Tinker_Tam
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2010
Hello all and Welcome to my first ever TR!!! I really had meant to get this started much sooner but with Christmas and a nasty round of colds it has taken me longer than I liked. You may wonder, why is this the first ever
Well, because this was our first EVER trip to the world!!!! Yes, I am 21, with 14 years experience (thats 35 for all the people here with math issues.. I have them too! :LOL ) and this was my first trip to the World. And what an amazing world it is!!!!
I really need to get this disclaimer out before I go any farther. Please forgive my bad spelling and grammar. Yes, I am college educated but with 2 little munchkins, it sometimes sucks the brain power right out of me!
So without further ado the cast of characters (yes, I am stealing most of this part from my PTR!) BTW, in case you wish to follow the planning, my PTR can be found at Surprise... It's Someday!!
First, there is me! I am Tammy. Just turned 21, with 14 years experience, this past birthday! (Doesn't that sound so much better than turning 35? Why is it so hard to say 35???? :LOL ) I have the best job in the world...no the real world! I am a stay home mom to 2 fabulous characters you will soon meet. I am a loving wife to another member of our cast of characters! In my free time (what's that?) I love to scrapbook and of course plan my Disney dream vacation. Right now I am so sad that there is no ticker on here but you will hear all about that soon enough. I have truly been bitten by the Disney bug!!!
Next cast member...
My amazing husband, Jon. Jon is also 35, although most days he doesn't act his age... but who does? Especially at Disney!! My loving husband works 2 jobs so that I can stay home and be with the kids. He is the best hubby and daddy in the world-- I took a vote on that and he won! He has no free time--EVER! What time he gets, when he isn't working, he either spends with the kids or tries to sleep. He tries to catch up on sleep once every 6 months or so, whither he needs it or not! He was in need of this vacation as much as the rest of us if not more. He really does work his hiney off. There isnt anything he wont do for his family. He is the bigger one in the picture! LOL
Next member of the cast...
I have the most amazing daughter, Brenda. Brenda is a very active 4 year old (will be 5 on the 17th of this month)...and that is putting it mildly! What 4 year old isn't overly active though? She is the most amazing little girl... very caring and loving. She has been very understanding because she has had to, a few times, take a backseat to what brother needs. (Which i'll get to in the next cast member's story) Even through it all she remains loving and just overall amazing! She showed how amazing she is several times in Disney! She is the kind of little girl I hope my mom thought I was amazing! I know I use that word a lot to describe her but most who meet her would agree unless you get her on a bad day and those do happen! Here Brenda is having fun at Chef Mickeys on our first night!
The last member of our cast of Characters...
Is my awesome (only cause I cant use amazing anymore :LOL) DS, Gavin. Gavin is 3. Gavin is one of the most amazing boys ever!
I am going to put on my serious hat so I can tell you a little about Gavin. He was born with Hirschsprung's Disease. It was immediately apparent and severe, At less than a week old Gavin had a very long and difficult surgery to remove between 2/3 and 3/4 of his total intestine. He was left with just enough to not need a colostomy for the rest of his life. we assumed this would be the only medical issue but the Hirschsprung's Disease had effects on most of his digestive system. There were many time we didn't think he would make it and were told to make the best for him. We have faced losing him more times than any parent should have to but he always seems to bounce back His most recent surgery (8 in the last 38 months) was this past November... 3 weeks before leaving for Disney. I won't go into detail but it has made a great improvement on his life. We will continue to have the same surgery every 3-4 months for the next 2-3 years but at least it is helping. When we originally thought about the WDW trip we knew the first step would be to get the approval of Gavin's team of Drs. Their response was "YES! You should do this!" One dr went so far as to tell us "You should make as many good memories with Gavin while you can". That is a sentence that sticks with you and always taints what you do. Its kinda become my motto in life...not just with Gavin but with everyone important to me....make as many memories as you can. Of course, we took all of Gavin's meds, supplies and records with us, but as of lately I have been a lot less fearful about if this is best for Gavin. He has been doing so much better since his last surgery in the beginning of November. He reminds me that miracles happen everyday.
