We're Doing Disney Again Someday...Plus One! ~ Come Read my Trip Report!!!

[amazingact21]

Just stumbled upon your PTR and am now subbing! Your DD is beautiful, and I love her nursery. You have to start the Disney love immediately!

 

[Leshaface]

Just read your birth story and LOVED it! So glad you weren't pushing for too long. I was worried about that part too.

Have you ever heard of James Hance and his drawings of Wookie the Chew? Maybe I have already talked to you about him (talked with someone about him on the DIS) but he incorporates Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars together! We were going to order some but they were way to large to hag in his room.

 

[Dugette]

We had a horrible night our first night home. The next morning I called my mom and said "please go to babies r us and buy a miracle blanket and bring it to my house!!" She did...the first night we used it (2nd night home) we were afraid to wrap it super tight and it was another horrible night until at like 3 am when Andrew swaddled him with the miracle blanket AND a receiving blanket in the burrito wrap like at the hospital. The next night we moved him to his own room, double wrapped him like we figured out the night before and I didn't hear from him once from midnight til 8 am. It was AMAZING and then he did that almost every night from then until 3 months when he had a growth spurt and it all went to "heck" in an handbasket.
yeah...I used the halo blankets for naps but they only worked for me for 2-3 hr stretches. But that miracle blanket...it works...it's a miracle. I now give it to every new mom I know.

That's awesome! I need to keep that in mind. I need to get back to swaddling more. I really need to for naps, as she doesn't take very long ones, unless we're in the car/running errands. I was using the Halo swaddle sacks at night, but the swaddle rides up to her face and that scares me, so I've been using the regular (non-swaddle) Halo sleep sacks. She's typically been doing a 5-hour stretch, followed by a 3-hour stretch lately. Maybe I should try the swaddle again and see how she does, I don't know.

Awwwwww!!!! Cute photos!!! She's getting so big! I'm glad things are getting easier and easier. Oh man, when the smiles start you're just going to love her even more than you do now! It's the BEST!!

It is the best! I love the smiles and giggles! There is something (not sure what) in the Toy Story decals on her nursery wall that has made her smile and giggle during the middle-of-the-night feedings the last three nights...so cute!

AprilRenee - you are lucky!! Dug Baby has a much more normal sleep pattern for a newborn. As I shared with Dugette earlier I am just finishing my Masters Degree in Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner and am doing clinicals with a doctor right now that sees a lot of babies in practice. She tells her patient's parents that the goal should be to get one stretch of 5-7 hrs a night by 3 months old. So the fact that you got your baby to sleep that much right away is super lucky. Most babies that are only 1 month can't eat enough to sleep that long, it is truly hunger that wakes them up!

Yeah, I think Dug Baby's pretty typical. I had high hopes for her, as I'm a REALLY good sleeper My mom told me I was as a baby too. But I can deal with the current pattern for now. I'm happy we got her to go to bed at 9:45pm the last two nights, since she was going MUCH later previously. Tonight will probably be a bit later, as she just took a late nap and is wide awake and enjoying her bouncy seat right now. Hopefully not too late, though.

I'm glad you are already feeling like things are getting easier! I think it was about 8-9 weeks for me! Before then it really wasn't all that much fun. I've decided I am NOT a newborn person. Once the smiles and laughs came it was all over! Then rolling over, crawling, everything is just getting more and more fun. First 2 months though? Thought of them makes me not want to have another...

I totally understand. I really thought I'd enjoy the newborn period and it was surprisingly tough. With the smiles and giggles happening now, though, it's getting much better. Still challenging at times, but better. Can't wait for her to do more of that fun stuff!

Will she do tummy time? Aria wouldn't for quite a while but I got her a fisher price piano tummy time mat thing and from that point on she loved it! I swear that is what got her to turn over at 3 months old, and we JUST put it away with her itty bitty stuff but she still liked playing with the hanging things.

