Reflections

I can't believe it's already the 21st. Christmas is only 4 days away, and I've been to Disney and back. We did have an amazing time...

Friday night we drove up to the airport and stayed at the hotel there...Savannah did fairly well sleeping in a pack and play. I was a little worried since she sleeps in a big girl bed at home. Our flight on Saturday was SO early...we got out of bed at 3:30am! Savannah looked at us like we were nuts...but she was content to go.

Prior to the trip I was a little worried about getting through security with a toddler, but it wasn't bad at all. I prepare for security ahead of time. Carl and I put our belts in our carry-on bags so we don't have to take them off, I put all of Carl's keys, change, wallet, watch, etc. in my purse so it isn't loose and all over the place. Savannah didn't wear anything with snaps, and her shoes were packed in a carry-on as well. I wore a bra without under wire and slip on shoes. This made security a breeze. Carl handled the electronics and his shoes, I carried Savannah through without a problem. Once on the other side we get to wear our belts and Carl gets all his pocket stuff back. It just makes it easier to be prepared with a child!

The flight on the way down was broken into two legs. Almost instantly after taking off Savannah was asleep on the first leg. She woke up just before we got to Atlanta. She was such an amazing traveler! We had about 2 hours in Atlanta, so we did a lot of playing with her to tire her out. She actually fell asleep before we even took off on the second leg....she slept the entire flight - even through the landing!

After arriving in Orlando we took the Magical Express to the hotel...we were really lucky and didn't have much of a wait. As we were driving onto the Disney Property listening to the little DVD and holding Savannah it just made me think of all the things that had happened since I was last there. I was crying - which seems ridiculous to me. I was just so emotional to bring Savannah to a place that Carl and I have such fond memories of. I remember on our honeymoon we kept saying we couldn't wait to bring our children...and there we were with Savannah! I cried again as we drove up to the Magic Kingdom - it makes me want to cry right now too. I was getting to see the wonder through the eyes of my own child...it is just so amazing and special and something that every parent should get to experience.

Overall the food was delicious, the shows spectacular, the rides were incredibly fun (Savannah would say "Sit! Sit!" when she saw something she wanted on - she even said that about Expedition Everest...we told her she had to wait until the next trip maybe.) Savannah loved the characters as long as we held her...and she often would high five them or wave or say bye...she seemed to enjoy herself so much. She didn't nap often, and if she did nap it was for maybe 45 minutes a day. When we got home this weekend, her first nap was close to 4 hours! We wore her out!

It was cold...almost unbearably cold. That was a bummer, and now that we've seen the Christmas decor we probably won't go back for the holidays for a long time. I'd like to go back for Halloween though.

On Monday night Savannah threw up three different times - which was kind of scary for me since she has never been sick like that. Poor Lovey got the worst of it too...but Savannah was a trooper and seemed to feel okay the next morning. We thought we were rid of it, but Wednesday night my dad, Carl, and I all had the bug. Three adults with a stomach bug and one bathroom was not a good combination. We all felt so gross on Thursday that my mom ended up taking Savannah to EPCOT without us. That day was also the sunniest and warmest! Carl and I did make it to the park for a bit that evening, but not to do much. I was afraid to eat much knowing that we would be flying the next day...so it was just a wasted day basically...but in the end that's ok...I was able to have a day to rest...which in Disney is so rare.

I have learned that I don't want to share rooms...with anyone. I just need my space to de-stress after long days, and when there are that many adults it was hard to share the bathroom, etc...I just am too organized and picky to share.

For all of the emotions of the week (excitement, nostalgia, sickness, stressed, etc.) I was really happy to get home. I was happy to be in my home where everything is in its place, to have my shower and my bed (which is the first thing I missed when I was sick), and to just be able to have quiet. I was definitely homesick on Thursday...so a week was long enough. I miss Disney, but I love my home too.

After such a wonderful trip, it's now time to prepare for Christmas. Almost all of the presents are wrapped, the tree is ready, my menu is ready (brunch this time - and family members are requested to bring food too), and Santa is ready to build the toys on Christmas Eve...it's hard to even imagine that this could be the last Christmas as a family of three...maybe we will have another by next Christmas...if God has it in His plans...many prayers for a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Good Health!