Disneyland Days 5 & 6

Sunday we got up and went to the Garden Grove 1st Ward.  It was the primary program and joint with the Vietnamese ward.  Connor was not having it and I ended up in the hall or the Mother's Room with him the whole time.  He finally fell asleep.  I was sitting in the hall with him and this elderly gentleman's feeding tube machine kept going off.  I watching him struggle with super shaky hands and kept thinking, "Go help him, go help him" but didn't want to wake the baby.  Connor finally stirred and I couldn't ignore it anymore so I went and helped him press the buttons.  I was glad I did so he could get the nourishment he needed!  He was so appreciative, it made me feel so good.  But as the meeting wore on and finally concluded, the thing kept beeping and I couldn't figure it out.  I went and got my mom and it seemed like the line was pinched.  I think we finally got him squared away and had his daughter come help but I hope it kept working properly so he could "eat."

After church we were going to go see the building my dad teaches in but the baby was fussy and we didn't go.  We went to the hotel and changed and headed to El Torrito Grill for Sunday brunch as was recommended by my friend Tawny.  It was over by the airport and I wasn't sure what to think about a Mexican restaurant serving brunch but it was really good!  Everyone seemed to really enjoy it.  Especially the churros!  There was an AMAZING balloon lady there who made Zoey an incredible Minnie Mouse balloon (to match Zoey's Minnie Mouse dress she wore to church and insisted on wearing all day) for $5!  Zoey even popped an ear right after she made it and she fixed it.  I have never seen anyone make such cool balloon animals so quickly.  She said she makes a ridiculous amount of money doing it and left her interior design job to do it so I guess I need to learn how to make balloon animals.

We then drove around Newport to see the temple and where my parents' friends the Hassey's have a home.  We didn't go to the beach because it was cold and windy and the baby was getting hungry again.  We dropped Greg and Ashley off at the airport (they left a day earlier than us) and headed back to the hotel for naps.  And I actually got one too!  It was amazing.  After naps we went to dinner at Bubba Gumps (or Bubble Gums as Zoey calls it) to celebrate Becky's birthday.  Don't worry, we celebrated her birthday at every restaurant even though her birthday was 10 days prior.  Connor was still really fussy and made for a difficult dinner.  We headed back to the hotel afterward and my parents and Becky went to meet with her fiance's family (they live close by) to do some wedding planning and we all went to bed.

The next morning we took it slow and easy and headed to Downtown Disney for some last-minute shopping, a quick Target run to buy some formula to make it through the plane ride home and went to the airport.  We were greeted by freezing cold temperatures and cloudy skies.  We had such a great time though and made some incredible memories.  It was so fun to see the magic light up in Zoey's eyes and all she talks about is Disneyland.  I can't wait to go back.

Disneyland Day 4

Zoey has an an aversion to baths lately.  She used to love them until she pooped in the bathtub two separate times and now hates them because "she has pee pee in her bum."  We threw her in the tub anyway on Saturday and told her she could tell the characters that she took a bath for them.  And that she did.  Every. Single. One. Of. Them.  She told them she was all clean because she took a bath.  LOL

We started this day at California Adventure again since we got a late start and were having lunch with the princesses there.  When we got there Mickey was out so we waited in line to see him and looked to see what other characters were out (the Disneyland app tells you wait times and where the characters currently are and it was AWESOME).  We went to find Mr. and Mrs. Incredible but got distracted by Doc McStuffins and then headed back because Zoey wanted to see Minnie.  One of the workers told us where she would be in about 10 minutes so we waited and were first in line to see her! Zoey had a bubble gun and blew bubbles at Minnie and Minnie popped them and played around with her and spent time with her.  It was so cute and made up for the twit Minnie the day before.  Santa was also there and we asked Zoey if she wanted to meet him and I was shocked when she said yes.  We got up to the front and she changed her mind and covered her eyes.  I actually convinced her to sit down and talk to him and he asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she whispered a candy cane.  Easy enough.  Then he asked her if she wanted anything else and she said a swing.  We sure hope the big guy can deliver because she's been asking for one for months thanks to the idea seed planted by her Papa.  And as luck would have it, one of Santa's elves handed him a candy cane to give to her.  She was in heaven and I praised her for how brave she was to talk to him and she told EVERYONE.

