In early December, I spent a crazy 2 1/2 days at Walt Disney World for the opening of the New Fantasyland. As a result of that trip - I ended up writing five pieces of content (a dessert gallery, a multi-page feature on Fantasyland, a sectional on Disney Parks, and an article on the new Senses Spa) ... which in retrospect is insane.
Yesterday, the last one was published as part of the Blog on Disney Baby - and it is one I'm the most proud of because it is very me.
Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it:
http://www.disneybaby.com/blog/pregnant-at-epcot-a-guide-for-moms-to-be/
Editor's Note - As of 1/25 - the article has 269 likes and 4 comments. So thank you to anyone who has liked or shared it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Like I Care!
So today - being the diligent mommy-to-be that I am - I called the daycare at my office to set up a tour. We have been on the waiting list since I was six weeks pregnant.
I was told:
1) They don't give tours unless you get accepted
2) The odds of me getting into the daycare were slim as they only had 18 slots for infants and they've been totally full since they opened. But that's OK because, the Disney Day Care Center is nothing like "it's a small world" nursery. My kid can get a more immersive Disney experience at home than at Disney Day Care - that's pathetic.
3) There was a Disney resource called LifeCare that would help me find other options.
So I contacted LifeCare and their people are finding me day care resources near the office and near the house. I'll have a full list next week - not bad.
This is tough - I found two Tutor Times that take infants (yay!) that are near the house. La Petite Academy doesn't take them until 2 years. I'm hoping to take her to TAE three days a week for preschool when she turns two.
I'm hoping we can tour soon them soon and find out what they cost- but this is so hard. Do I take my kid somewhere? Do I hire a nanny?
I've checked out nannies on care.com (I'm hoping we can do a daily rate and not an hourly rate or 1/2 my salary could go to this person). I do need a babysitter for evenings, but a few hours at night a few days a week is not the same as 40-50 a week. And then there is the taxes/IRS thing.
And I thought childbirth was a pain in the butt.
I was told:
1) They don't give tours unless you get accepted
2) The odds of me getting into the daycare were slim as they only had 18 slots for infants and they've been totally full since they opened. But that's OK because, the Disney Day Care Center is nothing like "it's a small world" nursery. My kid can get a more immersive Disney experience at home than at Disney Day Care - that's pathetic.
3) There was a Disney resource called LifeCare that would help me find other options.
So I contacted LifeCare and their people are finding me day care resources near the office and near the house. I'll have a full list next week - not bad.
This is tough - I found two Tutor Times that take infants (yay!) that are near the house. La Petite Academy doesn't take them until 2 years. I'm hoping to take her to TAE three days a week for preschool when she turns two.
I'm hoping we can tour soon them soon and find out what they cost- but this is so hard. Do I take my kid somewhere? Do I hire a nanny?
I've checked out nannies on care.com (I'm hoping we can do a daily rate and not an hourly rate or 1/2 my salary could go to this person). I do need a babysitter for evenings, but a few hours at night a few days a week is not the same as 40-50 a week. And then there is the taxes/IRS thing.
And I thought childbirth was a pain in the butt.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Her Royal Highnesses Bedroom
We aren't getting any furniture delivered to the house until the mtzo ball is born. However, we treked out to Buy Buy Baby today and for our dream nursery:
The color is cherry and the knobs are square (it matches our bedroom set).
We also found a fabulous glider...
I hope the little princess likes it. :)
We also found a fabulous glider...
Friday, December 28, 2012
Naptime for Grown-Ups
I haven't always been a fan of naps. My father once got a call when I was in kindergarten that, instead of napping, I was reading to the other children. He didn't see why that was a problem.
I think the first time I learned to love naps was in college. I'd have super-early classes that would require me to wake up at 6:15 a.m. so I would have time to get breakfast in the dining hall and walk across campus to probably the farthest spot from my dorm. I would come back and take a cat nap after lunch prior to my afternoon class.
When you hit "the real world" naps don't happen as much. I try to nap on the weekends, and I am one of those people that falls asleep in the car and on planes during takeoffs and landings.
But never have I enjoyed naps as much as I have since this pregnancy.
I wake up at 7-something for work - and usually go to sleep around midnight (without coffee this is kind of an incredible thing). But this week, while working from home because of the holidays, I've been able to sneak in a cat nap each day - and it feels amazing.
