Six Years Down...Fifty Four To Go

Six years ago I told my best friend I'd be with him forever...actually I specifically never used the word forever because I'm a commitment-phobe and the idea of forever gave me palpitations. Forever was of course implied in the vows but I very specifically told my now husband beforehand that I could only promise 60 years and we'll do sort of a year-to-year lease option after that. 

Somehow what I had intended to be a slightly sappy, cute little post about my husband and our anniversary has gone badly off course. So, I guess I'll just make it short and sweet...

Joshua understands my fears, my failures, my weaknesses and loves me anyway. He says the sarcastic things I think but does it so masterfully that the people it's directed towards, love him that much more for it. He's the best father any kid could have. He takes care of me when I'm sick and doesn't hold it against me that I tell him to suck it up when he's sick. He comes across as the mean one and lets me be the nice one (shh, it's a secret...he's a marshmallow-I'm the mean one). He lets me hold the remote. He shares my ridiculous obsession with all things Disney and graciously cooperates when I'm constantly saying that I want to stop and take a picture...over and over when most of the time he'd rather be doing just about anything in that moment other than smiling and pinning the children in their places while I click away. He supports my decision to stay home and would equally support me if I chose to go back to work. He cuddles up with me and watches chick flicks without complaint (even the ones he's not secretly excited about too).

He's my best friend and I miss him. 

Ok. Sappy moment over.

Post-Christmas Wrap Up

This is the obligatory recount of the Christmas highlights. We went up to my mom and step-dad's house for a long weekend. Did some shopping. Got to see my step-brothers...always fun. Opened some presents. Ate some good food. Kids caught Grandma's winter crud. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning-the boy is helping his sister open her new toys and stuff

The boy got a camera of his own...it's a Fisher Price and it takes really amazing video but the still picture quality is lacking (to say the least)

We're home again and I think the boy is on the upswing of the winter crud...I believe this because he invaded MY Christmas box of chocolates while I was out of the kitchen. 

His mug shot.

Abandoned by Technology

This deployment has brought with it a technological curse. Since Joshua left in February, here's a list of the things which have either become possessed or straight up died on me...in no particular order...

Waffle Maker

Laptop-only briefly until the Laptop Dr could fix it-Thank God!

Breast Pump

Cell phone-actually 2 cell phones, 3 different times

Washing Machine

Battery in my truck

Fuse Box-for the house...meaning no power to two rooms until it was fixed

Address Book-file on computer

DVD player in the truck-on the drive back from Florida

Laptop Cooling Thing-not the internal fan but the thing it sits on and has a fan that is powered by the laptop via USB (made a funny/slightly terrifying smell when it died)

iPod Shuffle

Dishwasher

And most recently...as in yesterday, my printer.

I'm not sure if that's an excessive amount, given that it's been 10 months and I'm sure most, if not all of these mini-disasters would have happened anyway but I married Joshua for two big reasons (other than the whole I love him and want to spend my life with him thing)...

A-he's tall...you know, so he can reach things that I can't and I can breed height back into my gene pool

and

B-he can fix just about anything...sure, I know how to fix a flat tire and if I absolutely had to, I could even change my own oil...probably...but that's just it, I married Joshua so I would never have to do anything remotely resembling mechanical/electrical work. 

So, I'm counting the days and praying nothing else breaks between now and when Joshua comes home because at this point, I'll most likely leave anything that abandons me for him to fix.

Disney World with Infants/Small Children Part 2

As always, if you're planning your first trip to Disney World and are bit overwhelmed, check out our post for Starting to Plan your Disney World Vacation...we break down everything for you!

Also, check out Disney World with Infants/Small Children Part 1 for information about Disney World's Baby Care Centers, Disney's Rider Swap option for rides that are too big for the little ones, all your stroller options and helpful information explaining the Single Rider Lines.

In this post we're going to cover...

