The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[Alice28]

DVC owner Moms- can you enlighten me as what the ticket cost discounts are for DVC owners. And we can add the dining plan to a DVC stay, can't we? I think Loretta said she did that last time.

I mentioned it to my mom; she was a little interested too. I'm wondering if possibly my parents and us can do it together. That way we can buy more points.

 

[Ginamarie]

Bye ladies!

I'll try to check in quickly from WDW.
Otherwise you'll hear a lot from me in about 10 days!

 

[Alice28]

HAVE FUN GINAMARIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nucpharm29]

alice--I'm doing this from memory--but DVC members only get discounts on APs (don't know the exact cost b/c we don't go enough a year to get use out of them) and then discounts to the waterparks. There are also discounts at some restaurants--okay, so I got curious for myself, so I pulled out the perks book from last Jan. (things might have changed since then)

Restaurant discounts: Epcot-Les Chefs de france (20% onlunch), 9 dragons (20% lunch), Marrakesh (20% lunch or dinner), San Angel (10% lunch)--MGM: Mama Melrose (10% lunch) AK-Rainforest Cafe (10% lunch)--Resort dining: Artist Point (10% dinner), Artist's Palate (10% lunch or dinner), Cape May (10% lunch or dinner), Citricos (10% lunch or dinner), concourse Steakhouse (10% lunch or dinner), Hoop De Doo (20% on 9:30 show only) Kona Cafe (10% lunch or dinner)--DTD: Cap'n Jacks (10% lunch), Ghiradelli (10% off soda fountain, chocolate), Fulton's (10% lunch or dinner), Rainforest Cafe ( 10% lunch and dinner) and maybe some I missed

15% off Mini golf for members and up to 4 guests

10% off all services at Grand Floridian Spa, 20% off most services at Spa at SSR

AP prices--ages 10+ $295, 3-9 $251
Premium AP 10+ $390, 3-9 $332

Save $4 per adult and $3 per child at Dsiney Quest and both waterparks, and $4 off at PI

MK tours 20% off, Epcot tours 15% off, AK tours 15% off

Okay, so I know that's probably TMI but I was curious too! Hope it helps. And if I remember correctly they also offer other deals throughout the year, like this year when DTD opened the Bippity Boppity (sp) boutique there was a special DVC discount--and then you can also get cash discounts on rooms as well.

Gina--Have fun!

lissawyn--Hope you can see DH sometime this weekend! But at least your house is coming along--congrats on a good appt. at the dr. Not long now!

Well,Emma fell asleep a half hour ago in the living room. We had popcorn and watched The Polar Express. It was soooo much fun! It will be even more fun when we can do it as a whole family.

DMIL called tonight with our "schedule" for the holidays. Pretty much every waking hour has already been planned for us from the moment we arrive to the day we leave. And that doesn't even figure in DFIL yet! I am going to need a vacation from my vacation! Have agreat night all! I have an early morning (to be read butt crack of dawn and cold) run tomorrow--so Off to bed goes me!

 

[Alice28]

Hmmmmmmm...thanks for the info Steph. That AP price is only about $45 more than what we're paying for our 8 day hopper next March. Interesting. The dining discounts are nice too. As is the 20% off spa services at SSR. I would LOVE a massage or pedi while on vacation at WDW!

Glad you had fun watching Polar Express with Emma. Popcorn sounds good. Might need to make some now.

LOL at your MIL planning your every hour while at their house!

Tasha- good insight on the WPASADI. One of our team members has checked in once. I don't know where they went! Part of the problem is I am the only one who doesn't work or go to school on our team. So therefore I am being 'too' into it I think.

 

[fabumouse]

Gina- you'll probably never read this, but I was getting all choked up, reading your note that you were getting all choked up about going to WDW with Olivia. I am *such* a sap!! I will never go to WDW again without thinking of all of you, and sporting some form of lime green.

Today - I took a nap, and the nap felt good.

