A pregnant mama, Mr. Crazypants, and Ga-Gae celebrate Epcots 30th! TR LINK-10/16!

[fi46re129]

Well congrats on your prince!! That is crazy! At least you know now before you painted a room all pink and went even more crazy on girlie items!

Sucks that the skirt was too small! Hopefully the new one will fit because it is adorable!

 

[fitgirl36]

A brother for Everett!! Congrats! And darn, the skirt didn't fit, hopefully the next one does, it's really cute! I'm a skort girl these days. Eddie Bauer has some cute, sporty skorts that I wore this summer, however they don't have a maternity clothing line!

 

[ladylyons]

Well at least you know what your getting yourselves into with another little prince. Cute skirt!! Hopefully the next one first better!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

OMG! That's HUGE news! Congrats on your little PRINCE!! He'll have a fantastic older brother, but I'm so sorry you have to return everything (THANK GOODNESS you kept the tags, I was not so smart and washed everything immediately - we'd have been screwed LOL). I'm sorry you had your heart set on something and it changed, but I guess babies do that every day hehehe.

AND sorry about the skirt. Can you return the too-small one? I hope the biggest one fits! That's ridiculous, all the maternity clothes I purchased said to get the same size as you wore before pregnancy.

Good luck with ADR's! Yes, Tony's is one of the easier ones...there's usually a reason for that!

I am really glad I didn't wash everything (I guess this is one time my laziness paid off ) I have everything pretty much returned now, except for one outfit that needs to go back to the outlets in Maine. We'll be there next month visiting my brother, so it will just give us another excuse to go back outlet shopping!

I haven't decided what to do with the too-small skirt. I might just save it for post-partum work outs, but I may get motivated and mail it back.

Ahh, oh my gosh, how crazy!! At least you found out now, and not in the delivery room, like my aunt's sister did. Congrats on another little boy to spoil!

Too bad about the skirt, hopefully you can get the right size this time. I just went through a lot of drama trying to exchange a pair of Teva flip flops through the mail, so I hope yours is not as much of a headache as mine was. What a pain!

Good luck getting the ADRs you want!

I didn't even bother trying to exchange them, I just bought two more! I can return them, but that would involve getting my butt to the post office, which is one of my most dreaded tasks!

Oh my goodness! I bet that was quite the shock! I know you'll be excited to have another little guy to love & spoil. Sorry you have to return all the lovely pink clothes though.

That's too bad about the skirt, too! I'm with you - runners don't get big baby bellies? I just remember how huge my stomach was - then again, Reid was a good size baby when he was born.

Happy to hear you've had some ADR success! Can't wait to hear about them!

I don't know what the skirt manufacturers were thinking. I'm not huge (yet!), but maybe really athletic girls gain less weight. I haven't been doing to awful this time around (better than I was doing with Everett at least), but I'm sure I could be doing better.

Oh wow! What a surprise! Congrats, though on adding another little prince to your family! I'm sure Everett will enjoy having a younger brother around.


That's a bummer about the running skirt. It sounded like such a good idea; hopefully, the new one will work out.

Every time we asked Everett whether he wanted a brother or a sister, he said brother, so I think he'll be happy. I'm not sure he'll be so happy when he realizes that he has to share his Thomas trains!

I'm so sorry that you have so many pink things to return! On the bright side, you're probably pretty well outfitted for a little boy--and every penny saved=another WDW trip! (at least in my mind )

Sorry about the running skirt too. That's a bummer, and not the feeling you want to get when you're pregnant.

Can't wait to hear about the ADRs!!

That is true, and I think DH is really happy that I have virtually nothing to buy. I did order a moby wrap (something I wanted with DS but never got), and I'll likely get a new diaper bag (but thats not all that unusual, I'm a little obsessed ), and also the rumble seat for my Uppa baby vista, but other than that, I think I'm good!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well, that is quite the interesting surprise. I'm glad you found out now though before you spent a lot more time and money focusing on pink things.

