The faceless children take a top-secret trip to WDW...

[Charlefours]

The date changes are worth it in my opinion so you can have the peace of mind on the vacation. It will all work out.

 

[lexmas]

I am glad you got the information about baby girl. I am like you and I would want the surgery done and over before WDW too!! I am so glad your DH's boss was great about it! And don't worry, everything will work itself out with the dates and location for the trip!!

When Gabby was about 6 months she had to get a 3d scan of her head because they thought he head was not growing at the proper rate. She was not nursing but bottle fed, and it was a but tough on her when they gave her the meds to put her out and she was sleepy and could not have her bottle. BUT we put her in the stroller and rolled her around the hospital and he evential went to sleep.
It is a bit hard but you are strong and you will be able to do it.

I'm glad it doesn't seem TOO crazy switching everything around. Some moments I think it does, but I just want to enjoy my trip!

Oh, I can imagine that a bottle is hard too, believe me. Anything out of the norm is hard! We have thought about strolling around the neighborhood in the middle of the night, but I don't think the neighbors would like the screaming baby. I think maybe the car, because she hates the car and screams anyway so we're used to it , but she does eventually fall asleep.

Oh my goodness! That's a lot of changes, but it's worth it knowing that Syd will be a healthy little girl on vacation.

It is A LOT of changes. I'll post what we're doing in a minute!

I'm glad I didn't freak you out further! Please believe, leaving her on the table has got to be easier than not. She'll still think you're with her, and then you will be there when she wakes up. If

I know exactly what you mean about the anxiety. I worry every time DH pulls out of the driveway with the boys. When he flies for work, heaven help me! I'll worry when it's all of us together on the plane, too. Strangely, I don't worry about them when they go to school, though. I was in the process of being tested for uterine cancer when we went to Disney last year. I was told it was a very, very, very tiny possibility and not to worry but they would run the tests due to the family history. It did cross my mind when we were there, but it's Disney, so I was able to enjoy myself much more often than not.

Good luck getting everything switched! I sure don't envy you that job! But just think what a great celebration the trip will be!

Well, you freaked me out a little bit writing "if" after "when she wakes up." I know, I know, typo!

I'm glad that my disfriends have the same anxiety problems I do! I'm also glad that everything turned out fine after your vacation last year! I know disney helps you worry not so much, but I would prefer not worrying at all!

We have everything switched already! So fast! And the trip is going to be an amazing celebration. I'm sure I will cry. A lot. Happy tears!

Good luck getting all the switches made! How sweet of dh and his boss to move things around to help make your trip run more smoothly.

It is so wonderful of them. I cannot stress enough how wonderful DH's boss is. It's so very amazing!

The date changes are worth it in my opinion so you can have the peace of mind on the vacation. It will all work out.

So glad you don't think it's crazy! There's a high value on piece of mind around here!

Updated plans posted in a minute!

 

[Disneychix]

Hey, maybe now our dates will coincide!

I'll keep your DD and family in my thoughts!!

 

[lexmas]

Alright, so flight plans and disney reservations are changed! No change fees, actually, since the price of our package went up so they waved them.

So, DH's boss had October 30th-November 7th off. For free dining you have to check in on October 28th.

So...

The kids and I are traveling down on Thursday, October 28th (flight leaves at 6:15 am and gets there at 8:55 am), and DH is going to fly down on Friday after work. (flight leaves at 4:20 and gets in at 7. He is going to have to RUN to get done and to the airport that early)

I was worried about flying 2.5 hours with Sydney when DH was with me. Now I'm going to be alone! So there's a lot for me to work out there, two days with the kids alone. I am not a good "single mom", I appreciate that DH comes home every day and does his share of the childcare. I need that! I will have lots of questions to follow about that, I'm sure!