The other thing I should tell you is Gavin has above average intelligence. The drs believe this is most likely due to overcompensating for what his body hasn't been able to do. His mind has constantly been going, even when all his body could do was lie there. I also spent many hours just reading and talking with him...as has Brenda. One example of how smart he is (I know all parents say it but drs have confirmed it with Gavin) he has been speaking COMPLETE sentences since about 16-18 months. He can count to 27 and knows all his letters. BUT he only does things when he wants to do them. He is very stubborn! Must get that from Jon 'cause I'm not stubborn! NO I AM NOT!!! Taking of my serious hat now and tossing it to the corner...you won't see that too often, I hope! I also want to add in here that we had very few health issues with Gavin on this trip. It is as though he was normal most of the time other than a few stops at first aide to take care of some of his needs. I honestly believe the last surgery he had in the beginning of November was the answer to prayers. I know he still has a long road ahead of him but he was able to enjoy this trip and that was my short term goal. His strength is just over whelming. Here is Gavin just after getting checked in at Pop.
That brings us to the next important bits of information
When did we go you ask? Go ahead ask! We left PA in the evening of Nov 28th and we returned Dec 15th. That whole time was not all Disney. We drove ½ way and visited Jon parents while he slept the day away and then traveled the rest of the way. We checked into Pop century (and I can still smell those chocolate chip cookies) or Nov 30th. What an amazing day that was!!!! We were originally planning on checking out on Dec 10th.. But that changed. Youll have to stick with me to find out how this change comes about! After leaving Disney we would return to NC and spend a few days with Jons parents, celebrating Christmas with them. Then return with only 10 days to throw together Christmas here! The kids present this year was to be there trip and a FEW things from Disney. Well, I am the perputal shopper and started Christmas shopping right after Christmas last year so it was a huge Christmas.. But didnt cost us too much! LOL
So, there you have it. The whole clan on their very first trip to Disney World. You all should stick with us. There were tons and tons of great times, a few melt downs (even by mommy) and a few bad things but overall this was a dream vacation for the four of us.
I really need to get this disclaimer out before I go any farther. Please forgive my bad spelling and grammar. Yes, I am college educated but with 2 little munchkins, it sometimes sucks the brain power right out of me!
So without further ado the cast of characters (yes, I am stealing most of this part from my PTR!) BTW, in case you wish to follow the planning, my PTR can be found at Surprise... It's Someday!!
First, there is me! I am Tammy. Just turned 21, with 14 years experience, this past birthday! (Doesn't that sound so much better than turning 35? Why is it so hard to say 35???? :LOL ) I have the best job in the world...no the real world! I am a stay home mom to 2 fabulous characters you will soon meet. I am a loving wife to another member of our cast of characters! In my free time (what's that?) I love to scrapbook and of course plan my Disney dream vacation. Right now I am so sad that there is no ticker on here but you will hear all about that soon enough. I have truly been bitten by the Disney bug!!!
Next cast member...
My amazing husband, Jon. Jon is also 35, although most days he doesn't act his age... but who does? Especially at Disney!! My loving husband works 2 jobs so that I can stay home and be with the kids. He is the best hubby and daddy in the world-- I took a vote on that and he won! He has no free time--EVER! What time he gets, when he isn't working, he either spends with the kids or tries to sleep. He tries to catch up on sleep once every 6 months or so, whither he needs it or not! He was in need of this vacation as much as the rest of us if not more. He really does work his hiney off. There isnt anything he wont do for his family. He is the bigger one in the picture! LOL
Next member of the cast...