Congratulations to you and to Everett on having a little brother!

It certainly was a surprise. I would have accused the tech of pulling my leg but the "evidence" was undeniable!

Oh my goodness! Well, hooray for a new little prince! Maybe someday you'll get your princess, too.

Well, I did tell DH that I wouldn't bug him about a third baby if this one was a girl- well- now all bets are off I grew up in a family with three kids, so that always seemed just perfect to me.

Congratulations on your little prince!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He sounds like he's going to be a little prankster!!! Well, this just means more cute baby item shopping!

From the get-go this baby has been full of surprises, I wonder what else he has in store!

-She will probably love it then! My best friend just used on of these and raved about it (she also had a c-section). http://www.shopbyog.com/shop.html

-WOW! Congrats! That stinks that you have to return all of the girl stuff such a hassle!

-Ugh! That stinks too! I hate that women's clothing is so inconsistent in their sizing...

Yes, I'm not a fan of incorrect sizing either (especially when I'm feeling huge as it is!)

Oh my goodness! What a surprise! Congrats on having a little brother for Everett.

Thank you! There are nine other little boys (and no little girls!) in this baby's generation between me and my cousins kids, so he will be in good company.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well congrats on your prince!! That is crazy! At least you know now before you painted a room all pink and went even more crazy on girlie items!

Sucks that the skirt was too small! Hopefully the new one will fit because it is adorable!

It is nice to know sooner as opposed to later, that is for sure!

A brother for Everett!! Congrats! And darn, the skirt didn't fit, hopefully the next one does, it's really cute! I'm a skort girl these days. Eddie Bauer has some cute, sporty skorts that I wore this summer, however they don't have a maternity clothing line!

Yeah, maternity clothes are really a bummer. All the cute ones are way too expensive. If I'm not going to spend $100 on jeans in my regular size, no way I'm going to spend that money on maternity clothes!

Well at least you know what your getting yourselves into with another little prince. Cute skirt!! Hopefully the next one first better!!

That is true, I know what I am in for- but I don't think that makes it any easier!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Ok, time for a few quick updates (and then maybe a longer one during naptime!)

So, I got the new running skirts in the mail and they thankfully fit great! I'm so happy I don't have three to return.

Also, Disney released the military discounts for next year! I was able to modify my resort reservation so I could get the discounted rate for my last night and save $160. The only potentially negative thing is that now that last night is a stand alone reservation. The guy on the phone was awesome, and put all over the reservation that it was a continuing stay, so hopefully we'll be able to stay in the same room and not have to switch for the last night. I think the savings is worth it.

Also now with the new military discounts we're definitely going to do an April trip! It will be a whole family affair with my parents, my brothers, my brother's wife and maybe my brother's new girlfriend. As some of you remember, my youngest brother tragically lost his fiancee to a brain aneurysm last summer. It was a really awful time for all of us, but I knew my brother would pull through, he always was a very strong person. Well he broke the news that he has been dating a new girl for a few months and things are going really well. I couldn't be happier, he deserves all the happiness in the world after what he has been through. If things continue to go well, I hope she will join us.

I will probably try to convince DH to go down a few days early, and book a cars suite at the new AoA. I think Everett would love it!

The only thing better than one Disney trip in the works- is TWO Disney trips!

 

[amandaw]

So happy for you that your new running skirts fit!

And for saving money on your last night! That's always good news!

But, that family trip in April has to be the best news of all! That sounds like it will be a great trip! Does your Dad know that y'all are planning that for his bday or will it be a surprise? And I'm really happy to hear that your brother has a new girlfriend. Hopefully, he can find the happiness he deserves.

 

[CandleontheWater]

So happy for you that your new running skirts fit!

And for saving money on your last night! That's always good news!

But, that family trip in April has to be the best news of all! That sounds like it will be a great trip! Does your Dad know that y'all are planning that for his bday or will it be a surprise? And I'm really happy to hear that your brother has a new girlfriend. Hopefully, he can find the happiness he deserves.

