Christmas all year long!

[annmarieda]

Oh goodness! He sounds like a Disney bipolar! I'm sorry you get so many mixed signals from him. I'm sure that does NOT help with your stress over planning everything. I see that you've figured out a way to squeeze those extra paid days off though so that's great! It's all that hard work and planning that really pays off in the end and makes you feel good when everything finally comes together. Hopefully once the wedding and Zoe's surgery is done you can feel a little less strung out and gather your thoughts on things a little bit easier.

Thanks, Carla. Yea, he tends to be a bit bipolar with the Disney stuff. I think it is what he thinks he is suppose to be like. Like "oh..bla bla Disney.. scoff" when secretly he is a little boy who is thrilled not only to experience it himself, but to watch his kids. I think what kinda complicates things now is our kids are all almost out of the "Disney" phase. Luckily, we still have Zoe to share the magic with.

Hard work and planning, we all do... and you are right... it pays off. You are also right that once I get through June... life will start to settle down a bit. (I think)

 

[annmarieda]

I have made mention a couple times now about Steve and his "chip". I thought I should explain briefly how this has come to be.

Not long after I booked this trip but after a bit of debate as to if Steve would want to go at Christmas, Steve was really ill. We have always joked about there being something that draws you back to Disney.... (maybe they put something in the water ) Steve is a software engineer and so much of the way he relates to the world is in computer terms. At the peak of being sick he became a bit delusional. He looked up at me in a very loving, confused state and insisted that he now has a Disney chip in his brain and that I had had it placed there. He was smiling, so I knew it was a "good thing" that he got his chip. He was very happy about it. (side note, yes... it was scary having him be so sick... but this was just a funny moment)

So there is how we have now decided that a chip is in our brains that get switched on so that we can have a magical time in Disney. Kira and I laugh saying ours never get switched off and that is why we are always thinking about Disney and when we will next go back.

 

[shocky5]

I have made mention a couple times now about Steve and his "chip". I thought I should explain briefly how this has come to be.

Not long after I booked this trip but after a bit of debate as to if Steve would want to go at Christmas, Steve was really ill. We have always joked about there being something that draws you back to Disney.... (maybe they put something in the water ) Steve is a software engineer and so much of the way he relates to the world is in computer terms. At the peak of being sick he became a bit delusional. He looked up at me in a very loving, confused state and insisted that he now has a Disney chip in his brain and that I had had it placed there. He was smiling, so I knew it was a "good thing" that he got his chip. He was very happy about it. (side note, yes... it was scary having him be so sick... but this was just a funny moment)

So there is how we have now decided that a chip is in our brains that get switched on so that we can have a magical time in Disney. Kira and I laugh saying ours never get switched off and that is why we are always thinking about Disney and when we will next go back.

Awww cute story! I thought his 'chip' probably would have something to do with his computer background. Sorry he was so sick but definitely a good memory in there.

I humbly admit, I have a Disney chip as well and it's always ON. So I'm with you and Kira!!

 

[annmarieda]

I humbly admit, I have a Disney chip as well and it's always ON. So I'm with you and Kira!!

Good to know that Kira and I are not the only ones with defective chips that constantly are on. Course... maybe it is Steve's who is defective. With his bipolar attitude toward Disney... that makes sense. His is malfunctioning!! Off.. On.... Off.... On

 

[dizneeat]

Kira and I laugh saying ours never get switched off and that is why we are always thinking about Disney and when we will next go back.

Can you count me in into the club of having Disney chips that are unable to being switched off!
Seems like my life is revolving around WHEN will we be able to go back to Disney!

Love your little story, even though you had me scared at HOW sick your DH was!

And here is MY little story! We picked up our new cars yesterday and after parking my car at home we went shopping in Tom's!
It's nice and roomy and all I could think about was, that it would feel great driving to Paris with it and fill the boot with Disney loot!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Steve is an odd guy. On one hand he tells me the other day he is looking forward to his Disney chip being activated once on this trip.