After Santa we headed to Soarin' Over California.  She was too little for the ride so we did the stroller swap and my dad and Brian stayed with the kiddos.  After that it was time to run to Ariel's Grotto for our princess lunch!  We threw on Zoey's Ariel costume and headed in.  It was just the girls...and Dallin. :)  We were met at the bottom of the stairs by Ariel herself who took pictures with Zoey.  She was in heaven.  We had a delicious three course lunch.  I had the salad, tri tip and dessert.  Zoey was totally free and they brought her a cup of raw veggies and a plate of spaghetti and a roll and she proceeded to eat everything.  She didn't touch her dessert but I was so glad to see her eat, she had hardly eaten anything all trip, I think she was just too excited.  She must have been starving.  After the princess lunch we rode California Screamin' and all kind of split up.  Dallin went to save a place for the Pixar parade and Brian and I took Zoey to a sneak peek of The Good Dinosaur and on a few rides in Bugs World.  We set up camp for the parade and it was cute.  I was a little disappointed the Inside Out characters weren't part of the pre-parade, like they were supposed to be.  Connor loved watching the floats but I forgot how darn loud parades can be.  Zoey also got to meet Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates and she told him we watch his show, haha.

Then we headed back over to Disneyland to finish up a few rides.  Mainly, the Jungle (now Jingle) Cruise and a couple others.  After the cruise Zoey had an epic meltdown and I realized she was hangry.  I was tired and frustrated and had about had it with her but after she ate she was much more pleasant.  I told her one more ride and she picked Dumbo again.  So off we went to wait in line for Dumbo and fought the pre-parade crowds.  She loved it and still claims Dumbo is her favorite ride.  I don't blame her, it was my favorite as a child too.

I was sad we didn't make it on It's a Small World but the lines were crazy long every day.  I just wanted to see how it was different for Christmastime.  Disneyland was super adorable all decked out for the holidays (and their 60th Diamond Anniversary too).  I also thought it would have been fun to take her on the Tea Cups after she laughed hysterically going in circles on Buzz but we didn't make it there either.  We were just too darn tired.  It'll give us something to come back to.

After the last ride we started to make our way out.  It was so so crowded because the parade was about to start.  At the top of Main Street some workers pointed us down a back alley to take us to the gates and avoid the crowds.  It was heavenly.  Kind of weird to see the back streets of Disneyland by the boilers and employee bathrooms but I was so glad I didn't have to manuver a stroller through the thick of things.  Zoey sat down and laid her her on Connor's car seat and was out like a light.  She didn't even wake up as we put her jacket on, carried her on and off the shuttle, put her PJs on, nothing.  And she is a light sleeper!  I think she was plumb wore out.  

I was so sad to leave Disneyland.  As exhausting as it was, I could have stayed a week in the park.  Although it was the general concensus of everyone else that they wished we wouldn't have done three days straight and would have had a down day in between somewhere.  I just love the atmosphere, the energy, the helpfulness, the cleanliness and the magic of it all.  I would go back tomorrow if I could!

Disneyland Day 3

We had breakfast at the hotel and caught the shuttle to the park.  Dallin was so tired and his feet hurt so bad (from tons of walking and too small of shoes) from the day before he stayed behind for a bit.  We started this day out at Disneyland.  We walked in the characters were going on a break.  We took some pictures and found out the characters would be returning shortly so we hung around the area.  When they made their appearances, I had my family run and jump in the lines and Zoey and I would rotate around without having to wait in a bazillion lines.  It was perfect!  She met Minnie (her favorite), Donald and Daisy (Donald was a surprising favorite), and Chip and Dale all within less than an hour.

We walked up Main Street and took pictures by Cinderella's Castle.  This was something she had seen the night before but had been begging to go in it.  Sleeping Beauty came out shortly thereafter and we waited to meet her while my brother went and got in line for the other princesses on the other side of the castle.  She met Sleeping Beauty (again), Snow White and Cinderella in that area.  She was actually wearing her Cinderella dress that day and it was so cute when they met each other.  Snow White was very "in your bubble" and didn't allow Zoey to be too shy but everyone else kept this distance if Zoey wasn't feeling it.

