Blizzard Beach. Whoo Hoo!

On Monday we got out early since we had a big day ahead of us. We drove up to Orlando to Blizzard Beach. As per usual, Vanessa didn't want to go because she didn't know what she was in for. Right down to I don't want to get into my bathing suit. Once we were changed and we went over to the kiddie area and the mood changed. I got her a life jacket and she said,"Can I put that on!" Why yes! Let me help you.
She had a fantastic time in the Kiddie Area. She was able to do all the slides herself. She was even able to go down the tube slide and get out of the water with her tube and walk it up to the beginning. We did the Lazy River ride but it got a little long for her. We snacked and had ice cream and went over to the wave pool. The waves were fun. Vanessa was determined to tackle them alone even though they were way over her head. Grandma took her since my pregnant body couldn't handle it.
We went down the family tube. We got up there by chair lift and went down in this tube with a bottom and lots of handles. Vanessa wasn't very sure. She was checking out our reactions. We asked her if she wanted to go back and she was up for that. She had a fun time the second time saying, "I'm getting dizzy." but giggled and screamed all the way down this time.
Back to the Kiddie area for a little while. Vanessa was having a great time until one of the life guards told her not to do something and then she sulked. I went to get her to leave but she wanted to stay. Grandma bargained with her for one more ride down the slide and it worked.
After Blizzard Beach we went to downtown disney, it was fun and busy. We had a horrible dinner but a great dessert.
We drove over to Great Grandpa's for a couple of nights. Vanessa watched the iPod the whole way so thankfully she did not nap. She was out like a light in no time.

The week-end.

The week-end was great. We shopped and went to more parks. Vanessa had another nap and we did laundry. There was a spa day going on at the boaters lounge and Vanessa got a hold of the massager. She thought it was lots of fun to be tickled with it.
I can't believe it but we made it to Saturday before having ice cream. It was delicious. I had Key Lime Pie ice cream and Vanessa had a chocolate brownie one. They were gigantic even though we ordered the smallest ice creams.
Today we went to the beach. It was a perfect day for it. It was windy and the waves were crashing on the shore. Vanessa of course couldn't get enough. It was so strong that it was like the waves in Cuba. I decided to go home when a wave through me to the ground. Vanessa was still going strong but it was time to go home.
I did take some pictures which I'll get to later.
Tomorrow we're off to Blizzard Beach at Disney. Whooo hoo.

Children's museum

Friday, Grandma, Vanessa and I went to the local Children's museum. Vanessa had been there before and we know she'd love it this year. We were right. We went in and she and another boy had the run of the place. There was a grocery store, a building activity, area to learn about the human body and a toddler area. That lasted about 5 minutes and then 2 grade 2 classes came in. Since this is not a big place, they took over. Grandma was concerned that Vanessa was not going to get anything out of this and get pushed around. I thought we'd see what happens. I'm glad we did because Vanessa couldn't get enough of all the big kids. She shopped at the groccery store and built houses and participated in a seminar about the human body. She was answering the questions the best she could. The instructor asked how many bones were in the human body and the big kids all thought about it and Vanessa shouted 2! She had her hand up frequently. The instructor was great and took care of her. Handed her xrays to look at and she remembered her name since everyone else had name tags.
We had a pic-nic lunch outside and went home to our first nap. Yippy! almost two hours. That was fantastic for everyone.
Grandpa took her for a row in the dingy. Hippy! She loved it. She was big enough to not need me. I stayed back since I was a little stiff and pretty awkward these days.

Settleing in

On Thursday we didn't do anything too exciting. We went to Walmart to buy consumables like diapers and sunscreen. Walmart is huge with all of the departments and a full grocery store. We bought some toys for Vanessa. The biggest hit was a new box of lego which Grandma bought and my interactive book was a bust. Win some you loose some.
We ate well. I'm sure but I can't remember that far back. Grandpa took Vanessa to the park. Walking distance is a nice luxury. They told me they had fun.
Vanessa's getting accustom to her new surroundings. She went to bed really easily. She's been enjoying all of the attention and loves to say hello to everyone as they pass by. That's customary around her.

We're here!

Wednesday we left Montreal in a snow storm. Flights were being cancelled and I wasn't sure what I was to expect. We got to the airport in good time, had lunch and boarded our plane on time. We arrived in Florida on time. Vanessa was a breeze on the plane. She switched back and forth from the iPod to the on board tv. She was very comfortably strapped in her carseat. I recommend that to any parent.
My parents picked us up at the airport and we picked up our baggage to realize that I had left Vanessa's safety harness on the plane. It's one that we both love and can't replace so I'm pretty bummed. We walked outside at about 10pm and it was sweltering. Hot and humid but at least I didn't have to wear layers and layers.
Vanessa was happy go lucky all day. We went to bed around 11pm and that's when the excitement wouldn't end. Vanessa refused to go to sleep. It didn't really matter what I did with her. There was not convincing her. Finally at 2AM I gave up and put her in her tent and let her scream it out. She kicked and screamed as violently as I've ever heard her for 10 min straight. She calmed down and I gave her some water and she slept all the way to 6:30.

To be continued....
PS: don't worry Vanessa eventually settles in and even takes naps.