Where Did March Go?

I was looking forward to March.  With the health problems and Dr. appointments that took over the Christmas season I feel like I got robbed of that magical time.  So in my head I had vowed to make it up to my Clover.  The beginning of March appeared and the marathon of planning had begun.  There were portraits to take.  There was a low key birthday party to plan and execute.  There was also our Disneyland trip to plan and prep for and eventually recover from.  There were also friend's birthdays and a baby to wait for (still waiting).  And just like that March was over.

This year I feel like for the first time I was actually able to focus on Clover's birthday.  This time the previous years we had to do blood tests around the same time as her birthday, so at the same time we were celebrating the anniversary of her life, we were also reminded of the roller coaster we boarded afterwards.  This year we were told that we were testing too often and that they recommended that we get her blood test every six months.  So that puts our next test in April.  At first I was apprehensive about waiting but at the same time I now see it as a blessing.  I was actually able to focus on the here and now along with the future without being reminded of our past.  Whatever happens next month I will deal with then.  But for now it is nice enjoying the now.

Clover had an excellent birthday!  She got to choose the theme of her birthday party and decided that she wanted a Bubble Party!  Everything seemed to be going great until our oh so unpredictable weather decided it didn't want to play along.  And yes I stressed about it.  At the last minuted a block of sunshine appeared and we rushed the kids outside to have some bubble fun before it started storming again.  She is very much my social butterfly.  The only thing she wanted was to spend time with her friends and family.  She totally didn't realize she was even getting presents, even with all of the gifts stacked on the coffee table.

We were hesitant to let people know we were going to Disneyland.  You would be surprised how many people have an opinion on the subject.  Clover had an awesome time with so many great memories that it was all worth it.

A must do when you are at the big D at your birthday is to get a button!  Just let anyone know that it's your birthday and they will get you a button.  We let the hotel know and they had a button waiting, along with a glossy signed 8x10 of the Princesses, which at the current moment in time is Clover's favorite (as if I needed to remind you).  They also give everyone celebrating their own buttons which are cute.  Clover put her button on for her birthday and was amazed at how many people told her happy birthday.  Every Cast Member she came across excitedly wished her a happy birthday!  She was amazed that everyone also knew her name (which was on the button).  We all realized that this puts a big kink in the ongoing Stranger Danger talk but decided to pick it back up when we got home.  I am always amazed at the level of patience that Cast Members posses.  Along with Starbucks employees.  They see literally thousands of people a day.  Some nice and some not so nice, but somehow they always seem so happy to talk to you!

We only ran into a couple of rude people in the park.  I know everyone has their days but I can't understand how people can be grumpy at the Happiest Place on Earth.  Clover gets excited at the mention of the place.  We might not tell her the next time we go just because she was so excited the night before that she could not sleep.  So in turn we couldn't sleep!  That morning it was hard not to let her enthusiasm infect you as well.  And she did not let up the entire time we were there.  She managed one nap while we were there and hit the pillow every night at ten only to wake up again by herself at six.  I will admit that I couldn't keep up!  I think that's why we had to spend a few days recovering when we got home!

Now that we are all recovered and rested it's nice to catch up on all of the things that I've been neglected.  Like my bloggy blog and the laundry.  Okay so not the laundry...So here I am spending the last day of March debating getting up and starting a load of laundry.  Oh and waiting for my friend's baby!

So bring it on April!

Chiari at Disneyland

I'll be honest, I was a little worried before we left.  I've been feeling pretty good but I was worried that with the fast pace that we usually it the park with that I would wear down quickly.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I actually felt pretty good at the park.  Being active makes me feel pretty good.  One of the key things is to have a great pillow to support my neck and the hotel had a great one.  I think I might actually call them and ask what kind of pillows they are.

One of my doctors is worried that at one point I will pass out.  And while I do have some typical Chiari  symptoms, I have never experienced passing out.  But now that she has mentioned it, it's now a fear stuck in the back of my head.  Whenever I go somewhere or do anything I have a constant fear that I will wake up on the floor.  I was really worried that I would pass out and ruin the trip I had spent so much time planning for.  I'm very glad that things went great and I felt pretty good.  The drive wore me out and gave me a headache but other than that I felt pretty good.

