Disney 2011- Day 1 Wednesday May 18th

I am reviving the blog with some posts on our first Disney vacation with Brady and Tanner. I reluctantly went with Tim's recommendation that we schedule a trip to see Mickey. I wanted to go for as few days as possible, with time only to see Magic Kingdom. My former neighbor in the office next door at Baker Hughes goes very often, and his wife is a travel agent. We used her help to coordinate a trip. All of the planning took less than a month for us. This meant we didn't get to do things that must be planned six months in advance, but we didn't miss those.

These are are en-route pictures. Eating in the towncar on the way to the airport, Brady sleeping on the plane and Tanner being Tanner on the plane- no nap for him.

We arrived at the Polynesian at 2 pm, checked in and had a snack at Captain Cooks in the hotel. Then we went straight to the Magic Kingdom....well, nearly. The monorail had some issue and they didn't know when it would be fixed. From our hotel, we could also take a boat. We did that, and it worked out well. These are pictures of the hotel dock and from our boat ride.

We started in Tommorowland, and immediately initiated ourselves to the Fastpass system by obtaining Fastpasses to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. We rode the Peoplemover as a warm-up ride. The boys were able to practice loading onto and getting out using the escalators and moving walkways...no problem. From there, we went to Tomorrowland Speedway, the cars that they can drive (nearly) themselves. Tim said he didn't know how anyone could be a worse driver than Brady, but I promise that Tanner was. He wouldn't hold the steering wheel when the car's wheels hit the guides. That meant that we were being kicked from side to side each time there was a turn in the road. Apparently, the same thing was happening in the Tim/ Brady car.

We then got Fastpasses for Brady and Tim to ride Space Mountain, the roller coaster. While we waited for their ride, we saw Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Everyone enjoyed it! Tanner was consoled for not being tall enough to ride the roller coaster by me taking him to ride the darn cars again. This time, they gave him a driver's license! He didn't deserve it!

Since Tim didn't take his cell phone to the park, we had a designated meeting place near Space Mountain. When Tanner and I arrived back there, Tim and Brady had been there for a while because Brady got all the way to the front of the line and decided that he didn't want to ride.

We went back to a character encounter, the only encounter that we did at the park. The character encounters were a little crazy...we waited in what looked to be a short line, but it took nearly an hour. Of course, once it was our turn we had him all to ourselves also. Buzz Lightyear was a great sport when Brady literally pushed his buttons. He moved around and was incredibly agile for someone in a real space suit.



We were following part of a plan from The Unofficial Gide to Walt Disney World With Kids (thanks to the most organized person that I know- former coworker at BHI). He would never have let the following occur...We were on our way out of the park at around 8 pm when the parade began on Main Street. Brady and Tanner didn't seem particularly exhausted and they wanted to see the show. We saw it and headed out before the fireworks. It wasn't early enough. We had to wait a little while for the monorail. Then I had to get a Dole Pineapple Whip- a tangy ice cream dessert available at our hotel! These things were enough to throw our bath schedule off because we had big plans for super-early Thursday morning. No baths and everyone to bed by 10...pretty successful day!

At bedtime, Tanner's favorite activity of the day was driving the cars. Brady's favorite activity of the day...the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom.

Tanner Gives Us a Scare

The beginning of this problem is that I was at work and the boys were at daycare instead of us all being at the Friday Play Date. I got a call almost immediately after my 1 hour meeting was over and it was Creme. Tanner had chewed on a capsule, but they managed to get the shell of it out of his mouth. I'm sorry...what?!?!?!? What kind of capsule? Where did he find it? Do you really think he ate whatever it was? I packed my computer and then headed out the door toward the school.

On the way to my car, my phone rang again...Creme. The head director told me that she tried to call a few minutes before and couldn't get me. The only explanation is that I must have been in the elevator. She said that she called Poison Control and because of his size they recommended that his vitals be monitored. So, the EMTs were on the way! I got to Creme within 5 minutes, and an ambulance and fire truck were there...how scary! They had already examined him and he was fine so far.

