2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006 Part 2

[fireplug]

Sage advice ladies............

I have never, not once, ever gone to a nursing home and had a patient tell me they wish they had spent more time cleaning and less with their kids.
Everyday you are given when they are little is a gift and you should enjoy them all. for one day they will be gone and you will miss those gifts.

Squid

 

[RRBB]

Ok everyone - I need your help! I'm working on a circle journal for my CKU group and this girl's theme is "Advice for a New Mom". She's having her first child soon and is looking for advice.

Amy, when did/are you going to CKU? I went 3 times in 2004 - Nashville, Boston, and Masters in Salt Lake City. I thought about going to CKU-A when it was here in Dallas last year but only for a brief moment - registration was the night we brought Ian home from the hospital so I had other things on my mind.

As for New Mom Advise, here are a few things that I've discovered or been told in the last year...

• Don't think in terms of "I can't wait until...". Cherish every moment and phase and think more in terms of "It will be nice when... but I can wait."
• Dreft is good, but All Baby is just as good and cheaper
• OxiClean Laundry and Stain Remover (spray bottle) works wonders on all sorts of stains
• Purell, never leave home without it
• If you choose to make your own baby food, forget the ice cube trays. Use the 4 oz. Gladware containers instead.
• Get the book Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year. (Ian's pediatrician recommended this to me when I interviewed him. And it truly has been a lifesaver at times, especially in those first few months.)
• Sing to your baby. He/she won't care if you can carry a tune or not.

 

[alikat99]

Amy, when did/are you going to CKU? I went 3 times in 2004 - Nashville, Boston, and Masters in Salt Lake City. I thought about going to CKU-A when it was here in Dallas last year but only for a brief moment - registration was the night we brought Ian home from the hospital so I had other things on my mind.

Wow, I've been to CKU 3 times as well. I've been to Disney in 2003, Nashville in 2004 and Masters-Nashville in 2005. And, I'm hoping to go to Albums in Atlanta in July.

Small world, we probably saw each other in Nashville, and didn't even know it! I was part of one of the Yahoo groups in Nashville. On the "dorm" night, we sat in the back of the room (3 tables) and wore our PJs and tiaras. And, do you remember the Making Memories contest that they had where they gave you one of their "new" unreleased products and you had 24 hours to create something. I think that they had 20-25 winners of a tote bag of stuff, I won one of those (I couldn't believe it, because I never win anything). Were you in a dorm in Nashville at all?

 

[WDWLVR]

I was wondering I sent me and Chris's info to the Cruise Meet Site e-mail, but I noticed that the info isn't listed... Just wondering if it got to the right place.... I probably goofed it up... Heck I Can't even remeber to put my name out there for all to see... LOL Oh well we can't all be computer savvy I guess...

Jennifer - I have the info just haven't had time to go and update the site. We also run a site for our May cruise and we've been pretty busy over there. I'll try and get it up in the next couple of days.

 

[alikat99]

Thanks for all the mom advice, keep it coming! And guys, if you have any parental advice, I'll take that too. I'll take it advice from anyone! Since there were several people already before me, a lot of the "typical" advice has already been given, so I'm trying to think of new, not-so typical advice for parents.

 

[WDWLVR]

Thanks for all the mom advice, keep it coming! And guys, if you have any parental advice, I'll take that too. I'll take it advice from anyone! Since there were several people already before me, a lot of the "typical" advice has already been given, so I'm trying to think of new, not-so typical advice for parents.

Well since i don't have kids I can't give advice on raising them etc. but did have a friend who did something creative that you could pass on. On the day his children were born he went out and got copies of the local papers, the New York times, Time magazine and some other favorites of his family. He also took some pictures of the baby at the hospital and some pictures of the family home and neighborhood. He put them in a large popcorn tin and decorated it as a time capsule. His plan is to give them to his children on their 21st birthday so they can appreciate what the world was like on the day they were born. I thought that was a very clever idea.

 

[cgcw]

Well since i don't have kids I can't give advice on raising them etc. but did have a friend who did something creative that you could pass on. On the day his children were born he went out and got copies of the local papers, the New York times, Time magazine and some other favorites of his family. He also took some pictures of the baby at the hospital and some pictures of the family home and neighborhood. He put them in a large popcorn tin and decorated it as a time capsule. His plan is to give them to his children on their 21st birthday so they can appreciate what the world was like on the day they were born. I thought that was a very clever idea.