We actually have that same tummy time mat. She's pretty good for tummy time (in limited amounts), but LOVES being on her back on that thing. She stares at herself in the mirror, kicks the piano, and swats at the hanging things, while smiling from ear to ear. So cute!

No idea about the holiday stuff. I oculdn't imagine going for my first trip WITH a huge family group during that time. I could see going now, and just having very low expectations of actually doing anything. But for first timers, EEK I would be afraid (like you) that it will scare them away from ever going again.

I really hope things go well for them. That's such a tough week!

Yes. I know I got lucky with him. He was also 10lbs at birth and 2 weeks late. So he was a little ahead of the game there.
He stopped sleeping as well once he hit his 3 month growth spurt/4 month sleep regression/5 month bad habits from the 2 months before. so I've paid my dues these last 3 months

I don't want to hear that! It's not all roses and sunshine from here on out?

Happy 1 Month, Baby Girl!

Thanks!

This trip report has some great tips about traveling at that time- though it was just a family of 4- her Holidays tips (in the 3rd post) are awesome!

Thank you so much! This is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! I saw your link and skimmed it the other day and she covers most everything I want them to be aware of. I sent the link to SIL, so we'll see if she reads it, I guess. Thanks again!

Just stumbled upon your PTR and am now subbing! Your DD is beautiful, and I love her nursery. You have to start the Disney love immediately!

and thank you so much! Yes, she will have no choice but to love Disney!

Just read your birth story and LOVED it! So glad you weren't pushing for too long. I was worried about that part too.

Thanks! I don't think I could have held up for much more pushing! I was so exhausted by that point. I didn't care how much it hurt, I just wanted to get it done!

Have you ever heard of James Hance and his drawings of Wookie the Chew? Maybe I have already talked to you about him (talked with someone about him on the DIS) but he incorporates Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars together! We were going to order some but they were way to large to hag in his room.

Yes, we actually ended up getting a few for her room! So cool! We got a couple that are Star Wars/Up too! You can see most of them in this picture:

There's one other on a different wall too. Love them!

 

[Leshaface]

The picture with him flying away (bottom left corner), is that an 8X10? One of the ones we wanted was huge, like 17X11 or some crazy number.

 

[Dugette]

The picture with him flying away (bottom left corner), is that an 8X10? One of the ones we wanted was huge, like 17X11 or some crazy number.

No, they're all huge. I think that is about 17x11 and the others are bigger. Luckily, we have a lot of wall space, but we had to special order frames that would fit everything. I wish they were more standard sizes!

 

[AprilRenee]

I don't want to hear that! It's not all roses and sunshine from here on out?

Good news!! After much work and some tears (mostly from me) Caden is sleeping 8-8 with no wake ups most nights. He's about 6.5 months now (though only about 50% of my facebook moms group can say that. So don't quote 6.5 months as the magic number) . But there IS hope!!

But no, not all roses and sunshine from here on out. But it's ok cause the good times FAR outweigh the bad!! I love this boy SOO much now! I want to spend every single moment with him! Sometimes I have to refrain from waking him from his nap just cause I miss him!

 

[Dugette]

Good news!! After much work and some tears (mostly from me) Caden is sleeping 8-8 with no wake ups most nights. He's about 6.5 months now (though only about 50% of my facebook moms group can say that. So don't quote 6.5 months as the magic number) . But there IS hope!!

But no, not all roses and sunshine from here on out. But it's ok cause the good times FAR outweigh the bad!! I love this boy SOO much now! I want to spend every single moment with him! Sometimes I have to refrain from waking him from his nap just cause I miss him!

Yay on the 8-8! That would be amazing. We're pretty much getting a 4-5 hour stretch, then a 3-4 hour stretch, then a couple 1 hour stretches still. I got her down at 9:30 tonight, though, which is good (she had been quite the night owl, but we've been slowly moving it up). Nice to have time to do some other things (like DIS!)