I have the most amazing daughter, Brenda. Brenda is a very active 4 year old (will be 5 on the 17th of this month)...and that is putting it mildly! What 4 year old isn't overly active though? She is the most amazing little girl... very caring and loving. She has been very understanding because she has had to, a few times, take a backseat to what brother needs. (Which i'll get to in the next cast member's story) Even through it all she remains loving and just overall amazing! She showed how amazing she is several times in Disney! She is the kind of little girl I hope my mom thought I was amazing! I know I use that word a lot to describe her but most who meet her would agree unless you get her on a bad day and those do happen! Here Brenda is having fun at Chef Mickeys on our first night!
The last member of our cast of Characters...
Is my awesome (only cause I cant use amazing anymore :LOL) DS, Gavin. Gavin is 3. Gavin is one of the most amazing boys ever!
I am going to put on my serious hat so I can tell you a little about Gavin. He was born with Hirschsprung's Disease. It was immediately apparent and severe, At less than a week old Gavin had a very long and difficult surgery to remove between 2/3 and 3/4 of his total intestine. He was left with just enough to not need a colostomy for the rest of his life. we assumed this would be the only medical issue but the Hirschsprung's Disease had effects on most of his digestive system. There were many time we didn't think he would make it and were told to make the best for him. We have faced losing him more times than any parent should have to but he always seems to bounce back His most recent surgery (8 in the last 38 months) was this past November... 3 weeks before leaving for Disney. I won't go into detail but it has made a great improvement on his life. We will continue to have the same surgery every 3-4 months for the next 2-3 years but at least it is helping. When we originally thought about the WDW trip we knew the first step would be to get the approval of Gavin's team of Drs. Their response was "YES! You should do this!" One dr went so far as to tell us "You should make as many good memories with Gavin while you can". That is a sentence that sticks with you and always taints what you do. Its kinda become my motto in life...not just with Gavin but with everyone important to me....make as many memories as you can. Of course, we took all of Gavin's meds, supplies and records with us, but as of lately I have been a lot less fearful about if this is best for Gavin. He has been doing so much better since his last surgery in the beginning of November. He reminds me that miracles happen everyday.
The other thing I should tell you is Gavin has above average intelligence. The drs believe this is most likely due to overcompensating for what his body hasn't been able to do. His mind has constantly been going, even when all his body could do was lie there. I also spent many hours just reading and talking with him...as has Brenda. One example of how smart he is (I know all parents say it but drs have confirmed it with Gavin) he has been speaking COMPLETE sentences since about 16-18 months. He can count to 27 and knows all his letters. BUT he only does things when he wants to do them. He is very stubborn! Must get that from Jon 'cause I'm not stubborn! NO I AM NOT!!! Taking of my serious hat now and tossing it to the corner...you won't see that too often, I hope! I also want to add in here that we had very few health issues with Gavin on this trip. It is as though he was normal most of the time other than a few stops at first aide to take care of some of his needs. I honestly believe the last surgery he had in the beginning of November was the answer to prayers. I know he still has a long road ahead of him but he was able to enjoy this trip and that was my short term goal. His strength is just over whelming. Here is Gavin just after getting checked in at Pop.
That brings us to the next important bits of information
When did we go you ask? Go ahead ask! We left PA in the evening of Nov 28th and we returned Dec 15th. That whole time was not all Disney. We drove ½ way and visited Jon parents while he slept the day away and then traveled the rest of the way. We checked into Pop century (and I can still smell those chocolate chip cookies) or Nov 30th. What an amazing day that was!!!! We were originally planning on checking out on Dec 10th.. But that changed. Youll have to stick with me to find out how this change comes about! After leaving Disney we would return to NC and spend a few days with Jons parents, celebrating Christmas with them. Then return with only 10 days to throw together Christmas here! The kids present this year was to be there trip and a FEW things from Disney. Well, I am the perputal shopper and started Christmas shopping right after Christmas last year so it was a huge Christmas.. But didnt cost us too much! LOL
So, there you have it. The whole clan on their very first trip to Disney World. You all should stick with us. There were tons and tons of great times, a few melt downs (even by mommy) and a few bad things but overall this was a dream vacation for the four of us.