Anyway, we asked our travel agent a thousand times, and she insists that DH can fly in on Friday and take DME and check-in then and still have free dining, even though the blackout window has started. He must be on our room ressie for that first night or something. I was prepared to just say he was in the bathroom and show his ID at check in, but she insists that it will be fine, she says she called disney and asked. So I sure hope she's right, because it wouldn't be fun to get there and find out otherwise!

Somehow, we are still staying at Pop! How's that for lucky?

We will be there for halloween! I think I read somewhere that you can trick-or-treat around the hotel? We thought about doing MNSSHP that night but J.J. has his heart set on being Buzz Lightyear for halloween, so he would never go as a dinosaur. So I'm hoping we can trick-or-treat somewhere and then go to MNSSHP on November 1st. (Totally weird that they have one after halloween).

We were sad to read that MVMCP starts November 8th, the day after we leave. But that's okay, at least we'll get to see some Christmas decorations!

So, I think that's it for changes. I'm sad I won't see my fellow September travellers while I'm there, but your TR's will pass the time for me!

11 weeks until we go!

 

[lexmas]

Hey, maybe now our dates will coincide!

I'll keep your DD and family in my thoughts!!

I thought that originally when I knew we were changing to mid-october, but I bet you leave before we get there. If not, maybe we'll have a dismeet!

 

[LilAnn]

I just read your updates and will be hoping the best for little Sydney. I am glad to hear that you will have the surgery over and done with so you can really relax and celebrate on vacation.

In an effort to put you at ease, I wanted to let you know that we see our fair share of kids having a thyroglossal duct cyst removed, and many, many, many babies after various surgeries. My little girl also underwent a minor surgery last year, but I was lucky enough to be able to go into the operating room with her and hold her in my arms until she breathed in the gas.

I do recommend trying to get the hang of pumping before the big day. It will help you and her. While she may be starving and anxious to eat, there is no guarentee how she will feel after the surgery and she may be so sleepy she doesn't want to eat, so you may need to pump more than once. Plus, prep your hubby in case he needs to take over and hold her before the surgery since she can't eat and may be smelling the milk off you. Sometimes the babies get more upset when their moms hold them for that very reason.

I hope I was of some help as opposed to scaring you. I jsut got home from work, so I'm a little tired and not thinking straight. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[lexmas]

I just read your updates and will be hoping the best for little Sydney. I am glad to hear that you will have the surgery over and done with so you can really relax and celebrate on vacation.

In an effort to put you at ease, I wanted to let you know that we see our fair share of kids having a thyroglossal duct cyst removed, and many, many, many babies after various surgeries. My little girl also underwent a minor surgery last year, but I was lucky enough to be able to go into the operating room with her and hold her in my arms until she breathed in the gas.

I do recommend trying to get the hang of pumping before the big day. It will help you and her. While she may be starving and anxious to eat, there is no guarentee how she will feel after the surgery and she may be so sleepy she doesn't want to eat, so you may need to pump more than once. Plus, prep your hubby in case he needs to take over and hold her before the surgery since she can't eat and may be smelling the milk off you. Sometimes the babies get more upset when their moms hold them for that very reason.

I hope I was of some help as opposed to scaring you. I jsut got home from work, so I'm a little tired and not thinking straight. Good luck and keep us posted!

Definitely a help! In fact, it's a relief just to know that someone knows what a thyroglossal duct cyst is! It is always a comfort to know that babies come out of surgery just fine. It's nerve-wrecking, even though I know she will be alright.

They will let me go in with her until she's out, so that is a relief.

I have thought that DH will probably have to take care of her during the long wait, because she knows he doesn't have milk so she'll be less mad at him. Not a lot less, but less.

Thanks so much for the kind words!

 

[-Hope-]

Wow, you work fast! I'm so glad that everything worked out and you are even still staying at Pop!

