Disney...by Land and Sea...Morris Style!

[DMGeurts]

Wow Nini! and I thought I had a busy day! YIKES!

Looks like you were able to get a TON accomplished though - that's awesome! So excited for your cruise!

D~

 

[cogero]

My thing with High School if she gets into the specialized school I will have to let her come and go on public transportation which has my stomach in knots. I won't even let her cross the street without me.

 

[NiniMorris]

Wow Nini! and I thought I had a busy day! YIKES!

Looks like you were able to get a TON accomplished though - that's awesome! So excited for your cruise!

D~

Well, on THAT day I only managed a migraine, and pick up paperwork and meds! But I did have a nice long extended nap! Which I obviously needed since I rarely can nap during the day.

My thing with High School if she gets into the specialized school I will have to let her come and go on public transportation which has my stomach in knots. I won't even let her cross the street without me.

LOL...I am known ans the most over protective mother in the world! So I know completely what you mean!




Well, a lot has happened since I last typed away at this keyboard for my own enjoyment... and now that things are calmed down a bit I can put a bit of it down on paper..

Miss Mia has been having a terrible time. Her tummy has so many little issues that she is very uncomfortable. She had to go to Children's Healthcare (Hospital where Mr D spent so much time) to have a procedure done. It should have only take a few minutes but ended up being three hours...just because my grand baby is stubborn!

She had to have an enema with dye...and she refused to empty out! Remind you she is getting a large dose of laxative every day as well as harsh suppositories each night...and nothing is making her go. They finally were able to take some pictures that showed what they needed and let her go home...Last night at about 10 pm she managed to FINALLY empty out! First time in a month!

The good news is, she does not seem to have anything yucky...just an over active colon. She has to continue with the laxatives each day and a suppository once a week. They have to call the doctor every other day to report on the progress of poo...or lack thereof!

My daughter said Miss Mia slept the whole night after going...first time that has happened in over 3 months! So obviously she was feeling better!

Her daddy is waiting until after the middle of February to get another appointment at the heart doc for himself...trying to put it off as long as he can!

Since I will be gone on the actual birthdays, we are celebrating my daughter in law', and my son in law's birthday this afternoon. (It was so nice of them to have a birthday a day apart!) The whole family (minus my wayward son and his fiance) will be there... and we will all over eat a bit much!

I want to interject one small thing here... My son has been engaged for two years. They have changed the date a zillion times. They are supposed to be getting married in May... they have made ZERO plans! They are not even sure about the dates! In June my son in law and daughter are planning a trip to Canada and taking Miss B with them...I certainly hope 'someone' starts making some plans sometime!

And the REASON my son could not be there is because we did not give them enough notice! Perhaps they should have looked on a calendar and saw that the birthdays were coming up and we always try to have them on a weekend when Dad is off...this weekend!

Now for the upcoming cruise news...

Yesterday marked the two weeks until we sail day! And STILL nothing from Disney except for a email on Monday telling me I get to go!

I am an obsessive planner! How on earth do they expect me to have everything ready to go without some sort of an itinerary? At least, as I was watching the Magic leave on the webcam last evening, I was able to get really excited about the trip (like I needed something to get me excited!). Someone on the boards suggested we call and act dumb and see if they would at least give us a cabin number... All 50 of us decided to call at once! After about 20 minutes, we were able to get at least our cabin assignments...not too shabby! We seriously thought it was going to be on deck 2...but no, we are all on deck 8. SCORE! Category 4B!

Do you think that made me feel easier...nope! It actually made things worse! A little bit of knowledge is a terrible thing! So now I have memorized the deck plans for the Magic...seen where my cabin is...and not much else!


Since Monday is a holiday I am guessing we won't hear back anything until Tuesday!



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

I attempted to work on my cruise dress yesterday after I finished my launch dress... Somehow I missed an important step in assembling the bodice. So now it is back to the cutting room! LOL! The back bodice can be saved, but the front...not so much!

So here is my Public Service Announcement for the day!

No matter how long you have been sewing, no matter how easy you think this pattern really is, and no matter how 'right' it seems to be going together: READ the Stupid Directions! (they may not be as stupid as you think!)

On the trip front...we were at my son's house last night for ice cream birthday cake... they have a different cable system than we do, even though I could walk to his house in less than 10 minutes! I was able to see Destination America and the show about the re-imagined Magic! As we are watching it...my husband pipes up...."Since we are all going back in October, why don't we add a waterpark to our tickets..."

