Theme Parks – Florida is full of theme parks, more than anywhere else. You have such a variety to choose from, something for everyone. Like everything else they cost quite a bit but if you research it you can usually find a great deal for a 2nd day, a park hopper or just a coupon, but usually not Disney. We have Florida resident’s discounts, so if you are visiting someone here that may help. Sea World usually has a great deal on returning trips. At certain times of year if you donate blood in Florida they reward you with great coupons to area attractions. Look into if the park has any fees for parking. We went to Universal recently and didn’t realize the cost of parking ($12), after 6pm it’s free though. This is where staying on site is an advantage – especially at Disney. Remember to check the parks calendars for times and if they have a special event which may require the park closing early and reopening, such as “Mickey’s Christmas Party” or “Halloween Horror Nights”. The theme park will always be busy, but during the week is a better choice, also holidays are packed as well. Bags are checked but you can bring in food & drinks. This will save you lots of money and be prepared in line having your bag open so you do not hold everyone up.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Labor & Delivery
First, it’s called labor for a reason. It is perfectly natural to be nervous about the upcoming birth of your child knowing you alone will be pushing him/her into the world. Of course it can go many ways, as long as you end up with a healthy baby it is all worth it.
My first pregnancy was text book to a point. Once I was over the initial scares that went along with my own health things progressed as they should. My weight gain was right on target and I remained active far into my 8th month. One night I climbed on my kitchen counters and stencils cows. I would not recommend doing that at all while pregnant, nor would I recommend stenciling cows :). That was the only night my feet swelled, my husband wasn’t too happy about it either. After working a full day I continued my nightly walking routine with some friends and I truly think that had a lot to do with my delivery going so well.
We of course knew we would take part in the ever popular Lamaze class. Starting it meant the baby’s arrival was near which was exciting. The classes were helpful with tips, what to expect and things to pack that we didn’t think of. We, yes we, worked on breathing techniques and ways to relax. They encourage you to have a focal point during labor to concentrate on, show massage techniques (I knew I would take advantage of this one) and of course have you watch films.
Now most of you have probably seen “A Baby Story” and joyful programs like that but these videos were different. They showed women screaming at their spouse with their heads spinning several times around, all the while a baby’s head crowing, not to mention that it looks like a bloody pumpkin. I decided that it was best to look away beside it was truly making me ache in places I do not care to discuss.
I couldn’t wait for my water to break and constantly looked for any sign – a big gush running announcing “here comes the baby”…but it never happened. Two days before my daughters big arrival I worked all day with cramping. I had Braxton-Hicks for several months so I chalked it up as another set of those. The following day, a Friday, I called in because I just didn’t sleep much. Ever heard of nesting? Well oddly it’s true. I spent all Friday cleaning and organizing the house. Nothing else was out of the ordinary, and still no water fall.
That night my husband went fishing. I know your thinking – what a jerk! But my due date was still over 2 weeks away and I encouraged him to go, it was his 2nd love at the time. He came home and woke me up to share the great news of his big catch. Wow – just what I wanted to be woken up for. It was 2am and he asked me to take some photos, being the wonderful wife I am I obliged. Just as I push the old Polaroid button I got the strongest cramp that had me doubled over. After an hour of trying to sleep it off we were on our way to the hospital.
Being so uncomfortable I was worried they would send me home because I still was not due. Once in hospital bed I was checked by a nurse who informed me that I wasn’t that far dilated, however, my ammoniated sac was broke and probably had been for quite some time. No gush of water still but I had a leak!
After waiting for nature to take its course with no luck I was induced and encouraged to keep moving around to bring on labor. I can tell you by this time I was highly sensitive to smells. The alcohol on gauze taped to my arm smelled so bad, bad like hangover alcohol yuk smell, I tore it off and threw it down in the hallway during my encouraged walk. Let me tell you, the walks - they suck too...who wants to have their entire body cramping to get a baby out while taking a stroll?
Now inducing doesn’t necessarily mean you will be having you baby ASAP. Everyone is different. I was the ASAP though. Before long we were blowing and breathing in patterns that everyone else seemed to remember except me. My midwife and husband were in unison like a song with me trailing behind totally off beat. Message? Well my body was so aware of everything that any extra touch was too much so I lost out on that benefit.
Then finally my baby girl arrived, screaming, bloody and red but she couldn’t have been any more beautiful.
With my 2nd pregnancy we decided to skip the lamaze classes. For one we already went through with it, another I now had a 3 ½ year old to tend to. Keep in mind – you can never compare kids even when pregnant. Everything I expected didn’t happen; it was all new this time. The 9 months were long and very hard on my body. I was on bed rest and miserable. When we went to bring my baby boy into the world I was overdue.