As for traveling alone with the kids I don't think it will be as bad as you think. I look forward to dh's time with the kids too but every once in a while he'll work out of town or we'll go somewhere without him if he can't get off work. Those times can be so sweet and special. We have 'sleepovers' (which is funny because the kids mattresses are in our bedroom anyway) where we get in our pjs, have popcorn and watch movies or play games. I wouldn't try to do too much in the evenings beyond things like that until he arrives and since your used to doing the days on your own anyway it'll all work out fine.

I definately think its wise not to try MNSSHP on Halloween night! I've read that its super busy and crowded. And now the kids get two nights of fun!

 

[lexmas]

Wow, you work fast! I'm so glad that everything worked out and you are even still staying at Pop!

As for traveling alone with the kids I don't think it will be as bad as you think. I look forward to dh's time with the kids too but every once in a while he'll work out of town or we'll go somewhere without him if he can't get off work. Those times can be so sweet and special. We have 'sleepovers' (which is funny because the kids mattresses are in our bedroom anyway) where we get in our pjs, have popcorn and watch movies or play games. I wouldn't try to do too much in the evenings beyond things like that until he arrives and since your used to doing the days on your own anyway it'll all work out fine.

I definately think its wise not to try MNSSHP on Halloween night! I've read that its super busy and crowded. And now the kids get two nights of fun!

I'm still in disbelief that we're staying at pop! How did that happen? I mean, I'm thrilled, but how!?!

I hope that it's not as bad as I think! I love that you have sleepovers even though you have sleepovers every night! (And, it makes me happy to hear that their mattresses are in your bedroom...I know most people are in a rush for their kids to be in their own rooms, but it makes me sad to think about that happening!) I think I just need to be very planned, and then I'll feel in control of the situation. You know, planned like you are for every day! I have 11 weeks now, so that's plenty of time.

They will like two nights of Halloween. Or at least J.J. will, Syd really has no clue. And I'll like not having to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. I'm not so into that. I spend all year telling them not to talk to strangers, and not to bother the neighbors, and not to take things from people they don't know, and then on Halloween I have to be like, you know what? Go up to strangers doors, yell, and then eat the candy they give you. Drives me nuts!

 

[ksl5f123]

for getting to stay at Pop. I am so happy that you were easily able to change your dates. Do you have any ADRs to make? (I admit that I can't remember) If so, that you can get some good times.

 

[DrMomof3]

You'll be totally fine with the 2 kids for 2 days. I swear! Just plan light-ish days and don't try to tackle too much. I also find non-buffet TS meals easiest when I'm alone with the kids. CS is hard because the kids can wander off and then you're carrying a tray of food/drinks and shepherding 2 kids, etc. Buffets are very hard as a single mom!
We always do a garden grocer order so we have beverages, snacks, and breakfast food available. Any chance of getting a fridge at Pop to make that easier? I tend to feed the kids gogurt, cheese sticks, cereal, etc. in the room before heading out so it's one less meal to worry about. Even with free dining, you're still missing a meal each day so the in-room breakfast helps!
I'll give you more suggestions for the flight when we get back. So far my plan has been to get each child something new (Nathaniel is getting a new DS game, Jessica a new leapster game, and Zachary a new Dora video) to keep them entertained on the flight. Definitely take advantage of DME!!!!
In terms of the surgery, I know it's stressful but she's a healthy little girl. The pediatric anesthesiologists are used to taking care of very sick and very young babies. A healthy 1 year old is very routine for them. Plus, the surgeon is an ENT who is the person they call when they have any trouble! Your baby will be in great hands.

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

for getting to stay at Pop. I am so happy that you were easily able to change your dates. Do you have any ADRs to make? (I admit that I can't remember) If so, that you can get some good times.

I didn't have ADR's for my trip previously, but now that we've moved it, we're going to do a dinner for Sydney and one for J.J. since we're coming back November 7th and his birthday is on November 18th. We really should get going on making those, huh?

