Two sisters and a baby do Disney! Update 4/6/05 with Pics and more to come!

[daisylou]

Cast of characters:
Me (Molly) 27, new mom to Jack, recent convert to the Disney experience

Sis (Kate) 24, devoted Aunt, the one responsible for my mindset that Disney should be seen at least once a year

Baby (Jack) 10 months, thoroughly gorgeous, the only person I'm happy to see at 1am (and 3am, 5am and 7am on really bad nights)


So it had been over a year since both Sis and I had been to Disney. Plus, I had found out I was pregnant the day before we left for my last trip and everyone knows that a Disney trip when you can't ride RNR and SM doesn't really count as a Disney trip. Sis and I spent most of this past summer debating when we should return, and what excuses we could use to justify this latest Disney trip to our respective husbands. So we were doubly thrilled to receive a call from our cousin Jen announcing her wedding in February. Because love is grand and weddings in Florida justify an additional week in Walt's World tacked on the end, right?

Susrprisingly enough my DH wasn't thrilled about this plan and politely declined (actually his exact words were that a week in the hot Florida sun with my family was not his idea of a "vacation"). Huh? Luckily he was cool with the idea of Sis and I stealing the boy away for a week. Hmmm, a week alone with the whole bed to himself and no diaper duty? What a sacrifice he was willing to make! So sis and I booked some cheapo airfare online, rented some DVC points off Ebay and I spent the next couple of months reading the Unofficial Guide at work whenever things got slow.

 

[daisylou]

So we planned this trip several months ago. When Jack was about 5-6 months he was in that peaceful stage after they start sleeping through the night but before they start teething. So the 3:30-5:30 pm flight seemed like a good enough idea. We wouldn't have to get up too early and stress about getting to the airport, but would still arrive relatively early. Unfortunately, the past months have seen a few changes in my angelic infant. He's become a slave to his nap and meal schedule and 4-5pm has become a sort of low point in the day for him. I believe more experienced parents call this hour the "witching hour." Not the ideal time to be 34,000 feet in the air.

On our arrival day Jack cooperated by shortening his usual 2-3 hour morning nap to 45 minutes. I also set us up for disaster by giving in to my secret demon, overpacking. Yes, I overpack. I once brought 13 pairs of shoes for a weeks vacation. Then only wore one pair of sneaks and one pair of flip flops all week. But the thought of going away and not having the gold and rhinestone jeweled mules was incomprehensible to me at the time. Plus, I also used to be a bit of a hooch (which you probably guessed by the fact that I owned gold and rhinestone open toed mules).

This time my style is alot simpler, the new mommy uniform of sweats and ponytails. But I had read all those posts about the unpredictabilty of February weather so I had to pack many different styles of sweats. You know, the lightweight sweatpants for the warmer days and bulkier fleece for cooler nights. Yes, my style really has slipped to new lows. I once saw an episode of What Not to Wear where they confronted a new mom about her wardrode of sweatpants. And my only thought was not, "what a shame that girl only wears sweatsuits," but "darn, that's some nice dressy velour sweats she got!" Plus there was also the rogue possibility of hot weather to contend with, so I had to include at least a few pairs of capri pants also (a fat girl's shorts).

So there we were lugging five suitcases, a car seat, a diaper bag, a stroller and a 23lb baby through the airport. We managed fairly well, we got to the airport insanely early (I'm anal about arriving early for flights) made it through security with said baby, stroller, diaper bag and carseat and made it to the gate to relax. For 2 hours! We really should have been tipped off that our flight was delayed when it was 5 minutes before we were due to depart and there was still no plane at the gate. But that little computer screen still said that flight 797 was on time and I choose to believe.

