunch at Be Our Guest, which we were worried that we wouldn't be able visit this trip because of its popularity. The food was good, but the three dining rooms were the real draw. One was dark, one was lavish and the other had snow coming down outside the window. They did a great job with the theme of the restaurant and it really helped tell the story. They even had the Beast's rose in the corner of the dark room.

While Jax napped, we were able to go to the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. When we were done, we enjoyed some sweet treats at the Sleepy Hollow and I had the Nutella Waffle Sandwich and HOLY SMOKES, it was good. The only thing that would have added to the deliciousness would be a little whipped cream. We headed back to the hotel because MK was really getting crowded and we were able to do what we wanted. The only rides I missed were Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad, but I know them and I'll make sure to hit them first on our next trip.

Be Our Guest Dining Room

At the hotel, I changed Jax into his bathing suit and Dad and I took him to the water play area by the pool. He had a great time splashing around and getting soaked until he started to get cold. We went back to the room so I could dry him off and change his clothes. I changed my clothes too and we went for a walk around the resort to see the animals on the savannah. Jax was more interested in the lights on the floor, but we had some time to kill, so we hung out in the lobby, watched cartoons for a little and then went back to the room to scoop everyone up.

Paige and Georgie drove their own cars to the hotel, so we drove over to Downtown Disney for our dinner reservation at Bongos. Parking was a nightmare, so we got dropped off at the entrance to Pleasure Island so that we would not miss our reservation time. I went straight to check us in, but they wanted to give us a table outside. It was cold and Jax was with us, so I refused that and told them that we would wait for the next available table indoors. Tom and I got a couple of cocktails and waited it out. So, 35 minutes later when our whole party joined us, we were seated. We got appetizers and entrees, but we wanted dessert elsewhere. Georgie got a pretty amazing dinner, but it ended up being $75. We were shocked, but when something says Market Price, well, it is not going to be cheap.

$75 Paella for Two

We hit the Lego Store afterward because I wanted to buy more of those cool keychains for people at home. Tom had Mom and I go into World of Disney when we were done to look for Vera Bradley bags, but they only had duffles left, and I already have one and Mom didn't want one. Everyone was ready to leave, so we did ... without a Gold Rush from Ghirardelli. No ice cream on this trip. No Classic Mickey Bars. Nothing! And, we are leaving tomorrow. Boo.

Trip Report Day 8: 11/29/13

Epcot

We started the day at Epcot with a Fastpass+ at Soarin'. That ride is more of an experience than an actual ride, and it is so relaxing and fun. You have to ride it to know what I am talking about. After we finished, we had breakfast at Sunshine Seasons. The multigrain croissant was surprisingly good.

When everyone was able to finish riding, we headed over to Test Track to wait in the single rider line. We were able to ride in 40 minutes, as opposed to the 110 minutes that it said for the stand-by line. Then, I walked around with Jax so he could fall asleep while some of my family rode Mission Space. When we met up, we headed over to to the World Showcase, as I had planned on having a brat and a beer at Sommerfest in Germany. Tom and I were able to get brats, beers and Nudel Gratin for Jax, and we were even able to swing a table. Jax was still asleep, so I saved the Nudel Gratin for him to have when he awoke.

Afterward, we were all able to head over to America so the rest of my family could have their lunch an dthen to Japan to shop in Mitsukoshi for a little bit. In America, we bought a Peppermint Hot Cocoa that had Peppermint Schnapps in it and it was delicious. I bought a few items in Japan and we headed over to Imagination while Georgie, Uncle George, Garrett and Paige went to go check in for Dive Quest in the Living Seas. Jax was able to ride Imagination and then we headed over to the Garden Grill for our dinner reservation and Candlelight Processional Package.

Candlelight Processional

While eating dinner, we saw Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Jax squeezed their noses. The dinner was OK, but the dessert and the rolls were very good. We got Jax a light up Buzz Lightyear clip-on and a Toy Story cup with his meal. After dinner, we went over to Nemo and Friends and were able to ride that with Jackson. He also watched Turtle Talk with Crush, but wasn't totally interested in sitting down quietly. We waited for Dive Quest to end and took Jax around to look at the fish in all of the tanks.