 

[Dugette]

Hi, all. Watching Dug Baby sleep on the video monitor, so finally have hands free to do an update. Not a lot of trip-planning stuff to share yet, as we've been a bit distracted by all the newborn stuff.

One interesting thing is that my former work supervisor will likely be in WDW with his extended family the same week as us. That's cool, as he's a great guy and I've been helping him plan some things for his trip. So, maybe we'll get to meet up with someone we know again (a previous trip had us running into friends of ours that we didn't know were there!)

Also, Dug Baby absolutely loves falling asleep to the soundtrack from Soarin'. I really think that, when she's big enough to ride it, there's a decent chance she'll pass right out on the ride!

Can't remember if I mentioned yet that she finds something in the Toy Story wall decal area of her room hilarious. She always looks at that wall (behind the glider where we nurse at night) and breaks into a big grin and often giggles. I think it's maybe Bullseye the horse she's looking at, but not sure. Really cute, though. Yay, she likes Disney stuff!

We've been chatting about meals and attractions and things we want to do on our trip, but really haven't made any new concrete plans. I guess this is not the most exciting PTR right now...

Oh, well, I can try to make up for that with lots of random baby pictures!

Happy baby doing jazz hands:

Look, a dalmatian:

Kicking the piano on her playmat:

Extreme close-up:

We discovered that Dug met Donald Duck early in life in this picture from his baby-hood (we were comparing Dug and Dug Baby's baby pics, since she looks a lot like him):

The Little Mermaid fell asleep:

Right before Halloween, the news broke that Disney had acquired Lucasfilm (so, Star Wars and Indiana Jones). So, Dug's Halloween costume was that merger (he's wearing a shirt from Star Wars Weekends at WDW). Dug Baby dressed as Yoda:

Later that night, Dug Baby tried on Dug's hat:

A few days later, I took her with to vote:

The last few days were busy. Lots of outings. On Saturday, we were foolish enough to go to the Mall of America. CRAZY busy. At least as crowded as the MK on Christmas Day, I'd say. Somehow, Dug Baby managed to sleep through the entire outing!

First stop was the Disney Store:

We got her the Three Caballeros:

We also got her something to match her onesie:

Next stop was the Apple Store to buy a second laptop (no more waiting for Dug to be done to DIS!):

We were sure glad to get out of there afterwards. Such a madhouse!

That night, I must have reminded her that we're taking her to WDW:

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z410/LoungingAround/Baby%20PTR/**********.jpg

The next day, Sunday, was Dug Baby's baptism. She slept through that too (I suspect she just finished her 6-week growth spurt and was extra tired):

Afterwards, she got to hang out with some of her aunts and uncles that she hadn't yet met. She enjoyed looking at some new faces.

Yesterday, we took her to visit my co-workers (I don't go back for another month):

Hard to tell, but that is a Little Mermaid onesie. She enjoyed all the new faces here too. Since I work for a Target-owned company, she also met the Target dog (Bullseye):

That's all I've got for now. Hope you've enjoyed! Off to catch up on other people's P/TR's!

 

[Leshaface]

Her yoda costume is super cute! And I love that Marie onesie you have on her. I think Calvin is cutest when he has Disney onesies on...and let me tell you, he has so many that he has to go through while we're at Disney World!

I like her binkie btw. I don't think i've seen a round one like that. Does she hang on to it pretty good? We've been trying to use a binkie with Calvin, but he just can't seem to keep it in, unless we're holding it to him.

 

[Dugette]

Her yoda costume is super cute!

Thanks! I let Dug pick her costume. Turned out pretty good.

And I love that Marie onesie you have on her. I think Calvin is cutest when he has Disney onesies on...and let me tell you, he has so many that he has to go through while we're at Disney World!

She has so many Disney clothes! So hard to resist them! And we're not going to WDW for over a year, but I think she currently has Disney outfits (that will hopefully fit her at the time) for the entire trip. By the time we go, we'll probably have so many that she'll be doing 4 costume changes a day just to wear them all!