Luckily our airline compensated for the delay by significantly reducing the "courtesy" boarding for passengers traveling with infants. Meaning I had about 3 seconds to rush down the aisle and strap my carseat in place, stow my excessive amounts of carryone and harness my protesting baby before all the other passengers started pilling up behind us. I was frantically tightening the straps, Sis was holding tired, cranky octopuss boy and muttering something that sounded like "we should have never attempted this, this is crazy," and a small mob was forming behind me. Somehow we got everyone settled and within what seemed like seconds we were bound for Disney.

After 2 hours of my baby screaming, I felt the urge to apologize to every passenger as they filed off the plane. Honestly, I came prepared, I read Parent's Magazine, I packed toys, snacks, bottles of forbidden juice and pacifiers. I knew about the dangers of ear pressure and that sucking relieves it, I just never planned on my baby refusing all my offers. Every bottle and biter biscuit was smacked out of my hand. It was a particularly bad piece of luck that we were seated right up front, smack dab against business class. To all the customers of Airtran flight 797 who paid extra to upgrade to the seats right next to the screaming baby I apologize.

 

[alecam]

OMG, that's hysterical! As a mother, I look forward to the next installment!
I brought my son at 8- months old and he was great, but I was dreading that what happened to you would happen to me. I guess I was lucky!!
Can't wait to hear the rest!!

 

[pooksma]

I think any mom who travels can sympathize with you. Brave Brave woman! Can't wait to read next installment.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Too Funny. But, these children of ours can change their schedule within days!! Enjoying your trip so far. I love any trip to Disney, and hope it gets better for you three !

 

[summersfam4]

I love it! Can't wait to hear more! Great report. Sorry to hear that the plane trip wasn't your best experience, but we all have times like those (they just make the "Disney moments" more magical.

Kelly

 

[melvin]

My sister and I once travelled together when our kids were 2 and three. We were separated from other family on the plane, and her son spent the whole two hours banging his head on the seat and saying "I want DA dee, I want DA dee." I enjoyed this immensly as my 2 year old was being an angel. Then from some unknown stupid reason, I let him out of his car seat to stretch. He then went rigid, screamed at the top of his lungs and refused to bend at the waist to get back into the car seat. This went on for about 2 days. Finally he gets strapped back in, still red faced,kicking and screaming. We finally touch down, and the man sitting across the aisle, who pretended to be asleep the whole time, looked at us and said "Now I know why I only have dogs". We eventually learned that our children were always "snuffy"
before we had to fly anywhere and needed dimatap. My now 15 year old nephew always looks at him mom and smiles when he boards a plane and says "I want DA dee!".

 

[nwdisgal]

I always remembered that great sigh of relief when the kids eyes would close and they'd nod off in their car seat. You're right. You can pack all the prepartions in the world to keep them happy and it still can go sideways. The funniest part is, you think, well, when they get older, we won't have to haul all this crap anymore, but then they start packing and hauling all their own crap... so you never really get rid of all the stuff.

I can relate to your note about your 10 month old. I remember walking my crying daughter (at about the same age) up and down the aisleway of the plane trying to calm her. It was the longest five hour flight of my life. Then we arrived at the vacation destination and my DH became violently ill with the stomach flu and had it for most of the vacation. Fussing baby and fussing DH. It was a handful!

Great trip report. Love those mom sweats!

 

[princessdaisy]

Oh my gosh...what a great trip report! I am laughing so hard...I remember how it was to fly when my little one was 10 months...I can especially relate with the sweatpants & capris!! LOL!

 

[daisylou]

Things improved vastly after we got off of that plane. I was not pelted with empty pretzel packets by departing travelers. In fact, several nice people made a point of stating how well the baby had done and how handsome he was (at least I could agree with the second bit). I always feel like I can't relax and really start my vacation until all my luggage has safely made it back to me. And luckily all my excessive bags were accounted for.

We got our requisite luggage cart and made our way to the L&M Rental desk. I had read a few negative reviews of this rental company on Mousesavers so I had a few fears. But, I love a bargain and their price was lower than any of the other companies I found. Luckily things went well, I was not strong armed into accepting the additional insurance or prepaid tank of gas, and was even talked into an upgrade from a Lancer to a Camry for an additional $15 for the week.

