One became SEVEN?!? How did THAT happen? 4/24 UPDATE

[lovethattink]

Judy, I'm on my phone so ignore any typos. Glad you contacted Disney about the DAS. You know we go to parks frequently. We have had good experiences and bad. My advice us to nip it in the bud add the bad occur. I've left steaming several times. If it's not brought to their attention, they don't know about it. Be prepared for longer waits at rides like jungle cruise, voyage if little mermaid, peter pan, tsm, etc where w/c wait in separate lines to board. Disney encourages using fp and das. We've learned that alternating helps. When waits are 15 or less, they have been giving das holders entry to the fp line. It's not easy, it requires extra planning and work. But it can work.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Judy and Tracy, so sorry that I wasn't on the Dis before or during the holidays. I had my little chickadees all under one roof for a whole week...all through Christmas and even my birthday!

Tracy, that sweet little nephew of your's is getting bigger every time you post a picture. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve and break those worrisome habits.

Judy, Lisa's kindness never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Your children are so wonderful which is a true testament to how you and Pete raised them.

Ya'll's trip is getting closer and closer! Get to packing ya'll!

 

[momabaarjo]

Wising and praying for nothing but the best experience for Lisa and your family on your trip! You all need a little magic and a break right now! I hope the GAC works right for you!

 

[kaoden39]

Hi Judy,

Yes, I did get a chance to watch the videos. You have such talented children. I hope your appointments go well. I am not real organized. We leave on Sunday for our trip and I haven't even got anything ready for the trip. I have thought about what I am taking. Not that I have that much but I am in the thinking process.


Thoughts and prayers to all.

 

[DisNorth]

The chubby cheeks are very cute. He's just a little cutie all together!! Yes the older siblings do like to find things to poke at on their younger siblings. That's good his older brother has gotten to see him also. Yeah that would be scary even if he does come out of it quickly. Mine always fell asleep part way through feedings so they always told me to strip them down to just a diaper. Jeremy was the worse though because he had jaundice really bad and had to go under an UV light blanket and that could dehydrate him so I was constantly having to feed him.

I knew about the terrible 2's but with James they've continued right on into the terrible 3's!! My other 2 didn't do this to me.

Thanks! I couldn't be happier with how things are going.

AHHHHHHH!! Such a cutie!!

Yes, I love how Emile's cheeks have gotten so chubby. It is nice that siblings are allowed short visits in NICU. That's an interesting tip - I could see how being cold and naked would help from falling asleep!

My mom says terrible twos, trying threes.

Hi Tracy, Answered your PM. Only 2 more weeks before your trip with Judy and her family! Hope Judy and the family are getting ready to join you and that Judy and Lisa are getting the rest they need to be well enough to enjoy all the fun you'll have together.

Love seeing the pictures of you with Emile. He is getting so big. Hopefully he'll out grow the falling asleep while eating phase and become more active and alert. Scary about his heart stopping too. Praying for the little guy to keep improving and be able to go home soon!


Hi Judy, Hope you are feeling better and started packing for the trip. Praying for nice weather so that you can enjoy your time at Orlando with Tracy.

Keeping your family and everyone on your PTR in prayer that you will all have a great time with family and friends and be safe during the New Years eve and day celebrations!

Thanks Gail. I can't believe how time is flying!
Emile heart doesn't stop, the sensor go off when his heart rate gets below 100 and then we got to poke him and he will remember that he needs to breath.
Hope you have a great New Years even and day also!

Tracy, love the two pictures of you holding Emile. How sweet!

I'm so far behind on all my subscriptions. I've only read the most current page. Sorry for missing the rest.

ETA: I never did get to sending out Christmas cards this year. Next year I'll have to start in October!!

Thanks Tink! Hope you are having a good holiday season.
Christmas did seem to sneak up this year. My cousin just gave me a Christmas card yesterday - it never made it in the mail even thought she had the address on it and everything

Cute baby and auntie doesn't look horrid either, just looks like someone spoiling a little munchkin to me

Thanks!

Tracey...love the cuddling time! Precious!

Thanks, I enjoy the cuddling time

Emile is just the sweetest!

 

[DisNorth]

Just a little trip update...Disney Guest Services called me yesterday...I love getting a call from WDW, it just seems so magical! They called because I had written a letter several weeks ago, inquiring about the DAS, I am quite worried about both Lisa and David with the changes to the GAC...and myself. I realize most of you have no idea I have a health problem that a disability assistance card can help...but I do, ‘nuff said.

She began her spiel with the canned response that has been coming out of Disney...fast pass plus (we don’t qualify staying off property), a GAC was never intended to bypass lines (I assured her I knew that, that didn’t even happen on Lisa’s Make a Wish trip, except at Universal...they were aces! She did NOT like hearing that!), and SO much more! It was frustrating. Next she was rapturing on about smart phones and the my Disney app. I stopped her and asked her if she had even read my lengthy letter of HOW to make it all work with what she just said. I also asked her if she was going to give me a smartphone to use, since my money went to pay for medical bills, not fun little toys. She stopped for a minute, and seemed to read my letter and it was an entirely DIFFERENT conversation. I am not going to tell exactly what she said to me here; but I WILL say she acknowledged Disney knows the new DAS is not perfect and even though it was being used, it was in its infancy and they DEFINITELY wanted guest feedback on how it worked, what was good and what wasn’t I assured her on my return I would give a detailed accounting of how it worked and that we were going at a lower crowd time because we had enough trouble touring the parks before, I could only imagine how it would work now.