I like her binkie btw. I don't think i've seen a round one like that. Does she hang on to it pretty good? We've been trying to use a binkie with Calvin, but he just can't seem to keep it in, unless we're holding it to him.

It is a Soothie (http://www.target.com/p/philips-avent-soothie-pacifier-0-6-months-green/-/A-13956486). She really likes it when she's trying to settle down to sleep (and has already eaten). It's hit or miss on holding it in. Sometimes she can for a long time and sometimes she drops it repeatedly. Definitely helps her to settle down, though. I know that this one also has a product called "Wubbanub" (http://www.wubbanub.com/products_main.html) that is meant to help hold it in. I've thought about getting one, but haven't done so yet. Could be helpful, though.

 

[Leshaface]

Thanks! I let Dug pick her costume. Turned out pretty good.


She has so many Disney clothes! So hard to resist them! And we're not going to WDW for over a year, but I think she currently has Disney outfits (that will hopefully fit her at the time) for the entire trip. By the time we go, we'll probably have so many that she'll be doing 4 costume changes a day just to wear them all!


It is a Soothie (http://www.target.com/p/philips-avent-soothie-pacifier-0-6-months-green/-/A-13956486). She really likes it when she's trying to settle down to sleep (and has already eaten). It's hit or miss on holding it in. Sometimes she can for a long time and sometimes she drops it repeatedly. Definitely helps her to settle down, though. I know that this one also has a product called "Wubbanub" (http://www.wubbanub.com/products_main.html) that is meant to help hold it in. I've thought about getting one, but haven't done so yet. Could be helpful, though.

I know what you mean! And the funny thing is, we'll (especially my mom) probably be seeing TONS of cute clothes for him there so we'll be coming back home with an extra suitcase filled with stuff! I'm sure next year, you'll be doing the same thing!

Okay I need to check that binkie out thanks for the link!

 

[reelmom]

Dug Baby is so alert. She is really growing.

 

[cindianne320]

Such a sweet girl! Our DD slept through her first trip to the MoA, too!

 

[AprilRenee]

Cutie!! Love her Disney store pics! I have some very similar ones of Caden sleeping in the store. We piled a whole bunch of stuffed animals on his carseat and took a pic of him buried in them. Lol

She's growing so much! Enjoy every minute I'm sure you are!

 

[Imagineer5]

Oh she is super cute! Love all the pictures! That was the only pacifier Aria would take too. though she gave those up as soon as she found her thumb

Love all the disney outfits, and that so so adorable about her smiling and giggling at something on her wall. So sweet!

 

[amazingact21]

Aw, your DD is too cute in those pictures! I've seen those LM onsies, and I've thought they were adorable!
It sounds like your little one is going to be more than ready for her first Disney trip, what with getting to know all the characters via wall decals and listening to Soarin'.

 

[Dugette]

First off, just want to inform any of you that were following my not-yet-finished October 2011 TR that I FINALLY posted a new update! (only 3 months after the last post on that thread...). I hope to get more done during Dug Baby's naps/endless-pacifier-replugging-in-an-attempt-for-a-naps (which I'm doing now).

I know what you mean! And the funny thing is, we'll (especially my mom) probably be seeing TONS of cute clothes for him there so we'll be coming back home with an extra suitcase filled with stuff! I'm sure next year, you'll be doing the same thing!

Okay I need to check that binkie out thanks for the link!

Good point about all the cute Disney clothes we'll see there. I remember how cute some of those gift shop outfits were on the last trip...and now we have someone to buy them for...uh oh!

Dug Baby is so alert. She is really growing.

I can't believe how much more she seems like a small human versus a baby with each week!

Such a sweet girl! Our DD slept through her first trip to the MoA, too!

Apparently the babies find it quite the snore! I'm so glad she slept through all that chaos, though.

Cutie!! Love her Disney store pics! I have some very similar ones of Caden sleeping in the store. We piled a whole bunch of stuffed animals on his carseat and took a pic of him buried in them. Lol

She's growing so much! Enjoy every minute I'm sure you are!