All traces of crankiness faded as we made it outside into the warm Florida night. I love Florida nights, I'm always reminded of Spring break visits to my MomMom's house in Fort Myers. We always went out for ice cream and would eat it in the parking lot, just reveling in the feeling of the warm, dark air on our snowbird faces. Even my older brother and I managed to stop fighting for a few minutes as we slowly licked our cones under the palm trees. Any memories associated with ice cream are bound to be pleasant ones. Plus we were pleased with our upgraded rental car. Man, am I glad I took that deal. Compared to the cramped little Hyundai I usually drive (I call it the piercing lower back pain car) that Camry was a beast. Trunk space, smooth pickup, seatbelts that don't dig into my ample hips, this car had it all.

The Florida highway system was a pleasant surprise also. I've lived in Delaware, the second smallest state in the country, my whole life. Yet, I regularly manage to get lost. So, I had my fears about navigating the hour or so drive to Titusville. Yet, it was surprisingly simple. And we easily made to our hotel. Let's just say homesickness would not be an issue, Walmart on the left, Dairy Queen on the right, Titusville's main drag looked just like good old Route 40 in our hometown. After a reassuringly familiar dinner from DQ we were in our rooms and out by 9pm.

 

[daisylou]

The day of the wedding dawned a bit chilly and windier than a bride who's planning a destination, outdoor wedding would like to see. Luckily Sis, Baby and I were only guests, not planners or participants in this particular ceremony so we could relax. We deserved it, Sis claims that the stress of my wedding is the reason she's still living in sin rather than happily wed. What can I say, I come from a family of shouters and panickers so planning a formal wedding for 150 people was a strain on all of us. My most vivid memory of my wedding day is waking up to the sounds of my Mom and Stepdad arguing about the whereabouts of the dog's dressy collar! At least the dog looked good for my big day though. Later on in the day Sis broke out in tears over lunch when she missed a birthday phone call from her long-distance boyfriend (yes, I got married on my sister's birthday, it was the only open Saturday in June. Nice sister I am, huh?). Needless to say, that complimentary bottle of champagne in the limo came in very handy during the ride to the chapel. Poor DH, I don't entirely remember the ceremony, I remember being very relaxed though...

Still God smiles on brides. By the time all the guests had arrived on the outdoor patio of the La Cita country club the sky was a clear blue, the sun was shinning and the wind was blowing gently. I was grateful for that breeze as the process of not only getting myself ready, but also wrangling a 10 month old (with decidedly nudist leanings) into a tiny button down shirt and sweater vest had me breaking out into a sweat. Plus I was wearing a few more layers than usual. See my days of simply slipping into a pretty little flowy dress are gone. My abdominal sins of childbearing have ended any possibility of wearing a dress without a thick layer of laytex body armour. Panty girdle, pushup bra and control top pantyhose in place, I resemble the chubbier, sweatier version of the girl my hubby married. Plus, I could probably repel a few bullets with my Kevlar like support garments! If only they could design control top pantyhose without the windowshade side effects. Every little bend at the waist would be followed by the distinct feel of my waistband rolling, rolling down.

Still, the wedding was lovely. My cousin looked radiant and the setting was so beautiful. Jack was perfect throughout, he was completely entertained by reaching over to Sis and shredding the cute little flower pin on her blazer. She must have believed my whispered promises to buy her another, she let him keep at it as long as it kept him happy. By the end of the week she would learn that people in the constant company of toddlers simply don't accesorize.