She gave me some tricks and pointers that to be honest sounded like we would be cheating the system, NOT what we want to do...by the end of the 35 minute conversation, she had me convinced what she said was okay to do and even encouraged by Disney. She seemed sincere in her desire to want to help us have a less stressful experience...again being honest, we have had some of the most magical times at Disney and some of the most UN-magical times at Disney. This was when it was supposed to be “easy” even on Lisa’s Make a Wish trip! We don’t even do AK because the terrain is so horrible in many places for a wheelchair.

I have been blessed to go to Disney 3 times in the past three years...there have been challenges on each trip and we only spend 1 or 2 days at the park. This trip isn’t any different in that regard, for us, Disney is a luxury we can’t/don’t afford often. Before Lisa’s Make a Wish trip in 2011, the only travel we had done for the prior four years was back and forth to Philadelphia to CHOP for Lisa’s cardiac issues and for Pete’s brain lesions (both at John’s Hopkins and in Pennsylvania). With Lisa’s latest health needs I have NO idea when we will get away again. Of course, had it not been for Pete’s brother or for Tracy, these last trips would NOT have happened! I hope you all know me well enough to know I am not the type to “work” the system. That is exactly what my new friend said yesterday, she said there was a difference in my email/questions/tone/demeanor that is different than those trying to work the system. I was glad she could tell I just wanted to make sure it went as smoothly as possible, because when it goes wrong, it is miserable...been there, done that. And when it goes right, it is magical!

Lisa and I are still having our not well times. We both have MD appts today. Gail, I am so far from packing it isn’t even funny. Poor Tracy has had to put up with a lack of responses from me AND has no idea even if she is ready to fly out with all she need(she is leaving directly from her sisters for Florida)...but she DOES have her bathing suit!! That is more than I have at this point.

How do I say Thank You to those of you who are still here reading, praying and supporting us? It seems so lame, but I AM thankful/grateful. I DO read your notes and it IS special when you include us, even though I have been a bad DISer. Lisa has needed her Mama very much since Thanksgiving and many days of 24/7 care have taken its toll on me. I need a little downtime and the only way to really ensure that happens is to leave home...Tracy and her generosity was JUST what this family needed, God’s timing is always perfect! Thank you Tracy!!!

JUDY! Glad that someone called you back and she actually stopped and gave you some real tips!
I am sorry to hear you and Lisa are still not feeling well.
I just need a bathing suit but you need to make sure everyone has their bathing suit, and pills and other medical stuff so I'm not envious of how much you have to do before you leave, Judy

I am glad you will be getting some downtown in Florida!
Wasn't much generously on my part just my thought process. Remembers last trip and how fun it was -->Wants to go to Florida again --> Remembers highlight from last trip was your family. ---> Wishes could go at same time and see each other more than one meal --> Figures out how to make it happen. So, you see purely selfish

It's wonderful to see how big Emile is getting Tracy. I hope he starts eating on his own. I think babies find it so easy on a feeding tube and sucking is more work so they don't like to do it. And I imagine it's really hard to start bottles when you're a couple months old. Judy I'm praying you are all better in time for your trip. I know you plan to relax and swim at your house and that will be so great. My grandkids love Disney but they were so happy to spend more time last Jan. swimming at ours as it was so warm most days. I hope you have the weather we had so you can really enjoy that pool and just have fun. I know Disney is cracking down on cheaters and I think that's great, but I'm glad she understood that's not what you are. We had annual passes this year as we were going twice and it gets you free parking. They never once asked for ID in Jan. but they asked us every time in Nov. I guess that had been easy for people to give to someone else, and parking has now gone up to $15 so it adds up. We figured we saved almost $400 over the 2 trips!

You are right, the feeding tube is so much easier and because he wasn't suppose to be out in the world eating yet he just wants to sleep.

I hope it will be warm enough for Judy to swim because if it's above freezing it will be warm enough for me ok, maybe I exsagerate.

Judy and Tracy, so sorry that I wasn't on the Dis before or during the holidays. I had my little chickadees all under one roof for a whole week...all through Christmas and even my birthday!

Tracy, that sweet little nephew of your's is getting bigger every time you post a picture. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve and break those worrisome habits.

Judy, Lisa's kindness never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Your children are so wonderful which is a true testament to how you and Pete raised them.

Ya'll's trip is getting closer and closer! Get to packing ya'll!

Glad you had everyone home for Christmas and your birthday, how fun!

 

[DisNorth]

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year!!! Hope you have safe celebrations to ring in the New Year and that year will be full of blessings.

I probably won't be around for a few days. I have tradition (last 3 years, anyways) of me and my mom picking up my nieces (younger sisters kids) and taking them for New Years. We will go pick them up tomorrow and then we have 2 nights booked at the hotel in the mall (largest mall in Canada), It gives us lots of fun things to do - New Years Eve we go to the party at the water park.