Spoken by a man that thinks all water parks are stupid...a waste of money...and we would not even be able to get his cold dead body there!

So it looks like the October trip will have at least one water park day added... I mean I am the reason he is not getting to go next month... so I have to keep him happy!


And to keep the countdown in focus....only 12 more days!

Two more therapy days
One DR appt for me
One Dentist appt for Miss B
One day of babysitting Miss Mia
One hair appt for me

Not too bad...that makes it look like I have 6 more days unspoken for and should be able to get some sewing done... but during that time I can count on having at least 3 days where husband will be home and I will not be able to spend more than an hour in the studio...Husband's can be so demanding when they are pouting because they don't get to go on a cruise!


Nini

 

[cogero]

You husband is adorable. Ihope you will share your dress when it is done. We DVR'd the Cruise show.

 

[DMGeurts]

Wait??? Rex is not going on the cruise with you? I thought he was? So confused.

I watched all those shows last night - right in a row... Then Josh and the girls came home from the hockey game and he asked "You're watching that show AGAIN? How many times do you need to watch it?" Grrr... Does he not know - it MUST be watched every single time it airs? If I am not in Disney and I can watch a show about it (even if I've seen it a bazillion times) - I must watch it. Sometimes... They just don't get it.

I hope you are able to get your cruise dress done, and I can't wait to see it!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

I am mobile so it did not grab my quotes.

The cruise I am going on the end of January is a TA training cruise, so no one gets to go with me. A certain husband is very pouty about that! The cruise in October is for the whole family.

After church services today we had to stop by walmart to get some milk. Some how I managed to have husband and miss B shopping for clothes for ME to wear on the cruise!!!

After I finish my dress I will be ready to pack!!! So very excited for this trip! The one and only trip I ever took by myself since I have been married was 10 years ago when I was part of a training group that went to Colorado Springs to train (what ended up being) my replacements!

This will also be only my fourth trip flying!

Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

You husband is adorable. Ihope you will share your dress when it is done. We DVR'd the Cruise show.

well, that dress is going to be the death of me!

I know to measure before I ever start a new pattern. And I did.

But then I printed out the pattern using the size not the measurement! (I think you can see where this is going!) It took me three tries on the bodice... I thought I was constructing it wrong. But as it turned out, I was doing it right and ended up using the first one I did. But since I cut the bodice out three times...I have no more fabric left!

I tried it on...all excited...and I could not get the bodice zipped up!!!

THEN I went back to look at the measurements vs size...and realized I should have went up one size. I am sure the dress will fit in October...but not in 10 days!

Wait??? Rex is not going on the cruise with you? I thought he was? So confused.

I watched all those shows last night - right in a row... Then Josh and the girls came home from the hockey game and he asked "You're watching that show AGAIN? How many times do you need to watch it?" Grrr... Does he not know - it MUST be watched every single time it airs? If I am not in Disney and I can watch a show about it (even if I've seen it a bazillion times) - I must watch it. Sometimes... They just don't get it.

I hope you are able to get your cruise dress done, and I can't wait to see it!

D~

See the issues with the dress above!

I agree...those shows MUST be watched at least once a month! I really want to see the one about the Magic again. I watched it at my son's house, but it was pretty noisy so I watched but didn't actually hear too much of it! I don't get that channel...but I have been told the producers of that show will eventually have it up on wither Hulu or Netflix...depending on which one has their limited contract. Unfortunate, that won't happen until March....



Today marks 10 days until the cruise ..... And we still don't have our itineraries or any other basic info like a confirmation number....and I am way beyond antsy!

The email that let us know we were accepted clearly states we will get our info 10 to 14 days prior to sail date.... so I guess I will call again today and see if there is any more info!!!


Since my dress is not happening this trip, I am really hoping my black dress will work! It is a knit with tiny white dots in it...Sleeveless, so I have a couple of coverups that I wear with it... It is only for 3 dinners...so I am assuming I can make it work....just makes me a bit angry that my dress is not happening!


Launch dress is ready and I had planned on taking pictures yesterday, but somehow that did not happen...so now I get to take pictures in the freezing cold! (Or do them inside!)


Have a great day!

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

So bummed that your dress didn't work out. I really wanted to see it. I am sure your current dress will work out just fine.

So, you didn't answer my question... Who is going with you? You keep saying "we" - I just assumed it was your DH...

D~

 

[cogero]

Nini you will see all ranges of dress on the cruise. I need to see what I have that fits for ours. Otherwise I better order something since my weight is in flux

 

[NiniMorris]

So bummed that your dress didn't work out. I really wanted to see it. I am sure your current dress will work out just fine.

