Mickey Mouse World

Have you ever heard the phrase "What kind of Mickey Mouse world do you live in?" I don't think it's a common quote, but it's usually reserved for people who don't seem to have a full grip on reality. Well, lately, it seems like "reality" has been a little bit of a downer. We have had a few dear friends that have been dealt some big blows to their reality. So, we were grateful for a short escape to our Mickey Mouse world. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Although, we missed Austin terribly, Scott and I loved watching Bella's face as she took in all the magic. Disney is impressive to me as an adult, so I could only imagine what it was like for a 3 year old. We only spent 3 full days at Disney, so we had to somehow cram 4 theme parks into 3 days. It was exhausting, but somehow, we managed. Bella was a trooper, the first 2 days, she walked almost as much as Scott and I. She stayed up way past her bedtime, but was up and at 'em bright and early to do it all over again. By our third day, we could tell Bella was tired, but we still had fun!
Our first day, we headed for Magic Kingdom. It was just a hunch, but I figured that she would have the most fun there, so why not go there first! I was right, she had a ball.

Here she is with Scott in front of Cinderella's castle. We had just gotten into the park, and she could hardly wait to get going!

On Alladin's Magic Carpet ride. This was her first ride, and she was super impressed! I don't think the smile ever left her face!

I made reservations for lunch at Cinderella's castle months ago. I knew she would want to wear her Cinderella dress to eat with her favorite princess, but it was about 90 degrees that day, so I figured she wouldn't want to wear her dress all day. So, we had a wardrobe change in a bathroom just before lunch. After we changed we saw the Fairy Godmother outside the castle- how perfect!

Heading into the castle for lunch.

Once inside the castle, Bella got to meet Cinderella. She was completely in awe. In this picture, Cinderella was complimenting Bella on her glass slippers :)

I thought it would only be Cinderella at lunch, but soon after we were seated, they announced that all of the princesses would be joining us! I was surprised by this, you'll see why later.... Anyway, this was Bella's face when they said Snow White was about to enter the room...

Bella and Princess Aurora, A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty

Bella and Ariel

Bella and Belle

Bella was really excited by the ice cream with sprinkles and chocolate crown.

Not sure, but I don't think most princesses finish their ice cream like this...

After lunch, we went to ride Dumbo.

The we were on to the teacups. I love this picture- she was so happy!

Here she is in Minnie's house...

Checking out Minnie's fully stocked fridge...

One of Bella's requests was to meet Minnie and Mickey...

On Cinderella's carousel

Magic Kingdom closed early our first day, so we headed to Epcot. Here she is in Mexico.

Epcot was having a festival of flowers. There were lots of Disney characters throughout the park made of plants. Here's Bella checking out Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs...

Trying to get on this fake donkey in the World Showcase at Epcot...

In Italy...

The Lady and the Tramp....

Our second day started at Hollywood Studios where we enjoyed a Playhouse Disney show with the characters from Micky Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, My Friends Tigger and Pooh and Little Einsteins.

Jumping during the Playhouse Disney show...

Bella LOVED the Beauty and the Beast stage show at Hollywood Studios. She said tonight that she wants to grow up and be one of the dancers in this show. After she first said she wanted to be the Beast :)

Getting to throw some change into the fountain...
Scott and a Disney photographer worked really hard to try and get Bella to smile for this picture. The was the best she would do.

Bella usually crashed in her stroller at some point during the day...

Playing at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground...

After Hollywood Studios, we headed back to Epcot for dinner and saw this guy right when we got there- with no lines! Bella got to cross another character off her wish list to meet!

Hopscotch in England...

Getting ready for princess meal #2.

As I mentioned earlier, I didn't realize that all the princesses would be at Cinderella's castle. So, I made reservations for the princess dinner in Norway before our trip, to make sure Bella got to meet all the princesses. I thought about cancelling this one after our lunch at the castle, but knew she would still love it, even if she had already met them all... Here she is all excited to meet Belle for the second time...

Sleeping Beauty #2

Even though she had already met them the day before, she jumped out of her chair each time another princess came to our table. It was fun to see her that excited!

Funny story here- when Ariel was coming to our table, she couldn't see Bella, only Scott. Scott said she gave him the weirdest look. Probably because she was a little freaked out that some 32 year old dude was at a princess dinner and she was going to have to pose for a creepy picture with him. I'm sure she was relieved when she finally saw Bella :)

My happy girl...

At our hotel, just after breakfast and about to start our 3rd day.

We headed to Animal Kingdom first and met a few more characters...

There was a small petting zoo at Animal Kingdom. Bella was surprised at how dirty this cow was...

After finishing at Animal Kingdom, we decided to head back to Magic Kingdom since she seemed to enjoy that park the most. There was one character that Bella really wanted to meet, but hadn't yet. So, we decided to wait in line for an hour to meet Tinkerbell. This is what happens during an hour long line with a 3 year old.
Bella and Rosetta. I think Rosetta was Scott's favorite...

Bella and Tinkerbell

Bella and Silvermist

After meeting the fairies, we went on a small roller coaster. It was Bella's first experience with a roller coaster and she was excited. For a minute, at least...

