8 months old!!

Guess who's another month older?  Miss Persephone!

Today you're 8 months old and just like the last 7 months, I. can't. believe. it.  You are growing so fast.    

-You are such a sweetie pie, with a sassy side - naturally. 

-You've started pitching fits when you don't get your way.  Sometimes it's pretty funny and cute, other times..not so much. 

-You've become a little needy at times and want to be held or at least near someone. 

-You're still doing your army crawl, but you get where you need to go. 

-You've been pulling up to stand for about 2 weeks now and it seems to be your favorite thing to do.  In fact, when we go to sit you down, you stretch out those chunky legs so we can't sit you down. 

-This weekend you started taking some steps while we held your hands - pretty soon we're going to be in trouble.  I guess it's time to find a new place for the cat food/water bowl! 

-You've started sounding out "da da da da da da da" and it's so sweet.  I know you don't know it means "dada", but still it's so cute.  I know your Daddy loves it.  I'm still trying to encourage "ma ma ma ma", but we're moving at a snails pace. 

-You've also discovered you can flick your tongue, so we're getting a kick out of hearing you babble with that. 

-You're drinking approx 7oz 4-5 times a day.  We switched to Target brand gentle formula.  It definitely dissolves a heck of a lot better than the name brands we've tried. 

-We're still doing BLW (baby led weaning) and you've GOT to be consuming something because your poops have changed.  You taste all the foods we have offered.  And when in doubt, you will without a doubt eat the Gerber Puffs and Lil' Crunchies, but I'm excited to see when you start eating the food and not just sucking/gumming it. 

-You've started waking up sometime between 2-4am most nights and it drives me crazy.  I might be part of the problem because instead of letting you cry it out or stay awake, I cave, grab you from your crib and bring you to our bed.  This might be a "routine" for you now, which definitely wasn't my intention, but whatever.  I would snuggle with you all night long if I could.  It's funny to watch you sleep, because you've started sleeping on your side and back.  At times I'll catch you with both arms above your head.  I've also caught you one or two times where you've sat up, then fallen asleep forward with your legs stretched out underneath you (doesn't look comfy).

-YOU STILL HAVE NO TEETH!  The symptoms come and go, but still..nada, zero, zilch.

Some of these photo's my be repeats and my bad...I'm sure a few of them were already shared on Instagram/Facebook.

My two peas in a pod...

This was actually taken at 7mos I believe...

Good thing, she already likes movies.  

So how many of you think we're killing her brain cells by always having the TV on? 

Go BRAVES!

Hey everybody!

LUVS LUVS LUVS!

So excited about a diaper case.

2:30am on Tuesday 5/21/13

WIDE AWAKE

This is my hand..

This is my hand...oh wait, the book says milk.

Seriously?  This is my book, don't touch it...

What's not to love about this?!

Smiley girl!

Oh I'm gonna getcha...maybe not right now, but one day

Look what I can do!

I pulled myself up!

I don't always eat a piece of steak, but when I do...

I use it as vampire fangs

Wanna try my hand?

Swinging :)

This is my table, my toys...my seat.

Can I help you?

I work out...

(I had no idea this was a Disney top...until I saw the photo)

Just chillin' on Mimi's hearth

*Going Private*

I've made the decision to go private.  

If you would like to be added to my "readers" list send an email to ahpjones@gmail.com

Otherwise as of 5/22/2013 my blog will be private.

Thank you!

Disney Tips/Tricks/Secrets - Part 2: Magic Kingdom

Again...all of the tips below are from a book I recently purchased 

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World Planner by Susan Vaness & Simon Vaness

MAGIC KINGDOM

I realize some of you may already be familiar with some of these tip/secrets and that’s GREAT.  But, shame on you for not sharing it with me sooner :)

Main Street, USA

-         Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater.  Go backstage for some one-on-one time as Mickey and Minnie prepare for their next show.  You can even reserve time with Mickey by using a Fastpass.  ***I've always seen some characters near the entrance to Main Street, USA but had no idea you could Fastpass for Mickey & Minnie.

 -         A few doors down from the firehouse you’ll find Harmony Barber Shop.  For a very special memento, toddlers can get a My First Haircut certificate when Disney cuts their hair for the very first time! ***I hope to do this with Persephone if her locks are long enough to need a trim - ah hell, maybe I'll want to trim them anyway just to get the certificate :)

 -         Flag Retreat Ceremony – Each day at 5pm the Main Street Philharmonic band plays a medley of patriotic music.  You can sign up at City Hall to be chosen as the days veteran or military special guest.