So, you didn't answer my question... Who is going with you? You keep saying "we" - I just assumed it was your DH...

D~

The 'we' I am referring to is the group of TAs that are going on the training. I am not sure how many are going...one report says 45 and the other report says 100.

The amount of training vs free time we will have is driving me crazy! At least the not knowing part is driving me crazy.

At least Disney has said they will be sending us the info sometime this week...which is pretty considerate of them considering we leave in just NINIE days! LOL!

Nini you will see all ranges of dress on the cruise. I need to see what I have that fits for ours. Otherwise I better order something since my weight is in flux

I am still bummed about my dress... I am now thinking about making something that has elastic in it to account for weight flux...but there is no way it will happen before I leave!


I really want to get my hair colored before I go. The lady that did it before did an ok job....she just didn't cut it short enough to suit me. (she uses a different ruler than I do...I said no more than one inch long and it was three inches long...) But getting in to see here is proving to be harder than I expected! While I still have 9 days before I leave...every single day this week is full...and most of next week is full. I just don't see me having any time to go and sit there...

So I may end up going to Wally World and buying a Youth In A Box and doing it myself!


If you have a moment...please remember the Grand Princess and her Mommy and Daddy today. They have a follow up with her surgeon. A lot is at stake with this visit. The plan for future surgeries will be made. The decision for or against plastic surgery on her foot will be discussed...as well as the need for genetic counseling to prevent this from happening again. They want to have another baby (the grand princess is 6 and a half) but not if it means they will have to go through this nightmare again.

While they know intellectually that the complications they experienced with the last round of surgeries has a less than a one in a million chance of EVER happening again...as you can imagine, it is enough to prevent them from wanting to deal with it if they can prevent it!

Busy day today...Doctor appts for me and dentist for the kids! However, tomorrow I get to visist with Miss Mia while her mommy goes to the dentist! Woo Hoo!!

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Ahhh, got it! I was so confused. LOL Nothing new there.

I hope you get some sort of info soon - I would be a wreck by now.

Sending up prayers for Grandprincess today - and hugs for all of you. I hope it goes well and the answers they receive are good ones. (((Hugs))) Please keep us updated.

D~

 

[cogero]

Prayers for the grandprincess. thanks for the reminder that I need a haircut and color.

 

[babynala]

Hey Nini, so excited to hear about your upcoming cruise. I bet you will be busy and will be a cruising expert by your Oct trip. The fact that you have only flown a few times is totally out weighed by your trip in a military plane, that has to count for at least 100 flights.

How frustrating about your dress. All that hard work!!!!

I do hope that everything goes well with the grandprincess today. And poor Miss Mia, I was glad to hear that she had some results after the last doctors visit and a good nights sleep for her and mom must have been a nice change. Continued prayers for your little grands and for your son-in-law.

I haven't gotten much done since I got back on Friday from WDW with my sister and her family. It must be the post-Disney blues.

 

[NiniMorris]

Ahhh, got it! I was so confused. LOL Nothing new there.

I hope you get some sort of info soon - I would be a wreck by now.

Sending up prayers for Grandprincess today - and hugs for all of you. I hope it goes well and the answers they receive are good ones. (((Hugs))) Please keep us updated.

D~

Ahem... after three texts, two unanswered phone calls, and a mother getting hysterical...my son FINALLY called me last night with the results! He said since he was off work, he left his phone at home so it could have a day off! Sheesh...

Seriously they were running late and by the time he realized that NEITHER one had their phone with them they were already in Atlanta traffic and refused to go back home!

The answers were fantastic! She will need a surgery to lengthen her foot. She recommends one in the summer between 1 st and 2 nd grade, then another one after she turns 13. After the last lengthening surgery the plastic surgeon said they should be able to make her foot look more normal, but not perfect.

The best news is that she no longer has club foot....or at least she doesn't need another surgery to correct it. And to me that is the same thing (even though I know it is not!)

Prayers for the grandprincess. thanks for the reminder that I need a haircut and color.

I actually made my appointment for the hair... Friday morning. Progress.....

Hey Nini, so excited to hear about your upcoming cruise. I bet you will be busy and will be a cruising expert by your Oct trip. The fact that you have only flown a few times is totally out weighed by your trip in a military plane, that has to count for at least 100 flights.

How frustrating about your dress. All that hard work!!!!

