So we just got back from Disney, and let me tell you, it was PERFECT. It was the most perfect, perfect Disney trip (aside from spending too much money on food, but that's another post). The sky was clear and blue, not a drop of rain, the kids had a great time, we had a great time. Our family got lots of extra attention because the girls had "It's my first time" buttons on and we had "It's our anniversary" buttons on. Our good friends Amy and Thomas and their kids came with us, and since they are seasonal passholders, they knew all the tricks. We got to do almost everything.
Now, for my 3 year old, Kira, we weren't sure how she was going to do on all the rides, but as both Mark and I are thrill-seekers, we hoped that she would follow suit. One complication is that there is a 40 inch height requirement for Splash Mountain (the big flume with the huge drop) and Thunder Mountain Railroad (roller coaster). Kira is 39 3/4 inches tall with her Crocs on.
Even though Kira ate voraciously the week before in an attempt to close the 1/4 inch gap for Splash Mountain, she didn't quite pull it off. But we had a backup plan-- The Sandals. Amy's daughter Emily had sandals with a 1/2 in. thick platform sole.
Confident that we wouldn't need them, we headed to the Splash Mountain entrance where Kira was immediately ushered to the measuring station. I could see right away that she didn't meet the requirement. We were turned away.
Enter: The Sandals. I knew the staff member was going to recognize Kira from oh, 2 minutes before, but I didn't care. My kid was getting on that ride. Now I understand that some parents may feel differently for safety reasons and all that... but not me. Trust me, I planned on having a real good hold on her when we went over that waterfall, no matter how many inches she measured.
I must admit, there was a little embarrassment involved when the girl saw us come up the second time and said confusedly, "oh, she's too short." I said, "Just measure her again." Suddenly Kira was tall enough. "Oh," said the girl, "You changed her shoes. Well, shoes don't count."
That's right, I thought as we breezed past into the Fastpass line. I'm the mommy and if I say my kid can ride, my kid can ride. My child has been looking forward to this for weeks, and anyway, if I had to pay full price for her, she should be able to ride all the good stuff. If she can't go on Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, I should get at least another $40 off my ticket!
Well, in case you were wondering, the 1/4 deficit did not make Kira suddenly fly out of the ride or anything of that nature. (In fact, she was holding on to me so tightly that she wouldn't have fallen out if I had thrown her.) She loved the ride and asked to go again.
Score: Ravenous Thrill-seekers: 1, Establishment: 0 Yeah!!!
Oh, here's my random Disney tip for today: If you've got a baby and/or toddler, bring your sling and your stroller. If your baby is napping on you in the sling, you can enjoy some of the indoor, air-conditioned shows where strollers aren't allowed, and your older kids don't have to wait around for the baby to wake up before doing something fun.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Obama's in Florida
Okay, first of all, I don't read the news, don't watch the news, and only read political emails when they are about Sarah Palin looking dumb. So I am not prepared to spout off all the great reasons to vote for Obama. All I can say is this: I think he's the real deal. I really do. Anybody who doesn't take campaign contributions from lobbyists in his campaign to become the leader of the known world (insert booming orchestra music) is somebody I feel I can trust.
My dh just told me that Obama is down here because the poll predictions show that it's all down to Florida again. Oh no. Please no. Don't let our state full of bitter old men set in their ways, thinking that being a good Christian means killing Iraqis, stopping gay marriage and holding on as tight as you can to your money so God forbid it doesn't go to any social programs or education or health care be the deciding factor of this election.
I donated $50 to Obama's campaign and I keep getting emails to donate more. His campaign is totally funded by grass-roots efforts and folks like you and me. I wish I could fund the whole thing, but I can't so I really encourage everyone out there to give a little something to the cause. Who knows, your $25 or $40 or $50 might buy us affordable healthcare, freedom from foreign oil, and a cleaner planet. Heck, it might just make the world a better place. I'm actually convinced that it will.
