Well, this trip was....different. UPDATE - 9/1!

[RGirl]

I’m back!

I’m so sorry to hear that you were feeling sick again. That is just no way to spend time on vacation.

Reid looks so happy in the pics - I love it! They don’t reflect his ugly attitude at all. I’m sure he was able to correct that quickly, however.

“Underpants!!!”

I can’t believe the bad luck with POTC and BTMRR!!! That must have been so frustrating. And then the rain!!! I love that you showed the rain who was boss!

I’m really glad you enjoyed ‘Ohana so much. I think I am the only person on the DIS who didn’t really like dinner there! We did NOT have a good server and the woman providing the “entertainment” was downright terrible though, so maybe it had more to do with those things than anything else.

Loved hearing about Tusker House since we will have breakfast there for the first time in August. Glad you enjoyed it!!!!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Aghhh... tests on your children... worst thing... sorry to say it doesn't get too much better... your worry and emotions... you just feel a little less bad that they're bigger... but not much... I'm really glad that it went smoothly and sending good thoughts and wishes for Reid... & for the record... I like Chick-fil-a myself... something about the batter flavoring...

Oh Wow... How likely is it to get stuck on PotC like that and then have BTMMR close? Well it does make for a good story... and I'm glad that at least they gave you a FP...

Tusker House is a great way to start an AK Day... great food... you're in the park and I love the safari costumes... Good stuff...

 

[afwdwfan]

Hey there! I haven't seen you around in a while. Just wanted to say hi and I hope you're all doing well!

 

[hstrickland]

Hey there! I haven't seen you around in a while. Just wanted to say hi and I hope you're all doing well!

Same here! Miss "seeing" you around! Of course I just got back myself after a 6 week hiatus

Heather

 

[Venomhatch]

Subbing in...

First, I saw that Coach Purse on top of one of the luggage, My Fiance has that same one! Is that bad she has me picking those out of peoples photos and in crowds?

Second, I felt the same way with it slowed down this year. We had all kinds of issues this year for us. Ranging from food poisoning to just feeling like we didn't do anything on this trip. But in some defense this was the first trip we did since I started as a Cast Member.

 

[MEK]

Hey there! I haven't seen you around in a while. Just wanted to say hi and I hope you're all doing well!

I noticed your TR bumped too. I hope everything is OK and you will be back with us soon!

 

[pas130]

Same here! Miss "seeing" you around! Of course I just got back myself after a 6 week hiatus

Heather

Here's to hoping Amanda is right behind you Heather

 

[jennyjinx3]

just checking in too...Amanda everything ok?? How was the cruise??

 

[amandaw]

Hi, everybody!

I am so, so sorry for abandoning y'all and this TR. I don't like to make excuses but all I can say is that life just really "got in the way" this year. April and May in particular were ridiculously hectic.

Let's see....we had TBall every week (Ed was coaching Reid's team), karate 2x a week, plus I had all sorts of end of the school year activities to organize since I was the room mom for Reid's PreK class (Teacher Appreciation week, end of the year parties, etc).

And, of course, when I left off we were in the middle of waiting for Reid's test results. The results were mainly good: nothing malformed as far as his auditory complex goes and no scary, metabolic, genetic syndromes causing his hearing loss either. There was one incidental finding in his MRI about his cerebellum that threw me out of sorts for a couple of weeks. His ENT thinks it's nothing to worry about though. In fact, she told me that she almost didn't even tell me about the finding because she sees it a lot in people who are having MRIs for other reasons.

The last few days of May, which were the days leading up to our cruise, my dad decided to spring a last minute trip on us from Georgia. So, not only was I hosting family and trying to get ready for a trip but I was also sick. Yeah, it was stressful and not fun.

But, I'm happy to say, that on May 31st we headed out to Orlando & boarded the Fantasy on June 1st. And it was our best vacation EVER!!! Seriously. I could not have asked for a better vacation and it was just what our family needed.

Since we've been home, we've tried to just relax and enjoy our summer. However, Reid hurt his tailbone on the cruise so it was more doctor appointments and XRAYS for us in July. They think he just bruised it very badly and it may take 3-4 months to heal. We also had to go to a neurotologist in another city to get his opinion on his hearing loss. This doctor pretty much agreed with all of the findings from his ENT. The only thing he notated that no one else had was that his jugular bulb (in his brain near the auditory complex) is enlarged. What this means for Reid is that he shouldn't have large amounts of sodium in one seating (like 4 bags of chips at one time) and he shouldn't play sports that make him continually bang his head (soccer, football). I really felt bad for him about not being able to play for football because he constantly talks about playing for LSU one day. But, I am secretly relieved because as much as I love watching football I do not want my baby out there getting banged up.

And this past Friday, Reid finally got his hearing aid. He says he hears better with it but I do think his audiologist will have to turn up the volume when we see her this Friday because he is still asking "What?" a lot.

Other than that, we are now gearing up to start Kindergarten. We have a skill assesment, orientation, etc to go through starting on 8/14 and his first official day will 8/21. I'm excited yet anxious for him.

So, that is what has been going on with us. Again, I am truly sorry for abandoning y'all. It was never my intention. And I am so touched and thankful by those of you "checking in" on us. I know my TR was almost over but I am considering just finishing up the last couple of days for y'all. I have caught up on the DIS as much as I will be able to. I'm hoping to be back tomorrow night with at least one update closer to finishing this TR.

 

[shan23877]

Good to see you back

 

[amandaw]

Good to see you back

Thanks, Shannon! It's good to be back!

 

[catherines_mama]

Glad to have you back and hear that his hearing is doing better with the aid. Hope his bumm feels better soon too.

Big boy school is a huge step for him and y'all, it'll be okay though. Looking fwd to the wrap up and maybe some pics from the cruise??

 

[TinksThree]

Glad to see you back! You have been busy!!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Welcome back!!!

I'm glad that Reid's tests didn't indicate anything that is too terribly bad. It certainly is a shame he won't be able to play football, but in the long run health has to be the priority.

I have to ask one question though. How do you get a kid his age to allow an injury like a tailbone bruise time to heal???

 

[wiigirl]

Welcome back!

 

[marDgreen88]

AHHH, yay! I'm so so excited to see you back on here! I've missed you! Sorry things have been hectic. So nice to hear that Reid is doing well.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[jennyjinx3]

You are back!

 

[merbobear]

I'm glad you guys had a great vacation! I'm glad that the hearing loss isn't being caused by anything terrible, and that the hearing aid is working out ok for Reid! Is he exited to start Kindergarten? My daughter is starting this year too and she can't wait...I've been hitting target constantly, stocking up on glue sticks (her school wants each grade K student to bring in 30..yes, 30 EACH) and crayons and such. I have been getting a few packs of glue sticks each time I go, so I don't buy them all at once and feel like "Why did I just spend 15 bucks on glue?" lol

 

[emma212010]

I am so glad everything with Reid turned out ok!! Yay for being back on the Dis! We have missed you! I'm glad you had a wonderful cruise vacation to top off that crazy busy couple of months!!! Yikes! I hope everything gets clearer with poor Reid's ears as he grows! He is in my thoughts and prayers!! <3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[RGirl]

It is truly wonderful to see you back on the DIS, Amanda.