I do hope that everything goes well with the grandprincess today. And poor Miss Mia, I was glad to hear that she had some results after the last doctors visit and a good nights sleep for her and mom must have been a nice change. Continued prayers for your little grands and for your son-in-law.

I haven't gotten much done since I got back on Friday from WDW with my sister and her family. It must be the post-Disney blues.

We are very happy with the news about the Grand Princess... The news about Miss Mia is not as good...but not as bad as it could be. She is still not progressing the way the GI thinks she should. The scans they did were not 'normal' but showed no blockage. I was under the impression they were trying to rule out Hirshprungs (which is not spelled right but I am tired of trying to get the spelling right!) We were under the impression that the scans ruled it out...but it did not. It merely showed that she did not need to have surgery at that moment. They are still thinking this may be her problem, but are taking a less radical course of action. They are trying to get her system to running better and wait on the biopsy until she is older.

The funny thing is Miss Mia now has a routine. In the morning she and mommy sit in the floor. Mommy has her one cup of coffee a day while Miss Mia has her laxative. She doesn't like the taste...so mommy pretends to not like her coffee...she makes faces and shakes her head and says yucky...and Miss Mia imitates her... After they finish their 'yucky' then they move to the table and eat their breakfast....which of course is yummy!

Of course...if you try to feed Miss Mia anything sitting on the floor she thinks you are giving her yucky...so she shakes her head and makes faces! LOL...

Not much news on the trip front. I will be spending most of the morning on the phone with Disney today. Partly for a client and partly for me... I am sure that at 8 days out it is not too much to ask that they give us the correct information... SHEESH!

Today is my daughter in law's birthday.... I need to go over to Facebook and wish her a Happy Birthday! (not trying to earn points because she knows how bad I am about things like that...just trying not to loose too many points! LOL!)


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

So relieved to hear about your Grandprincess - She was on my mind all day yesterday. Annnnd - of all days to forget their phone... YIKES! I know you were worried, but so happy to hear that the news was good.

I loved hearing the story of Mia's yucky... That's so cute! It's so sad that she has to drink it - but praying it helps her. HOpefully this is something she grows out of. I am sure they have - but have they checked into food allergies causing this?

I hope you have a great day and your phone time with Disney is limited.

How long is the cruise you are going on?

D~ <---- Who would really like to go with you. Next time?

 

[cogero]

Wonderful news about the grand princess.

Sounds like you have a good gi doctor for Mia. I hope the doctor has a good plan. Will keep her in my prayers.

 

[babynala]

Happy to hear that the Grandprincess had a positive outcome at the doctor.

Miss Mia is too funny. Your daughter is a good mommy - finding a fun solution to giving the medicine. I'm sure it doesn't taste good. I hope they continue the progression to find a source of Miss Mia's issues and can get it resolved.

My niece had to have surgery at about 6 weeks old for what would be classified as an "Anorectal malformation". She had another surgery at about 6 months to finalize the correction. She is 10 years old now and still struggles with bowel issues but is otherwise a healthy girl. My sister has to be careful with her diet and she drinks a glass of water with miralax everyday but no further surgeries were needed. Don't want to scare you with this information but I just wanted to let you know that there are many things that could be causing her issues and I am glad to hear that your daughter is working to find the right solution for Miss Mia's problems. I know these kinds of issues don't get discussed very often because, honestly, pooping is not a fun topic.

So now for the good stuff.....the cruise and a trip to warmer weather is fast approaching.

 

[NiniMorris]

So relieved to hear about your Grandprincess - She was on my mind all day yesterday. Annnnd - of all days to forget their phone... YIKES! I know you were worried, but so happy to hear that the news was good.

I loved hearing the story of Mia's yucky... That's so cute! It's so sad that she has to drink it - but praying it helps her. HOpefully this is something she grows out of. I am sure they have - but have they checked into food allergies causing this?

I hope you have a great day and your phone time with Disney is limited.

How long is the cruise you are going on?

D~ <---- Who would really like to go with you. Next time?

On Thursday I got to watch Miss Mia...it was supposed to be while her mommy went to the dentist, but her mommy has been having a bout with vertigo...so she finally went to the doctor with that and I got to play babysitter!

One of my favorite things to do in the whole world! I watched her at her house to make things easier on everyone... and it took Mia a full 30 minutes to realize that her mommy had snuck out. She wouldn't have gotten upset then if it weren't for the fact that she heard her daddy's voice from his office (he works at home). He was on a conference call and she could hear him every once in a while...

