Looking For Control Freaks & Worry Warts too (Part 2)

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Thanks for Amanda's birthday wishes!
Here are just a few pix:
for both Amanda and Lauren's birthdays, I take all these pix and never have one with me in them!

First - I agree, Lauren just looks so sweet. It is going to be tough for me to side with you when you have "those" mad moments with her!

Second - You are such a good mommy too! Look at Sweet Amanda (who is such a cutie!)- with her matching headband, nails, happy birthday button, and shirt (or at least it looks that way in the pic)! I love that you even make the small stuff special! One heck of a mom you are there Missy! Kinda bumping off Kara's comment, I have always believe that special kids get special parents. God looks for the best of the best to take care of his most special little ones- and that is what you are!

Third- YOU HAVE to get in those pictures more. You really HAVE to remember. It is important for your girls for you to do it! I'm guilty of it for other reasons (I always say, I'll wait until I'm thin). Recently, I decided to stop it and my son loves looking at all the pics of us.

Saturday, July 5th, 2008, 10:37am....... I saw taillights and it was a beautiful sight!

Renee - seriously, email me pics of your bonus room. I love playing around with stuff like that! We did our bonus room at our old house and it was great! It was a combo workout room, family room and worked out nicely.

Renee - I think I'm beginning to understand the machine you bought. So you can layer the cutouts to basically make it 3D? I make take you up on that!

first - tail lights - love it!!!!

Second - I just may do that!

Third - Yep, exactly. I won the Happily ever after. One that made me think of you is Chip and Dale. It will layer and do 3D, or I can do letters inside things, tags, boxes, all kinds of cool little features. The best is it can do size 1 inch to 5.5 inches, so definately, take me up on it anytime! Seriously!

I say give it a try and see if it works. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

I think I am going to do 1/2 one day, whole the next for a couple of weeks and see how that does, then go to 1/2 and then maybe nothing. I"m wondering if now that I'm not nursing if my hormones have shifted that much. Anyway, thanks so much for your help.

So here we have Carlos teaching Nicolas "earmuffs" MEN! How about you just don't watch the Old School with the kids in the room?????? I'm off to rip him a new one.

 

[Camster0307]

cammie- My Best friend is amanda panda bear. I love love love it. It looks like Amanda loved that mickey mouse you can just see it in her eyes. That Lauren amazes me. She is just so good to her sister. You must be so very proud.


Kara - he looked at the community website. He and my parents are in love with it. I told him about your golf cart and he is sold. He has been looking into becoming a flight Paramedic aso we will see what happens.

Yeah - that Lauren is a good sister! I'm very lucky!

And - are you seriously thinking of moving to Florida? Part of me would love to; but after experiencing the heat two weeks ago, I don't know how we would survive. Although, I will say I met a few transplanted Northerners and they say they love it down there!

Cammie - love the pics of Amanda - Jillian is so right, you can tell how protective and loving Lauren is with her. She's such a good girl! Ally was looking over my shoulder at the pics and she had a lot of questions about Amanda. It's so hard to explain to a 7 year old cause then the question comes up, "Why did God make her that way?" Now how do you answer that??? I explained to her that she is a special girl and God gave her extra special parents and an extra sweet sister. So she's extra loved. She seemed to accept that. It's so tough for kids to understand if they've never been exposed to it.

That "why would God do that" question gets you every time! Having to explain why anything bad happens is hard for a 7yr. old. I've just always said that the world is made up of different people that can do different things; just because some people can't walk or talk, doesn't mean they're not happy like the rest of us; they experience happiness is a different way! At least that's what I like to think!

First - I agree, Lauren just looks so sweet. It is going to be tough for me to side with you when you have "those" mad moments with her!

Oh great! Now you're always going to take HER side!

Second - You are such a good mommy too! Look at Sweet Amanda (who is such a cutie!)- with her matching headband, nails, happy birthday button, and shirt (or at least it looks that way in the pic)! I love that you even make the small stuff special! One heck of a mom you are there Missy! Kinda bumping off Kara's comment, I have always believe that special kids get special parents. God looks for the best of the best to take care of his most special little ones- and that is what you are!

Well, I AM a control freak - got to match from head to toe, don't you know? At least THIS daughter of mine doesn't give me a hard time about her wardrobe!

Third- YOU HAVE to get in those pictures more. You really HAVE to remember. It is important for your girls for you to do it! I'm guilty of it for other reasons (I always say, I'll wait until I'm thin). Recently, I decided to stop it and my son loves looking at all the pics of us.