DH is the same way. He'll have moments where he wants to go, but mostly, he's Disney'd out for the time being.

I guess that makes sense that I could always change my ADR's..Ya know though, I think in all my trips I have only canceled an ADR twice. (Once when we were too tired in the park to go. The next when I got a better time.)

It's better to change ADRs than dates, resorts, airfare...

I guess that is one of the contributing factors in why I want to get my airfare squared away... I want to know exactly what days I will be there...so I have my ADR's right. I guess if I worry about finalizing my ADR's later... that buys me some time. But... now I see a whole knew area for me to rethink and tinker with.

Preach it sister! I subscribed to Touring Plans for our trip and we are basing our days on the information we have from there. We have our days planned and where we want to eat.

My flight in will be the deciding factor of whether or not I'll make our first WDW lunch. If I get in too late, I'll not make the meal. I'm still stalking Air Tran... they still have the flight we took in September (direct, landing at 9a at MCO) so I'm hoping that stays put!

ITA with you that the biggest problem with booking early is the waiting game. We really have NOTHING to do until park hours come out in June. Like E said, "Thank God our trip isn't the first couple days of the month - what a PITA to try and plan/make ADRs!" and she's right... the hours come out and BAM! You've got to make your dinner ressies!

 

[All7OfUs]

I am really not sure what to make of the police situation. One of my closest friends' dh is on city council and so she won't talk to me about any of it. All she says is that I need to get everyone to write in.. to contact the chief of police and that she can't say any more. Makes me wonder

Not to bash your friend or anything, Ann, but something is TERRIBLY amiss here. Isn't the city council the ones who are SUPPOSED to hear citizens' concerns and find solutions to their issues and those of the city?? I"m mystified, and wonder if she is under some sort of duress or just doesn't want to do her job- I guess another possibility is that this cop is already under some sort of investigation (or the entire dept.) or involved in a lawsuit, and she can't talk because of that.

 

[shocky5]

ITA with you that the biggest problem with booking early is the waiting game. We really have NOTHING to do until park hours come out in June. Like E said, "Thank God our trip isn't the first couple days of the month - what a PITA to try and plan/make ADRs!" and she's right... the hours come out and BAM! You've got to make your dinner ressies![/I][/FONT][/COLOR]

ITA, too! Was remembering when we went in 2009, we had a split month trip, end of May beginning of June and while we had our May hours in plenty of time, we didn't see our June hours pre-ADR time. It all worked out but am thankful we are mid-December this time! Inquiring minds need to know!

 

[Monknmom]

Can't you all just stop me? I think I am going to drive myself nuts with my over planning. I am feeling like I need to really set some things in concrete since there is a wedding in just 2 weeks and then just a few later Zoe's surgery and THEN it will be time to make my ADR's. So if I don't figure it all out now I may be looking at July before I have it all set. By set I mean.. no backing out - airfare is booked - set.
Maybe take a break from everything to just breath and not get worried! You might find that taking a few days away will bring you back to a calmer time with a clear head!

So this means I need to know our flights or have a good idea. I have been watching all along, and have only seen things go up. I was hoping that once Jetblue opened up for December I would be able to see what things would really look like. Well, Jetblue opened and what did I see??? HIGHER fares!! This has caused me to come to one conclusion.... I WILL not be able to get a good deal. Any way I look at it, those $200 something rt fares that I have always managed to get are not going to happen. My conclusion then makes me realize that we will all need to fly Alaska and save the free ticket on Continental. (using the ticket and flying two on continental looks like it would only save us $30 total so NOT worth using the free ticket)

Flying all of us on Alaska is good. We won't have to arrive or leave at different times. It also is nice since it is a direct flight. Alaska is not bad to fly. I just wish they didn't nickle and dime you with all their "extra" fees.

With the extra fees will it be cheaper to have things shipped?