We went to eat lunch after Dumbo and the Carousel.  As we're sitting at lunch my dad was feeding Connor and said he smelled something.  We thought it was just gas as he'd pooped the day before and generally only poops every other day.  My dad checks and Connor had pooped ALL OVER my dad!  I was mortified.  My dad carried him to the bathroom and I took him in to get him cleaned up while my dad went to clean himself up.  It was so gross and smelly I wanted to gag.  My dad ended up having to buy a new shirt and since my parents didn't want to walk all the way back to the locker for Connor's spare clothes, they just bought him new clothes too (a cute blue Mickey golf shirt and socks).  Dallin arrived shortly after this (or he could have brought clothes) and my parents took Connor and Dallin and I took Zoey to Toon Town.  I hadn't been there since I was small and it was fun because it's good for little kids.  Dallin and Zoey went to meet Minnie while I stood in line for Mickey.  I just kept walking and weaving and I walked straight to where he was!  So I called them and told them to come.  We legitimately waited 10 minutes to meet Mickey.  After that we met Goofy and Pluto then took Zoey on the little roller coaster there.  I was worried how she'd react but when it was over she said she wanted to go again!  There's a little dare devil in her I guess.  Then we waited in line to meet Minnie and I was sad we did because this Minnie was so awful.  Zoey asked her if Mickey was her friend like 6 times and the Minnie didn't even acknowledge her!  I wanted to kick her.  I was following what the worker said to have our books ready for autographs and I guess she wanted to take photos first and kind of swept the pen out of my hand which in turn landed on my pants (luckily they were black) but still!  I was so disappointed.

We went and my brothers had picked us up Indiana Jones fast passes so we headed over there and rode Pirates (she told us they Pirates had guns.  We have asked her to tell us any time she sees a gun for safety's sake and we were so proud she listened) and I taught her how to say "wheee!" down the dips so it doesn't hurt your tummy.  She was also quite concerned with the "lion" (Davey Jones) in the steam at the start of Pirates.  She still talks about it.  She insisted on a frozen banana after Pirates and we tried to discourage her since they are frozen solid but she ate almost the whole thing!  Then we did Indiana Jones then rode Buzz Lightyear.  All Zoey did was spin us in circles and we laughed our guts out.  We couldn't hit a thing because we just kept spinning and spinning.  I got a little sick but not horribly.  It was some sort of miracle I was able to ride all these rides with her and not get sick (even the Carousel).   Then my sister's friend texted that she thought Space Mountain was open.  It was closed the duration of our trip and had been for weeks as they got ready to turn Tomorrowland into Star Wars Land (the Monday we left) and turned it into Hyperspace Mountain.  My brother ran over and confirmed that it was indeed open, a soft, super-secret opening but the wait was already an hour.  My parents took the kids back and all us big kids ran over and hopped in line to get the sneak peek.  Luckily the line was only about 35 minutes and we got to ride it!  It was super cool in the fact that it was the first time people had been able to ride it and the vibe of excitement was overwhelming.  I didn't find the ride that much different than the original but it was still fun. 

We headed back to the hotel and went to eat at Red Robin. Zo gets so slap happy when she's tired.  We got back to the hotel and Connor was hungry and tired and Zoey's jumping on her pull-out bed yelling Merry Christmas at the top of her lungs.  I was laughing so hard so I didn't cry. It was another late night but so fun!

Disneyland Days 1 & 2

We arrived in California on Veteran's Day - November 11.  It was quite the effort to get everyone and everything packed and there.  We were traveling with 11 adults and 2 kids.  My mom and dad, 3 brothers, my brother's girlfriend, my sister, her friend, the girl who is living with my parents and myself and Dallin and the kids. I think we ended up with 4 checked bags, 2 car seats, 2 carry ons and a diaper bag (and that was just for the 4 of us!).  I was dreading getting through security, especially with baby formula, etc.  We made it through and it wasn't too terrible but then Connor was hungry so it was a mad dash to get him fed and changed before boarding the plane.  We made it though!  And the kids were awesome during the flight; Connor slept most of it and Zoey sat and held her daddy's hand and pretended it was a ride like Lagoon.

We got to WARM Orange County and took a shuttle to our hotel, the Marriott Suites in Garden Grove.  It was a nice place.  I tried to get Zoey some lunch from the Red Robin nearby and it was an hour wait for a table of 11 so I just ordered it to-go and we ate it in the hotel then she took a little nap.  We had reservations at the Rainforest Cafe that night so we headed to Downtown Disney after naptime.  Dinner was pretty good and we spent the rest of the evening perusing the shops and buyings little things here and there.