I know! I could kick myself!

first - tail lights - love it!!!!

Second - I just may do that!

Third - Yep, exactly. I won the Happily ever after. One that made me think of you is Chip and Dale. It will layer and do 3D, or I can do letters inside things, tags, boxes, all kinds of cool little features. The best is it can do size 1 inch to 5.5 inches, so definately, take me up on it anytime! Seriously!

I'm still slightly confused about all this. I did click on one of the links you posted the other day, but didn't have time to investigate it fully. I'll have to go back and check it out. If you're an expert in this area, I may ask for help!

I think I am going to do 1/2 one day, whole the next for a couple of weeks and see how that does, then go to 1/2 and then maybe nothing. I"m wondering if now that I'm not nursing if my hormones have shifted that much. Anyway, thanks so much for your help.

Ok, I think I missed this discussion while I was away, because I have NO IDEA what the two of you are talking about! 1/2 of what?!

So here we have Carlos teaching Nicolas "earmuffs" MEN! How about you just don't watch the Old School with the kids in the room?????? I'm off to rip him a new one.

Oh no he didn't!!!! Good lord, you don't want Nicholas picking up any one-liners from that movie!

Ok, so with all these good vibe feelings for Lauren, maybe you all won't think I'm so crazy to be planning our next mother/daughter trip! I want to make this an annual thing. I've got the AP, but they'll expire by 6/22/09; which means if I wait until end of school next year, I won't be able to use those passes. Sooooooo -- I'm thinking of going over Feb.break; same amount of days - Sunday thru Friday. DVC would take care of the room; park entry is taken care of with the APs; the only thing is the airfare -- and it's pretty scary - @$700 per ticket!!!! SW and JB aren't out yet; and who knows what the prices will be like in the fall? Worse or.....better? The more I think about it, though, the more I want to do it. She'll be 13 on March 5th; Feb. break is two weeks before that - she'd LOVE to celebrate her birthday there!!! I'm calling DVC tomorrow to see if there is a studio available at the BW; if not, I'll have to wait until the 7-month mark to check the other DVCs.

I know - I have a problem. I feel like an addict trying to justify her addiction. Do you think I need an intervention?

 

[CRdisMom]

no if you need an intervention then we are all doomed!

Tim stayed at the lake with the girls an extra night. I am trying to get the photos published in a book. Only 2 months behind. not bad

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi you guys! My trip was fun - thanks for asking! It was a little disappointing that Myles was suddenly afraid of everything unfamiliar. Not sure why this is happening, but he IS 3 1/2. I think his daddy went through something similar at the age of 4 - so we can probably just get through this. We found lots of things for him to explore, climb on, and get wet with to make his time fun. I did start posting in my TR today.

Cammie, thanks for sharing the birthday pics of Amanda! I can see you are a really good mom - she's very well cared for and loved You can really see she is enjoying that Mickey!

Renee and Jillian, I know of someone here who used natural hormone balance and was able to cut out most of their thyroid medication. I am always on the soap box about natural remedies and natural products, you know.

I have a crazy busy week coming up - I'll check in when I can!

 

[Camster0307]

Good morning all!

Oh my lord - I'm feeling such a rush right now! (yes, I am an addict!) I just got off the phone with DVC member services. I secured a studio at the BWV for the nights of 2/18 & 19 - went on the waitlist for the first three nights I'd need - 2/15-17th. My 7 month booking window for the other DVC resorts opens up on 7/15. I'm pretty confident I'll be able to book something at one of those for the first three nights. So, worse-case scenerio, we'd be at one resort for our first three nights; then switch to the BW for our last two. (& can stay on the waitlist if I just want to be at BW for the whole week!) I don't like switching resorts when I have Amanda because it's just too much stuff to move; but with just me and Lauren - easy-peasy!

I was a little hesitant booking this at first because I thought I was "borrowing" vacation pts. from my next use year - when you borrow, if you cancel, you lose the pts. But the CM reminded me that I'm booking in '09, so I'm NOT borrowing. If I need to cancel (like because I can't afford airfare), the pts. go back into my acct. and I can use them for our Nov.09 trip! Whew! I know I'm rambling right now; but the thought of being able to celebrate Lauren's 13th birthday at Disney is getting me really psyched! She's going to flip! This past trip, some of the restaurants recognized my birthday and she was soooo jealous - didn't think she'd be able to be at Disney around her birthday. I'm so glad I thought of this! Now, I guess I have to start playing the "watching airfares" game. Kara - what was that website you had recommended that emails you when fares drop?