This time I had a focal point – a picture of a woman holding her baby with a saying. At the time I could care less what the quote was I just focused. I went to the dr. earlier in the day and was told “see you next week”. I could have cried I was so uncomfortable and had a hard time breathing. Within a few hours contractions came on and were close together. We were only allowed to stay in the hospital because no one was on the floor and I lived 2 towns south.
Once again smells got to me. The nurse had so much perfume on it made me want to vomit. Attention nurses on the maternity floor – we don’t care that you smell good or sexy, we care that you don’t smell.
My midwife told the hospital staff she would stop by after her day at the office. Well I was glad to listen to my body because as soon as she sat down she said “we have the head crowing” with such a calmness. A few pushes and out he came. No bloody pumpkin thank God.
I delivered both babies natural with no pain medicine. I was somewhat fearful of the epidural (the reason will be in my health blog one day) so I never considered it. Honestly, once you hold your child all your pain is gone…at least for that moment. Enjoy the moment no matter how you get there!
This is the same picture I focused on while delivering my son. Ironically that Christmas ‘House of Lloyd’ sold the same print. The quote says “I never understood the love of a mother, until I became one myself”
How true!
My first pregnancy was text book to a point. Once I was over the initial scares that went along with my own health things progressed as they should. My weight gain was right on target and I remained active far into my 8th month. One night I climbed on my kitchen counters and stencils cows. I would not recommend doing that at all while pregnant, nor would I recommend stenciling cows :). That was the only night my feet swelled, my husband wasn’t too happy about it either. After working a full day I continued my nightly walking routine with some friends and I truly think that had a lot to do with my delivery going so well.
We of course knew we would take part in the ever popular Lamaze class. Starting it meant the baby’s arrival was near which was exciting. The classes were helpful with tips, what to expect and things to pack that we didn’t think of. We, yes we, worked on breathing techniques and ways to relax. They encourage you to have a focal point during labor to concentrate on, show massage techniques (I knew I would take advantage of this one) and of course have you watch films.
Now most of you have probably seen “A Baby Story” and joyful programs like that but these videos were different. They showed women screaming at their spouse with their heads spinning several times around, all the while a baby’s head crowing, not to mention that it looks like a bloody pumpkin. I decided that it was best to look away beside it was truly making me ache in places I do not care to discuss.
I couldn’t wait for my water to break and constantly looked for any sign – a big gush running announcing “here comes the baby”…but it never happened. Two days before my daughters big arrival I worked all day with cramping. I had Braxton-Hicks for several months so I chalked it up as another set of those. The following day, a Friday, I called in because I just didn’t sleep much. Ever heard of nesting? Well oddly it’s true. I spent all Friday cleaning and organizing the house. Nothing else was out of the ordinary, and still no water fall.
That night my husband went fishing. I know your thinking – what a jerk! But my due date was still over 2 weeks away and I encouraged him to go, it was his 2nd love at the time. He came home and woke me up to share the great news of his big catch. Wow – just what I wanted to be woken up for. It was 2am and he asked me to take some photos, being the wonderful wife I am I obliged. Just as I push the old Polaroid button I got the strongest cramp that had me doubled over. After an hour of trying to sleep it off we were on our way to the hospital.
Being so uncomfortable I was worried they would send me home because I still was not due. Once in hospital bed I was checked by a nurse who informed me that I wasn’t that far dilated, however, my ammoniated sac was broke and probably had been for quite some time. No gush of water still but I had a leak!
After waiting for nature to take its course with no luck I was induced and encouraged to keep moving around to bring on labor. I can tell you by this time I was highly sensitive to smells. The alcohol on gauze taped to my arm smelled so bad, bad like hangover alcohol yuk smell, I tore it off and threw it down in the hallway during my encouraged walk. Let me tell you, the walks - they suck too...who wants to have their entire body cramping to get a baby out while taking a stroll?
Now inducing doesn’t necessarily mean you will be having you baby ASAP. Everyone is different. I was the ASAP though. Before long we were blowing and breathing in patterns that everyone else seemed to remember except me. My midwife and husband were in unison like a song with me trailing behind totally off beat. Message? Well my body was so aware of everything that any extra touch was too much so I lost out on that benefit.
Then finally my baby girl arrived, screaming, bloody and red but she couldn’t have been any more beautiful.