I don't know if I would consider it "saved" money, since I'll likely find lots of other places to spend it while on vacation!

There is no surprising my Dad, so he knows already. He's not the best flyer, so springing it on him at the last minute would likely put him over the edge. Not exactly the way we want to start a birthday celebration!

 

[amandaw]

I don't know if I would consider it "saved" money, since I'll likely find lots of other places to spend it while on vacation!

I would be the exact same way! It's just too easy to find places/ways to spend your money at Disney.

There is no surprising my Dad, so he knows already. He's not the best flyer, so springing it on him at the last minute would likely put him over the edge. Not exactly the way we want to start a birthday celebration!

Oh goodness....I can definitely see why y'all wouldn't want to surprise him like that. But, that will be such a fun family trip.....getting to celebrate your dad's bday.....and your new bundle of joy's 1st trip to Disney! Unless y'all will be going before then with the boys.

 

[amazingact21]

Horray for the running skirt! For future reference, you'll have to say how you liked them in the parks. I'm a runner, and I'm curious to see if they were comfortable with a lot of movement and walking.


A second trip! That's fantastic. AND a potential stay in AoA...I'm very envious right now. It sounds great, and you'll be introducing your new one to Disney at an early age.

 

[marDgreen88]

Glad the skirts fit! I bet they're super cute.

How exciting for your April trip! I bet April is an awesome time to go. I've always wanted to go in the spring!

Aww, I hope your brother and his new girl work out! That's great for him.
And it would be SO much fun for yall to stay in a Cars suite! I'm in love with Art of Animation, I think it's such a great addition!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Well I’m back with a more lengthy update and a detailed look at day 3!

I know you were all waiting with baited breath to hear about my dining changes, so here goes! I made us an ADR for 6:20 at Whispering Canyon for the first night (Sept 25th). My original plan was to eat at CHH, but I know it has variable hours, and with the party that night, I’m not sure what times it will be open. I think Everett will enjoy the boisterous atmosphere of WCC, and I have liked the food in the past. The good thing about this reservation is that it is not a CC hold, so if Everett seems like he’s not going to make it, I can always call and cancel without a penalty.

I also decided to drop my ADR at Cape May on Sept 29th. The ADR was for 8:35, which while any normal morning would be totally doable, this would be our morning after MNSSHP. I’m not sure what will happen at the party, but on the off chance that we do make it to midnight, and then by some miracle DS wants to sleep in a little, I don’t want to have to deal with making the ADR or getting penalized.

I switched it for an 11:15 ADR at Chef Mickeys. I think it will work better because if DS wakes up at his usual 6:30, we can do a light breakfast, and use the ADR as an early lunch, but if he does sleep in, we can use the ADR as a brunch. Plus it is in the hotel, so either way it will be easier than heading over to Cape May. If DS does get up early we can hit the pool before the ADR, which I think sounds like a great morning.

Ok- on to day 3

Thursday Sept 27th

On this day we’ll be headed over to Epcot via monorail. Oh my gosh, I don’t know who is more excited about riding the monorail, me or Everett! Monorail, monorail, monorail!

I plan to be there around rope drop, and grabbing FP for Soarin’. Now, I’m really hoping that DS has a miracle growth spurt between now and then so he can ride with me. It’s the only “big kid” ride that doesn’t have an expectant mother warning. He’s 39 inches now, so close! Every breakfast I tell him that he has to drink all of his milk so he can ride Soarin’ with Mommy at Disney. Of course, this could really backfire on me when we get there and he can’t ride, but oh well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

From there, well, the world is our oyster. The one good thing about being pregnant at Epcot is that you don’t have to stress at all about lines. Unlike the MK, most of the popular attractions are restricted- or (I’m looking at you Test Track) closed. This will make for a very easy day.

We’ll probably head right over to Living with the Land (you know, exactly where everyone rushes after rope drop ), because Everett loves “The Jungle Ride”.

