::Family:: Disney Vacation and Cruise Recap Part 1

Last week we returned from a family Disney vacation. While I was on maternity leave I went into a deficit for time off and therefore had no extra PTO hours to take during 2015. Once I returned to work I knew I needed something to look forward to. After some searching and research, the hubs and I landed on a Disney cruise. We booked it in June, 9 months in advance, but it was just the thing I needed to keep me motivated throughout the year.

We started the vacation off by visiting Magic Kingdom, Macie's first trip!! Port Canaveral is only 45-50 minutes from Disney so we thought it was the perfect kick off to our vacation. We drove up Saturday and hung out at Disney Springs (previously downtown Disney) for the day.

On Sunday morning we headed to Magic Kingdom for a very special Royal Breakfast with the Princesses in Cinderella's castle.

The breakfast was great. When we walked in, Cinderella was there to greet us before being seated.

The girls got magic wands and wishing stars. The princesses all came around and signed autographs and took pictures with everyone. Henley was over the moon. It was a great experience and the food was amazing. 

After the breakfast we headed to Fantasyland and rode a few rides. Fastasyland is a great place for the littlest park hoppers since they can ride practically everything. We rode It's a Small World, the Tea Cups, and a few others.

We had an extra fast pass so decided to do Enchanted Tale with Belle. I'd never heard of it and really wasn't sure what to expect. I was so glad we did this, it was a pleasant surprise. It's a live show staring all of the little kids from the audience. Henley was one of the salt and pepper shakers. They all go through and act out a very short play about the Beast & Belle and at the end, Belle comes in to watch. It was seriously the cutest thing, especially considering our "Beast" was a tiny girl about 4 years old. 

After a few more rides, ice cream, and a nap we headed back to the hotel for the day. We lasted at the park until probably about 2 then both girls were spent and ready to rest.

Everything was great but I do have one major complaint. I relied on the Photopass picture of the family in front of the castle and it was totally white, there was no picture at all. I was so disappointed. I did complain to Disney and they gave me a credit for another picture which was nice but I still had no family picture besides this Cinderella one (which has a smudge). I've always had great experiences with Disney and the pictures so that was a little bummer. Otherwise everything for the Magic Kingdom was great.

I think if I try to recap the cruise here too this post will be massive so I'll write a separate post for that. 

Mere :-)

::Macie:: One Year Old!

I'm a little late posting this but I am going to make a conscious effort to blog more often as an outlet and a little scrapbook for myself to look back on.

On March 1st, my smallest lady turned the big ONE! This last year has gone by so fast and it's getting better with every month that passes.

About a month or two ago, Ted and I decided to take a shot at getting some photos of the girls. We recently had professional photos taken and didn't really want to incur more costs for photos, plus the hubs typically does a great job. We got the girls all dolled up and headed downtown with baskets and balloons in tow. Being a mom of two, I know capturing shots of two toddlers smiling is virtually impossible so we set ourselves up for success and got some pretty great shots of them interacting with each other.


Here are some of my favorites:

We used this one for Macie's First Birthday Invitation:

Macie's birthday party was on March 5th at our house with a very loose theme of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, incorporating lots of pinks and golds. 

I made Macie a little tutu and onesie that peppered our entire house with gold glitter, (sorry hubs!). She looked simply adorable!!

We had a few close friends and a few grandparents come over to celebrate Macie. She wasn't too into the smash cake but, just like mama, was a big fan of the cake pops. (I'll post my secret to the perfect cake pops soon!)

Macie loved opening presents and is a big fan of a sandbox from her Papa. Overall the day was so great. I love when all of the littles from my friends and family can get together and play. Seeing everyone grow up together has truly been a blessing.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

::Macie:: Eleven Months

Weight

No doctor visits this month (thankfully) so  I am not so sure!

Health

We've had a month of colds and teething in this house, I think Macie and Henley both have had runny, congested noses more days this month than they haven't. I'll be glad when this winter is over. 

Sleep

Due to the aforementioned colds and teething, we had a rough run on the sleep. Macie was waking multiple times before Ted and I even got to bed. Then waking during the night and not going back to sleep unless she was in our bed. Needless to say some nights all four of us were in bed together!!

Two weeks ago I decided out of sheer desperation it was time to have her cry it out. The colds and the teething had subsided a bit so I figured it was time to try it out. I fully anticipated her crying for at least an hour (she is my stubborn one after all). Friday night I was all ready and I nursed her, laid her down awake and walked out. She cried for a whopping 12 minutes!! I was ecstatic. The next night she was sleeping within 5. It's been awesome. She is going down at 6:45 waking once or twice and up for the day sometime between 6 and 7. 

 

Clothing

Fitting in some 18 months and some 9 months still fit but for the most part she is sitting comfy at the 12 month clothing mark. 

I love this bear jacket

Diet

Macie has given me a run for my money during these last eleven months, this month has been no exception. She's gone from not taking bottles of breastmilk, not even trying formula, not nursing to nursing and taking bottles. In the last week she has dropped the afternoon bottle/nursing session, we've tried both multiple times. This weekend she decided she only wanted to nurse at night. She's been drinking cold, organic milk out of a straw cup consistently for the first time ever. I'll be glad when she's fully transitioned purely so I know what the heck she is doing!

As far as food goes, she's happy with any fruit and any carb. When she has something she likes, she EATS! Mashed potatoes last week seemed to be her favorite so far.

Social

Here are some pictures from the month of Macie's social life lol

Playdate with Vivian

Grandma loving

Bath time is her fave!

Milestones

Macie is consistently taking steps. It's been so tough to get video since she is walking between Ted and I but I feel we are close!

Big Sister Love

Henley and Macie play in here all of the time, at least once a day. It's seriously the cutest!

Have a great week!

Mere :-)

::Macie:: Ten Months Old

Weight

Last visit at the doctor Macie weighed 20 lbs. She had gained a few ounces since her nine month visit. Healthy girl.


Health

We've had a little rough go these past few weeks, nothing major but it's felt like constant congestion, runny nose, and teething. She has four teeth on the top just waiting to break through (mama can't wait!!) Other than that, she's been pretty healthy and happy!


Sleep

We've had a few ok night lately but again with the teeth we have had some rough nights. From bedtime to about 10-11 she wakes up and wants to be held or wants to nurse. I think mostly it's due to the congestion. We used ibuprofen most of the time if she was really fussy to help her settle down.

Clothing

Macie has recently been wearing 12 months clothing but is still wearing most of her nine months too. The 12 month hand-me-downs from Henley are my favorites but due to this crazy heat Macie really hasn't been wearing them....it's summer weather here!!!

The matching Christmas clothing and PJ's were almost too much cuteness to bear!

Diet

Macie has been eating so many new foods---carbs seem to be her favorite. She loves pizza crust. We went out to a pizza restaurant last weekend and Macie nawed on it until she passed out. It was adorable.

Crying

A few crying fits because of the teeth but overall she just cries when she is being dramatic---its really the funniest thing. She folds in half or throws herself on the table if she's standing.


Baby Gear Love

All of our new presents have been a huge hit!!

Social

With Christmas and New Years we've had tons of visitors and tons of fun. Here are some pictures!

Milestones

We've had steps!! We've had up to five at a time. She gets so excited and ends up falling over. She's crawling all over the place and pulling up on everything. I cannot wait until she's mobile. She wants to do what Henley is doing so bad!

Big Sister Love

Mere :-)