With my 2nd pregnancy we decided to skip the lamaze classes. For one we already went through with it, another I now had a 3 ½ year old to tend to. Keep in mind – you can never compare kids even when pregnant. Everything I expected didn’t happen; it was all new this time. The 9 months were long and very hard on my body. I was on bed rest and miserable. When we went to bring my baby boy into the world I was overdue.
This time I had a focal point – a picture of a woman holding her baby with a saying. At the time I could care less what the quote was I just focused. I went to the dr. earlier in the day and was told “see you next week”. I could have cried I was so uncomfortable and had a hard time breathing. Within a few hours contractions came on and were close together. We were only allowed to stay in the hospital because no one was on the floor and I lived 2 towns south.
Once again smells got to me. The nurse had so much perfume on it made me want to vomit. Attention nurses on the maternity floor – we don’t care that you smell good or sexy, we care that you don’t smell.
My midwife told the hospital staff she would stop by after her day at the office. Well I was glad to listen to my body because as soon as she sat down she said “we have the head crowing” with such a calmness. A few pushes and out he came. No bloody pumpkin thank God.
I delivered both babies natural with no pain medicine. I was somewhat fearful of the epidural (the reason will be in my health blog one day) so I never considered it. Honestly, once you hold your child all your pain is gone…at least for that moment. Enjoy the moment no matter how you get there!
This is the same picture I focused on while delivering my son. Ironically that Christmas ‘House of Lloyd’ sold the same print. The quote says “I never understood the love of a mother, until I became one myself”
How true!
Parades & Fireworks
Parades & Fireworks – if one is scheduled ask cast members / workers early in the day where a great viewing spot is. Then make sure you arrive there early and claim your spot. We went to Universal one year during Christmas time and an employee told me of the best seat to see the Macy’s Parade, right where Santa would light the Christmas tree. If you are out of snacks and drinks, send 1-2 people to get them while you wait. Spread out a jacket / towel something to mark your area because people will park themselves wherever they want. Theme parks also have some of the rudest guests so be patient and calm.
*Taken at the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas season
*Taken at the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas season
Daytona
Daytona International Speedway – Any race fan would have to stop here, duh. I was never a real fan but did watch some of the races on TV with my husband. One year he bought tickets to share the NASCAR experience with me and surprisingly I was excited to go. When the cars excelled by at high speeds, you could smell the rubber on the tracks, feel the vibrations & heat from all the motors and could barely make out who was who as they passed. Everyone would stand up like they were preparing for the wave, yelling out numbers and names. Before the main race of the day we used our pit passes which allows access to the middle of the track. You don’t realize until you are on the track just how steep it is, you could easily get a running start towards the pit, but you would look silly (your not in the race) so be careful. While there we got to see one of the Waltrip brothers, I forget which one, up close doing interviews and then the highlight, Dale Jr. being driven by us on a golf cart. Everyone yelled and he waved. He really is a cute looking country boy. You have to get back over from the pit by a certain time other wise you have a long route to get back to your seats.
Let me tell you this may be the only place that is more expensive than Disney, food & drinks were costly. Bring what you are allowed and go buy a cheap poncho from the $ store. It rained on us and they were expensive there. I think I even took a photo of the sign with all the prices to put in my scrapbook as a joke. Seating is tight so also be prepared with something to make it more comfortable. By the way, Im now a fan...not big die hard 'Get R Done' type but I like the races.
Let me tell you this may be the only place that is more expensive than Disney, food & drinks were costly. Bring what you are allowed and go buy a cheap poncho from the $ store. It rained on us and they were expensive there. I think I even took a photo of the sign with all the prices to put in my scrapbook as a joke. Seating is tight so also be prepared with something to make it more comfortable. By the way, Im now a fan...not big die hard 'Get R Done' type but I like the races.
Seasons
Seasons - We really have no seasons like you think. But living here for so many years now I have come to appreciate the Florida “seasons”. Our trees do change, certain flowers bloom and the grass grows and grows. My favorite is a crisp cool day with blue skies in fall or winter; both are great for sunsets too. Of course everyone knows we have our “Hurricane Season” – it runs from June – November. I will have to find a positive about hurricanes, so I will say at least we have plenty of notice a storm is coming. Speaking of storms Florida can have some where the whole sky is lit up like a light show. Spring is popular with spring break but you can certainly find quieter places to visit during a vacation. Summer is the wettest season and like most places the hottest. Did I mention the grass grows a lot during summer?
*Picture of sunset in my yard
*Moon rising in the front yard
*Picture of sunset in my yard
*Moon rising in the front yard
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