It was freezing - 18 degrees - this morning and I got to wondering how I'm going to deal with Madeleine and Kailey's drop-off during the winter. I saw a number of kids waiting in parental cars while parents dropped off older kids at the school - and I know this is a really really hot topic, but I'm wondering - what do parents at your schools do when it's so cold out that there's a toss up between leaving a younger child in the car, or taking them through the icy wind to the school?

Tasha - I understand your frustration with the weight gain. (I know nothing about Wasabi (whatever!) except I like my logo) and it was nice to hear from you.

GLT - if you read this - You have beautiful children and great friends. You will get through this. Let us know what we can do.

Kim - the only reason I would trust DH is that he knows how much we put away for college funds each month. After that, more babies lose their romance.

BnB - I hope you feel better soon!

SL - hope you got to see the tree - I rarely go into the City during the Christmas season, but that is one part I love.

Nucpharm - I do the same with Kailey. I look at her and can see how quickly she went from a baby to this kindergartener. When she asks me to read to her, I think - it won't be long before she just wants to read to herself. And *only* $50 at target! I'm sure you saved tons of money!

justhat- I am so sorry you had such a rough morning! I have finally quit telling Kailey that her daddy will be home for almost anything (I'm not bashing on him, but just adjusting to the reality of his job) and basically try to structure our lives assuming he usually won't be here. And tell me - the fisher price portable swing that you and I have - I cannot figure out how to make her sit upright. I think we may be missing some kind of plastic bar that fits in the back?? We can push the seat so it's sitting more upright, but as soon as Madeleine gets in, the weight shoves the seat down.

And I would send Henry earlier and see how he reacts. Madeleine is already putting up a fuss regarding our babysitter and I think if I would have waited until later for her to meet the babysitter, she would have rejected the babysitter (and cried the whole time). (and the babysitter is *wonderful*, she's a friend's nanny and watched Kailey for about a year and Kailey adores her).

Jill - - it seems like our Ped. is more concerned about reflux because Kailey had it (so kudos to her!!, since Kailey's first Ped. never caught it, the Early Intervention team did) and now that Madeleine is laughing, and rolling over, she (the Dr.) has seemed to be less concerned about physical development. The Ped. is fairly laid back (for good, and bd) so, PT hasn't been brought up.

Kim and Hillbeans - our town is currently having a fit over a proposed Bill that will put a "Super" Superintendant over the schools in NJ - and have a line item veto for local school budgets, etc. We pay over 95% of our school budget in direct property taxes, and we're really REALLY not happy about this.

Hillbeans- I noticed my butt in the air, too!!! Seriously - it was weird at first, but since I've seen these people doing some pretty funky Yoga poses, they can deal with my jiggly thighs waving in the breeze. Good luck on DH's promotion.

Loretta- Ugh! I hope you feel better soon!

Robin - what are you getting dh for Christmas?

 

[DisKim]

GM - I'm sure you are gone already, but have a great trip!!!

My friends are trying to convince me that I should go up to WDW after the wedding in the Keys in May. If I do that, I have to take 2 sick days in addition to my 3 personal and I will feel really guilty about missing that much school. I've never missed that much except for maternity leave! I am also not thrilled with the idea of Emmy and Alex missing a full week of school. The would miss so much! On the other hand, we would already be down there and we have tickets still from last time. We'd only have to pay for the room and food. Also, the wedding is on Alex's birthday so heading over to Disney would be a birthday treat for him. I guess it all comes down to whether or not I have the money. With 2 weddings in 2 weeks, I'm thinking not!

I'm freezing! Our family room is heated with a gas fireplace which does not want to kick on this morning. We disconnected the electric baseboard in this room because we didn't need it and it is so expensive to run. I have 20 million things to do today and it's my mom's birthday. I have no idea what we will be doing for her. I don't have time to make her a nice dinner and I'm running low on money for a dinner out but that's probably what I'll have to do. Well, I'm going to try and fix that fireplace before Aidan wakes up turns into a little Aidancicle.