Even the Canadians should give! You have to live with the repercussions of this government, too. If you get in a car accident on the way down to Disney, you don't want to go bankrupt paying the medical bills, do you? If our economy is strong, yours usually follows suit. We need to band together to get this guy in office. A greener America benefits everyone.
When our leader isn't being paid off by big business, the oil companies, and the health insurance moguls, we as Americans actually have a chance of making something positive happen. I'm sure Obama's not perfect, but he's pretty darn good. Not chicken marsala, but a big Stouffers macaroni and cheese. McCain's just a handful of stale crackers.
My dh just told me that Obama is down here because the poll predictions show that it's all down to Florida again. Oh no. Please no. Don't let our state full of bitter old men set in their ways, thinking that being a good Christian means killing Iraqis, stopping gay marriage and holding on as tight as you can to your money so God forbid it doesn't go to any social programs or education or health care be the deciding factor of this election.
I donated $50 to Obama's campaign and I keep getting emails to donate more. His campaign is totally funded by grass-roots efforts and folks like you and me. I wish I could fund the whole thing, but I can't so I really encourage everyone out there to give a little something to the cause. Who knows, your $25 or $40 or $50 might buy us affordable healthcare, freedom from foreign oil, and a cleaner planet. Heck, it might just make the world a better place. I'm actually convinced that it will.
Even the Canadians should give! You have to live with the repercussions of this government, too. If you get in a car accident on the way down to Disney, you don't want to go bankrupt paying the medical bills, do you? If our economy is strong, yours usually follows suit. We need to band together to get this guy in office. A greener America benefits everyone.
When our leader isn't being paid off by big business, the oil companies, and the health insurance moguls, we as Americans actually have a chance of making something positive happen. I'm sure Obama's not perfect, but he's pretty darn good. Not chicken marsala, but a big Stouffers macaroni and cheese. McCain's just a handful of stale crackers.
Monday, September 22, 2008
I'm So Ashamed
So at church yesterday, I'm nursing in the mother's room and I see another mom changing her son's diaper-- and it's cloth! I was so impressed I had to say something, but my own shame came back to haunt me. I am a HUGE believer in cloth diapers. In fact, I used them religiously with my first (except disposables at night and on vacations) all the way until she potty-trained at 2.5 years old. (She still wears a Pull-up at night, but that's another story and about to come to an abrupt end if I can handle the repercussions)
Anyway... I had some prefolds that I borrowed from a friend, and they were thin, but too thick to double up all the time, and my second daughter just seemed to pee so much more! She was wetting through 5 times a day and I finally got fed up and just quit. She's been in disposables ever since and I sold the diapers before our move.
I'm determined that if we ever have another baby in our home, I will go buy the holy sh*ttest cloth diapers I can find-- maybe ones with a force field around the baby that does not allow leaks. I will shell out whatever dollars it takes and I will be a cloth-diapering mommy again.
But for now, would somebody please guilt me into switching back to cloth for my toddler? She's 19 months old. If I don't get some help (and a cost-effective solution with a high probability of success) I will continue to beat myself up over my decision to drop cloth.
Anyway... I had some prefolds that I borrowed from a friend, and they were thin, but too thick to double up all the time, and my second daughter just seemed to pee so much more! She was wetting through 5 times a day and I finally got fed up and just quit. She's been in disposables ever since and I sold the diapers before our move.
I'm determined that if we ever have another baby in our home, I will go buy the holy sh*ttest cloth diapers I can find-- maybe ones with a force field around the baby that does not allow leaks. I will shell out whatever dollars it takes and I will be a cloth-diapering mommy again.
But for now, would somebody please guilt me into switching back to cloth for my toddler? She's 19 months old. If I don't get some help (and a cost-effective solution with a high probability of success) I will continue to beat myself up over my decision to drop cloth.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
No baby fever here
So, my friends are getting baby fever. I'm seeing it everywhere, especially with my friends on my online breastfeeding forum. They hold a friend's newborn, and all of the sudden that visceral sort of pull to procreate kicks in. I know it well- I used to get it before I got pregnant the first time. I think I'm cured now.