Infant Car Seat Carriers
Stroller Bassinets
Wraps/Baby Carriers
Restaurant Tips
Weather Concerns
Harmony Barber Shop

Most people would agree that strollers are a MUST at Disney World for the littlest guests but strollers are really just one part of the equation. Many of the attractions will allow your little one...no matter how little so the question becomes...wake the sleeping baby from the stroller or find another solution. If you still are able to use an infant car seat carrier, it's a great option...especially if you have a travel system stroller and it just snaps into the stroller frame or toddler seat. An even better option is if your stroller has a bassinet that attaches and detaches from the stroller. Both are great options especially at restaurants BUT, you should know that there are some attractions which will allow the baby but not in an infant carrier or bassinet. They will, however, allow you to "wear" your baby onto the attraction in either a wrap or snugli style baby carrier (not to be confused with the infant car seat carrier).

(wrap style)

(snugli style)

Many moms prefer the sling style carrier (often used for newborns) but unfortunately, there are less attractions which will allow a sling-only style carrier because several require that you either hold the baby or the baby be upright and facing out. The reasons for the various touring options are as many as the attractions themselves...some for instance, require you to sit with a bar down (Peter Pan) which would make it all but impossible to have the baby in any other way but upright and facing out. Other factors like the size of the seating in attractions like Dumbo make it impossible to bring an infant car seat carrier onto the ride.

At the bottom of this post, you'll find a list all of the rides which will allow you to take baby on and in what manner Disney will allow it.

Another big concern for parents can be restaurants. If you're going to a sit down table service meal, be sure to mention the baby when you call to make your reservation and whether or not the baby will be in a high chair. If you're planning on using an infant car seat carrier, a few of the restaurants have the slings which are designed to hold infant car seats but if they don't, the high chairs they have are designed to be flipped upside down and have straps to attach the car seat to the high chair frame. If your baby isn't in an infant carrier but falls asleep in the stroller before your meal, just mention it to the hostess and they'll usually make an exception to allow you to bring your stroller in and place it next to the table if at all possible. Almost all of the counter service restaurants (check out the Disney Dining Plan to read more about the differences between counter service and table service restaurants at Disney World) will allow you to bring your stroller into the restaurant.

One of the biggest issues you'll face with an infant or small child is the weather. Weather.com will give you a good idea of what to expect...both a 10 day forecast and an annual average so that you can tentatively plan ahead. One must-have in the summertime is a stroller fan. They can attach to just about any stroller, car seat or bassinet and can keep baby much cooler. Of course, if you forget your stroller fan, Disney sells a Mickey Mouse version that offers pretty decent air flow although the battery life could be better. If you go in the hottest part of summer, however, even the best fan won't do much more than blow hot air so a misting fan may be a better option. 

Just fyi: we tried the cooling pads you can buy at Walgreens and don't recommend them.

(photo: disboards.com ...we have the same exact fan but it's December so ours is packed away in a summer box in the back of my son's closet)

Most people assume sun is an issue when you go to Florida (sun shades for strollers are a great option if your stroller doesn't have much of one already) but rain is often overlooked especially if you bring your own stroller. Bring a rain cover unless you're going to rent a stroller from an outside company which will allow you to also rent a rain cover. If you forget, Disney DOES NOT sell or rent stroller covers. They do, however, sell ponchos and you can always buy an adult poncho and make it work with your stroller.

Also, if you have a little one who's not quite a baby anymore but not yet a big kid, Disney has a kiddie coaster in Magic Kingdom called the Great Goofini. It has a height requirement of only 35 inches and many children can ride it as young as two. Speaking of two...it can be a disappointing age...sure, it's free to take them at two but they are too young for the full experience at Pirate's League or Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique. They can, however, still have a magical experience. Bring costumes from home. Give them their own Princess or Pirate makeover while older siblings get the Disney experience. 

Or, take them to the Harmony Barber Shop (advance reservations recommended!!!) and let them get their first hair cut or just colored hair gel and confetti (no age limit and a fairly inexpensive extra you could easily add).