I fed her some lunch. Her new favorite is some sort of baby yogurt. It has some probiotics in it and she loves the stuff. It is a bit watery for me...and I don't think I have ever had apple yogurt...but hey...she thought she was getting the best thing on earth! She was so cute making her yummy faces...and was concerned that I wasn't making them...so she grabbed my face...yup I got the message...I am supposed to make the same yummy faces when she eats.

I got a chance to talk with my son about the Grand Princess last night...it seems the surgeon gave them enough encouraging words about the possibilities of this being hereditary (or how rare it actually is) that they are going to work on having another baby. They don't want to tell anyone about the decision yet...because they had two miscarriages before they had the Princess. And my DIL's mother is against it. (she actually lost one baby right at the same time my daughter was pregnant with Mia...)

So, with the knowledge that Mia's parents are going to start on a new baby in May, and that the Princess is possibly getting a new baby....well all is right in that part of my world!

Wonderful news about the grand princess.

Sounds like you have a good gi doctor for Mia. I hope the doctor has a good plan. Will keep her in my prayers.

I am happy with her GI. I wish we could just KNOW what was going on and not have wasted so much time with this...and I really wish they could find a new pediatrician... I am NOT happy with that woman! As far as I am concerned...she is the reason Mia is still in pain...if she had acted sooner this could be partially behind us by now...




______________________

Before I get to trip news...

A year ago, I made a dress for a launch with The Main Street Boutiques. A custom mommy saw it and asked me to use that fabric and make a different dress for her two daughters. (which actually ended up an order of 6 dresses). When she sold the dresses she created quite a buzz...and had people fighting over them. I was very upset that she sold them for quite a bit more than she paid...but oh well.

Those two dresses have sold several times since then...and each time to a set of sisters.

Suddenly....I got a total of SEVEN messages on my business page wanting me to redo this dress! All on the same day!

The problem is that this was the last time I used fabric from Joann's on one of my dresses. I really hate the way the quality has gone so down hill... but this fabric was actually good. Well, I bought ALL the fabric they had. When you consider that I actually made four girls dresses and two doll dresses out of it...I have maybe a yard left. So...there are now six moms (one decided she didn't want it) all out looking for this fabric!

The bad thing is I really don't want to make it again! It has a double skirt and is HEAVY! I can not imagine a three year old being able to wear it all day in a park...of course if they are in a stroller it would be do able...but sheesh!

And I even told them it would be 6 weeks before I could get to them...



Now, in the same note...my current launch dress is sitting on the mannequin on my coffee table in the living room. I really need to get pictures since the launch date is the day after I come home from the cruise. But with this crazy weather it is going to have to be indoor pictures and not on a model! Then I need to do the practice writer....which is the WORST part of all!!!


OK....cruise news...

I finally got my email with my cruise information. sort of...it has words like "once you get to the terminal look for the AEP desk to complete your registration and get your program materials"

Our Agenda lists... Seminar...no time frame...no indication as to what or where... LOL. So, the actual information is pretty slim....but it is one step closer to actually going!

Of course, one issue with having a room mate you don't know is that you both have to complete the online check in before you can get to print out the needed documents....and I have no way to contact her! LOL...at least all my stuff is in there and saved. and I DO like the way the online check in is done with DCL. I can see if you are checking in for the whole family how it will go fast and smooth!

Now to see if my luggage tags will get here before I leave....hmmmmm



On the October trip front...

Mr D has a new favorite song. It is "Wild Heart" by the Vamps. He is positive they are saying "She needs a Water Park, I've got a Water Park" He sings it at the top of his lungs in the car!

I guess that is a sign that we need to add at least one Water Park day to our trip! Especially after Dad asked if we were doing a Water Park this trip....


Have a great Weekend!


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Very happy to hear that things are going well, and how exciting that there may be a new baby to spoil soon...

Yikes about those dresses - I remember those dresses quite vividly! However - I don't know if you ever shared a pic of them? I just can't remember what they look like. But I do remember how LONG and how much of a pain they were to make for you... I am a little shocked that you are considering making them again. This time - I would charge MUCH MORE.

LOL about Mr. D's song... Yup - I think that definately calls for a water park day. The good thing about going at that time of year, usually there's only one to choose from. My biggest dillema would be deciding between the two. LOL

Glad you finally got some cruise info. So, if you are sharing a cabin with a stranger - how do you decide where to sleep? I'd vote for the big comfy bed for myself. LOL

Only a few more days... Wahoo!!!! Are you nervous yet?

D~