So since our problem in getting a cheap airfare really has to do with our dates, I then have started to look at that. rolleyes1 yes, again)
Which then leads me to my next crazy dilemma... our dates. Remember I wanted to change before and I couldn't keep my standard room at WL? So I got to thinking what if I didn't book at WL but rather a short stay somewhere else...say a value.

So this is what I discovered. If we fly in 2 days earlier it will save us approx. $250. If we then book a 2 night stay (no park tickets) at Pop, we end up spending approx. $200 on that. So going two nights earlier saves us $50 and adds 2 nights. Seems like a no brainer kinda, right? Wrong

Lets talk duration. That is an awfully long trip. Even for a (as Steve would put it) card carrying Disney nut. I am not sure that any of us really want to stay that long. Of course, those two extra nights would not add extra days in the park so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. We would be forced to spend a day (a full day) at Pop. If the weather was not great and we couldn't swim... course, I guess we could always resort hop on that day. My thought to solve the "too long dilemma" though would be to cut down nights at WL and come back early. (yes, I know... have had this thought a number of times already. )

We are going to plan a day to park hop because to me everything sounds so interesting! The sing a long might be fun to join in on one night! And if you have the dining plan you can eat around the hotels or something!

Now lets first talk school. The kids don't officially get out of school until the Thursday before Christmas. I think that is ridiculous. That is only 2 days before Christmas eve!!! Since I already was frustrated by the lack of days off before Christmas I planned to pull them early. However, this puts it just that much earlier. I am not sure how 7 days would go over with the school. I mean 5 was bad enough. Even if we came back early, it would not affect this since come the 22nd they would be off and we would likely come back either the 22nd or 24th. So I have no solution for this problem other than to have them bring school work for those days.

This is my problem too! My little one will be missing 7 days of school (maybe 8 if we stay with friends in Georgia for a day), but I am going to have Damien take along his school work to work on in the car while driving maybe if you have that extra day they can work on the school work, go play, if you have the magic tickets or something I think that they have a 100 point arcade card with them and you do some work then go in the pool and do more work and play arcade or something like that!

Now lets talk days off from my work. With my work, I don't get vacation time. I get paid weekly and each week is a part of a cycle. Week 1 is the busiest with installs going in the large stores. Week 2 is less hectic and installs happen in small stores. Week 3 is usually just maintaining stuff from week one and some misc. odd jobs. Week 4 we have almost no work until our meeting which is on a Thursday and then I accumulate a ton of hours over that weekend as I prepare for week 1. (I know.. much more than you all wanted to know) So basically taking a week off is not a problem as long as it is from Thursday to Wednesday , just not starting on weeks 1 or 4. Currently, we are scheduled to leave on a Thursday of week 2. Perfect! I get paid for all of week 2. Staying as long as we are will however mean I miss week 3 entirely. (so I lose one weeks pay) Coming back on 12/26 means I get back at the start of week 4 and well in time for my meeting and the big push. If however I add the two dates, it will complicate that week 2. I have things that come in on Wed and obviously I would miss those. I could work that weekend and get most everything done so it still wouldn't be too much trouble to leave on a tuesday. I just would have to hustle...but the problem would be solved.

Now for Steve's work. This is really the biggest issue. Historically he is ill come fall. He has chrons disease and has struggled each year to manage it around this time. I think this time of year is a tad stressful for him and it sets things off. Come fall he usually starts to deplete his vacation time since he runs out of sick time. He gets 3 weeks a year. (15 days) Adding these days will mean he will have to take a total of 9 days off instead of 7. That really only leaves him 6 days which when he gets sick isn't a lot. If he depletes those days prior the trip it would be hard to finagle it so he didn't lose pay. We rely on his pay for our big stuff like mortgage and living expenses. (mine just pays the fun stuff like Disney trips) If I cut days off the back side it would not matter. He will get holiday pay for 12/22 and 12/23 and then there is the weekend. I also am not sure he wants to spend 9 of his days for this. Oh, and lets not forget Zach's graduation and Kira's wedding AND Zoe's surgery. He will need time off for those as well. I can't see anyway around his vacation time not being there come December. As I type this, I am just now realizing that I could see him not having the 7 come December either. AHHH!! I think this explains why he has been kinda hemming and hawing about the trip. I have had him tell me several times that he just doesn't know how he is going to be feeling come the trip. I thought it was his way of showing his obligatory "I am not a Disney nut" attitude (even though he totally is a Disney nut ) Now I worry it is his way of trying to prepare me for the need to cancel the trip.