Those do sound like very similar Disney Store pics! She's getting more enjoyable all the time!

Oh she is super cute! Love all the pictures! That was the only pacifier Aria would take too. though she gave those up as soon as she found her thumb

Love all the disney outfits, and that so so adorable about her smiling and giggling at something on her wall. So sweet!

We haven't even tried another pacifier, since she seems content with this, but we have a Nuk free sample as a backup. Dug Baby has been known to try to stuff her fist in her mouth, but I haven't seen her do so with her thumb only yet.

I love her smiles and giggles. Her newest thing is the light on the ceiling by our front door. If you use your imagination, it kind-of looks like a (gigantic) milk source, if you know what I mean, so she has been looking at it with big eyes and then smiling and laughing. So cute!

Aw, your DD is too cute in those pictures! I've seen those LM onsies, and I've thought they were adorable!
It sounds like your little one is going to be more than ready for her first Disney trip, what with getting to know all the characters via wall decals and listening to Soarin'.

I really like those Little Mermaid onesies (and we have the sleeper too). All the Disney clothes are great. She will be well-trained by the time she gets to WDW!

 

[reelmom]

A tip from when my boys were little and used pacifiers~ When Dug Baby is able to put her own pacifier back in her mouth, make sure you put several in the crib with her. That way when she wakes up in the middle of the night or during nap time, she will be able to find one to soothe herself back to sleep without waking you up. My cousin told me to do this and I probably put 10 pacifiers in the crib at one time. Worked like a charm.

 

[Dugette]

A tip from when my boys were little and used pacifiers~ When Dug Baby is able to put her own pacifier back in her mouth, make sure you put several in the crib with her. That way when she wakes up in the middle of the night or during nap time, she will be able to find one to soothe herself back to sleep without waking you up. My cousin told me to do this and I probably put 10 pacifiers in the crib at one time. Worked like a charm.

That's a good idea! I will have to remember it. Right now, she sometimes (maybe accidentally) holds it into her mouth, but definitely not picking it up yet. When does that happen? Sounds nice!

 

[Dugette]

In Disney-training news, we took Dug Baby to her first character meet and greets a few nights ago. She was so comfortable with them that she slept right through them! I think a year from now in WDW we may have different results. And the characters are better. I swear Dug Baby loves Minnie Mouse. She just stares and stares at the Minnie Mouse changing pad cover we have, sometimes smiling or laughing at it. Anyway, these characters were at a holiday open house at an outdoor mall in our area:

During the event, she was also surrounded by carolers:

She briefly opened her eyes to express her approval of their tunes.

She also saw real reindeer:

She actually did take a good look at them when we held her up to see:

Before all those meet and greets, she also got to (have Daddy) write her first letter to Santa:

I have a feeling she just may get the things she asked for!

Even though she looked like this before we left for the event:

She looked like this when we got home:

And because I like to share cute pictures, and can't think of any way to link these to Disney, here you go:

Hey, Marie the Cat is in that one, so it is Disney-related!

We were starting to think that those pajamas in the above picture were magic pajamas , as she wore them two nights in a row (Friday and Saturday) and had much longer stretches of sleep than she had been doing. Up until then, the most we would get was a 4-5 hour stretch (with a couple rare 6-7 hour exceptions way back when). Friday night, she slept 6.5 hours and Saturday 8.5 hours! We did put different pajamas on her the last couple nights, though, and the sleeping kept up with 6 hours Sunday night and just under 9 hours last night. I really hope this is the start of something good! She's asleep for the night now, so we'll see how long it lasts.

Also, she turned 2 months old today:

Notice she's holding up two fingers in that picture...she's smart!

Just a reminder to anyone who missed it: I have done 3 updates on my October 2011 TR recently, if you had been following it before Dug Baby was born. I really do plan to finish it!

And, if I don't update before then, Happy Thanksgiving!