Along the same lines, I write my children special letters for when they reach their 21st birthday. Usually I do this on their birthday and just kind of recap what's going on in their lives. They are all sealed up inside our safety deposit box and when they turn 21, I will pass them on to them. I don't know why I started doing it -- but it's kind of a tradition now.



How about a fact --- your child will NOT be completely potty trained at 9 months --- like so many of us heard we were from our parents. Accept it and don't try to push them into something they are not physically or emotionally ready to deal with. It will only make it a tougher job in the long run.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Along the same lines, I write my children special letters for when they reach their 21st birthday. Usually I do this on their birthday and just kind of recap what's going on in their lives. They are all sealed up inside our safety deposit box and when they turn 21, I will pass them on to them. I don't know why I started doing it -- but it's kind of a tradition now.



How about a fact --- your child will NOT be completely potty trained at 9 months --- like so many of us heard we were from our parents. Accept it and don't try to push them into something they are not physically or emotionally ready to deal with. It will only make it a tougher job in the long run.

9 mos!!! Can someone please tell Emma this??

I not very clever when it comes to advice, but all those already mentioned were great. One thing no one ever told me was to never leave the house without a change of clothes for the baby. Lesson learned the hard way.

Not really advice but along the lines of Cindy's--no grown up walked across the stage at graduation or down the aisle at their wedding with a pacifier, bottle or not yet potty trained. So don't kill yourself over it. All things come with time.

And.....Learn to choose your battles.

And....Take some time for yourself, even if it's 5 minutes locked in the closet, it will save your sanity!

 

[RRBB]

Wow, I've been to CKU 3 times as well. I've been to Disney in 2003, Nashville in 2004 and Masters-Nashville in 2005. And, I'm hoping to go to Albums in Atlanta in July.

Small world, we probably saw each other in Nashville, and didn't even know it! I was part of one of the Yahoo groups in Nashville. On the "dorm" night, we sat in the back of the room (3 tables) and wore our PJs and tiaras. And, do you remember the Making Memories contest that they had where they gave you one of their "new" unreleased products and you had 24 hours to create something. I think that they had 20-25 winners of a tote bag of stuff, I won one of those (I couldn't believe it, because I never win anything). Were you in a dorm in Nashville at all?

CKU is addicting, isn't it. I'd love to go again but right now it's just not in the cards. Maybe in a few years.

Yup, I was in a dorm. Remember the Gyspy Chicks? We won the song/cheer contest. And NO I was not one of the singers. I just jumped around like a fool in the background. I also, amazingly, won the layout contest for journaling.

(I'm the 2nd from left in the back row.)

 

[alikat99]

CKU is addicting, isn't it. I'd love to go again but right now it's just not in the cards. Maybe in a few years.

Yup, I was in a dorm. Remember the Gyspy Chicks? We won the song/cheer contest. And NO I was not one of the singers. I just jumped around like a fool in the background. I also, amazingly, won the layout contest for journaling.

(I'm the 2nd from left in the back row.)

I most definitely remember the Gyspy Chicks!!! That is just TOO funny!! Congrats on the layout contest win!! There are always such WONDERFUL entries at CKU!!! I'm really looking forward to Albums in July! I think that it will be a lot of fun to actually put together an entire album in just one weekend. I told Chris after my first CKU that he should have never let me go, because now I'm addicted. It's my one weekend a year that I'm away from the girls and just having fun!!!

 

[Msteg]

Are any of the SSMC06 cruisers planning to attend the DIS meet that is being planned for July 15 in Allentown PA? It would be great to meet up then with peolple who will be going on the Members Cruise.

 

[alikat99]

Wow, it's been quiet around here today!!! Thanks to everyone for your parental advice, I used quite a few of them in my latest circle journal. It's not due until 3/21, but I'm happy to have it finished early. Now, it's ready to mail out!!

Mary, I mailed out mine and Cheryl's CJs and they should be to you by the end of the week. I forgot take pictures before I packaged it all up, so everyone will have to wait to see it until they receive it.

I'm off to go make dinner. Have a great night everyone!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Are any of the SSMC06 cruisers planning to attend the DIS meet that is being planned for July 15 in Allentown PA? It would be great to meet up then with peolple who will be going on the Members Cruise.

We'd think about it if we lived closer. I heard the one last year was really great.

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone! Found us on page 2!

 

[alikat99]

WOW, I knew that it was REALLY quiet around here, but page 2?!?!?!?!?