See someone stop me. In this little post I have went from considering adding 2 nights to canceling the whole trip. I am too crazy!!! Course... I just watched Black Swan last night... so I guess I could be worse.

You o have a lot to think about for this trip- but I am sure that it will all work out in the end! Just breath and relax! What I have noticed from everyone doing PTR and TR and just Dis in general is that we are all planners and thinkers and try to get everything just right- for instance I have a 7 page packing list! My DH looked at me and asked if I wanted to be brought to the psych ward of a hospital! We don't even bring half of that with us on other trips, but I saw that other people brought it so I thought maybe I should! But anyway my point is that maybe just bring yourself into getting something else done- like clean out a closet or shed or anything, sort out the file cabinet, just something to keep your mind from wondering too much back to Disney, the wedding, the surgery, the graduation, and airfare and so on! I hope that I was able to help a little bit! Feel better and take a breather! I hope that Zoe's appointment goes well!

 

[tinacaplan]

I have made mention a couple times now about Steve and his "chip". I thought I should explain briefly how this has come to be.

Not long after I booked this trip but after a bit of debate as to if Steve would want to go at Christmas, Steve was really ill. We have always joked about there being something that draws you back to Disney.... (maybe they put something in the water ) Steve is a software engineer and so much of the way he relates to the world is in computer terms. At the peak of being sick he became a bit delusional. He looked up at me in a very loving, confused state and insisted that he now has a Disney chip in his brain and that I had had it placed there. He was smiling, so I knew it was a "good thing" that he got his chip. He was very happy about it. (side note, yes... it was scary having him be so sick... but this was just a funny moment)

So there is how we have now decided that a chip is in our brains that get switched on so that we can have a magical time in Disney. Kira and I laugh saying ours never get switched off and that is why we are always thinking about Disney and when we will next go back.

That's a really beautiful story, Ann. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. And I'd have to agree with you that I don't think mine ever switches off, either.

 

[momabaarjo]

I have made mention a couple times now about Steve and his "chip". I thought I should explain briefly how this has come to be.

Not long after I booked this trip but after a bit of debate as to if Steve would want to go at Christmas, Steve was really ill. We have always joked about there being something that draws you back to Disney.... (maybe they put something in the water ) Steve is a software engineer and so much of the way he relates to the world is in computer terms. At the peak of being sick he became a bit delusional. He looked up at me in a very loving, confused state and insisted that he now has a Disney chip in his brain and that I had had it placed there. He was smiling, so I knew it was a "good thing" that he got his chip. He was very happy about it. (side note, yes... it was scary having him be so sick... but this was just a funny moment)

So there is how we have now decided that a chip is in our brains that get switched on so that we can have a magical time in Disney. Kira and I laugh saying ours never get switched off and that is why we are always thinking about Disney and when we will next go back.

Ahhhh...what a great story!

It is has been a little too quite from you! I hope all is well...I am sure you are in total wedding mode at the moment.

 

[KatMark]

What a beautiful story...thank you for sharing (but sorry hubby was so sick). Do not fret...I have had one of those "chips" since the first time Mark took me to Disney.

 

[annmarieda]

And here is MY little story! We picked up our new cars yesterday and after parking my car at home we went shopping in Tom's!
It's nice and roomy and all I could think about was, that it would feel great driving to Paris with it and fill the boot with Disney loot!