I have a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old. Maybe it's because I'm still breastfeeding my "baby", so that primal bond is still going strong. Maybe I'm relishing the 8-hr a night sleeps I'm finally getting. Or maybe it's just that I don't want to go through all that "work" again-- growing a baby, morning sickness, labor and birth, initial breastfeeding struggles, engorgement, worrying about my chronic low milk supply issues... Life is good now.
Yesterday my kids and I were playing outside in the yard. My 3 y/o was playing with frogs in the kiddie pool while I made sand castles in the sand and water table with my babe. Something about running my hands over a big, round mountain of sand was reminscent of artistry, but also of running my hands over a big, round belly. It was soothing; I couldn't stop. The sun was shining, the kids were outside and happy, and I was warm and fed and home with my kids during the week. Life couldn't get any better, could it? If another little person came along, would it add to this bliss, or wash it all out to sea?
Luckily I don't have to answer that question right now. My dh (dear husband) would like to have another eventually, but the clock is ticking and I'm in the backyard planning play structures and pools, not fantasizing about a light blue layette. Let's put it this way, only Divine Intervention will force the issue at this point. I think I'll keep it that way for awhile.
I have a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old. Maybe it's because I'm still breastfeeding my "baby", so that primal bond is still going strong. Maybe I'm relishing the 8-hr a night sleeps I'm finally getting. Or maybe it's just that I don't want to go through all that "work" again-- growing a baby, morning sickness, labor and birth, initial breastfeeding struggles, engorgement, worrying about my chronic low milk supply issues... Life is good now.
Yesterday my kids and I were playing outside in the yard. My 3 y/o was playing with frogs in the kiddie pool while I made sand castles in the sand and water table with my babe. Something about running my hands over a big, round mountain of sand was reminscent of artistry, but also of running my hands over a big, round belly. It was soothing; I couldn't stop. The sun was shining, the kids were outside and happy, and I was warm and fed and home with my kids during the week. Life couldn't get any better, could it? If another little person came along, would it add to this bliss, or wash it all out to sea?
Luckily I don't have to answer that question right now. My dh (dear husband) would like to have another eventually, but the clock is ticking and I'm in the backyard planning play structures and pools, not fantasizing about a light blue layette. Let's put it this way, only Divine Intervention will force the issue at this point. I think I'll keep it that way for awhile.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Extended Nursers Unite!
This is my second child I'm nursing (at 18 months), so being that "freaky, militant breastfeeder" is not new to me. It almost feels like a superpower: the ability to calm a frantic toddler by whipping out the secret weapon. What I'm surprised at lately is that I'm finding so many other superheroines around.
In Canada I had 2 friends who nursed kids past two. Here in Florida, I'm now hanging out with a friend who EBFed her son to over a year, and I just reconnected with a long-lost friend from elementary school on Facebook. Guess what? She's nursing and even pumping on business trips for her 15 month old! Girls, I think it's time to think about taking over the world.
But we are, in a way, even without doing anything extra. Toddler nursing, especially when done in public, sends a message to young people that breastfeeding is normal. If kids and teenagers grow up seeing women nursing children, they will be more inclined to do it themselves.
It broke my heart when my 20-year-old cousin got pregnant unexpectedly, chose a scheduled C-section because she was so terrified of labor and birth (another story), and shoved a bottle into her baby's mouth first thing. She never even considered breastfeeding him. Probably thought it was "gross".
So, ladies, keep breastfeeding your kids, and what's more, do it openly! We are superheroes of sorts. By breastfeeding our kids, we can actually save the world by creating children who are healthier in body, mind and spirit, and by encouraging others to do the same. In the words of one of my online breastfeeding buddies: keep breastfeeding, don't be a weaner.
In Canada I had 2 friends who nursed kids past two. Here in Florida, I'm now hanging out with a friend who EBFed her son to over a year, and I just reconnected with a long-lost friend from elementary school on Facebook. Guess what? She's nursing and even pumping on business trips for her 15 month old! Girls, I think it's time to think about taking over the world.