From there we will probably head over to the Seas for a ride in a clamshell and some quality time with the aquarium.

I’ll also probably brave Turtle Talk with Crush. I think he is old enough to enjoy it and he really loves the Nemo movie.

Then we will back- track to Spaceship earth, where Everett’s favorite part is choosing our future. I’m sure it will be awesome.

Then we’ll head back over to Imagination, and let him burn off some steam in the imageworks. Everett does love that part where you stomp on the lighted squares to make music.

I was actually considering taking Everett on Universe of Energy, but after our experience at the live Dinosaur exhibit at the children’s museum last weekend, I’m thinking better of it. Everett really likes dinosaurs, but apparently not when it is dark, they are moving, and making strange noises. I took him in, and he ran right back out shouting, “no, no- see sometin’ else”. Since the Dinosaur part is the only part I think he’d find interesting, we’re going to sit this one out, yet again.

From there, I’m not sure, if WS isn’t open yet- maybe let him frolic in the fountain if it is warm enough, maybe take a spin through Innovations? Maybe we’ll just head into WS and preposition ourselves, because this day I have high hopes- for a soft opening of F&W!

For the past few years they’ve opened the booths on Thursday before the F&W officially opens, I guess as a test run. If it means more tasty goodies, I’ll gladly sign up to be a guinea pig! I think there is a very good chance we could get a jump start on eating, and I’m not going to miss it!

Other than eating, we’ll also be enjoying Malestrom

Isn't this the most awesome '80s promotional photo ever!

and It’s a Small Mexico- both enjoyed by DS and me alike.

In the late afternoon, we’ll say our goodbyes to Epcot, and hop on a Friendship boat to DHS. Really the only thing I want to do there ride wise is the Beauty and the Beast show. I know what you are thinking- A show? With Everett?- but if there was one show I think he would make it through, it would be this one.

Everett is OBSESSED with Beauty and the Beast. We watch the movie constantly and listen to the soundtrack every day at lunch and dinner. DS not only knows all the words to every song, but also has memorized all the motions and dance moves done by the characters, and will act it out as if he is in the movie himself. It is seriously hilarious to watch him during the “Gaston” song. I nearly loose it every time he sings “Every last inch of me’s covered in hair” and then pulls up his shirt to show off his little belly. I think he has a real future in musical theatre.

I think he is going to go nuts to see it on stage, and I’m going to have to make sure there is plenty of space between me and the people next to us, in case DS starts to show off his dance moves.

Other than B&B, we have a dinner ADR at Brown Derby for 5:15. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but the plan is to get cobb salads and grapefruit cake and call it a night. I want to be out of there before the “serious” diners arrive, so as not to disturb anyone. I remember what it was like when it was just DH and I at Disney, having meals ruined by other people’s kids. I always swore I’d never be that parent, and unlike many things I swore I wouldn’t do when I had kids of my own, this one I’m sticking to!

this will NOT be Everett at the Brown Derby

I’d also like to try to catch Fantasmic, but we’ll see. My mom is not a fan of Fantasmic, so she could care less either way, but I enjoy it, and I’m pretty sure that Everett would (despite the darker scenes). I am getting a little more concerned about him getting fearful, especially after our dinosaur experience, but we have talked a little about things not being scary, just fun, and I did manage to lure him into the exhibit by assuring him that there were “no scaries, just dinosaurs” , and he did end up enjoying himself.

After that, I’m not really sure how we’ll get home. Maybe we’ll take a cab or a bus? If its not to late maybe we’ll take the boat back to Epcot and then monorail- I guess you’ll have to stay tuned.

 

[afwdwfan]

Congratulations on the $160 saved. I hope that they do indeed keep record of the fact that it is a split stay so you don't have to change rooms.

I really like your ADR changes. I love the food at WCC and I'm sure Everett will enjoy the atmosphere. I think the breakfast change to 11:15 at Chef Mickeys is a good idea too. It also makes that breakfast feel a little more cost effective when you can justify it as a lunch too.