Yup...definitely the chip is on. When everything starts to remind you of or make you think of Disney in some way... Just the other day Kira and I were shopping and I excitedly ran to a shirt on a rack thinking it had little Mickey's all over it. Did it? No But at first all I could see was little mouse silhouettes.

DH is the same way. He'll have moments where he wants to go, but mostly, he's Disney'd out for the time being.

Yeah... I think this is a pretty common thing which is why I don't sweat his "non disney" moments.

It's better to change ADRs than dates, resorts, airfare...

Preach it sister! I subscribed to Touring Plans for our trip and we are basing our days on the information we have from there. We have our days planned and where we want to eat.

I think after the wedding, but before Zoe's surgery I will have to subscribe to Touring Plans. I have our days planned according to predicted hours...but I think as we get closer it will be helpful to have one more tool to help in my planning.

My flight in will be the deciding factor of whether or not I'll make our first WDW lunch. If I get in too late, I'll not make the meal. I'm still stalking Air Tran... they still have the flight we took in September (direct, landing at 9a at MCO) so I'm hoping that stays put!

I know what you mean. As I watch a particular flight I can imagine what time I will get in and it looks like we will have time for dinner that evening. Of course as we get closer if something better opens up we may end up taking a flight that gets us in too late for a dinner. There is also a chance we could get in super early. I am ok with anything really... as long as we get in early enough so DME gets our bags. I think that is any flight arriving before 10pm, right? Or is it 9pm?

ITA with you that the biggest problem with booking early is the waiting game. We really have NOTHING to do until park hours come out in June. Like E said, "Thank God our trip isn't the first couple days of the month - what a PITA to try and plan/make ADRs!" and she's right... the hours come out and BAM! You've got to make your dinner ressies!

Yes, June is going to be a very busy month for me. I know July will be here before I know it!

Not to bash your friend or anything, Ann, but something is TERRIBLY amiss here. Isn't the city council the ones who are SUPPOSED to hear citizens' concerns and find solutions to their issues and those of the city?? I"m mystified, and wonder if she is under some sort of duress or just doesn't want to do her job- I guess another possibility is that this cop is already under some sort of investigation (or the entire dept.) or involved in a lawsuit, and she can't talk because of that.

I suspect that there is some sort of investigation into the one officer. I don't know. It was frustrating, cause we are friends. It would have been nice if she could have said "hey look, I can't divulge everything...but it is important you send in a complaint because this cop is under scrutiny" or "this cop is under investigation" In any case, I have just let it go.

ITA, too! Was remembering when we went in 2009, we had a split month trip, end of May beginning of June and while we had our May hours in plenty of time, we didn't see our June hours pre-ADR time. It all worked out but am thankful we are mid-December this time! Inquiring minds need to know!

I didn't even think of this. Believe it or not with all my over planning... most of our trips have been booked pretty close to when we were leaving. Our spring 2010 trip was a February/March trip. We didn't face any obstacle when booking our ADRS (other than getting some we wanted) because we booked very close to when we left.

You o have a lot to think about for this trip- but I am sure that it will all work out in the end! Just breath and relax! What I have noticed from everyone doing PTR and TR and just Dis in general is that we are all planners and thinkers and try to get everything just right- for instance I have a 7 page packing list! My DH looked at me and asked if I wanted to be brought to the psych ward of a hospital! We don't even bring half of that with us on other trips, but I saw that other people brought it so I thought maybe I should! But anyway my point is that maybe just bring yourself into getting something else done- like clean out a closet or shed or anything, sort out the file cabinet, just something to keep your mind from wondering too much back to Disney, the wedding, the surgery, the graduation, and airfare and so on! I hope that I was able to help a little bit! Feel better and take a breather! I hope that Zoe's appointment goes well!

Thank you so much, Zoe's appointment did go well. Thank you also for the wise words. I think I use the Disney planning as my "happy place". However, I was letting it get the best of me. This week between work and house stuff and preparations for the Wedding and Zoe's appointment... there hasn't been a lot of time to fixate on the trip. And so you are right...doing all these other things made my week go by pretty fast and kept my mind from wandering back to Disney too much. Course... you know I thought about it a little.

