Disney Trip

So I feel like we, or maybe I should say, I, have been pretty spoiled getting to do so much Christmas stuff---which I LOVE!! Chris and I had decided a while back to take a quick family vacation to Disney since the holiday season was going to be a bit crazy with him being out of town a lot and basketball season in full force. Chris had a pretty big basketball tournament that started on Friday, when I got back from WI, and went until today. Since we didn't know the exact schedule we had to play things a bit by ear. After the team won their game on Saturday we decided to quickly pack and take off so we could enjoy 2 full days there and head back Monday night for the game on Tuesday.

En route, we opted to spend the night at Auntie Trista's house to make it easier on MaryCate's schedule. We had a great dinner in St. Pete at PF Chang's Pei Wei and then took off early Sunday. When we got to Disney we checked in quickly at the Dolphin hotel on the boardwalk and then headed over to Epcot. MaryCate LOVED seeing all the Christmas trees. She has been so good about looking and not touching!! She would get ecstatic every time there was a big one spotted, and at Disney there were plenty of the them. We rode the sea ride there, because MC LOVES fish, and then we walked around a bit. After that we headed back to the hotel, and on the way saw some amazing gingerbread creations. MC got a good nap, and Auntie Trista came over to meet us for the eveing.

That night we went to the Candlelight procession at Epcot---it was great and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Whoppi Goldberg would be the narrator. MaryCate did awesome and actually seemed to enjoy it.

We had a laid back morning on Monday---looked at some more decorations, Auntie Trista and I got some fancy coffee, and just enjoyed the cool weather. MC took a nap and then we headed to the Gaylord hotel to see ICE----I was SOOOO excited about this! They ship in over 2 million pounds of ice and sculpt it into what they call a "whimsical winter wonderland." I wish I could say it was incredible but if I blinked I would have missed it----MC was having none of it, and to make a long story short we literally walked in and then did everything we could to find an emergency exit out ASAP----it was a disaster. Oh well, live and learn.

We ended our vacation by heading back and dropping MC off with Mema and Granddad while Chris and I went on a fun date!! We drove back after her last feeding on Monday and have been busy with Dr.'s appointments ever since.

It seems MaryCate and I have both come down with a cold, probably from our trip to WI. We are hanging in there, just hoping tomorrow it improves a lot so we can enjoy Christmas. MaryCate saw her pulmonologist (my favorite of all our Dr.'s) on Tuesday as well---once again, she has lost some weight. SO, I asked him what he would do if she was his daughter....the next steps we are taking are, he has put her on an appetite stimulant, hoping this will help. He has also referred us to a endocrinologist----as if we haven't seen enough gist's (neonatologist, gastroentinologist, retinologist, opthomologist, and the list goes on)----they will look at her growth hormone. He was able to get her most recent blood work results, all of which came back normal of course. I will keep you posted but honestly, all I want for Christmas is a couple pounds and some teeth!!

Today, I had an appointment with my specialist and once again everything looks great. This is a big deal for us, because at this point with MC we were already in the hospital. The baby weighs approximately 1 lb 6 oz and is measuring 11 1/2 inches. According to my due date I will be 23 weeks on Friday but they said I am measuring about 23 weeks and 5 days. This is the best news yet, mainly because the baby is viable at 23 weeks---now, for all my NICU nurses reading this, I am not saying I want anything to happen anytime soon, but it was a relief to hear. The ultrasound tech said that the legs were quite long and kept going on and on about how rambunctious the little one was----SUPER! I go back in 3 weeks! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, will post some Christmas pictures after the holiday!!

Daddy and MC in front of a tree at Epcot

As you can tell it was a bit chilly for this time of year in FL---but I was loving it