*****

Below is a list of the Disney attractions which will allow babies and/or small chrildren:

Magic Kingdom:

In any form outside of the stroller...held in arms, car seat carrier, bassinet, wrap or snugli carrier:

Enchanted Tiki Room

Carousel of Progress

Monster's Inc Laugh Floor

Wrap, snugli carrier or held in arms:

Jungle Cruise

Hall of Presidents

Mickey's PhilharMagic

Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Pirates of the Caribbean

Haunted Mansion (wrap/carrier-upright and facing out or held)

Dumbo

It's A Small World

Mad Tea Party (although I wouldn't recommend it for the smallest of babies)

Snow White's Scary Adventure

Peter Pan's Flight (wrap/carrier-upright and facing out or held)

Prince Charming Carousel

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (wrap/carrier-upright and facing out or held)

Unknown (sorry, I don't know all the attraction regulations):

Walt Disney World Railroad (strollers are not allowed)

Swiss Family Tree House (strollers are not allowed)

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Astro Orbiter (although it's very similar to Dumbo so I would assume the same rules apply)

Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

Country Bear Jamboree

Epcot:

Keep in mind that strollers are welcome inside Innoventions East and West as well as all of the various country pavilion shops of World Showcase. Italy, Germany, Japan and the UK pavilions don't have specific attractions which wouldn't allow a stroller. 

In any form outside of the stroller...held in arms, car seat carrier, bassinet, wrap or snugli carrier:

Turtle Talk with Crush

China, America, Morocco, France, and Canada pavilions have movie presentations which give you a brief but fascinating look into each country's history as well as what modern life there is like.

Wrap, snugli carrier or held in arms:

Journey in Imagination with Figment

Spaceship Earth

Finding Nemo Ride (upright and facing out...brings you into The Seas Pavilion)

Living with the Land

The Circle of Life

Universe of Energy (just a warning, the show lasts 45 minutes)

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros-Mexican Pavilion attraction-boat ride

Maelstorm-Norway Pavilion attraction-boat ride

Unknown:

Captain EO

Hollywood Studios:

In any form outside of the stroller...held in arms, car seat carrier, bassinet, wrap or snugli carrier:

Beauty and the Beast

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show

Wrap, snugli carrier or held in arms:

The Great Movie Ride

Backlot Tour

Muppet Vision 3D

Toy Story Midway Mania

Unknown:

American Idol Experience (although I would assume you could bring the baby inside in any form)

Sounds Dangerous

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Animal Kingdom:

Keep in mind that the Pagini Forest Exploration Trail and the Maharajah Jungle Trek allow you to take your stroller with you.

In any form outside of the stroller...held in arms, car seat carrier, bassinet, wrap or snugli carrier:

Festival of the Lion King

Flights of Wonder

Finding Nemo The Musical

Wrap, snugli carrier or held in arms:

It's Tough to Be a Bug

Kilimanjaro Safari (wrap/carrier-upright and facing out or held)

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I may not know the answer but I usually know how to find out.

No More Grinch

I've been in a funk lately and try as I might, I couldn't shake it. I couldn't will myself out of it. Which, for me, is very humbling because I see it as a weakness. It wasn't depression in the most dramatic sense, it was heart ache at the season and all that we're missing compounded with well-intended, ignorant people. The kind of people who think the song I'll Be Home For Christmas is a sweet song that should cheer me up...for the record, it's not sweet. It's more like soul-crushing.

But, then a friend emailed me (thanks again) and shared with me what helped her through her fiance's recent deployment. It wasn't the kind of email that gave me a three step solution to my problem or told me what I should be doing. It was just her experience and her recognition of how hard it can be during the holidays. I guess, in a sense, it reminded me that I'm not the only one doing this. It's been done since the beginning of time and the first war began.

Don't get me wrong, my funk wasn't a pity-party where I thought I was the only one having to deal with a difficult situation. It was just pain. It's so easy to get caught up in pain and isolation and allow it to pull you down even more, which in the end, just causes more pain and more isolation.