By the time they were out, we had to head over to the Candlelight Processional. The line for advanced tickets was so long that it lined the fence from America to Morocco. The line moved pretty fast and were able to sit in the back with the stroller because Jax was sleeping. I found some of the cast members that night to be very irritable and rude, and others to be extremely nice. I guess everyone deals with crowds differently. The show was lovely and festive. Gary Sinise did a great job narrating and the lighting for the event was pretty cool. It was a great way to begin the holiday season.

After the show, we got a hot cocoa and Chai tea latte because it was so cold out. We raced to the bus stop and the bus came right away. Fortunately, Jax slept through the show and all the way back to the resort. He even slept through his diaper change. I was amazed, but he must have been wiped out from the day.

Trip Report Day 7: 11/28/13

Luigi

We are celebrating Thanksgiving today, so when I awoke, I helped my parents prepare yams and stuffed mushrooms and left the bread stuffing for later. Dad and Mom prepared the rice stuffing, the turkey and my aunts prepared some other sides. When Jackson got up, he was able to watch a little of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and see Buzz Lightyear.

After breakfast, Tom, Mom, Jax and I headed over on the bus to the Art of Animation Resort by way of Animal Kingdom to see the Cars section of the resort. They did a great job with the theming of each area and Jax was able to run up to and around all of the Cars characters. He absolutely loved it. We were also able to shop in the resort souvenir store, but they didn't have any die cast cars that we were missing, so we bought a few other Cars things and headed back to the resort to finish preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

When we got back, I made the bread stuffing, Mom made the brussel sprouts and Aunt Annie made the corn, so we were all set to eat. We set it up on the bar counter like a buffet and let everyone get their food and find their place. Dinner was delicious. We pulled off a 20 lb. turkey with several side dishes, and I don't know if that small Kidani kitchen knew what hit it! If it were a Disney character, it would be exhausted and proud.

Flo

After dinner, Jax went with my Aunt Rosie and Aunt Annie for a walk around the resort, and he came back screaming because he got a bad diaper rash for the first time in his 16 months on earth. My Mom advised me to put him right in the bathtub to soothe him, and that's exactly what I did. In two days, the rash was gone, thankfully.

Cars Section of the Art of Animation Resort

We waited for Paige, George and Garrett to return from Ocala and have dessert. When they did, George gave Jax a present: DARTH MATER! We were shocked and he wouldn't tell us where he found it, but he said he wasn't beneath buying Jackson's love, which was fine by him because he loves that car. We went down to Community Hall and played foosball and pool, and then headed over to the arcade from some pinball and air hockey to finish up the holiday.

Trip Report Day 6: 11/27/13

Today, we woke up when we wanted and waited for my aunts to arrive. When they did, we were supposed to attend "Welcome Home Wednesday" for DVC members, but we didn't know it was in another hotel, so we decided to skip it and head to Downtown Disney for lunch.

We always love Earl of Sandwich, so that is where we started out. One time we even visited the Earl twice in one trip. The sandwiches are cheap and delicious. I think is where you can get your most inexpensive lunch on all of the property, but correct me if I'm wrong. We went shopping after lunch and Tom, Jax and I stopped into the Lego store for the first time. I always walk by it, but never shop. We ended up buying Jackson a Duplo Cars set and I found these really cool Lego figure keychains. We also popped by Raglan Road during their happy hour, but we were obviously pushing Jax in his stroller, so we took our beers to go and headed to West Side.

Fortunately, we were able to let Jax run around a little bit in a small area across from Candy Cauldron. By then, we all met up to discuss what our next plan was. I went shopping in Wet Seal really fast because there was a buy one, get one 70 percent off sale, so I had to stop in. I ended up buying a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and, since it was BOGO, I got a Biggie Smalls tank top (I thought it was pretty interesting). When I was done, I came out and Tom and Mom told me that they stopped into Splitsville to see if we could go there for dinner and bowling, but for 11 people, it would near $500 to do so. Also, we stopped into Paradiso 37 and they could seat us, but we all decided to head back to the resort for dinner.