 

[McDuck]

I am so glad to see good news about Emile and very glad Judy that you got good advice on utilizing the DAS. Praying for you all and I hope this trip is full of magic.

I haven't updated much. We had a really good Christmas and are still visiting family. I got sidelined from my running with a "stress reaction". Bought shoes online that were the same model as the shoes I loved from the January Half. Unfortunately they changed something about the way the shoes are made and/or my feet have changed. They felt like rocks but I persisted in wearing/using them thinking I misremembered the firmness. I also had some
other circumstances I won't bore you all with bit the end result was bad pain, a trip to the orthopedist (with normal xrays) and then another week and a half before starting to walk normal again. Got the greenlight to resume running before Christmas but need to get fitted for running shoes tomorrow. 5 weeks off and 7 weeks to go til the race. I am nervous! lol Oh and good news. Looks like Bill running with us is not, in fact, endangered.

I hope to get a chance to watch the videos soon!

Lots of love and prayers!

 

[kaoden39]

Hi friends,

I came to ask that you pray for my neighbor. Her 33 year old son was found dead in his bed this morning. Right now his 7 year old is on my couch playing video games on my DS and watching cartoons. He asked me if his dad is okay. I told him that I couldn't say. I had no clue what to say. I am so sad. He and my nephew were really good friends when they were younger. His mom Linda and I are friends. I have no clue what to say to her. Please pray for his family.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hi friends,

I came to ask that you pray for my neighbor. Her 33 year old son was found dead in his bed this morning. Right now his 7 year old is on my couch playing video games on my DS and watching cartoons. He asked me if his dad is okay. I told him that I couldn't say. I had no clue what to say. I am so sad. He and my nephew were really good friends when they were younger. His mom Linda and I are friends. I have no clue what to say to her. Please pray for his family.

Oh that's horrible! I will definitely be praying for his family! Praying for strength for you as well as you help the family deal with the situation.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh that's horrible! I will definitely be praying for his family! Praying for strength for you as well as you help the family deal with the situation.

Thank you.

 

[KatMark]

Tracy, Emile is beautiful.

Judy, I'm sorry you and Lisa are still under the weather...hoping you feel better soon.

Hi friends,

I came to ask that you pray for my neighbor. Her 33 year old son was found dead in his bed this morning. Right now his 7 year old is on my couch playing video games on my DS and watching cartoons. He asked me if his dad is okay. I told him that I couldn't say. I had no clue what to say. I am so sad. He and my nephew were really good friends when they were younger. His mom Linda and I are friends. I have no clue what to say to her. Please pray for his family.

Oh my...I can't even imagine. My prayers are being sent.

 

[kaoden39]

Tracy, Emile is beautiful.

Judy, I'm sorry you and Lisa are still under the weather...hoping you feel better soon.



Oh my...I can't even imagine. My prayers are being sent.

Thank you. I can't imagine it either. I am thanking God that we are back in our house.

 

[happybelle]

Judy, I hope the DAS works for you. I have read mixed reviews; however, I know you will speak up for your family if you need to. I am sorry you have health needs as well, that must be rough.

Tracy, have a wonderful time with your nieces. Happy New Year.

 

[scdak]

Hi friends,

I came to ask that you pray for my neighbor. Her 33 year old son was found dead in his bed this morning. Right now his 7 year old is on my couch playing video games on my DS and watching cartoons. He asked me if his dad is okay. I told him that I couldn't say. I had no clue what to say. I am so sad. He and my nephew were really good friends when they were younger. His mom Linda and I are friends. I have no clue what to say to her. Please pray for his family.

What a tragedy, prayers to his family and you too.

 

[happybelle]

Back to Happy, Happy Happy.

Judy, I showed some friends Christian, Rachel and Lisa's videos. They were impressed.

Tracy, would they let Emile go home on a feeding tube? Or would that be bad?

 

[kaoden39]

What a tragedy, prayers to his family and you too.

Thank you!

 

[DisNorth]

Hi friends,

I came to ask that you pray for my neighbor. Her 33 year old son was found dead in his bed this morning. Right now his 7 year old is on my couch playing video games on my DS and watching cartoons. He asked me if his dad is okay. I told him that I couldn't say. I had no clue what to say. I am so sad. He and my nephew were really good friends when they were younger. His mom Linda and I are friends. I have no clue what to say to her. Please pray for his family.

Praying.
So sad, that poor boy. hugs to you.

 

[kaoden39]

Praying.
So sad, that poor boy. hugs to you.

Thank you.

 

[blessedmom4]

Michele, I am TRULY sorry, how horrible for everyone involved, especially that sweet child. I know your trip is close, it can't get here soon enough.

Gail, I am going to try and call you back tomorrow, I was quite ill when I got home tonight. Got your letter today, we all loved it and the pics!

Tracy, safe travels my friend, have a great time with the babes and Mom!

To each and every one of you, THANK YOU for supporting us and each other. We have quite a little prayer group going on, everyone who reads here KNOWS it is encouraged to ask for prayer. Always!

Good night all!