They wanted to take him to Texas Children's, but he was acting completely normal. So normal that he was destroying Ms. Brenda's office. So, I asked if he would be seen any quicker if he went by ambulance..."NO." I called the pediatrician and she said that I could just watch him at home. It was a clear capsule so she felt like it was vitamins or herbs. Instead of me monitoring, I decided to make an appointment a little later so that the doctor could look him over. He was completely OK. I also felt better to see an oily residue on the envelope in which they placed the capsule remnants. I showed this to the pediatrician and she agreed that it was probably vitamin E or fish oil. Crisis averted.

Tanner found the pill in the hallway after the kindergarten graduation ceremony. They think it must have been in a visitor's purse or pocket, because the teachers keep their belongings in the front of the school. I was overall impressed with the way Creme handled the situation, and I have to give much credit to Ms. Brenda who was completely calm and so great to keep Tanner occupied with her computer as I used her phone to call the doctor while the EMTs stood in her office. I suppose this is why we are paying the big bucks for daycare downtown. Tanner is making them earn it!!!!

TMI...Potty Training Saga

If you don't want to hear a potty training update, skip this post. It is graphic in nature.

Brady's pediatrician thinks it's time for us to see a psychiatrist about his potty training issues. (For those that don't know, Brady asks for a pullup to poop in. He will not under any circumstance go poop at school because he won't ask for a pullup there.) We have been waiting for Brady's pediatrician's psych referral group to contact me for an appointment time. We submitted the paperwork on April 28th. Finally, the woman called on Tuesday with a July 7th initial consultation. I was shocked. I then called a couple of other doctors...none of which I have heard from.

Today at the pediatrician (unrelated matter) I asked if that was typical. She said that she thought it was reasonable. We did not see Brady's usual doctor today, but instead we saw one of her associates. She asked if the problem cropped up overnight, knowing that it did not. She then informed me that I shouldn't expect a solution overnight (which I do not). She also told me that it wasn't Brady's problem but it was training the parents how to deal with it. It's hard not to take that personally, since I'm the one that has done the potty training. Of course, Brady is hearing all of this. I told her that we want to start something different to help him with this because Dr. Wilking said not to do anything else about it until under advice from the psychiatrist.

Fast forward to tonight...we were at Chick-fil-a and Brady asked me to put on a pullup for him. I told him (calmly, again...I think there might be something to this calm and unemotional thing, if one can maintain composure to do it) that I didn't have a pullup so he either could go on the potty or we would have to leave his friends and the grand opening celebration. We went to the restroom where I fully expected him to do as he always does in this circumstance which is to sit for a couple of minutes and then say that he doesn't have to go anymore.) But, this time he sat and pooped! Both of us were so happy. He asked for gum, which I gave him. We then went to Target and bought the $50 talking Buzz Lightyear that I promised months ago if he would only poop ANYWHERE but a pullup.

I have no idea what made this night any different from the others. Maybe it was hearing the other doctor talk, or maybe he really wanted to stay and play so he just decided to do it. I don't know. This is probably only his 4th success in his entire life. ALL other successes were very emotionally draining because they involved me convincing him to stay for a few more minutes when he is crying and wailing to get off of the potty. I am trying not to get my hopes up, but I am so wanting this to be something that repeats itself tomorrow (and maybe even the next day and the next day.)

Music Disclaimer and a Lazy Weekend

I have to put a disclaimer on the music. I love the music on Benjamin & Timothy's Mommy's webpage, but I didn't have the patience to figure out how to do it. So, Tim took charge and edited this portion of the blog for me. His music selection is what he thinks belongs on a blog, or what reminds him of the boys. I have to say that Brady's favorite song...Hannah Montana's, "Party in the USA" didn't make his list, though! Why not, Honey?

This week seemed really long to all of us. The highlights were Jordan's Spring Football game on Wednesday and a weekend absolutely no plans. Brady, Tanner and I went to the football game and the weather was really nice. The weird scrimmage scoring meant that no one in our little threesome knew what was going on or if Jordan was "winning." The team looked fine, the cheerleaders were great, and we were not subjected to an HCHS drill team performance. A good scrimmage all around.