Zoey had been so disappointed that we got to California and it wasn't Disneyland day since we'd been counting down and telling her all about it for months.  Finally, it was time!  So woke up at 5:45 a.m. (and did most of the trip) she was so excited.  We stated at California Adventure Park.  I had been reading a blog, dlrprepschool.com about strategies on how to maximize your time and where to go first and what fast passes to pull.  My plan was quickly derailed when they weren't giving out Elsa and Ana return tickets and I found my family wandering around Buena Vista Blvd. instead of going to meet Olaf like they were supposed to. (So glad I found them as I had left my cell phone with them while I went to pull Radiator Springs fast passes!)  So we waited in line for Ana and Elsa and Zoey was so excited and nervous.  They were so cute with her.  I was so glad we brought an autograph book because Zoey really loved it.  Next we headed to Olaf and they had their soft opening for his "house" area where he is staged.  We rode Monsters, Inc. while others waited in line for us and then we went over to his "house."  They had real snow and Zoey plopped down to make a snow angel until she realized that wasn't a good idea to do in shorts and a t-shirt.  She met Olaf then we headed pull Tower of Terror fast passes.  We played around in Bugs World for a bit because they had some fun little kid rides as we made our way over to Corndog Castle for lunch.

During lunch they had a Feliz Navidad parade and my brothers took Zoey and she blew Mickey a kiss and he caught it and put it in his pocket!  Talk about melt my heart!  We also rode some rides around the area and took her on Ariel's Under the Sea ride and she was in heaven!  My brothers took the kids and headed to Disneyland for our dinner reservation at Big Thunder BBQ while we rode Tower of Terror.  I actually wasn't nervous this time!  I forgot how many times that thing dropped though and was laughing so hard I could barely breathe.

We had dinner and it started to get a little chilly.  Zoey wanted to drive the cars so we were trying to make our way to Autopia and got caught by a parade.  Somehow my dad and Dallin got through but my mom and I and the kids got stuck so we let Zoey watch a little.  By then Zoey was super tired and only wanted to be held so it was so hard to navigate a screaming baby and push a stroller and carry a toddler.  Yikes!  We finally made it and I let Zoey drive the car.  Bad idea!  We were all over the track jerking so much that she said she didn't really like it.  I told her I'd help her and then she said it was so fun!  We called it a night after that.  Dallin's app said we'd walked 12 miles that day and our feet were dead (especially after carrying a toddler).  We went back to the hotel and crashed but the kids were still up bright and early the next day!  Groan.

Connor - 3 Months

Our bouncing baby boy is three months old now!  He turned 3 months while we were in Disneyland but I took a picture before we left so I didn't have to pack Pooh Bear with us as we were already bringing our whole house.

At 3 months, Connor:

- Wears size 3-6 or 6 month clothing.  Some of his 6 month jammies seem a little short and his feet are too big so I'm sure he'll be in 9 month jammies soon.

- Drinks 4-6 ounces every 3-3.5 hours.  Just switched from Enfamil Newborn to Infant.

- Is weaning off nursing so I'm sure he'll be drinking 6-8 ounces of formula when all is said and done.

- Is getting pretty good with hand/eye coordination and will reach for toys and is determined to get them.

- Doesn't talk to his friends in the lights hardly at all anymore.

- Sleeps through the night!  Usually from 10 or 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.  It's awesome.

- Absolutely adores his sister and is so patient with her.  Hates when she leans on his head or tummy though.

- Has started to jabber with the cutest little voice.  It's actually quite loud and carries.  Especially his happy squeal.

- Smiles a ton, especially right after he wakes up.  I love how his whole face lights up.

- Gets very upset when he is hungry but still has the mildest cry, more like a whine.  His real cry is REALLY loud though.  Luckily it doesn't happen often.

- Usually takes a short morning nap and a longer afternoon nap.  He generally takes a long evening nap I have to wake him up from to feed him then I put him back down for the night and he sleeps all night.  It's awesome because I just have to lay him down and he goes to sleep, I don't have to hold or rock him or anything.  

- Is finishing up the last of his size 2 diapers and moving to size 3.

- Still has all his baby hair.  He hasn't lost any of it.  It's growing longer and longer too and has this crazy wave/curl to it that he gets from me.  It dries pretty straight though (unlike mine).

- We finally found a binky (MAM) that he'll tolerate.  He much more prefers his thumb which is awful but he's pretty determined and seems to soothe him.  He has a blister/dry skin on his pointer finger from drooling all over it in an effort to get his thumb.

- Pretty sure he's starting to teethe.  Been really drooly and chomping on his hand.  