MC and I in front of the Spaceship Earth

This one is for Uncle Pretty---learning the ropes

This is my girl who does not gain weight

Loving the aquarium

Look at that one mommy

A gingerbread carousel

Auntie Trista and MC in front of a tree at a disney resort

Can't you tell, it's WHOOPI

Reindeer display at our hotel

The Poinsettia Tree at our Hotel, MC went CRAZY when she saw this

Dinner ordered from the ESPN Zone, eating with a washcloth as a napkin

Family pic on the boardwalk

The girls Enjoying our morning coffee

Another attempt at a family Picture

A different gingerbread carousel

MC's first, of many, I am sure, pony rides with Auntie Trista

YeeeeHAW

So Sweet

I LOVE the snow

This is our only picture from inside ICE---with a HUGE ice Santa in the back

Surprise Trip

So I did not post this information, mainly to avoid scrutiny and opinions, but at 21 weeks pregnant...Monday morning I boarded a flight to Wisconsin. Chris and I had decided not to travel over the holidays because we did not know what my condition would be and at this point tickets are quite expensive. After a discussion with my doctor, in which she reassured me the flying would not impact my cervix as well as a lot of prayer, I decided to go. The tickets for this week were so reasonable and Chris was in agreement that it was a good choice. Chris had to be out of town for work all week so we figured I would get more help at home and it would be good for my soul to see some family at this time of year. I am blogging now, safely in my home in Fort Myers. I had a Dr's appointment this afternoon and everything looks great.

MC and I had a blast. She LOVES being around her cousins!! Brady and Clare were so surprised to see us---My brothers new I was coming but not my parents or the kids, which was a really fun surprise. My brother Timmy picked us up on Monday and we went straight to my Dad's work...he was shocked, but not too shocked to show off his granddaughter to the whole office!! Then we went home and surprised Grandma Mary, who about fell off her rocker. She will be down here in less than 3 weeks to help out, as Chris has to leave again for a week, so she is excited to get so much time with MaryCate.

The pictures tell most of what we did, but it was a lot of relaxing, laying low, and being with family. We did make a quick run into th NICU to see all of MC's friends and despite the harassing I got for being there, they were all pleased to see how big my sweet little girl is getting. I am feeling great and the baby is a kicking on a regular basis. We are in town for a big basketball tournament this weekend and then heading off for some family time at Disney on Sunday through Tuesday---much needed as we have been apart for a week and Chris has to go again soon after the holiday. Will post pics after that trip too!! Hope you all are enjoying this time of year as much as I am!! I could celebrate all year!!

Too many Monkey's in MC's crib. Can you tell Clare was excited to have us around

MaryCate was wondering if this would work for a winter hat??

Watching a video with Uncle Ditty

Reindeer Ears

My little helper, always willing to lend a hand with MaryCate

All 3 in their St. Nick PJ's by the tree

I think Uncle Ditty had something to do with it, but I do think it suits her well

All bundled up!! How excited was I to have to get her in sweaters and a hat!!

My sweet girl, perfect weather to walk down and get a starbucks with Uncle Pretty every day

At the mall, attempting a picture with Santa

It was going great, they were telling him what they wanted

And then it went SOUTH

So we went to the play area, here Clare is flexing her muscles in the mirror

This is much more fun than Santa's lap

Side Note: MaryCate's hair goes instantly straight when we get off the plane in WI---it is SOOOO long, so I had to put it in a ponytail every day, we called her pebbles all week

Love this outfit

I got to go to Clare's Christmas program at school, she was not as excited about it, but she looked so cute, and I gotta be honest I cannot wait to get that hand me down

The last night we made gingerbread cookies----or licked the frosting at least

Monkey see, monkey do

Brady's 1st attempt

Helping Clare make her gingerwoman

So proud of his final product

Her too, man do we miss them already

First Santa Attempt!!

We are enjoying the Christmas season soooo much. MaryCate is so into Christmas trees and luckily has been really good about not touching them. Tonight we decided to head down to downtown Fort Myers where they have a Holiday House that is all decked out. One of the rooms is entirely a "Santa Room" so we gave it a go. She did pretty good, we were thankful she did not bust out in tears, but she was quite leary of the big man. We have a few more opportunities to see Santa between now and X-mas so my hope is to get at least one picture with a smile, we'll see?

Not a whole lot else. We did have a GI appointment this week and my little peanut lost some weight, which of course is a concern. They are putting together some more tests, and of course I am just sad and frustrated. I actually thought she had been feeling heavier, maybe it's just the extra weight I've put on??? I am not even totally sure what they are testing for, I know they mentioned her Thyroid and then we will meet with a dietician, back to the GI in a month. Otherwise all is well around here! Enjoy the pictures

I love getting way up here on Daddy's shoulders

Mommy, what are you thinking leaving me with this guy

Ummmm, Santa, when did you get square glasses??

Have you ever seen such a big beard?

I am outta here, see ya buddy

Hanging with Daddy by one of the pretty trees

On a BIG Candy Cane chair

I could do some real damage in this fancy house

With my mommy!

I love the angels and being able to crawl around on the grass

This is so FUN