Anyway -- on to other business......

Tammie - Glad to hear you had a great trip! I've subscribed to your TR; anxiouisly awaiting photos!

Hope everyone has a good day. Will check back in later!

 

[CRdisMom]

cammie I used Kayak.com when I was watching flights for this last trip. It pulls from several search engines. I am so excited that she will have another special trip with mom. I am begining to see the importance of special alone time with the girls. Beth went shopping with me to the store Sat and she just beamed when we got home. I can only imagine if I took her to Disney by herself.

I am trying a new photo website picaboo. I got a coupon for a free album. Not sure what I think yet. I am enjoying my quiet morning without the crew around. Hopefully I will get it finished before they get back.

 

[Camster0307]

Thanks, Laura! Kayak.com was the one I was thinking of!

Hope you're enjoying your alone time! And, I HIGHLY recommend "Mom & Me" trips!

Honestly, I wouldn't be able to do this if not for the DVC. Thank god we bought into this when we did - (and when the ex was making good money!) Also, during my trips w/ Lauren, I only stay Sun-Thurs. nites - you use so many LESS pts. staying during the week; leaves me enough pts. to still take our family trip for a week later in the year!

 

[TinaLala]

The flights are so expensive! It's what turned us off from going in August. Trust me I tried all week long to get a cheap flight for 4th of July. I know Disney is crazy down there, but boy did I really want to go.

Dh and I have made a pack that we won't go again until August 2010. That means I can't look at the site until mid year 2009. Hopefully I can stay busy until then.


Cammie - It looks like Amanda PandaBear had a wonderful birthday! I love panda's! They are so beautiful! We celebrate birthdays the entire month, so besure to send her some pandabear kisses from us!!

Tammie - I'm sure you're sad your back, but we can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[karajeboo]

Cammie - I use travelocity's fare watcher service. I'm sure it's the same thing but I get email notices when the fares I'm looking for either drop by $25 or drop below a certain price (you can set the price).

Still laying around feeling awful! Ya know, Jeff and I have been sitting around since our friends left and we said that we are DONE with having obnoxious house guests!!! In fact, after this trip and all the destruction, I'm still so mad at these friends. She was such a witch the whole time and it really made me mad this time (even though I know this about her!). And she's always so all about "keeping up with the Jones's" so for her to allow some of the destruction of our house, I can only imagine what she would have said if someone had done this to HER house!

I'm watching Fox news now and they just showed a clip of a man who was bitten by a poisonous snake at a WalMart in Florida!!!! It was a pygmy rattlesnake and it's one of 6 poisonous snakes in Florida. Nice.

Renee - I got your pics and I'm going to come up with some ideas. The ceiling is just like our old bonus room so I understad the challenges!

OK, off to get more work done. Ally didn't wake up until 9am today so we were late getting her to camp! and of course that made me late getting logged in at work.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Good morning everyone! I slept in today as I have a meeting out of town that will get me home at 11pm tonight. We're going to learn about Hollywood makeovers so it should be fun! I'd better get up and get moving! Talk to you tomorrow! Kara, stay inside!!!!!!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

SW and JB aren't out yet; and who knows what the prices will be like in the fall? ?

I feel like a brat telling you we often get Dings to Orlando for $50-70 $$.

Hi you guys! My trip was fun - I did start posting in my TR today.I have a crazy busy week coming up - I'll check in when I can!

Good morning all!

Oh my lord - I'm feeling such a rush right now! (yes, I am an addict!) I just got off the phone with DVC member services. I secured a studio at the BWV for the nights of 2/18 & 19 - went on the waitlist for the first three nights I'd need - 2/15-17th. My 7 month booking window for the other DVC resorts opens up on 7/15. I'm pretty confident I'll be able to book something at one of those for the first three nights. So, worse-case scenerio, we'd be at one resort for our first three nights; then switch to the BW for our last two. (& can stay on the waitlist if I just want to be at BW for the whole week!) I don't like switching resorts when I have Amanda because it's just too much stuff to move; but with just me and Lauren - easy-peasy!

I was a little hesitant booking this at first because I thought I was "borrowing" vacation pts. from my next use year - when you borrow, if you cancel, you lose the pts. But the CM reminded me that I'm booking in '09, so I'm NOT borrowing. If I need to cancel (like because I can't afford airfare), the pts. go back into my acct. and I can use them for our Nov.09 trip! Whew! I know I'm rambling right now; but the thought of being able to celebrate Lauren's 13th birthday at Disney is getting me really psyched! She's going to flip! This past trip, some of the restaurants recognized my birthday and she was soooo jealous - didn't think she'd be able to be at Disney around her birthday. I'm so glad I thought of this! Now, I guess I have to start playing the "watching airfares" game. Kara - what was that website you had recommended that emails you when fares drop?