There were some things I wasn't able to do.  Roller coasters were definitely off the list, so no California Screamin for me.  Looking up at menus at restaurants was a bit difficult because I'm not supposed to look straight up but I figured out that if I stand back it puts less strain on my neck.

Taking lots of breaks was key.  Whenever I felt off I told myself that it was in my best interest to sit.  We actually hit up some great places to get our snack on while were were there and taking a break.  Every now and then I have to remind myself that there is other stuff to do other than the usual fun stuff we hit up when we are there.  Clover's favorite ride this time around seemed to be the Jungle Cruise.  She also said that she was a big fan of Space Mountain although she kept her head down during the entire ride.  In one of the pictures you can't even tell she is on the ride.  That was also a ride where I waited for them at the exit.

I was a little bummed at first that there were so many rides that I couldn't get on but there were so many new experiences and cute things that happened on the trip that made up for that.  Lots of cute stories to come but for now I need another cup of coffee.

I See Disney People

People watching at the Big D is just another added perk to admission to the park.  There are so many people in one place that you are bound to find some jewels.  Both positively and OMG.

Positively:  In the morning when you first get to the park there is a sense of community almost.  You are all there for the same reason...to have a blast.  Everyone has had breakfast and is ready to go.  Kids are awake and excited.  Adults are awake for the most part and happy that their kids are excited.  They can't wait to show their kids all of their favorites in hope that they will love them too.

Everyone is cute and styled.  Some of us more cute than others.  Yeah I'm looking at you totally cute mother of two who wore a dress and naturally looked fabulous.  I don't hate you...I'm just jealous.  

OMG:  Towards dinner time you get to experience another group.  The slightly-crashing-blood-sugar-cranky-should-have-taken-a-nap crowd.  These people are easy to deal with when you recognize that they have pushed themselves to far and they are not just being mean for the sake of being mean.  Their kids are whiney and crashing too.  Excitement has got a hold on them, leading them to the point of exhaustion, to the meltdown point.  There are quite a few that reach this point around dinner time.  That's when you hear a lot of the cranky parents with the "If you don't stop crying...we're going back to the hotel!" threat.  I get that Disneyland is expensive and you want to get every last penny out of your trip (it takes a lot of funds to keep the park so clean).  But for the sake of your sanity and your kids mood take a break.  Even if they are older it's good to take a meal break, and take lots of snacks.  You burn a lot of energy doing all that walking.

Then there are the people that figure that since they paid so much for admission that they can now do whatever they want.  These are my least favorite people.  Do they not realize that you also paid the exact same amount to get into the park as well?  These are the rude-obnoxious-litter-bugs-line-cutters.

Oh and some of the fashion choices.  It's almost like a game.  Yes, there are the cuties in the park who always look amazing.  There are the ones with all their D-gear on and they look cute too.  Then there is the group that for some reason or another has chosen some very questionable clothing.  If you can call some of it clothing.  For the record, a white button up shirt with the sides and back cut out so basically you are just sporting the sleeves with a black bra doesn't really qualify as "clothing".  I get that you want to show off what your momma gave you but my kid is asking what happened to your shirt.  What do I tell her?  Maybe that you got stuck on pirates and are going for the shipwrecked look?

There was an entire paragraph here on the importance of "support".  That sentence pretty much stands on it's own, no need for extra verbage.

The cast members are always great, so they are "positive" category.   Sometimes if you get there before your morning cup of coffee they seem a little too positive.  Starbucks employees got nothin on a Morning Shift Disneyland Cast Member.  

I don't want the OMG section to be bigger than the Positively category.  Or for anyone to think that one category is better than the other.  Disneyland is awesome, the people just enhance or put a damper on the experience.  Overall we always have a great time.  It's always fun to compare stories when we get home.