Maybe take a break from everything to just breath and not get worried! You might find that taking a few days away will bring you back to a calmer time with a clear head!

I did just that and my head is MUCH clearer. Course, that means it must be time to get a bit cloudy again

With the extra fees will it be cheaper to have things shipped?

I have been thinking this might be what we do. Especially if I send down some things to help Santa with. I have been noticing some carriers are starting to offer free bags to members... members of their mileage plans... members who hold their credit cards..etc. I wonder if Alaska won't follow suite by the time December comes.

We are going to plan a day to park hop because to me everything sounds so interesting! The sing a long might be fun to join in on one night! And if you have the dining plan you can eat around the hotels or something!

We are definitely going to resort hop to see all the decorations. I think staying the extra nights would make that a bit easier... and ..we are leaning toward a split stay and arriving earlier since flight 18 on the 13th went down and flight 18 on the 15th went up. Difference between the two is now $215 per ticket so we would save $430 (since we only will be paying for two full price tickets). Adding the two nights and staying at Pop...with no discount would cost $214. We would not have any park tickets on this and thus no dp. I have wanted to do enough oop meals though on the trip that I would just shift them over to those two nights. You are right though that we would be dinning around the hotels or DTD. Haven't thought that far into it...but I am sure I would make it all work out.

his is my problem too! My little one will be missing 7 days of school (maybe 8 if we stay with friends in Georgia for a day), but I am going to have Damien take along his school work to work on in the car while driving maybe if you have that extra day they can work on the school work, go play, if you have the magic tickets or something I think that they have a 100 point arcade card with them and you do some work then go in the pool and do more work and play arcade or something like that!

I got to thinking that taking 5 or taking 7 days probably won't make much of a difference and either way it will have to be worked out. Thanks for pointing out the arcade. I forgot about the possibility of this indoor activity. I am not sure we would have a card in our room only package...but those cards really don't have enough to play so we would just go in and play.

That's a really beautiful story, Ann. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. And I'd have to agree with you that I don't think mine ever switches off, either.

Ahhhh...what a great story!

It is has been a little too quite from you! I hope all is well...I am sure you are in total wedding mode at the moment.

All is well. It has just been a busy busy week.

 

[annmarieda]

What a beautiful story...thank you for sharing (but sorry hubby was so sick). Do not fret...I have had one of those "chips" since the first time Mark took me to Disney.

I know that is when mine was placed too... on that first trip. I keep joking with Kira telling her that we need to tease Josh about how we are plotting for his to be implanted soon. He has never been to Disney so I am really anxious to see if it does.

 

[annmarieda]

Ok, so it is possible that I will not be on the boards much for the next couple of weeks. The wedding is next weekend. It is coming together and I am a bit excited. Not just excited for it to be over, but excited to see it all come together. If I am not on much this week or next it is due to that.

Zoe's appointment went well yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. Mainly it was talking about how it is all going to happen and how things will work afterward. Both Kira and I had the same thought...soon, no more pullups and December is probably going to be our first trip without bringing packages and packages of pullups. Yes, we will have tubes to bring... but I think those will fit in the suitcases a whole lot easier!!! Zoe seemed to not be too concerned that she is going to be using the catheters to void. They had a doll that she got to practice on. I noticed one thing with the doll... there is a a chance from time to time that Zoe will have to leave a cath in so that her channel or valve at her belly button doesn't close. Even in doing this, the tube coiled near the waistline of the doll was very inconspicuous. So even that is a win over the big bulky pullups. Also, they plan to make her bladder bigger than an average size. (mainly because it will be hard to completely empty it) However, going from a size of 60cc to 250+cc is going to be amazing!!