My family wanted to have Chinese food delivered, so I got them the phone numbers. There was no way I would be eating Florida Chinese food, especially on vacation. No offense to Chinese food restaurants in Florida, but it is just not the same as New York Chinese food. Sorry. So, Tom and I decided that we would head downstairs to Sanaa for a little dinner date and some African fare. Our waitress at Sanaa was awesome. Her name was Stacey and she was from Boston, and I noticed it before she told me by the way she said garlic (gah-lic). She asked if we were from Boston too because we have accents, but we are from Lawn Guyland (Long Island). The meal broadened our horizons and we listened to Stacey's recommendations on almost everything. After dinner, we went back to the room and wrangled up some others to head down to the arcade for some Guitar Hero and air hockey to end the night.

Trip Report Day 5: 11/26/13

Halfway through our trip, we woke up and headed over to Hollywood Studios for our breakfast reservation at Hollywood & Vine. Fortunately, when we got to the park, I found a cast member and asked where those who had dining reservations entered the park. Everyone else was lined up at the turnstiles, so he led us to a side area where we gave our names, scanned our Magic Bands and walked right into an empty Hollywood Studios. It was pretty cool to see the quiet streets before all of the guests filed in.

At Hollywood & Vine, we saw Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso, June from Little Einsteins and Jake. Again, Jax wanted to eat in peace, so he wasn't so keen on the idea of pictures, but he did like all of the singing and the music. The waiter wasn't our favorite, but we had a good time.

Lightning McQueen

After eating, we headed over to Tower of Terror so most of us could ride it, excluding me. It is the only ride I refuse to try in all of Walt Disney World. I just think that the queue will freak me out and the ride will make me uneasy. When they were done, we went over to Rock N Rollercoaster to check the single rider line. They actually closed down that line because they said it was getting longer than the stand by line. I guess my secret is out. Fortunately, we were able to sit down to see the Lights, Motors, Action show and Lightning McQueen. Jax was interested in all of the cars in the show.

On our way to Muppetvision 3D, we saw a line to take pics with Lightning McQueen and Mater, so we waited so Jax could get up close to them. It would have been nice if he could have gotten a little bit more time to walk around them and analyze them, but there were people behind us that had been waiting too. When we got to Muppetvision, we went right in and I needed to change Jax's diaper, so I went in the dark corner and laid out his stuff, so no one could see and I could change him quick. We went right in after the little pre-show.

Osbourne Lights

Afterward, we headed over to Toy Story Mania, but only half of our party had Fastpasses for the ride. In the past, we would just get paper Fastpasses for the rest of our party and go right in. Unfortunately, with the new Magic Bands, we were unable to make any changes unless we went to Guest Relations at the front of the park and made the changes. This what not an option for us because the line for Fastpass return was already so long, so those with Fastpass went on and those without went to eat. Toy Story Mania is such a fun ride, but I lost the game to Tom. We met up with everyone else at Studio Catering Company for lunch, but they were already finished eating. We ate our lunch and I bought Jackson a Lightning McQueen snack bucket for $11.99, which was a pretty good deal. We went shopping in the Animation Courtyard for more cars, but were only able to find Star Wars versions instead. We bought a few, but we spent all day looking for Darth Mater and there were none in the whole park. We even asked cast members to look in the back for him.

Some of us went off to ride Rock N Rollercoaster and Star Tours, and we took Jax in to see Disney Junior Live. He loved it, but I wasn't a fan of sitting on the floor for the whole show. My dad couldn't even sit with us because with his knee, he couldn't sit on or get up from the floor. Also, I couldn't believe that they didn't sell any souvenirs or toys with Handy Manny or Oso. Where are those toys?

Tom and I were able to walk right on Star Tours even though stand by said 20 minutes. We had the Yoda/Wookie version of the ride and it was pretty cool. After that, I went with Georgie and Garrett to ride Rock N Rollercoaster and Tom and my parents took Jax to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area, which ended up being closed. We were able to use the single rider line and I rode the coaster next to some first-timers, so I warned them about the initial take-off and how fast it is. When we were done, I met up with Tom, Jax and my parents so we could see the Osbourne Family Dancing Lights. It was pretty amazing, especially when the music came on. Tom told me that Jackson loved it when it snowed on the street too.

We had a dinner reservation at Cape May Cafe, so we all met up and headed over to the Beach Club on the boat. The captain of the boat that was waiting when we got there was pretty grumpy so I was glad that we were waiting for the next one. The seafood buffet we had for dinner was great, especially the crab legs. I used the skills that I learned at Joe's Crab Shack to open and eat a bunch.