You'll be totally fine with the 2 kids for 2 days. I swear! Just plan light-ish days and don't try to tackle too much. I also find non-buffet TS meals easiest when I'm alone with the kids. CS is hard because the kids can wander off and then you're carrying a tray of food/drinks and shepherding 2 kids, etc. Buffets are very hard as a single mom!

That is a good point. I will have to ponder what I want to do for meals. I was also thinking about eating at the hotel for dinner, because I thought that might be easier.

We always do a garden grocer order so we have beverages, snacks, and breakfast food available. Any chance of getting a fridge at Pop to make that easier? I tend to feed the kids gogurt, cheese sticks, cereal, etc. in the room before heading out so it's one less meal to worry about. Even with free dining, you're still missing a meal each day so the in-room breakfast helps!

I am definitely planning on breakfast in the room on Friday, at the very least. With DH's extra meals from not being there for two days, and the two meals we're planning on doing out of pocket, if we share a meal or two we might be able to split something from the food court for breakfast too, so that should help. But I'm all for eating in the room. I'm thinking about bringing food down, but I'm going to hop on over to garden grocer and see if that might be easier!

I'll give you more suggestions for the flight when we get back. So far my plan has been to get each child something new (Nathaniel is getting a new DS game, Jessica a new leapster game, and Zachary a new Dora video) to keep them entertained on the flight. Definitely take advantage of DME!!!!

Oh, I will be reading your TR in detail! I wish Sydney would watch TV. It would make it so much easier. Really, my concern is that it's just me trying to entertain her on these long boring things...airport wait, 2 1/2 hour flight, DME line, DME bus...once we're there it should be okay. Although, J.J. just sprinted away from DH in the store the other day, which was the first time he's EVER done that, so hopefully I won't have to worry about him too!

In terms of the surgery, I know it's stressful but she's a healthy little girl. The pediatric anesthesiologists are used to taking care of very sick and very young babies. A healthy 1 year old is very routine for them. Plus, the surgeon is an ENT who is the person they call when they have any trouble! Your baby will be in great hands.

Amanda

I was hoping you would come by and reassure me since I know you always talk about having to do surgery! Thank you SO MUCH for this. You have no idea how much better this made me feel! You eased this mama's worried mind today! THANK YOU!

see above

 

[-Hope-]

Another option for one of your solo dinners is pizza delivered to the room one night. I believe its only two CS credits so absolutely doable.

 

[DrMomof3]

You do know that I'm a pediatric surgeon (urologist), right? I operate on little kids every week. Only once in 3 years did I even have an unplanned admission (meaning a child stayed overnight when he was supposed to go home). And that wasn't even something serious - a severe asthmatic got admitted for observation just for safety reasons.
I promise you that everything will go great! Feel free to ask lots of questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

Another option for one of your solo dinners is pizza delivered to the room one night. I believe its only two CS credits so absolutely doable.

I totally forgot about this! That is a great option. Thanks for reminding me!

You do know that I'm a pediatric surgeon (urologist), right? I operate on little kids every week. Only once in 3 years did I even have an unplanned admission (meaning a child stayed overnight when he was supposed to go home). And that wasn't even something serious - a severe asthmatic got admitted for observation just for safety reasons.
I promise you that everything will go great! Feel free to ask lots of questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

Amanda

And no, I did NOT know that! I just knew you were some kind of doctor and that you did surgery! But you had already reassured me, and now knowing that you're a pediatric surgeon it makes me feel even a million times better, and I didn't know that was possible! If I have other questions, I will definitely ask you. What would I do without my dis-friends? Thank you!

 

[lexmas]

So the two big things I'm thinking about for travelling alone are:

1. Stroller. I love the double we bought, but it's heavy. I mean, it's light for a double, but it's heavy for me! So the idea of getting both kids and this stroller on the bus is worrying me. I'm toying with the idea of checking the double and gate-checking a single, because they can take turns riding and Sydney can always ride in the sling. She's not always crazy about the stroller anyway. I also like the idea of not having to buckle and unbuckle two kids at every single ride. But, I do love the idea of the double, I like that there's a place for both of them to sit, I like that I can park them infront of something and take pictures, and I like that if it's hot, I don't have to be wearing the baby.