So, I'm going to try harder to remember that it's almost over, I'm not alone and maybe I'll manage to be a little less Grinch-y. In fact, we're going to a holiday parade this evening and after we'll probably drive around looking at lights. In fact, it could be fun to come up with ideas of what I want Joshua to do with our lights next year...because we will be going BIG next year with our lights.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

A commercial came on (which is a rare event in our house-usually the boy is only allowed to watch movies or dvr'd TV and I never have time to watch TV live) and the boy's reaction took me by surprise. He was watching Beauty and The Beast live on the Disney Channel. The commercial was for the Joining Forces Campaign with the first lady and a couple Disney stars-I have no idea who they are...some teeny bopper boy band or Hannah Montana actors-is that even still on?-I'm not sure but thankfully we're not at that stage yet so I don't have to know such things. 

I tried to find a youtube clip of the commercial so you could see it but I couldn't find it. Most of the commercial was the two young Disney stars talking about what it's like to grow up in a military family...the good and some of the bad. Mrs. Obama then made her plea to go to the White House's Joining Forces website. 

Anyway, the boy was glued to the TV and I could see the wheels turning so when the commercial ended, I paused the TV and waited for him to say whatever it was that he needed to say.

Boy: "I don't like that."

Me: "Ok...what don't you like?"

Boy: "Their Daddy was gone."

Me: "Yes. Their Daddy was a soldier like your Daddy. They're a military family and sometimes military families like us have to be away from each other."

Boy: "I don't want to do that anymore."

Me: "Me neither little man. What would make you feel better?"

Boy: "Popcorn chicken."

Me: "That I can do." 

So that's what we did. Sometimes I think I forget how hard this is on the boy because he's handled it so well. It's easy to mistake his ability to deal with the deployment as him being ok with the deployment. Other times I think I delude myself into believing he doesn't understand it when I know even without days like today that he understands it better than I do sometimes. He knew what would make him feel better and he let it work. We had popcorn chicken and now, he's scaring off an imaginary dinosaur from attacking his sister. 

I Surrender

I'm waving the white flag...at least for the rest of this month. Deployment has won. There's just too many holidays...too many reminders of how much it sucks to be apart.

Hanukkah starts in less than a week.

Joshua's birthday is the 22nd.

Christmas (yes, we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas) at my family's house.

New Year's Eve...which happens to also be our anniversary (looking back, we really didn't think that one through).

Any other year, it's stressful...so much to do in such a short amount of time but it's fun. It's so full of family time and love and joy.

This year, it's so hard to not be a Grinch. Just ask our local post office employee...I don't know his name but by now he's come to know us fairly well with all the times we've gone in to send Joshua boxes. The last time I went in, he congratulated me and asked if I was excited. I was confused and then he went on to say that I must be excited because my husband is coming home soon. I started to respond that it's still a few months away (nothing more specific than that per OPSEC and the fact that we don't even know much more than that) but yeah, it's getting closer when he cut me off to inform me that ALL the troops would be home by the end of the year. He heard it on the news.

And then it clicked.

This man, who knows my husband is in Afghanistan...who moments before had stamped the customs paperwork for the box I was sending to Afghanistan was excited because troops are leaving Iraq. He didn't understand that there are two wars. Two battlefields. Two. All he knew was the news reported troops coming home.

My first reaction was nausea at the heart wrenching reminder that we still have months to go. My second was a feeling of being totally and completely alone. Granted, we have our friends, family and the military community but outside of that, it often feels like no one cares. Finally, I was angry that this man and so many others like him live their lives blissfully ignorant. 

I'm proud to say that I kept my composure. I didn't throw up, cry or yell at him. I just curtly replied that the troops in Iraq will be home shortly but the troops in Afghanistan continue to fight. In the end, that's all that really matters. My husband is still in Afghanistan so this year, we'll celebrate Hanukkah, his birthday, Christmas, New Year's and our anniversary without him. It's going to be eleven days that suck. I'm proud of my husband and what he's doing. I know I can't make him come home earlier but I really hope January 2nd gets here fast so at least we'll be done with the holidays.