After dinner, we took a look at the arcade and it started to thunder so we decided to grab a cab and head back to the resort instead of taking the boat back to Hollywood Studios. I missed out on a No Way Jose at Beaches & Cream and my heart still hurts ...

Trip Report Day 4: 11/25/13

Today, we got up and ate a really small breakfast in the room and got ready to leave. We had to catch three buses to get to Fort Wilderness for our lunch reservation at Trail's End. This was my recommendation because I heard that they had a new a la carte menu and it was delicious.

Bridge in the Wilderness Lodge

We were able to get there with a little time to spare, so we did a little shopping in their trading post. Lunch was awesome and afterward, Jax was able to play on the jungle gym and swing on the swings for a little bit. We then headed over on a boat to the Wilderness Lodge to see their holiday decorations. That resort is amazing and cozy, and will probably be our next choice for accommodations. It is just so homey, especially during the holiday season.

We also headed over to the Grand Floridian to see their decorations, and I am sorry to say that some of the guests aren't so nice there. I held the door open for two different people and they didn't even say thank you, and people just walked right through while we were trying to take pictures without even an "oops" or a "sorry." Maybe that's not a big deal to you, but it is to me. Not a fan.

Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian

Uncle George, Aunt Rosie, Garret and Georgie all went back to the room and the rest of us headed over to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping. Jackson was able to meet Santa, but he was already in a bad mood while we waited on line, so he looked like a little nut in the pictures we took. We had a dinner reservation over at Chef Mickey's so we hurried over to the Contemporary on yet another bus. Chef Mickey's was pretty funny because when everyone was swinging their napkins in the air, Jackson was able to join in and when he took pictures with Donald Duck, he put his hand in his mouth.

After dinner, we did a little shopping and then took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom and a bus back to Kidani.

Trip Report Day 3: 11/24/13

Today, we woke up and headed right over to our breakfast reservation at Ohana. Unfortunately, it took a while for a bus to arrive so we took a cab over to the Polynesian. When we arrived, I went into the store on the second floor and found one of the Cars die cast cars that Jackson did not have yet. We've been on the hunt for characters from both movies since October. I think we have almost 70 of them for Christmas for him now.

When we checked in to Ohana, we took our family picture out front with our t-shirts on that said "Jackson's First Trip to Disney" and "I'm Jackson." We headed in to our table and the food was family-style, so we had big plates of food in front of us within minutes. The characters paraded through the restaurant and I was able to get a bunch of autographs on the mat board I bought for a Disney picture of Jackson. He didn't love all of the action while he was trying to eat breakfast, so we didn't get too much character/Jax interaction, but that's OK.

Entrance to the Magic Kingdom

After breakfast, we took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom and started our day. The first place we hit was the Starbucks at the Main Street Bakery for coffees and I had a Dark Chocolate Cherry Mocha. Jackson had a haircut appointment at Harmony Barber Shop at 11:30 a.m. The stylist, Margaret, was amazing. Jackson screamed like we were torturing him for both of the haircuts he had at home, but this time, he was like a different child altogether. He actually enjoyed himself and didn't cry once. It was a pleasant surprise and Margaret was able to entertain him with toys and stickers. With his haircut, he got a certificate, Mickey ears and Mickey stickers. Margaret also gave me a lock of his hair and some confetti for my scrapbook. It was a great experience and we were all very happy.

After that, we headed over to New Fantasyland, but all of the lines were way too long, so we rode the Walt Disney World Railroad over to Frontierland where we walked to Adventureland and rode Aladdin's Magic Carpets, but Jax wasn't sold on it. Nonna bought Jax an orange bird sippy, but they could only put soda in the cup, which made zero sense to me because my kid and many little kids do not drink soda. We were able to use our Fastpass+ for the Jingle Cruise and it was a total waste of time. I thought there would be some holiday decor on it, like a hippo with some lights around its neck or an elephant with a Santa hat, but nope! It was the same lame ride that I rode in the late 80s and I was annoyed that Disney tried to pawn it off as a holiday special. If I want to see animals, I prefer real ones. Anyway, we went to go eat lunch at Pecos Bill Cafe after that debacle and then to see the Country Bear Jamboree, and it was empty. Everyone was busy watching the parade outside, so we basically had the theater to ourselves. Jax danced in the aisles and pointed at the bears as they sang.

