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

[DisNorth]

sorry I haven't been able to find much time to sneek on here.
Quick drive by with a photo

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and are having a relaxing holidays.

 

[reelmom]

Sweet picture. Emile is getting so big. Is he able to come home soon?

 

[DisNorth]

Yeah for baby snuggles!!!! Sounds like he is getting so big!! Can't wait to see more pictures of him.


Judy love the videos!!

From our family to everyone here Merry Christmas!!

Cute photos. Emile is getting big!

Tracy my dear sweet cohort in crime, I am so thankful you arrived safely and got to snuggle Emile. Thank you for your Christmas wishes. Three weeks from today our trip will be half over, I can't believe how quickly it is sneaking up on us!!

I hope you are felling all better, and Lisa also. Loved the videos and photos. I Can't believe how close our trip is getting. I packed in such a rush, I'm not sure if I am prepared, but I have a bathing suit, what more do I need, right?

Tracy, It's great to hear that Emile has gained more weight and you got to cuddle him. Sorry that he still wasn't ready to go home yet. He's getting closer though. Have a fun time with your family!

Thanks Gail, he is getting closer.

Tracy - I'm so glad you got some cuddles with Emile! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I'll keep praying for Emile's progress.

I hope everyone reading had a great Christmas. Santa was very good to me and I had a great meal with family! Next up is my 21st birthday on the 30th, and we can book our ADRs for our July trip next week, if you can believe it! Soon it will be January, which means it's the month of your trip!!!

Thanks Courtney, appreciate the prayers. He is progressing.
Glad you had a good Christmas!
It is almost January

They had a great Christmas!! I will admit my children are very well loved (spoiled). They woke up Christmas morning about 8 am and hearing their excited voices saying "Santa Came, Santa Came" made all the late nights wrapping presents and all the shopping I did (both online and in store) worth it!!

I also surprised my DH and that is hard to do at times. We've been going back and forth trying to come up with a name for the baby. He wanted to name the baby after him (so we'd have a Jr.) I've never wanted a Jr. but after lots of thought and knowing this is it I gave in. Every time we've found out what the baby is we've gone down to Build a Bear and picked out a bear and gave it the babies name. Well we hadn't done it for this one yet since we couldn't agree on a name. So I went and did it. That was the last gift that was opened (I had it hidden behind the tree). When he opened it and read the birth certificate for the bear he got tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe it!! So we are now going to have a Jeffrey Aaron Jr. Still not fully into it but I'm just glad to finally have the naming behind us.

I also had my check up today and everything is looking great!!! The baby is head down and perfectly fine in size. I did gain about a 1lb from my last appointment but she said that's perfectly fine because it means the baby is growing and I'm just holding steady with weight. She was also very happy that I've been able to keep my numbers under control and I also couldn't be happier about that. We're just taking it a day at a time right now so I'll keep you posted as things move forward. Next appointment January 10.

I also received a very sweet Christmas Card. Thank you for thinking of us. I never got mine done this year but may still try to get them out now that Christmas is over and I have a little bit extra time.

Glad you had a good Christmas, and how exiting that you have a name, I am sure it will grow on you. So happy to hear that everything is looking good for the baby!

Sweet picture. Emile is getting so big. Is he able to come home soon?

Thanks, he is getting big! He has to get so he takes his feeds orally. He is getting better, but just doesn't seem to have the energy to suck all the time. He sleeps and looks adorable. Once he is feeding on demand then they will do the car seat test. We are hoping it will be soon. His daddy is ready to unhook the monitors and run for it

 

[redomni]

Tracy, glad to hear that your nephew is continuing to improve, hopefully he will get to go home soon.

Judy, that was really sweet of Lisa to surprise you like that. I hope that ya'll had a nice relaxing Christmas and hope you get to continue to rest this weekend. Hopefully Lisa will continue to improve so that she can be well to fully enjoy ya'lls trip.

Thoughts and prayers to all that need them.

Marilyn

 

[ladylyons]

sorry I haven't been able to find much time to sneek on here.
Quick drive by with a photo

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and are having a relaxing holidays.

OMG!! He's so cute and getting to big!! I'm so happy he's growing and you were able to go see him and hold him! Will he maybe be home in time for New Year's? If not hopefully shortly after that.

Cute photos. Emile is getting big!


Glad you had a good Christmas, and how exiting that you have a name, I am sure it will grow on you. So happy to hear that everything is looking good for the baby!

Thanks!! The kids do enjoy taking pictures but sometimes I have issues with James. But I just have to keep reminding myself "he's 3, he'll grow out of that soon enough" (I HOPE!!)

It's already growing on me but now I'm having more fun coming up with a nickname for him. We'll having something in place I'm sure before he's born. Thank you! I couldn't be happier that things are moving forward and we're both doing good.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Judy I enjoyed the video's of your family singing! How very sweet of Lisa to give you that poem!

Tracey what a sweet sweet picture! Love those cuddles!

We have less then 3 months to go until we go to Disney!! I am so excited and I think everyone is getting tired of me talking about it lol I am very worried about the DAS and how that is going to go but I guess we will just have to hope for the best!