This weekend, I am taking a moment to get caught up on all my threads before we dive in to work on the house. We decided we are having carpet installed before the wedding. (I know...aren't we crazy?) We are pulling the carpet and prepping the floors ourselves. I am going to be tired come monday!!!

 

[KatMark]

Ok, so it is possible that I will not be on the boards much for the next couple of weeks. The wedding is next weekend. It is coming together and I am a bit excited. Not just excited for it to be over, but excited to see it all come together. If I am not on much this week or next it is due to that.

Zoe's appointment went well yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. Mainly it was talking about how it is all going to happen and how things will work afterward. Both Kira and I had the same thought...soon, no more pullups and December is probably going to be our first trip without bringing packages and packages of pullups. Yes, we will have tubes to bring... but I think those will fit in the suitcases a whole lot easier!!! Zoe seemed to not be too concerned that she is going to be using the catheters to void. They had a doll that she got to practice on. I noticed one thing with the doll... there is a a chance from time to time that Zoe will have to leave a cath in so that her channel or valve at her belly button doesn't close. Even in doing this, the tube coiled near the waistline of the doll was very inconspicuous. So even that is a win over the big bulky pullups. Also, they plan to make her bladder bigger than an average size. (mainly because it will be hard to completely empty it) However, going from a size of 60cc to 250+cc is going to be amazing!!

This weekend, I am taking a moment to get caught up on all my threads before we dive in to work on the house. We decided we are having carpet installed before the wedding. (I know...aren't we crazy?) We are pulling the carpet and prepping the floors ourselves. I am going to be tired come monday!!!

Ann, many blessings for a beautiful wedding day, ceremony and a wonderful time for all. We can't wait to see pictures.

I'm glad to hear that Zoe's appointment went well and that things are looking up.

You will be in our thoughts as the wedding and surgery nears.

 

[veggiemama]

Ok, so it is possible that I will not be on the boards much for the next couple of weeks. The wedding is next weekend. It is coming together and I am a bit excited. Not just excited for it to be over, but excited to see it all come together. If I am not on much this week or next it is due to that.

Zoe's appointment went well yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. Mainly it was talking about how it is all going to happen and how things will work afterward. Both Kira and I had the same thought...soon, no more pullups and December is probably going to be our first trip without bringing packages and packages of pullups. Yes, we will have tubes to bring... but I think those will fit in the suitcases a whole lot easier!!! Zoe seemed to not be too concerned that she is going to be using the catheters to void. They had a doll that she got to practice on. I noticed one thing with the doll... there is a a chance from time to time that Zoe will have to leave a cath in so that her channel or valve at her belly button doesn't close. Even in doing this, the tube coiled near the waistline of the doll was very inconspicuous. So even that is a win over the big bulky pullups. Also, they plan to make her bladder bigger than an average size. (mainly because it will be hard to completely empty it) However, going from a size of 60cc to 250+cc is going to be amazing!!

This weekend, I am taking a moment to get caught up on all my threads before we dive in to work on the house. We decided we are having carpet installed before the wedding. (I know...aren't we crazy?) We are pulling the carpet and prepping the floors ourselves. I am going to be tired come monday!!!

wow, the wedding is soon! Have a great time that day and enjoy every moment.

I'm glad that Zoe's app went well. You will continue to be in my prayers.

 

[disneyaddicted]

Wow, you have so muh on your plate I am just amazed at how well you seem to be keeping it together here. Imagine though how much "lighter" you're going to feel when the wedding is said and done and Zoe has the operation.

I have your entire family in my prayers daily, I know things will go well.

Reading through your thread and seeing that you were up and moving 5 hours after your C-section, phew, super mom. I am the opposite of you, my anesthsia numbed me from the middle of my face down, I couldn't move anything, I felt nothing at all and I was in recovery for 12 hours they wouldn't take me to my room or let me see Reese until I could wiggle my toes. I hate going to the dentist because the novacain numbs my face and I can't blink for hours.