Ideas? Would you just bring the double? I will definitely be using the double once DH gets there. Or would you go for convenience and just use the single for two days? I go back and forth on this one.

2. Parks.

Where to go? This is hard because it would certainly be easiest for me just to take them to MK for two days. But since J.J. is bigger now and will actually have real reactions to things, I really don't want DH to miss that.

I'm thinking about:

Epcot on the first day.
On the second day do Epcot again (9-11 or so) and head back for an early nap.
After nap, we would head on out to AK and see the parade (I love this parade, DH doesn't, so I feel like that's a good thing to do without him) and then go on (not much since I'm worried about seeing shows alone with Sydney, I think she'll get bored and I'm not ready to cope with that) triceratops spin, ITTBAB, maybe the safari...I know DH doesn't want to miss that though.

My other option is just to do Epcot for two days. I think J.J. would like: spaceship earth, Nemo, Living with the Land, Turtle Talk, Figment, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Malestrom, Mexico (what's that ride called?), possibly innoventions, and Kim Possible. Is that enough for two days? Obviously we have to eat and snack and do whatever else...maybe we can do kidcot stuff, pin trading...I'm just so torn because I don't want DH to miss too much.

Ideas?

 

[Dancegrl624]

I can't really offer much stroller advice. Sorry!

I think that you could do 2 Epcot days without your DH. There is plenty to do with both kids. Like you said, you need to take breaks, eat, etc. While at Epcot, you could always take a stroll over to the YC/BC/Boardwalk area. There is a super yummy ice cream parlor on the Boardwalk that my family loves.

The Kidcot stations are great but beware....they use sharpies!!! Plus, there are quite a few movies throughout WS that work great for taking a rest in the a/c (France and American Adventure have seats). I've taken a few naps there myself!

 

[DrMomof3]

The stroller question is tough. I think you'll want to have the double at the parks. As the bus is pulling into the station, put Sydney in the sling and fold the stroller. Have J.J. board in front of you and carry the stroller on. Use a backpack for a diaper bag so you're hands are free. I think you'll find that people will be helpful. We have 3 children and 2 strollers so we've done this before. It isn't easy but the pain only last a few seconds and then you're settled. You'll like having Sydney in the sling on the bus anyway.
Parks. Hmmm. What about one Epcot and one DHS day? There's not a ton at DHS for little kids so your DH wouldn't miss that much. What are your park plans for when he's there?

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

I'm not much help on the stroller front but it seems like Amanda has that covered!

As for plans without dh, if you don't want him to miss too much you might think of including some activities outside the parks. Maybe some time at DTD followed by a boat ride from DTD to POFQ (these are supposed to be very entertaining and you may even spot an alligator), time on the Boardwalk as suggested above, time at the pool, etc.

I like the idea of hitting a few parades/rides that dh isn't interested in. With hoppers you'll be able to do this and take breaks as well. You might also ask him what he's most looking forward to seeing/doing with the kids. I think that combined with things you don't want to try on your own will leave you with your best options for what to do without him.

 

[ksl5f123]

The stroller question is tough! I can see the advantage of the double - having both kids controlled in one spot. For me, it would boil down to how long I was planning to spend in the park at a stretch. If it was only 2 hours or so, I would probably make J.J. walk and just use the single - afterall, he will have plenty of time to ride when daddy gets there. If I was going to spend 4 hours at a stretch in the parks, then I would go for the double.

As for which parks, I would definately go to Epcot one day. All of the rides you mentioned are good for little ones. I would also do Innoventions, but I would skip Kim Possible. I think I have heard that is better for grade-schoolers and tweens. The other day, I might sleep in, go to DTD and then see the parade at AK. Good luck deciding!