Anyway -- on to other business......

I think an annual trip will be fantastic. I know you guys love going with Amanda, but I can totally see the advantage of a week with just Lauren and trying to do some of the things that you can't do on your annual family trip. Lauren needs her mom too and that time to do pedis, pool, ride rides together that you can't do with Amanda - well, I think that is important. Just make sure to get her the Birthday Button!!!! There will be lots of cupcakes - even for breakfast!!! Now, on the funny side - SHHHH - they'll have blue icing, so you can photo a blue toothed Lauren!

Still laying around feeling awful!
one of 6 poisonous snakes in Florida. Nice.

Renee - I got your pics and I'm going to come up with some ideas. .

Hope you feel better soon! And the snakes I WILL NOT MOVE TO ORLANDO Carlos is very upset I've been talking to you! I say better now than turning around and repacking because I see a scorpion (my deal breaker). He thinks the proximity to the ocean would outway it if I was there. These days, I dunno. After hearing about all the FL critters -

SO My latest thought is do I REALLY NEED to stay at the Poly knowing it will cost 3x as much. Do I just buy a Maclaren stroller for Mia that reclines and is easy for the bus/car (spurred by the need for a small stroller during Nicolas' swim lesson) or do I just use our Graco Duo Glider (which reclines nicely and offers good basket and shade protection, but seriously would require Monorail resort only. I think we will need to rent a car regardless since we will be visiting family as well (and let me tell you, visiting inlaws makes me justify that POLY like you can't believe!!!! )

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Okay, so I need some help. After swim lessons today, I discovered I'm going to need a small stroller to keep Mia in so I can take Nicolas & her in a stall and change him into clothes. They do not allow you to go out of the pool area in a wet suit.

Here is my situation. We have a Graco Duo Glider, and a Joovy Sit and STand. Both are for two kids. Nicolas is now 4, so I'm thinking that i could justify a single since Mia would probably need it a few years after Nicolas is done with them (he weighs 52 lbs now, and I think they all max at 55).

I have coupons for Toys R us so basically I could get a $159 stroller for $113. I have been looking at two. One is a MacLaren with recline. It is a small umbrella that gets good reviews and reclines and has a basket and sun visor. The other is a Baby Trend Jogging stroller. The advantage of it would be air filled wheels and it has speakers - so maybe I'm thinking I could put her "night night" music in the IPOD and put a blanket over it to darken things up and her sleep in the stroller while at WDW The downside is it is large - 27 lbs I think.

Suggestions? I know Cammie once brought up why not rent at WDW. I know I sound like an overly worrying wart when I say this, but everything goes in Mia's mouth - everything. And at two years, they just didn't seem comfy to me. If it were just Nicolas, I would rent, but with her.... not so much.

I think I would take the Graco there if we go unless I take a cheapo umbrella for Nicolas and this whatever for Mia and let Carlos push one and me push the other. I don't know. I just know I need a single stroller to confine Mia by Wed or I'll be changing him in the rest room as she licks the toliet (and I'm not kidding)

 

[karajeboo]

All I know is that my SIL had a jogging stroller and it was like pushing air. Seriously. Awesome. And it actually folded up nicely too for the buses. Check out some of the threads comparing strollers, too.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

I stay on our little world here and I actually forget to look for other threads.... DUH. I'll see if I can find a stroller one... THANKS KARA!

I actually added a third consideration... Graco Metrolite. Looks small. Great reviews, and it is cheaper too I think.

 

[Camster0307]

All I know is that my SIL had a jogging stroller and it was like pushing air. Seriously. Awesome. And it actually folded up nicely too for the buses. Check out some of the threads comparing strollers, too.

But what was it like folding it up for transport on the bus? That would be my only concern with bringing my own stroller.

As far as Mia putting everything in her mouth - are you afraid that the rented stroller may not be clean enough; because, no it probably won't be; but it's not like they're filthy either. You can bring wipes to wipe it down; but I never really worried about things like that. I've seen many a kid passed out in those things also so don't think you have to worry about comfort.

Have you ever watched the show "Jon & Kate plus 8"? They went to Disney w/their twins AND sextuplets - both parents were RAVING about the strollers - they thought they were very lightweight and easy to push.