 

[lissawynn]

Ladies, I have a question for all of you. What kind of towels do you have in your bathroom? When DH and I got married one of his sisters bought us all of our bathroom stuff. I picked Royal Velvet b/c it was kind of middle of the road, as far as price was concerned. Now I need to buy new towels for our new bathroom upstairs. I was looking on Overstock, but most of the stuff got lousy reviews b/c the edges frayed and the towels started to fall apart.
Macy's is having a sale this weekend and I have some Ralph Lauren stuff in my cart. I just don't know if I want to spend $200 on towels today.

 

[DisKim]

lissawynn - I shop at Marshall's or TJ Maxx for stuff like bathroom towels. They have some really pretty choices (I like the embroidered towels ) and they are dirt cheap. I haven't had a problem with fraying, etc.

 

[llij]

Good morning ladies!

John is still asleep so I'm staying home with him while Dave took the girls to Meagan's basketball game. I feel bad for missing her game but the little man needs his sleep since he was a bit of a crank again last night.

The party last night was so much fun and I was excited that my dh and I got to stay there for 3 whole hours and have adult conversation! Our friends made Christmas Cosmopolitans which were delish! They were strong though so I nursed one and would add ice to water it down. I didn't want my poor dh to have to carry me home.

Lissawynn - I usually buy my towels at outlets. We have a Ralph Lauren outlet nearby and I got some nice towels there for a good price. Also, Costco used to have some good towels that didn't fray.

Z - I hope that you are feeling better this morning!

GLT - Thinking of you. I'm not sure what is going on, but it looks like from Robin's post that your dh is playing some games with you. My sis's ex-h played some nasty tricks and the courts didn't look too kindly on it either. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

GM - Have a wonderful trip!! We will just miss each other at WDW!

DisKim - Happy Birthday to your mom! My vote would be for you to go to WDW while you are in Florida. I'm sure that doesn't help but if you are in the state of Florida then you must visit the Mouse!

Justhat - Did your day get any better?

Tasha - I bet you are so relieved to be done. Congrats on the straight A's! That is wonderful. I hear you on the not working out thing. I just didn't have the time this semester and I feel like a big marshmellow!

Fabumouse - Boy it is cold where you are!! Gosh, that is a hard one with the school carpool thing. I think that I used to drag Katie out of the car when I had to drop Meagan off at preschool (in elementary school they ride the bus). If the weather was particularly nasty then I would drive through the carpool line. It is so tough when you have a little one. Good luck!

Robin - That WPASADI stuff sounds like it certainly is keeping you guys busy! I have no idea what it is, but it sounds interesting. I hope that all of you DIS moms taking part in it do really well!

Nucpharm - It sounds like you had a great time with Emma last night. Popcorn and snuggling while watching movies is my idea of a fun night. How did your run go this morning?

Well, I better go and wrap some gifts or do something around the house while John is still sleeping. Everyone have a wonderful Saturday!

 

[zalansky]

Good morning

I am still feeling awful which stinks because I got physically sick many times last night until I had dry heaves (sorry TMI) - anyway I am in misery.

But I wanted to pop on and tell Robin that yes you can add the dining plan to DVC stays and it would be great if you could have your parents go in with you to get mre points. We have 200 points and I already have wanted to add on many times.

Anyway Have a good weekend, I need to get back to the couch.

Sorry for the bad short post.

 

[llij]

Oh Zalansky, I'm so sorry to hear that you are so sick. I hope that the virus passes quickly and that you are better very soon.

 

[floridafam]

Hi everyone,

This is going to be quick.

MIL got in yesterday. DH picked her up in Kissimmee. Her train trip was wonderful and we were all thrilled to see her. We got her checked in to the Disney resort and ate dinner there-one of the worst meals I have ever had.

DS and DD were going to stay the night with her at the resort and she called to say that DS was throwing up so I had to go get him. He's still sick. I don't know if it was the food or the flu.