But we are, in a way, even without doing anything extra. Toddler nursing, especially when done in public, sends a message to young people that breastfeeding is normal. If kids and teenagers grow up seeing women nursing children, they will be more inclined to do it themselves.
It broke my heart when my 20-year-old cousin got pregnant unexpectedly, chose a scheduled C-section because she was so terrified of labor and birth (another story), and shoved a bottle into her baby's mouth first thing. She never even considered breastfeeding him. Probably thought it was "gross".
So, ladies, keep breastfeeding your kids, and what's more, do it openly! We are superheroes of sorts. By breastfeeding our kids, we can actually save the world by creating children who are healthier in body, mind and spirit, and by encouraging others to do the same. In the words of one of my online breastfeeding buddies: keep breastfeeding, don't be a weaner.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Change Is Good
Well, I'm back in Florida after 6 years in Canada. This time I brought with me a sunburn-prone, but golf-loving husband (how else do you think I got him here?) and two little girls who tan pretty well and don't like snow just as much as I don't.
There are things I miss about Canada, though. We had some great playgroup friends-- real women who weren't fake, even in their flaws. I miss MC and S, and even "Crazy Lou" of the inappropriate comments and lazy eye. She tried real hard to bond with me.
I also miss the Canadian health care system. I had both my babies at home with the midwives and it was great. Didn't pay a dime. Anytime my kids had an ear infection I ran them right to the doctor. No $35 copay. Now I have to admit I'm a little nervous. If something happens to my husband, my kids or me, will we go broke paying deductibles? Will our insurance company try to get out of paying? I saw Michael Moore's Sicko after all. Still, there is hope. I mean, Obama's on the ticket, isn't he?
So is this a little inflammatory for a first post? Probably. But I figure it's best to get the main cards on the table right away, so here goes:
I support Obama
I'm still breastfeeding my 18 month old
I love midwives
I support attachment parenting (even though I don't practice it 100%)
I'm a wanna be crunchy mom
If any of that stuff doesn't turn you on, you might not be the right audience for this blog. Or you can try to give me heck, but I'm not changing my mind on any of that stuff, no matter how nice Sarah Palin is. (my bf's husband calls the Republicans "evil geniuses". I'm beginning to think he's right.)
So here's my first call out. If you've found this blog, post a comment so I know there's an audience. Lots of good stuff coming, including how to stick it to Dr. Phil (I know, I used to love him, too, but lately...)
Oops! Gotta go-- Diego's over.
There are things I miss about Canada, though. We had some great playgroup friends-- real women who weren't fake, even in their flaws. I miss MC and S, and even "Crazy Lou" of the inappropriate comments and lazy eye. She tried real hard to bond with me.
I also miss the Canadian health care system. I had both my babies at home with the midwives and it was great. Didn't pay a dime. Anytime my kids had an ear infection I ran them right to the doctor. No $35 copay. Now I have to admit I'm a little nervous. If something happens to my husband, my kids or me, will we go broke paying deductibles? Will our insurance company try to get out of paying? I saw Michael Moore's Sicko after all. Still, there is hope. I mean, Obama's on the ticket, isn't he?
So is this a little inflammatory for a first post? Probably. But I figure it's best to get the main cards on the table right away, so here goes:
I support Obama
I'm still breastfeeding my 18 month old
I love midwives
I support attachment parenting (even though I don't practice it 100%)
I'm a wanna be crunchy mom
If any of that stuff doesn't turn you on, you might not be the right audience for this blog. Or you can try to give me heck, but I'm not changing my mind on any of that stuff, no matter how nice Sarah Palin is. (my bf's husband calls the Republicans "evil geniuses". I'm beginning to think he's right.)
So here's my first call out. If you've found this blog, post a comment so I know there's an audience. Lots of good stuff coming, including how to stick it to Dr. Phil (I know, I used to love him, too, but lately...)
Oops! Gotta go-- Diego's over.
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