EPCOT plans look good! I hope Everett gets that extra inch to let him ride Soarin with you. If that's the incentive you need to get him to eat, then exploit it for all it's worth. I think that's a good call to deal with him not being able to ride later if he doesn't grow enough.

That would be nice if they do a soft opening of F&W. That would be great to get to try some of the things before the massive crowds arrive.

Isn't this the most awesome '80s promotional photo ever!

Nothing says 80's like the Norway pavillion.

Well, mainly the movie, but this picture is pretty awesome.

DHS plans look great too. I can just see Everett showing everyone around his hairy belly.

 

[marDgreen88]

Chef Mickey's!!! That definitely makes a lot of sense. Good thinking!

HAHAH, that Maelstrom photo. The kid in the striped shirt is my favorite.

That sounds like a great day! Your description of Everett's obsession with Beauty and the Beast was hilarious!

 

[fi46re129]

Yay for military discount! I am going to have to call our travel partners for our March trip! They are military and her hubby is all about staying at shades but she wants to stay at a Disney hotel so maybe this will be her way in!

I meant to ask you before being your DH is on deployment if you were going to try and do a cool fun cute way to tell him it was a boy!

Loving the Epcot plans! Interested to see your review on BD!

Hopefully there is a soft opening for F&W and you can get a early taste at all the fun treats!!!

 

[RGirl]

Whoa! That was quite a surprise update!!! Another little boy - Everett is going to have so much fun with a baby brother.

And how exciting to have another trip in the works. Tiny bit jealous over here.....

Your Epcot/DHS day sounds like a blast!

 

[amandaw]

I think your dining changes sound fantastic! They both make so much sense. I have a feeling you'll be happy with those changes.

And your EPCOT plans sound great, too! That Maelstrom picture is hilarious! I love all of the "shocked" expressions.

I think DHS should be a nice, relaxed evening for y'all! I would give anything to see Everett dancing & singing to BatB. How adorable!

I think your dinner at HBD will go fine!

 

[shan23877]

Yay for an extra trip to look forward to!

Your plans sound great. I love that you're so excited about doing all of the little things. I'm sure that it makes missing the thrill rides easier.

Don't stress too much about taking Everett to signatures. He may do better than you think with you and grandma both giving him your attention, and if not-that's what iPads and iPhones are for!

I think that you may need to share a video of Everett doing his BaTB routine. That sounds awesome!

 

[ladylyons]

That is true, I know what I am in for- but I don't think that makes it any easier!

I do have to agree with you here. I loved finding out our 3rd was a boy cuz I thought he'd be just as easy as his older brother. But nope he's actually harder than his older brother but easier than his older sister. I guess it's the 3rd child syndrome!!

Also, Disney released the military discounts for next year! I was able to modify my resort reservation so I could get the discounted rate for my last night and save $160. The only potentially negative thing is that now that last night is a stand alone reservation. The guy on the phone was awesome, and put all over the reservation that it was a continuing stay, so hopefully we'll be able to stay in the same room and not have to switch for the last night. I think the savings is worth it.

Also now with the new military discounts we're definitely going to do an April trip! It will be a whole family affair with my parents, my brothers, my brother's wife and maybe my brother's new girlfriend. As some of you remember, my youngest brother tragically lost his fiancee to a brain aneurysm last summer. It was a really awful time for all of us, but I knew my brother would pull through, he always was a very strong person. Well he broke the news that he has been dating a new girl for a few months and things are going really well. I couldn't be happier, he deserves all the happiness in the world after what he has been through. If things continue to go well, I hope she will join us.

I will probably try to convince DH to go down a few days early, and book a cars suite at the new AoA. I think Everett would love it!

The only thing better than one Disney trip in the works- is TWO Disney trips!

Always nice to save money on the room so you can buy more stuff to bring home!!! That's my motto. Go cheap on the hotel so I can buy more goodies to either eat or bring home with us!!