 

[soontobewed07]

Renee- We have a Maclaren and I love it it is so easy to fold and push. The basket is a little small but it was great for getting around the world.

As you can see he slept really well in it. We got it off of ebay which saved us a TON of money!!!!!.

Have you seen this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-MX3-Cr...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Triump...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[CRdisMom]

The one thing that I will weigh in on is that the older they get the more they revert if a stroller is near. Beth is a great walker, except for days the legs are tired. She transformed into a nightmare once we got the umbrella stroller. It was a breeze to push and fold up for the bus however.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

But what was it like folding it up for transport on the bus? That would be my only concern with bringing my own stroller.I honestly think it would be easier than when I had Nicolas and the broken stroller by myself. It wouldn't close so I had to hold him and it on the buses - no fun. We still made due, but boy was I envious of that McLaren with the over the shoulder strap!

As far as Mia putting everything in her mouth - are you afraid that the rented stroller may not be clean enough; I'm not afraid to admit this - absolutely! And then I get freaked out about her licking things that I've cleaned off with wipe - I'm a piece of workbecause, no it probably won't be; but it's not like they're filthy either. You can bring wipes to wipe it down; but I never really worried about things like that. I've seen many a kid passed out in those things also so don't think you have to worry about comfort.Its a small bit of the comfort issue, but mostly just me being worried about germs/dirt I know, I'm nuts.

Have you ever watched the show "Jon & Kate plus 8"? They went to Disney w/their twins AND sextuplets - both parents were RAVING about the strollers - they thought they were very lightweight and easy to push.

YES! LOVE That show and that woman is a saint! I would need one on the to/from the park though... Too bad they don't rent them so you can use them at the resort!

Renee- We have a Maclaren and I love it it is so easy to fold and push. The basket is a little small but it was great for getting around the world.

As you can see he slept really well in it. We got it off of ebay which saved us a TON of money!!!!!.

Have you seen this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-MX3-Cr...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Triump...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Great deals! I think my coupon beats them though. I have $25 off, and then 15% off. So I can get the Quest for around $140, I think. The Graco Metrolite looks more comfy, but it goes only to 40 lbs - but Mia is small - she's only 18 lbs at 16 months! Everyone who has the Mc LOVES it

The one thing that I will weigh in on is that the older they get the more they revert if a stroller is near. Beth is a great walker, except for days the legs are tired. She transformed into a nightmare once we got the umbrella stroller. It was a breeze to push and fold up for the bus however.

I'm not sure I'm following you here... so you think it is best to stick with the sit/stand?

I don't know what to do now. I did find a thread that someone asked if they owned a Metrolite should they get a Mc. Some said yes, some said just keep what you have, but the Mc is better. I hate to say it, but sometimes I think people get caught up in the status thing, and I'm wondering if it is really "ALL THAT". I'm going to BRUs to get one tomorrow - or at least look at them.

Kara - you are right that people tell you they push like a dream... but....
And Cammie - you are right about the joggers. My BF told me that is what she had - and they push well, but you have issues turning left or right quickly (so much so that she grew to loath hers). She said only to get it if I was going to jog unless I wanted to get the $400 version. Needless to say, not so much.

Thanks everyone for indulging me on another quest. You guys rock!

 

[Camster0307]

I remember the days when AK HAD jogging strollers as their rentals. Very cool!

Jillian - Got to mention it every time -- that Badookie is such a MUSH! How are you not smooching that face all day long?

Laura - Let me know what you think of Picaboo. I was just reading a thread about the different photobooks out there. I've never had one made but I'm interested. I did have a calendar made at Shutterfly and was really impressed with the quality.

Question about the DisneyPhotoPass photobooks: am I understanding correctly that the more expensive one lets you use both your own pix AND photopass pix; the cheaper one is just for your own photos?

Ok - I'm off to do my next installment on my TR!

 

[soontobewed07]

Renee- I agree about a name is just a name ,but this time I really do love my maclaren. My aunt has the metrolite for her 40 lbs little man He is only 20 months old. She hates it. I have a graco quattro too and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am going to take that one with us this time since we will be in the park longer days and it lays flat. I am just afraid of going thru airport security it wont fit thru the Xray machine?

Cammie- I can't believe he is mine some days the drs. have told me I couldn't have children since I was 16. He is truely a miricle baby. I Give him hugs and kisses and squeezes everyday.

Cammie- Tabitha is very excited to meet Lauren and Amanda she thinks you pandabear is so adorable She just loves her mickey mouse.

Kara- have you had anytime to relax since your house guests left?