 

[emmysmommy]

Awww Tracy what an adorable photo with you and little Emile. Celebrating his first Christmas with his auntie!

Judy: What an awesome heart Lisa has with that special gift. You are truly blessed.

Love the kids with the Happy Birthday Jesus cake! Great way to remember the reason we celebrate.

I hope you are having a great weekend!

 

[khaleesi]

Oh my goodness... sending lots of prayers!! Friday the 13th was horrible all around this time from what I can tell. I hope you, Lisa, and Bandit are all feeling better.

And I love it when doctors tell you to avoid stress Duh.

Emile is getting so big!!! What a sweetie pie.

(((((((((((((( prayers ))))))))))))))))))

 

[DisNorth]

JUDY, hope you are better and having a good weekend!

Tracy, glad to hear that your nephew is continuing to improve, hopefully he will get to go home soon.
Marilyn

Thanks, I do hope he gets to come home soon too. I'm just not sure Emile is putting in the effort to come home. When I got to feed him today, I had to keep poking him to get him to take the bottle because he would suck twice then stop. He only ate half of what he is suppose to then completely went to sleep and had to get the rest down the feeding tube.

OMG!! He's so cute and getting to big!! I'm so happy he's growing and you were able to go see him and hold him! Will he maybe be home in time for New Year's? If not hopefully shortly after that.

Thanks!! The kids do enjoy taking pictures but sometimes I have issues with James. But I just have to keep reminding myself "he's 3, he'll grow out of that soon enough" (I HOPE!!)

It's already growing on me but now I'm having more fun coming up with a nickname for him. We'll having something in place I'm sure before he's born. Thank you! I couldn't be happier that things are moving forward and we're both doing good.

He is getting cute cubby cheeks, which already his brother likes to poke at. I really have no idea when Emile will get to come home. He needs to stop doing things like only taking half his bottle then falling asleep and forgetting to keep his heart going like he did to me today. Luckily when he bradys, he come out of them quickly with a little rub on the back, but still not good.

I do hope they grow out of some of the bad habits they have at 3.

How fun to come up with a nickname now! I am so happy thing are doing well for you and baby.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Judy I enjoyed the video's of your family singing! How very sweet of Lisa to give you that poem!

Tracey what a sweet sweet picture! Love those cuddles!

We have less then 3 months to go until we go to Disney!! I am so excited and I think everyone is getting tired of me talking about it lol I am very worried about the DAS and how that is going to go but I guess we will just have to hope for the best!

Cuddles are so much fun!
Whoo hoo for 3 months. I do hope the DAS works out for you, I know the program has changed significantly from what they had before.

Awww Tracy what an adorable photo with you and little Emile. Celebrating his first Christmas with his auntie!
I hope you are having a great weekend!

Thanks, I hope you have a great weekend too!

Emile is getting so big!!! What a sweetie pie.

(((((((((((((( prayers ))))))))))))))))))

He is getting so big! Hope you are doing well.

 

[DisNorth]

 

[ladylyons]

He is getting cute cubby cheeks, which already his brother likes to poke at. I really have no idea when Emile will get to come home. He needs to stop doing things like only taking half his bottle then falling asleep and forgetting to keep his heart going like he did to me today. Luckily when he bradys, he come out of them quickly with a little rub on the back, but still not good.

I do hope they grow out of some of the bad habits they have at 3.

How fun to come up with a nickname now! I am so happy thing are doing well for you and baby.

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!!

 

[p00h4me]

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!

 

[lovethattink]

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

Sandra, great picture of the kids in their PJs at the tree! Love the Mickey's too!

Khaleesi, so sorry your Fri 13th wasn't a good one.

Judy, I hope things are going better at home.

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!!

 

[scdak]

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

 

[momabaarjo]

Tracey...love the cuddling time! Precious!

 

[nannye]

Emile is just the sweetest!

Ladylyons -that is so great you are doing well without Jeddah to help with your numbers. I'm pretty sure that was the best gift to your husband!

Judy Lisa is just the sweetest isnt she. Your trip is so close.

 

[happybelle]

I haven't forgotten you Judy. I am still enjoying watching the videos and seeing the happy smiles on your children's faces. Thanks again for posting them. I can't believe your trip is in 2 weeks. Praying you and Lisa are MUCH better!

 

[ladylyons]

Judy still praying you guys are feeling better. Can't believe your trip is getting so close!!

Sandra, great picture of the kids in their PJs at the tree! Love the Mickey's too!

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

Thanks!! We've had the Mickey and Minnie for a few years now. The kids love seeing them come out every year.

Don't worry I didn't do my Christmas cards either!! I feel bad saying I was busy because I know Judy has a lot more going on than I do and she got hers out!

Ladylyons -that is so great you are doing well without Jeddah to help with your numbers. I'm pretty sure that was the best gift to your husband!

Thanks! I couldn't be happier that things are moving forward with no little issues. He still can't believe it!! He looks at the bear and just smiles.

 

[blessedmom4]

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!!!

 

[gopherdame]

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!