I was so sleepy when I was in Walt Disney World earlier this month that I actually fell asleep on the Universe of Energy - it was all I needed to keep going for the day at Epcot after taking the redeye from Los Angeles to Orlando.
I've heard that once the baby comes, everyone says that mom should sleep when baby sleeps. Not sure if I can sleep on command, though. The nice part about naps is that your body tells you when it is tired - not the other way around.
And, of course, I would give anything for a mocha. :)
I think the first time I learned to love naps was in college. I'd have super-early classes that would require me to wake up at 6:15 a.m. so I would have time to get breakfast in the dining hall and walk across campus to probably the farthest spot from my dorm. I would come back and take a cat nap after lunch prior to my afternoon class.
When you hit "the real world" naps don't happen as much. I try to nap on the weekends, and I am one of those people that falls asleep in the car and on planes during takeoffs and landings.
But never have I enjoyed naps as much as I have since this pregnancy.
I wake up at 7-something for work - and usually go to sleep around midnight (without coffee this is kind of an incredible thing). But this week, while working from home because of the holidays, I've been able to sneak in a cat nap each day - and it feels amazing.
I was so sleepy when I was in Walt Disney World earlier this month that I actually fell asleep on the Universe of Energy - it was all I needed to keep going for the day at Epcot after taking the redeye from Los Angeles to Orlando.
I've heard that once the baby comes, everyone says that mom should sleep when baby sleeps. Not sure if I can sleep on command, though. The nice part about naps is that your body tells you when it is tired - not the other way around.
And, of course, I would give anything for a mocha. :)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Top of the Third
For Black Friday, I treated myself to an ipod Touch (gen 5). I hed out as long as I could, but it had a better camera than my phone, plus Facetime (so I can talk to family in Chicago).
It also allowed me to download several baby-centric apps - including a kick count meter, a "How Big Is Baby" tracker and a "How Much Longer Do I Have?" tracker.
Not sure if the pregnancy has gone fast or slow at this point. Adding in the IUI time at the beginning, I feel like I've been pregnant since late May.
Today I hit a milestone: I have reached my third trimester! One app tells me there are 13 weeks remaining. Another breaks it down for me: Two months, 27 days, 21 hours, 7 minutes and 40 seconds (otherwise known as 89 days).
On the radio the other day, they were giving away concert tickets to an event on March 19. I heard that and smiled. And in my head I thought about where I would be on March 19.....
It also allowed me to download several baby-centric apps - including a kick count meter, a "How Big Is Baby" tracker and a "How Much Longer Do I Have?" tracker.
Not sure if the pregnancy has gone fast or slow at this point. Adding in the IUI time at the beginning, I feel like I've been pregnant since late May.
Today I hit a milestone: I have reached my third trimester! One app tells me there are 13 weeks remaining. Another breaks it down for me: Two months, 27 days, 21 hours, 7 minutes and 40 seconds (otherwise known as 89 days).
On the radio the other day, they were giving away concert tickets to an event on March 19. I heard that and smiled. And in my head I thought about where I would be on March 19.....
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Fruit Salad in my Womb
Every week the bump tells me how big the baby is when compared to fruit.
For example, this week - 24 - Matzo ball is the size of a cantaloupe.
So for those of you following this blog who have never heard of this happening... here's more details about the fruit salad I've been carrying since June:
Week 24: Cantaloupe
Average size: 10.5 inches, 12.7 oz.
Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed!
Week 25: Cauliflower
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Baby knows which way is up and which is down now…
Week 26: Lettuce
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Eyes are forming and will soon start to open
Week 27: Rutabaga
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Baby’s showing brain activity…
Week 28: Eggplant
Average size: 13.6 -14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Immune system is preparing for the outside world...
Week 29: Acorn Squash
Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Baby’s hiccupping in there…
Week 30: Cucumber
Average size: 15.2 -16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Baby’s strong enough to grasp a finger now.
Week 31: Pineapple
Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
All five of the senses are working…
Week 32: Squash
Average size: 15.2- 16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Sleeping and waking cycles are establishing...
Week 33: Durian Fruit
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Bones are hardening…
Week 34: Butternut Squash
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Baby can recognize and react to simple songs
Week 35: Coconut
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Hearing is fully developed…
Week 36: Honeydew
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Hearing is fully developed…
Week 37: Winter melon
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby’s inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.