 

-         The light fixtures on Main Street progress from gas lamps to electric lights.  It’s a virtual timeline from the 1800’s into the Industrial Revolution.

 _______________________________________________________

-         Planning on an all-day stay at Magic Kingdom?  Book a late breakfast seating for Crystal Palace (character dining 10:30am) and you may be able to eat enough to last through to dinner.

 -         Tired of the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom?  Take a boat to Fort Wilderness and enjoy a quiet, crowd free lunch at Trail’s End then return when you’re ready.

 -         La Chapeau – enter the store from the door closest to Tony’s Town Square.  You’ll find a phone in a small room on the right next to the door.  Pick it up and you’ll hear a “party line” from a time when many neighbors shared the same phone line.  Stop and listen – you’ll hear gossipy conversation!  ***I'm totally going to try this one!

 -         The Robinson Family (of Swiss Family Robinson) were chased off course by pirates in the book - - notice their tree house is just down the way from Pirate’s of the Caribbean.  Coincidence?

-         At Pirate’s of the Caribbean, check out the lava rocks to the left of the entry.  The biggest one resembles a skull.

 

-         Inside the POC gift shop, look for a key hanging on a Chinese vase, just to the left of the exit leading to the restroom.  You can also find a medallion stuck to another vase, on another high shelf to the left of the entry into Pirates League.  Both are original props from Pirates of the Caribbean series.

 -         In the courtyard between Tortuga Tavern and Pecos Bill’s, look for bullet holes in the wall going up a stairway.

 -         Stuck in Frontierland during a parade?  Use the boardwalk along the river to avoid fighting your way through people.

 -         The Country Bear Jamboree was one of the last things Walt Disney saw before his death.  Walt loved the idea of musical bears.  ***This is a cheesy show, but I love it, even more now that I know Walt loved the idea.  It's also a great way to get out of the heat!

 -         The Liberty Bell hanging in Liberty Square is actually cast from the same mold as the original bell in Philadelphia, PA.

 -         In 2011 The Haunted Mansion received a make-over, giving a “ghostly bride” storyline.  When you are in the stretch room at the beginning of the attraction you’ll see a photo of a woman holding a rose sitting atop a headstone.  Notice she’s not really upset about poor George?  It was this detail that inspired the idea of a five-time, unremorseful bride.  ***My all-time favorite-est WDW ride ever ever ever.

 

-         Lots of children are afraid of the dark – One way to help them in darker rides/attractions is to give them a small light up toy that they can use.

 -         On the corner of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe there’s a sign advertising voice lessons by Ichabod Crane – directly across the street is Sleepy Hollow Refreshments…ha!

 

-         All the money in the bottom of It’s a Small World actually goes to charities like Give Kids the World and Kids Miracle Network.

 

-         Prince Charming Regal Carousel – Cinderella used to “own” the carousel, but Prince Charming took possession of it in 2010.  As part of his story, you’re involved in medieval competitions.  The horses are all galloping instead of walking or trotting and some are wearing special gear used in jousting.  The horse wearing the golden ribbon was never intended to be “Cinderella’s”, cast members started the myth and it has stuck with the story.

 -         The sorcerer in the “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Fantasia is named Yen Sid, which is actually DISNEY spelled backwards.  ***You're not a true WDW fan if you didn't already know this!!  They even tell you this secret on The Great Movie Ride in Disney's Hollywood Studio's.

 -         Don’t use a regular pen for character autographs.  A fat pen/marker is easier for them to hold.  Also remember, they can sign your t-shirt or hat, but only if you’re not wearing it.

 

-         Tomorrowland Transit Authority (The people mover) – with Walt’s recognition of “green” before it become popular; the people mover is powered by linear induction using electromagnetic energy.  ***I rode this ride for the first time EVER in 2012 - - I can't believe I waited so long, I just never noticed it.  I love it :)

 

-         Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – you don’t have to keep pulling the trigger to shoot at the targets.  Just hold the trigger in and the blaster will shoot continuously.

 -         Have children afraid of fireworks?  You can watch WISHES from the beach at Polynesian Resort.  ***Hmmm....I'm thinking of using this tactic - wonder how many other people know about it? lol.

 -         The Resort-Only monorail out of Magic Kingdom stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center at the end of the day.  Use it if the regular monorail has a long wait.