Cinderella Castle

Following that, we headed over to Tomorrowland to catch our Fastpass+ for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. We went right in and I achieved my best score to date with a 135,800. I don't know what I hit, but it was a good move. Afterward, Aunt Rosie bought Georgie and Garrett Buzz Lightyear sweatshirts. While Buzz was doing his character greeting, they stood in front of him and he ran over and photobombed them. It was pretty funny. Georgie, Paige and Garrett left the park so Paige could leave to go home because she had to work the next few days. The rest of us rode the People Mover and Jax fell asleep immediately after. We had a Fastpass+ for the Tomorrowland Speedway but decided not to use it because Jax wouldn't be able to enjoy it. So, we headed back to the resort after shopping a little bit. I got Jax the Cars bath toys.

While at the resort, we decided we needed a few things, so Tom, Georgie and Uncle George took a trip to Walmart and the rest of us just hung out in the room. Tom and Georgie ended up going back to Magic Kingdom that night because it was open until 3 a.m., but they weren't able to really ride anything because the park was still packed. Tom texted me around 12:30 a.m. to tell me that he beat my score on Buzz Lightyear. Figures!

Trip Report Day 2: 11/23/13

We woke up and headed to Animal Kingdom. We started out at Pizzafari because none of us ate and I read that it was one of the places that served breakfast. When we got there, we just missed it, but the manager, Yusuf made sure that we got the last nine bounty platters, and if one of the plates was missing something, he threw in something else. He even threw in a plate for free because it was all he had left. It really helped us out and we were so grateful. I know I'll never forget his Disney touch of kindness.

The Tree of Life

After we finished eating, we headed over to Expedition Everest and rode it really quick and it was actually better on a full stomach. Jax couldn't ride Kali River Rapids, so we sat out with Aunt Rosie and hit the bathroom instead. By then, we were ready to use our Fastpass+ to ride Kilimanjaro Safari. Jax fell asleep, so I put him in the carrier and he slept through the whole thing. I noticed that they removed the Little Red/Big Red storyline and I think it was a good idea, but I did miss the guy saying, "Come in, Simba 1!"

After that, we enjoyed a few wonderful Mickey pretzels and then some of us went to It's Tough to Be a Bug and others to Festival of the Lion King. When the show was over, we met up and saw a character greeting spot with Pooh and Tigger. This was the deciding moment; would Jackson love the characters or be afraid of them? Well, Jax ran right over and into Pooh's arms. I did all I could not to cry like a baby. It made my day, no week, NO month! I was a proud Disney mama.

A Mickey Pretzel

We all then headed over to Dinoland U.S.A. so some could ride Primeval Whirl and we could take Jax on Triceratop Spin. He held on to Poppy's shorts for dear life. We also played a carnival game and I won Jax a stuffed turtle. At that time, our dinner reservation at Yak & Yeti was drawing near, so we headed over there. I checked us in and grabbed a drink at the bar before we were seated. We had appetizers and entrees, and our waitress was very friendly. I don't remember her name but she was blonde and I was able to leave positive feedback on the card on the table.

When we were done eating, we left the park to get back to resort to get ready for Poppy's birthday surprise that night. I told a little lie that I wanted to try the craft beers at the Crew's Cup Lounge and we were all going to go, so I arranged for cabs for us and we went to the Yacht Club. They have a cool train set in their lobby for Christmas.

When we got to the marina, I checked us in and then we told my dad that we had a surprise for him. My mom and I had planned a pontoon cruise to view Illuminations, complete with birthday decorations, snacks, soda, coffee, a fruit plate, cheese and crackers, and a special Mickey cake. We were able to go by Hollywood Studios to see the Christmas tree and then under the bridge in France in Epcot before the show started. It was great to see Illuminations from another angle, especially with snacks (thanks to the folks on my Disney list serv for the great idea).

After the cruise, we went back in the hotel so I could make a stop at the Crew's Cup Lounge (so I really didn't lie) and buy a round for me, Uncle George and Tom. We took our beers and made our way to the Beach Club to see the chocolate carousel in their lobby. It was amazing that the whole thing was edible and perfect. We went back to the hotel after that to get to bed and prep for the Magic Kingdom again on Sunday.

 

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?