I love the story of the Disney chip. That's so funny. My sister Bo joked with me after my first trip to Disney, I was a totally different person, I had seen the light. Bo said there must have been a molecular change in me and my molecules are now shaped like Mickey heads.

Anyway, I hope the wedding goes off without any issues, how exciting to have a child getting married, I think I would be like you, happy for the wedding but super excited to hear about the Disneymoon.

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, many blessings for a beautiful wedding day, ceremony and a wonderful time for all. We can't wait to see pictures.

I'm glad to hear that Zoe's appointment went well and that things are looking up.

You will be in our thoughts as the wedding and surgery nears.

wow, the wedding is soon! Have a great time that day and enjoy every moment.

I'm glad that Zoe's app went well. You will continue to be in my prayers.

I have your entire family in my prayers daily, I know things will go well.

Anyway, I hope the wedding goes off without any issues, how exciting to have a child getting married, I think I would be like you, happy for the wedding but super excited to hear about the Disneymoon.

Thank you all for you kind words. I will be sure and post pictures!!!

Reading through your thread and seeing that you were up and moving 5 hours after your C-section, phew, super mom. I am the opposite of you, my anesthsia numbed me from the middle of my face down, I couldn't move anything, I felt nothing at all and I was in recovery for 12 hours they wouldn't take me to my room or let me see Reese until I could wiggle my toes. I hate going to the dentist because the novacain numbs my face and I can't blink for hours.

If I wanted to see my baby, I had to be up. She could not be brought to me...and I hate to rely on others...so up and about it was. I would not recommend it. I ended up with problems with my incision.

And.. some people just get numb better than others. For me... I have even chose to get stitches without getting numb... it likely doesn't work for me and I would only feel the injection. I think being too susceptible or not at all.. both suck. Normal would be nice.

 

[shocky5]

Ok, so it is possible that I will not be on the boards much for the next couple of weeks. The wedding is next weekend. It is coming together and I am a bit excited. Not just excited for it to be over, but excited to see it all come together. If I am not on much this week or next it is due to that.

Zoe's appointment went well yesterday. It was fairly uneventful. Mainly it was talking about how it is all going to happen and how things will work afterward. Both Kira and I had the same thought...soon, no more pullups and December is probably going to be our first trip without bringing packages and packages of pullups. Yes, we will have tubes to bring... but I think those will fit in the suitcases a whole lot easier!!! Zoe seemed to not be too concerned that she is going to be using the catheters to void. They had a doll that she got to practice on. I noticed one thing with the doll... there is a a chance from time to time that Zoe will have to leave a cath in so that her channel or valve at her belly button doesn't close. Even in doing this, the tube coiled near the waistline of the doll was very inconspicuous. So even that is a win over the big bulky pullups. Also, they plan to make her bladder bigger than an average size. (mainly because it will be hard to completely empty it) However, going from a size of 60cc to 250+cc is going to be amazing!!

This weekend, I am taking a moment to get caught up on all my threads before we dive in to work on the house. We decided we are having carpet installed before the wedding. (I know...aren't we crazy?) We are pulling the carpet and prepping the floors ourselves. I am going to be tired come monday!!!

We are too much the same! You have so much going on with wedding and Zoey to throw carpet install on top of everything else AND doing the disposal on your own! I wouldn't do it any other way, either... hence selling/buying/moving homes in the middle of one of the busiest times of the year for us and grad school...

All that being said - I know Kira's wedding will be beautiful! Tell her it's her day and what she says is what goes!! And after the 3 hour hairdo episode for shower - I would be willing to be she is early for her big day! That's why we do trial runs! I remember being ready early for my wedding day and was shocked even at myself!

ALSO I cannot wait to hear about the disneymoon when they get back! And see pictures from wedding and around the World!!!

Glad to hear Zoey's appt was uneventful and so happy to hear the excitement from you of the positives that will result from her surgery. I hope you all can keep up with her at WDW this December!!

Even in your absence, just know we will all be thinking of you and your family!!