The extended family made our way to the reception room and found our placecards marked with wedding favors of small glass jars of orange blossom honey. We all agreed that it made cute gifts, decorated with little quotes comparing love's sweetness to honey. But, the general consensus was that we would all be abandoning our bottles at the hotel. Who wants to arrive home after vacation and face the already unpleasant prospect of unpacking only to find all their clothes smeared in honey? Why all of my dressy sweats could be ruined! Thanks to the open bar the reception was fun and went quickly. Sis was forced to tip the bartenders a ten spot after she realized she had no ones. After that they were good to us, very good. I stopped drinking after one shockingly strong screwdriver. But was at least reassured that Cousin was getting her value from the open bar. And Sis (who wasn't driving) did her part too.

Since the wedding was an early afternoon event, Sis and I decided to spend the rest of the day picking up a few essentials at the local Walmart. Hey, this wasn't just any Walmart, it was a Super Walmart. We don't have one at home, just ordinary Walmarts. So we were excited at the prospect of buying groceries also. And once we found out that you can also buy liquor at the grocery stores in the South we were really ready to proclaim it a Super Walmart. Thanks to the Blue Laws in Delaware you can only buy liquor at seperate liquor stores. And after I've already strapped and unstrapped the boy into his carseat I rarely feel the urge to schlepp him in and out of another store. But darn it this was vacation, we would be staying at the Boardwalk and could walk almost everywhere, so I threw caution to the wind and bought a large jug of Arbor Mist. Now as my wine snob hubby likes to point out Arbor Mist isn't really wine, it is actually malt liquor, that's right Colt 45 dressed up in a girlier bottle. What can I say, I drank alot of Boones Farm in college and it must have permanantely affected my palate. I perfer my "wine" to be a pretty pink color and taste of strawberry. As far as I was concerned our vacation was looking up. I had finally gotten the pantyhose off, I had some strawberry wine and tomorrow we were headed to Disney...

 

[Alysa]

Cheers - great report - here's to moms, girlie wine, capri pants and surviving the plane ride!

My best friend took her baby with about 6 outfits for baby (also a compulsive over-packer) on the plane to Disney and baby decided to projectile vomit all over her and her DH about 5 minutes after take off. It never occured to them that they might need a change of clothing as well, besides, there wasn't room with all the baby's outfits. According to her, that was a very long two hours and there is only so much vomit you can wash off in an airplane washroom. BTW - there wasn't a spot on baby - of course.

 

[melk]

I'm enjoying your trip report, it's a riot!
I especially loved "that people in the constant company of toddlers simply don't accesorize." How true!!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[richard_andmel]

Great report. You have made me glad we will be meeting my two little nieces at WDW, not flying with them.

 

[summersfam4]

Loving the reports! I was so glad to see more posted! Your report brings me back to when my little DD (now 22 months) was 4 months old and we took a Disney trip followed immediately by a trip to SC for my sister's wedding, although DH had to do most of the baby work that weekend as Matron of Honor Spit up wouldn't have looked quite right on my shoulder in Sis's pictures

Kelly

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Great report, I can't wait till you get to Disney. And, that's my kind of wine also !! But, I'm more into the girlie foo-foo drinks anyways !! Bottoms up !!

 

[twocjsmom]

Thanks so much for some great reports. As I'm sitting here reading them and not doing work while I'm at work, I'm chuckling to myself as I can totally relate to the baby on the plane thing, and those lovely undergarments we get to wear after our abs just wont go back to normal after having a baby. Then, I almost fell out of my chair, well, not really, when you mentioned the great state of Delaware, and its wonderful rte 40, since I too (but not for my whole life) am a Delawarian!

Keep those reports coming!

 

[Ozymoe]

QUOTE]

Totally LOL...this is going to be a good trip report and I have only read your opening post!

 

[Del]

Eager for the next day of your report...thanks --Del (2 miles from the DE line)

 

[lynetteSC]

OMG this is such a LOL report! I must admit I copied your remark about traveling with toddlers and accessories for my mom! She is fru fru woman and always ends up with my ds trying to damage/eat/demolish her accessories!
13 shoes ... my mom took 13 pairs of shoes when we cruised Alaksa, but NO coat! Not even a jacket! Your post was too funny! Can't wait to read the rest!