I've got to get my rear in gear. DH is on call and just got called out. UGH! He has Monday off and then has to be on call until Friday and then he is off until after Christmas. He said he was getting some grief for taking Monday off. Yah, tell them your DD has to go to the hospital. DUH!

I'm hoping he will get to enjoy some time off while his mom is here and that Kona won't need surgery.


zalansky,

Sorry to hear you are sick.

I'm off to take a vitamin c and wipe down the house with Clorox wipes. I AM DETERMINED NOT TO GET SICK!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

 

[tkyes]

I'm sorry we have some sickies on the board today! I hope everyone is feeling better soon.

This will be a quickie from me. I have a couple hours of alone time this morning to wrap presents and I need to get cracking!!

jill - Hugs to you for all you're going through with your kids! I can't imagine. I hope they can figure everything out for you.

nucpharm - Your camping in the living room sounds like so much fun!

sl - Great pictures!! How about a little scrapbook (or small photo album) of pictures of your uncle growing up - I can't think of anything else sorry!

glt - Hugs to you! Let us know if there's anything we can do. Maybe some of our DIS moms in the New York/New Jersey area can "call in a favor" to deal with your ex.

lissawynn - We got our last set of towels at Macy's. Linen's and Things and Bed Bath and Beyond have some good deals too if you have those near you.

ginamarie - I know I missed you, but have fun!!!

nyprincess - sorry your trip wasn't so great. I'll be sending good thoughts for your husband.

alice - Good luck with the game - it looks pretty intense!!

ok - I need to run, I know I missed a bunch of mommies, sorry!!!

We had so much fun last night, DH and I skated on our pond for the first time this year. The ice was perfect and it was really nice out!

Time to wrap presents!

Tamie

 

[nucpharm29]

Hey all! My run was pretty good this am, except really cold! I told DH it was weird b/c it was just me and this other guy that heads up the running group. Super nice guy, and a DH to one of my best friends, but running out there with a man other than my DH was a little weird. But at least I had someone to run with--did 8 miles--now time to veg!

It was funny last night, I decided that even though Emma fell asleep before me that I would still sleep out in the living room with her--yeah, big mistake! A sleeping bag on the hardwood is not very comfortable. So I switched the couch and then as soon as I fell asleep Matthew woke up screaming--then Emma woke me up at 5:30 wondering where her popcorn went. So much for a restful night!

z--sorry to hear that you're under the weather!

tamie--hope you got some gifts wrapped!

fab--the butt in the air cracked me up!

Well, another drive by from me. I need to shower, yeah,, haven't done that yet! Dsis is coming over this afternoon and we're going to hang out since her DH is fishing and mine is sleeping! Have a great sat. all!

 

[nyprincess]

Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes for DH.

We went to the doctor yesterday (12/8). They took him off the meds that they had originally put him on for his flu. They said that may have caused the dizziness. Also, that morning, he had the plain bagel w/no cream cheese, an orange, and a small glass of whole milk. They said on top of the meds, that may have caused his blood sugar level to skyrocket.

She said at this point, she's trying to keep his cholesterol down by giving him a diet. She told him South Beach diet would be great for him. She also gave him a list of things that would be healthy for him to eat. She gave him a pamphlet of ways to exercise to bring everything back down to normal. The pamphlet said to take a dance class. Which means, after I have this second baby, we get to take the ballroom dance classes that I've been dying to take.

She said she's going to try to keep him off the meds for his bp for now. She's going to see how things go with this diet and such before she puts him on anything for it.

He has another appt on this Friday (12/15), so we'll see how things progress.

On the other hand, DS has a doctor appt on Wednesday (12/13) for his one-year check-up. I'm assuming that means more shots.....

 

[dizagain]

HI!!!

Have a quick moment while my mom is playing Life with the girls and Carson is entertaining himself with his gym. We've been working on the house ( polishing all the wood trim, stairs, etc. which is a lot and cleaning out the laundry room). It's amazing what messes you find. DH swept out the basement but decided to leave the piles of boxes - even the throw-away stuff which I think looks tacky. He says since the basement is un-finished it's just supposed to be for storge anyway so who cares...we'll see.