Week 38: Pumpkin
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby might have an inch or so of hair already.
Week 39: Watermelon
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby’s flexing his limbs in there.
Week 40: Jackfruit
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Full term! Baby's finally ready for the outside world...
*Pregnancy weeks are counted from the last menstrual period.
***From week 21 on, measurements are taken from head to toe.
For example, this week - 24 - Matzo ball is the size of a cantaloupe.
So for those of you following this blog who have never heard of this happening... here's more details about the fruit salad I've been carrying since June:
Week 24: Cantaloupe
Average size: 10.5 inches, 12.7 oz.
Nipples are sprouting, and face is fully formed!
Week 25: Cauliflower
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Baby knows which way is up and which is down now…
Week 26: Lettuce
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Eyes are forming and will soon start to open
Week 27: Rutabaga
Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Baby’s showing brain activity…
Week 28: Eggplant
Average size: 13.6 -14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Immune system is preparing for the outside world...
Week 29: Acorn Squash
Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Baby’s hiccupping in there…
Week 30: Cucumber
Average size: 15.2 -16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Baby’s strong enough to grasp a finger now.
Week 31: Pineapple
Average size: 15.2-16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
All five of the senses are working…
Week 32: Squash
Average size: 15.2- 16.7 inches, 2.5-3.8 lb.
Sleeping and waking cycles are establishing...
Week 33: Durian Fruit
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Bones are hardening…
Week 34: Butternut Squash
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Baby can recognize and react to simple songs
Week 35: Coconut
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Hearing is fully developed…
Week 36: Honeydew
Average size: 17.2-18.7 inches, 4.2-5.8 lb.
Hearing is fully developed…
Week 37: Winter melon
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby’s inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.
Week 38: Pumpkin
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby might have an inch or so of hair already.
Week 39: Watermelon
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Baby’s flexing his limbs in there.
Week 40: Jackfruit
Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Full term! Baby's finally ready for the outside world...
*Pregnancy weeks are counted from the last menstrual period.
***From week 21 on, measurements are taken from head to toe.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Cabin for Two (and a Half)
Adam and I spent last week on a Babymoon. We celebrated his birthday, our 5th anniversary, and our last vacation pre-parent onboard the Disney Wonder to the Mexican Rivera.
Cruising when you can't enjoy the coffee drinks or the drink-drinks is interesting. Luckily, Crystal Lite now makes Mojito and Appletini flavored mix-ins.
Halloween was one-of-a-kind: I went as a Bun in the Oven and Adam was the Bunmaker. We were even finalists in the "group" category for the costume contest.
I guess my pregnancy brain wasn't as much of a hindrance, though, as I ended up coming in first for 7 trivia competitions (a mix of Disney and non-Disney).
Although the emotions did get to me - I cried at all four production shows and a commercial they showed in the staterooms called "I am a Princess."
Adam made friends with a family at a neighboring table that had a 3 year old and a 13 month old. He was so good with both of them - making them smile with his Swedish Chef imiations. He's so looking forward to being a dad.
What made everything even more special wasn't dwelling on this being our last cruise as two - but thinking about all we would do onboard when we are three (we even stopped by Flounder's nursery). The Matzo Ball did cooperate - no sea sickness at all. Good girl!
Cruising when you can't enjoy the coffee drinks or the drink-drinks is interesting. Luckily, Crystal Lite now makes Mojito and Appletini flavored mix-ins.
Halloween was one-of-a-kind: I went as a Bun in the Oven and Adam was the Bunmaker. We were even finalists in the "group" category for the costume contest.
I guess my pregnancy brain wasn't as much of a hindrance, though, as I ended up coming in first for 7 trivia competitions (a mix of Disney and non-Disney).
Although the emotions did get to me - I cried at all four production shows and a commercial they showed in the staterooms called "I am a Princess."
Adam made friends with a family at a neighboring table that had a 3 year old and a 13 month old. He was so good with both of them - making them smile with his Swedish Chef imiations. He's so looking forward to being a dad.
What made everything even more special wasn't dwelling on this being our last cruise as two - but thinking about all we would do onboard when we are three (we even stopped by Flounder's nursery). The Matzo Ball did cooperate - no sea sickness at all. Good girl!
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