- Is starting to not like his car seat so much anymore but that thing puts him right to sleep and he'll sleep forever in it still.

He's just a calm and peaceful presence in our family and I'm so grateful to have him and his big, gummy smiles!

Connor's Blessing

On the 8th of November we blessed Connor in our ward.  It wasn't a fast Sunday because Dallin's parents were out of town on fast Sunday.  It was so nice to have our friends and family surround us and celebrate cute little Connor.  He sure looked daper in his white sweater outfit.  Thanks so all who came!

Dallin blessed Connor to, as he comes to crossroads, to choose the right path and to know of the love we have for him.  After Sacrament we headed to my in-laws for pulled pork sandwiches and salads and desserts.  Our tiny house just couldn't quite accommodate the crowd we had!  It was beautiful weather so lots were able to eat outside and visit.  It was a beautiful day!  Just kind of a crazy week with us leaving for Disneyland in a couple days after!

Sad I didn't get any pictures of Connor with Dallin's siblings but they were already back at the house and changed by the time we arrived!  So here's my family and bff and little thumb-sucker. :)

More Halloween

We tried to jam-pack Halloween festivities in.  It was nice to have something different to do.  We did Frightmares and the next fun thing we did was the Rec Center Spooktacular.  Zoey was so excited to be in her costume and we convinced her to forgo the Ana shoes since they are hard to walk in and pretty slippery.  We got there a bit after it started and it wasn't terribly crowded yet.  She did some games and bounced in the bounce house.  Since there was no one else there they let her go extra long on her ticket.  She did a little trick or treating and then kept saying she wanted to do the big blow-up slide.  I thought for sure she'd chicken out but she definitely wanted to do it!  I knew there was no way she could get up the slippery blow-up stairs herself so they let me help her - more like push her up two stories!  I was sore for days after trying to hang on myself and push her up.  And she slid right down!  I put my elbow down to steer myself into not crashing into her and burned it real nice but it's ok now.  They also had a super cute haunted swamp where they'd take canoe rides around the lap pool.  I thought she'd be too scared for that too but she had a blast.  We played more games and called it a night!

One family night we decided to paint pumpkins since time was running short to carve.  I think Zoey had the best time.

We went to story time at the Centerville library and they did a little trick or treating afterward.  There were only about 5 stations that gave out things but the kids still had fun.  The highlight may have been the park and Wendy's afterward.  Man, the weather was BEAUTIFUL!

We went to my mom's ward's trunk or treat.  It was a pretty big bust.  They started with a dinner and didn't get to trick or treating for TWO hours.  It was almost 8 when they started and everyone was bored and tired (or was that just me?).  It was rainy and cold and there were only like 10 cars that handed out candy so it wasn't that much fun.  Boo!

Suzanne and Phin also invited us over to decorate sugar cookies.  Zoey had so much fun dumping the "sprinkakles" on and eating them.  They were so yummy!


 We didn't head to the rest home trick or treating because I opted for a nap for Zoey instead since her schedule had been all kinds of goofy.  We did go to the Chik-fil-A trunk or treat which was fun because there was awesome candy, not a ton of people and some good coupons for the parents.  Zoey even got to see the Chik-fil-a cow (which she is terrified of but wanted to go up to) and a Kung-fu Panda.

On actual Halloween, Dallin and I spent a ton of time winterizing our yard.  After nap time, Allie and Jeff came with Zoey and I and we headed to Main Street in Bountiful.  I forgot how far some of the businesses are from each other and ended up carrying her most of the way.  It was pretty crowded and we called it good after a few blocks.  Then we headed over to Colonial Square since everything is super close together and I figured it'd be less crowded.  Bingo!  We got through there rather quickly and headed home for Mummy dogs (pigs in a blanket).  Then Dallin took Zoey out to some neighbors and I handed out candy.  We decided to venture further into the neighborhood and left a bowl of candy on our porch.  And there was still candy in it when we got back!  Maybe because we forgot to turn the porch light on, but I was still quite surprised since there was a big dent of dum-dums gone.

So overall, we had an awesome Halloween.  It was exhausting but Zoey loved it.  Our neighborhood was awesome at handing out full-sized candy bars, chips, mini sodas, Capri Suns and lots of unconventional things which I thought was fun.  We just need to teach Zoey how to pick better candy.  If it was a sucker or green, it got picked.  I can't tell you how many times she picked Whoppers or licorice over Snickers - ick!  LOL