He has a realtor looking in Collierville and yes, the battle of house prices has begun. We agreed to the highest amount we'd let our mortgage payment go (still $400 cheaper than here) and now he's already trying to raise it. I knew this would happen. GRRRRRR. His big point is that we don't want to move again in a few years so this is THE HOUSE...then my mom pipes up that she agrees with him. Great. I just want to be able to continue to stay home but have a little more spending $ for eating out sometimes, etc. and a little morre savings $. Sure, there will be promotions later and we'll have more, but I'm talking about NOW...UGH!

Anyway...sounds like we have some sick friends again. I'm sorry!

nyprincess - good luck to your DH with his new diet/exercise program..ballroom dancing sounds like a fun little "perk" to a yucky problem.

nucpharm - glad you had another good run! That would be a little weird running with just a guy. Sounds like a fun-if-painful slumber party!

tykes - wow! Skating on a pond sounds SO cool and movie-like!

ff - MORE sickness at your house? I'm so sorry! Hope the doctor's visit goes well!

zalansky - feel better soon!!

glt -

jill - the night out sounds like fun!!!

lissawynn - I also get most of my towels from TJ Maxx or Marshalls - usually Ralph Lauren, actually. Also have had luck with Lands End sales.

fab - the drop-off issue is a tricky one. I know in Texas the police were "supposed" to be notified by the school if a child was being left in the car. My directors actually did this on more than one occasion. What usually worked for the parents of kids in my class was a trade-off. One mom would stay in the parking lot and one would take the others inside. It's a touchy situation - I personally would not leave Carson in the car when I couldn't see him the entire time. Good luck with that - a pain, I know.

Ginamarie - HAVE AN AMAZING VACATION - can't wait to see pictures!!!

diskim - hope you get warm! Hope your mom has a happy birthday with you guys!

Ok, need to go rescue Carson. DH will have him tonight when we go to Hayley's play (he went last night) and also all day tomorrow when we go downtown to AG Place. I should be in charge until then to be nice. I've been reading up every day, and I'll try to pop in very soon. Take care, ladies!

 

[floridafam]

nucpharm,

Just an FYI-I know you said you had a friend who is going to do Ironman Florida next year.

The Ironman championships are on NBC right now. It's so exciting to watch.

 

[joats]

Hey Moms.

I had a bit of a bust of a day today. I was supposed to go shopping with one of the other Mom's at Jace's daycare. She works at Carters Corporate office and gets 25% off and wanted to take me so that with the 50% off sale they were running today, I'd get 75% off. Da, da, da, da...Charge - It!! So we put Jace's car seat in her big old Yukon with her kids and started down the road....we got about 3 blocks and Jace vomitted all over himself and the car. ARGH!! Poor little peanut. Needless to say, Jace and I didn't go to Carters. But the whole thing was odd. He was fine when we got home. I think he got car sick. It was awful as I hardly know this mom and Jace's pukes in her car. Not good. She was very understanding, but I felt bad.

So many of us are sick. I hope everyone and their kids are feeling well soon.

FF: If I don't get online again this weekend - I'll be sending you positive thoughts for Kona's appointment.

Jill: I hope the MD can figure out what's going on. I'm so sorry to hear all that you are struggling with. Your new siggie picture is fabulous - what a beautiful family you have.

Tasha: on your A's!!

I have a headache - I've had it all day and quite honestly, this red and green screen is not helping. Sorry this is going to be short. I'm about 10 or so pages behind anyway...I'd never catch up. Lately, I've just have had enough time to read but not post.

I just want to go to bed...it's hurting to keep my eyes open.
Hope to stop by tomorrow.
Nite' all.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Hi all! I finally have a few moments to post. We seem to all be feeling better here--my stomach is still a tad queasy, but nothing serious, and I can eat real food.