 

-         Mickey’s Halloween & Christmas parties start at 7pm, but you can enter the park at 4pm using your special party ticket.  You should be given a wristband allowing you to remain in the park when everyone else is asked to leave.   ***I would LOVE to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but it isn't going on during Thanksgiving - BUMMER.

Disney Tips/Tricks/Secrets - Part 1: Random

Hardy and I love Barnes & Noble.  They always have some awesome deals on books, even hardback versions.  This past weekend I found a Disney book for only $5.98!  It’s titled; The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World Planner (A complete organizer, journal and keepsake for your unforgettable vacation) by Susan Veness and Simon Veness.

I started flipping through it the same day; I couldn’t help myself.  And to my amazement, there are MANY tips/tricks/secrets I never thought or knew about.  I thought I would share some of these with you since most of you like or love Disney as much as I do.  If you don’t like Disney…maybe this will change your mind and inspire you to book yours.  Let me know if you do – I’m interested in becoming a travel agent…no seriously.

This first post will be about random tips for visiting Walt Disney World (WDW for short).

-         STAY COOL - The two best parks to avoid the heat are Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s, which have the highest percentage of indoor/air-conditioned attractions.

-         Baby Care Center’s - are available in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  They provide Carnation baby formulas (for free) as well as diapers, sunscreen and some otc medications.  It’s also a great way to take a break from the sun/crowd with your little one(s).

-         Rider Swap – I haven’t personally tried this, but according to this guide if you are traveling with a small child who doesn’t meet the rides requirements or is uninterested – ask about Rider Swap.  One adult can stay with a nonrider while the rest of the group rides, then another adult can wait with the nonrider while the first adults goes straight to the front of the line.  This means you only stand in line once.  Ask the ride attendant about Rider Swap before getting in line.

-         Fastpass – IT’S FREE so use it when you can.  Go to the attraction, look for the Fastpass distribution boxes (or ask an attendant where they are), put in your park ticket and a Fastpass will be distributed (unless all of them have been given for the day).  You’ll have to do this for everyone in your party at the same time so you can all return to the ride together.  You can get a Fastpass every two hours and immediately after your time slot starts.

  

ATTRACTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR FASTPASS

Magic Kingdom

Peter Pan’s Flight

Space Mountain

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Splash Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Jungle Cruise 

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Epcot 

Soarin’ 

Mission: Space

Test Track

Maelstrom

Captain EO

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Tours

Toy Story Mania!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Voyage of The Little Mermaid

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show

Muppet*Vision 3-D

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Dinosaur

Expedition Everest

Kali River Rapids

Primeval Whirl

It’s Tough To Be a Bug!

***Fastpass of course if only available if there’s a long wait for the attraction.   

If the wait is short, most Fastpass distribution boxes will be closed.

-         Apps – there are several Disney apps available for your convenience.

o       IPhone, iPod, iPad

o       Disney World Park Hours

o       Disney World Wait Times

o       Disney World Dining

o       Disney World Park Maps

o       Hidden Mickeys – Disney World

o       Disney World Vacation Countdown

o       My Disney Experience – you can connect your current Disney reservation with this app.

o       Android

o       Disney World Hidden Mickeys

o       Disney World Character Find

o       Disney World Wait Times

NEXT POST WILL BE ABOUT MAGIC KINGDOM!

These hamhocks are made for walking

Everyone likes to believe their child will be the next prodigy.  I'm most certain ours will be.

HAHAHAHA

Mimi & Pops sent Persephone this walker a few weeks ago and she's been having a blast in it.  Between the walker and her urge to pull up, she hardly ever wants to be set down any more.  She still army crawls, but she's got a newfound love for standing.  So why don't we just skip crawling?!?  Yea right.

Here are some pics too cute not to share.

Is that...is that a door? To the outside?

Oh my gosh, IT IS!  Let me out!!

Haha!  Just kidding Mom

Gimmie that camera...

Seriously, I asked for the camera...give it to me.

 

 

Leather, Glass or Luggage?

Based on a recent GOOGLE search, these are the three items that are "recommended" for your third wedding anniversary.  I guess I'll take the leather.

Three years ago today I married my one and only, my better half (hahaha joke)

Flashing back to the big day...

-We got married at the pavilion at Gainesville Marina
-I walked down the isle to Bella's Lullaby by Carter Burwell
-We opted for a sand ceremony instead of the traditional candle lighting
-After we were pronounced husband and wife we walked back up the isle to Top of The World by Van Halen
-We had a wonderful turn out of friends and family, I'm still so thankful to every one who made it

Happy Anniversary Hardy - I love you!