Tim finally returned from his weekly travels around 11 PM on Friday. His week consisted of travel with weather challenges, late nights with St. Rob on the East Coast, a return to Houston where he stayed about 12 hours only to pick up a jacket for a sales pitch the next day, then a return flight with weather, deplaning, circling Houston, arriving to find no cabs at the airport and an unsympathetic wife that was unwilling to load a sleeping teenager, 4-year old and 2-year old to take a trip to the airport to retrieve him. No end in sight to his travels at least 3 nights a week. And, Tim loves this job.

We didn't do much at all this weekend, and the rain in Houston made this an easy decision. We made a football cake in honor of Jordan's spring game for the weekly dinner with Uncle Grant, Kenzie and Mom on Friday. Some shopping and a trip to the library on Saturday and church followed by Dad's and Pam's house today. Tanner took a spill off of the couch onto the hardwoods. His head hit the floor very hard and he cried for some time, which is most unlike Tanner. So, I will be waking him every four hours tonight and tomorrow. He acts fine, but we are troubled by the lack of swelling. Poor Tann!

Did I mention that every waking moment has to be spent playing baseball? I never thought that I'd say this, but I can't wait for football season!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mothers Day Weekend

Saturday, Brady, Tanner and I went to a play at the AD Players Children's Theatre, courtesy of Darrell at my work. I debated long and hard before I decided to take Tanner. Darrell assured me that everyone had kids, it's a small theater, and the seats are close enough to the door to make a quick getaway if necessary. So, the three of us went.
The boys were so still and engaged. Neither said a word except to occasionally ask, "Why are they doing that, Mommy?" or "Who is that guy?" The play was called "Alice, Now!" and is an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Afterwards, the boys were able to have the cast sign a postcard of the cast photo and they could ask questions of the actors. Tanner would go up to each actor and hand them the postcard where Brady is too shy to do that.

After naps, we went to Kenzie's mom's house for a swim. Uncle Grant and Kenzie were nice enough to stay in the cold pool so that the boys could kick around on the steps for a couple of hours. A note on swimming for those that don't know...both boys had a two-week every day session last summer and that went pretty well. Then, we went to once a week. Brady never warmed up to the lessons again. All winter, he has been reminding me NOT to sign him up for swim lessons. So, both boys are starting weekly lessons again on May 29th. This will be traumatic for Brades. After swimming, we went to dinner with Pops. This went much better than the dinner with Uncle Grant's pants earlier in the weekend.

On Mother's Day, Brady and Grandma went with Uncle Grant to the Astros game again. This time, Grant made the mistake of promising that they could stay the entire game. When the game went into extra innings, Grant asked if he had seen enough. Brady reminded Grant that he promised to stay the entire game. So, 11 innings later they came back home in time for Grant to cook steaks. My contribution to the meal was baked potatoes and green beans from HEB. But, I did make homemade bacon bits...and you people say that I can't cook???

Brady is completely out of control with baseball. We have to be either outside letting him hit off of the tee and run around the bases, or we have to be inside with the squishy ball and bat where I have to be the pitcher and the fans at the same time. This is a challenge because it requires me to sit on our stairs and remain seated until it's time to cheer while I pitch the ball.

He also remembers everything about the Astros games. Days after the Mothers Day game, he told me, "Mommy, some of the baseball players spit brown and some of them spit white. Do the Astros spit brown, or are they the team that spits white?" I responded that I didn't know. At what age does one explain smokeless tobacco?

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The first week of May

This is part of my catching up...Tuesday was Brady's end-of-year gymnastics performance. He has been taking what they call "Tuesday's Tumblers" at his school for the past few months. Brady was so excited to perform. He told me that morning, "Mommy, if you have anything to talk to me about, you have to wait until after the performance. You will just have to wait." Here are some of the pictures.






I didn't post all of the events, but the performance consisted of stretching, an obstacle course, balance beam, vault, parallel bars and single bar. Brady is proud of his trophy which is complete with his name!