We got our Christmas tree today, pleasing everyone but Robert (he's my "gloom and doom" kid). He wanted to be the one to find the perfect tree, and when everyone else voted for one he hadn't located, he was in tears. I think he'll feel better once the tree is up and decorated, which we'll do tomorrow. The kids got to see reindeer and Santa was there. Celeste was SOOOO excited! She ran up to Santa, and when he asked what she wanted, she said, "A 'Hello Kitty' alarm clock! And 'Hello Kitty' panties! And 'Hello Kitty' sheets!" So, Santa looks at her with a straight face and goes, "Do you like 'Hello Kitty'?", and she was astounded that he knew that!!! It was so funny. And Santa got off easy with the older two, too--poor guy (I think it was even the same man), last year, Jocelyn asked for a cadaver! Yeah, we have a few in the back, gift-wrapped!

We also made our teacher/friend gifts. We're doing bags of Santa's trail mix (the recipe is on organizedchristmas.com). I wanted something fairly simple, that all 3 could actually participate in making. Of course, Celeste got kicked off the assembly line for sampling, so she was bummed, but other than that, it went well.

dizagain--I still cringe when I think about dealing with realtors. They always think you're lying when you say you only want to borrow "X". And I would definitely tell your mom she should remain completely silent--even if it's your dream house, and it's in your price range, acting too eager can only hurt you.

fab--On the drop-off thing, what they do at our school is, you can drive into the teacher's parking lot to let off your child. If you want to physically walk them in the door, you should park down in visitor's parking and get out to walk them in. Problem is, a few parents decide they're allowed to park in the middle of the parking lot (in the aisles, not a parking space), get out, turn off the engine, walk their child in, etc. This causes a huge back-up of traffic. Now mind you, when you're dropping the kids off, the buses are there, and in our case, there are always teachers as well as the principal out there, making sure everyone gets safely inside, so I've never had an issue with letting Robert walk the 20 or so feet to the sidewalk. Now, if you're talking about a situation where your child has to walk on a street without sidewalks, and there's no adult supervision, I would probably bite the bullet and take them all in. I don't even like to see parents leave their (sleeping) infant in the car in the parking lot when they go in to get their preschooler. I understand it, but I'd never do it. But, I was also a firefighter/EMT for years, and tend to think worst case scenario all the time.

justthat--I just wanted to say, it probably wouldn't hurt to try Henry at 19 months, but only if you don't have to be committed to keeping him there. Jocelyn started preschool and never glanced back at me--Robert it was a real struggle for months. Celeste it was a little hard the first couple times, that's it. I know you're not looking at "academic rigor", but if it were K, and you had a late birthday baby, you would probably be more inclined to hold back a boy than a girl. Girls tend to be more social, more verbal, more structured (ordered? something--they like the rules and regulations of school). So much depends on personality, too--I kind of hate to say hold him and then he really blossoms. But if there's firm comittments and $$ involved, I would hold him. YMMD

Alissa--I do Lands' End towels. They last forever. They have overstock sales occasionally if you're not picky on color.

nyprincess--I hope your DH is feeling better. Let's face it, we could all eat a little healthier, right? Hopefully it won't be too drastic, and the whole family can join in and be healthy together. DH and I took a ballroom dance class years ago, in our carefree pre-kids days. It was a lot of fun, and I'll have you know we weren't the worst two dancers there! It really didn't feel "exercise-y", and there were couples of all ages.

loretta--I feel your pain! Sounds like what I had. I seriously hadn't felt that gross since I was in labor for Luke! I hope you're better soon.

Gina--Hope you're having a fabulous trip! Post details and photos when you return!

GLT--We're thinking of you. Hope things go okay through the holidays. Stop by when you can, we miss you.

Kim--My vote's on going to WDW. Personally, I would do it as a surprise to the kids. Maybe if you start saving $ a little bit here and there, you can cover the hotel and food without too much pain. Here's hoping.

Okay, I have to run before DH kills me. "Hi" to everyone else I missed, and I'll try to keep up from here on out.