How's everyone one this morning? I spent an hour or 2 cleaning up my office/scrap room. I'm hoping that I can get things cleaned up, so that I can do some of my regular scrapbooks.

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok looks like we need to liven this thread up so it is time for GTKYKFC (aka getting to know your krazy fellow cruisers) BTW - thanks to Sandy for catching I left a word out!


1) When was your first visit to WDW?

2) When was your first DVC vacation?

3) What DVC perks have you used?

4) What is your DVC villa of choice: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa?

5) Have you stayed at all the DVC locations? If not, where is the one location you haven't been to that you'd like to visit?

 

[WDWLVR]

Here are my answers:


1) When was your first to WDW? 1976. I was 19 years old and went with my mom. It was our first vacation in many many years. We stayed at the Howard Johnson's in the Downtown Disney are (I think it is now a Courtyard by Marriott)

2) When was your first DVC vacation? December 2000 we stayed in a one bedroom at our BWV home and got a Boardwalk view! It was a great trip and just that one stay let us know that buying into DVC was the right choice for us.

3) What DVC perks have you used? We have used the AP discount, the free valet at BWV, and the DVC discount on the Segway tour in Epcot.

4) What is your DVC villa of choice: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa? Give me a one bedroom! I love the room, the jacuzzi tub, the full kitchen and the washer dryer. We'll stay in a studio from time to time (and will be in June for the 2 nights after our cruise) but we prefer a one bedroom (and that's what we have booked for before and after the DVC cruise).

5) Have you stayed at all the DVC locations? If not, where is the one location you haven't been to that you'd like to visit? We've stayed everywhere except SSR and HH. Of those two I would love to try Hilton Head - especially after the wonderful reports Cindy has given us.

 

[Diana Lyn]

OK, I'll play before I go to the Y.

1) When was your first to WDW? 1976. I was 2 1/2 and we stayed at the Contemporary. I still remember seeing the Electric Water Pageant from our balcony and the dragon terrified me. I remember going over to the MK the next day scanning the water to make sure that dragon wasn't out there waiting to eat me.

2) When was your first DVC vacation? SSMC03 We bought in June on our wedding trip in 2002 and in August they sent us the invite for the cruise. We jumped on it and haven't looked back!

3) What DVC perks have you used? Discounts at the Spa at SSR, Discount on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, Various Dining Discounts, Valet Parking, The old Discount at the Disney Store.

4) What is your DVC villa of choice: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa? One Bedroom.....love the kitchen, washer/dryer and awesome bathroom.

5) Have you stayed at all the DVC locations? If not, where is the one location you haven't been to that you'd like to visit? Nope. We've only stayed at BWV, BCV and VWL. I guess SSR is next on my list.

 

[alikat99]

Ok, I'm next!!

1) When was your first to WDW?
I think that it was in 1973 (or so). I went with my dad. I came back to tell my mom all about how we didn't have the type of ticket needed for the teacups, and that we needed to go back tomorrow. I live in Chicago at the time. I guess I didn't realize how far away it was.
2) When was your first DVC vacation?
We purchased DVC on the day that VWL went on sale in Nov 2000. Our first trip was May 2001 in a one-bedroom at VWL. Just love it!
3) What DVC perks have you used?
Old discount at DS, pool hopping, valet parking
4) What is your DVC villa of choice: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa?
I prefer a 1-bedroom for the extra space, but I've stayed in studios for short stays and we've gotten 2-bedrooms for big family events.
5) Have you stayed at all the DVC locations? If not, where is the one location you haven't been to that you'd like to visit?
I've stayed at all the DVC hotels on WDW property. I'd love to give Vero and HH a try sometime!!!

 

[#1Mouse]

1) When was your first to WDW? April 1972, and we stayed at Ft. Wilderness Campground.

2) When was your first DVC vacation? Dec 2002

3) What DVC perks have you used? Disney Store discount, AP discount, Valet parking, pool hopping, Dining discounts, Winter-Summerland Minature Golf discount and soon to use it on the Disney Floral Class.

4) What is your DVC villa of choice: studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa? We've stayed in all types and the Grand Villa was wonderful, but back to reality we prefer 1 bdrms but will use a studio when it's just myself and John

5) Have you stayed at all the DVC locations? If not, where is the one location you haven't been to that you'd like to visit? Stayed at all the WDW locations, I would like to visit HH and Vero (I know that's 2 but I'm not good and making decisions)