The she didn't like it anymore. Good thing it only lasted for about 30 seconds!
On our last night, we wanted to stay and watch the firework show at the castle. I almost hated taking "family" pictures since Austin wasn't with us, but I thought this one turned out pretty good...
Sitting on her daddy's shoulders watching the fireworks. She had so much fun on this trip and I think she really enjoyed some one on one time with us.
While we were there, we let her pick out her souvenier. She chose a Tinkerbell costume. We also let her choose a present to take to Austin. As soon as we got home, she had to put on her costume and give him his presents. I missed that little boy!!
He loved his cars and ball. Scott and I are already talking about going again in 3 years or so when Austin will be old enough to join us. I can't wait to see his face when he goes!

8 Months

He's on the move! Austin has gotten quite good at doing the army crawl. He can get where he needs to go, and he's getting faster. I'm ready for him to start crawling on all fours though, it might save me some time doing laundry. I don't care how much I try to keep the floors clean, a fat, 8 month old baby belly can pick up dirt better than a swiffer.

Here are some other 8 month old Austin facts:

• We think he weighs about 20 pounds. He's still quite the chunkster.


• He wears mostly 12 month old clothes now. His 9 month clothes, especially the one piece ones, are too short.
• He STILL does not sleep through the night. He goes to bed around 7-7:30 and wakes up consistently around 12-1 am for a bottle. The pediatrician has told me he's big enough to not eat during the night, but I've tried not feeding him, and it does not make him happy! So, I've decided that since the pediatrician is not offering to come soothe my baby in the middle of the night, I will continue to give him a bottle until he decides he's ready to give it up. Hopefully, he'll do better soon!
• I just bought him his first sippy cups. He hasn't quite mastered them, but he loves to chew on them and throw them to the floor from his high chair. Then he just smiles as we pick it up for him, over and over and over...
• He loves to yell! Anytime he's "talking", it has to be loud. I guess he has figured out that if he's to be heard over his sister, he needs to be louder than her.

Here are a few pictures from Airlie Gardens here in Wilmington. We went last weekend to enjoy their spring flowers and couldn't resist at least attempting to get some good pictures of the kids...

Here's Austin in front of the 400 year old Airlie oak.

The munchkins. For the life of me, I could not get Bella to actually look at the camera and smile.

Bella and Austin in front of Airlie oak

Just listen for the sound of giggles...

Sometimes, it can be tough coming up with activities on the days I'm at home. I feel like we have lots to do at our house, but somehow, Bella still gets bored at times. So today, I suggested we play hide and seek. Bella thought it was a fabulous idea. I counted first, and she hid. As soon as I said, "ready or not, here I come!", I heard the giggles. That took the challenge out of finding her. Then I found her hiding place. She was sitting in the chair in her room. In plain sight. And the next time it was her turn to hide? Back to the chair and giggling. Perhaps, I should have done a better job of explaining the game. But it still made me smile.

Austin's Dedication

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

That was the scripture we chose for Austin's dedication. He was dedicated last Sunday, April 11 at our church here in Wilmington. We have joined First Baptist Church and love it. And it's a small world because the pastor used to be an associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Greensboro when we lived there.

Austin did great- he allowed the pastor to take him and walk all over the sanctuary with him. Bella also enjoyed standing at the front of the church, although she didn't quite get the concept that she should remain quiet. She kept asking loudly "WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO SING AGAIN??"

My parents and Scott's parents came down for this, and we enjoyed a BBQ lunch with them after church. I was stupid and forgot to take my camera with us to church, but we did get some pictures at home. Too bad I forgot it, because our church is beautiful. It's over 200 years old and downtown by the river... But here are some pictures we did take- you can see how handsome he looked for all those folks at church!

Bella and Austin with their Nana and Papa after church

Big Sis and Little Bro

Handsome fella!



Bella and Austin with Grandma and Granddaddy

Watch Your Language, Ma'am

I am fully aware that a 3 year old is like a little sponge. Everything I say gets stored away somewhere in that little head, just waiting for the perfect moment to emerge. Some things, I'm awfully proud of- like the time I told Bella that I would give her to the count of 3 to let me brush her teeth, and she proceeded to count to 10 as I stood there dumbfounded. Other times, I'm not so proud.
I really try to watch my language around my kids. But, every once in a while, a little word slips out in frustration, only to be repeated by Bella later that day. I have heard her say "damn it" a few times, and unfortunately, I know exactly who she learned it from.
But, tonight, I realized that it's not only the obvious curse words I need to be careful of. It's also the words I use in place of them. I don't think I use them much, but I have been known to use words like freak, frick or shadookey in place of more colorful language. Apparently, my sponge noticed too. Tonight, while Austin was getting his bath, he was extra excited and was splashing insane amounts. We bathe him in the infant tub on top of our bathroom counter. The mirror, countertop and floor were covered in water. I was dripping wet myself. Scott and I were laughing at how happy he was, and then Bella chimed in behind me.... She said "Look at him, he's splashing like a little moe foe!" And I hung my head in shame...