Disney Baby: Will is Ten Months Old

Ten months. And more fun each day! 

This past month, Will:

- saw Herman's Hermit's at Epcot for our annual concert. John and I met when they were playing here four years ago, and we've seen them each year since. The first year, we met. The second year, we were just engaged. The third year, we had just gotten married. And this, the fourth year, we have Will!

- Went to Hutchinson Island to celebrate my nephew's high school graduation at our family's beach condo. His first time there and to Conchy Joes where we watched the steel drum band.

- Speaking of drums, the kid continues to love music, and spent lots of time drumming this past month.

- Stayed at Nana's house over Memorial Day weekend while John and I had a 'date weekend' which included a night out to Disney Springs and meeting friends at DHS.

- Visited Grandmom's house in Ormond Beach and swam in her pool.

- Rode the teacups for the first time at Magic Kingdom.

- Had play dates with friends and held a girl's hand for the first time! He also ate seaweed snacks with her, so we like to say they had a sushi date.

- Continued in swim lessons. He loves the water and goes under very well. He's also kicking his feet when we say 'kick! kick! kick!'

- Met new friends when they came to visit WDW.

- Met LOTS of Disney characters and seems to love it more and more each time.

- Enjoyed spending time with Uncle David (John's brother) when he came to visit.

- Went to see his Papa (John's Dad) in The Villages and rode the golf cart. He loves to help Daddy steer.

- Is SO CLOSE to walking. He COULD totally do it, he's just so cautious and doesn't feel 100% secure doing it yet. He's taken two steps between John and me, and walks while holding our hand. He's cruising the furniture and walls like a champ.

- Had his first little procedure at the doctor's office (nothing major but private enough that he wouldn't want to be reading this fifteen years down the road and knowing that I shared it with the world;))

- Had his top two teeth start to come in.

Will, you are a wonder like no other. 

XOXO, Ashley

Weekend Wear-abouts: Stella &Dot + Disneyana + More

Hi friends, and happy Monday to you. We had a great weekend here. On Friday I noticed some snails on my plants, as well as some chewed leaves. I made a 'snail away' spray using my doTERRA patchouli and cedarwood oils, castile soap and water. I'll let you know how it works!

Will and I went to lunch with my friend and previous co-worker, Annastasia. She snapped this pic of Will; he loves listening to her crazy life stories, and she's infatuated with him. We went back to the Buena Vista Construction office after lunch and I saw these two awesome signs they had acquired from recent refrubs in the parks. The Safety sign used to hang in my office when I worked there. 

That night I made BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas. I started Weight Watchers a few months ago, basically just the app version where I track my points each day (except for weekends, lol) and found this recipe that is only 7 SmartPoints! John loves it too. 

Later that night I went to my friend's house for a Stella & Dot trunk show. I used to be a Stylist for Stell & Dot, so I was eager to see the products again after a few years. I ordered a few pieces and took advantage of a promo they are running- for every $50 you spend, you get $25 to spend later (ends June 19, so act fast if you're interested). See my picks below. It was such a fun night out with fellow moms. 

Off-Shoulder Lilly Pulitzer Top

 Tassel Earrings

Soho Charm

Delicate Gold Chain

Pave Ear Climbers

On Saturday evening I joined up with the local chapter of the Disneyana fan club to hear Disney historian Jim Korkis speak about Walt Disney and World War II. I've hear Jim on numerous Disney podcasts over the years, and read his articles on MousePlanet, so it was really neat to meet him in person. He just released a new book which I bought that night, and he was kind enough to sign it along with the other four books I own of his. 

He showed some propaganda and training films Disney created which haven't been seen in seventy years. He spoke about how the studios reused a lot of animation to save money, hence The Three Little Pigs remake, below. The characters in the picture after this represent Emotion and Reason, with the former being modeled after Disney animator Ward Kimbal. 

Did you know that the Walt Disney Studios were used by the US Military during the war? In addition to propaganda and training films, the studios soundstages were used to house and repair military vehicles. Their lack of windows enabled them to be used during blackouts. Walt even 'saved' several of his animators from being drafted by claiming that they were imperative to the war efforts of animating the commissioned films. 

Disneyana club members can bring memorabilia and Disney goods to the meetings to auction off at meetings; I bid on and WON this copy of National Geographic magazine from 1963, featuring among other things the first photo of Walt's Disneyland apartment, and artwork drawn by Disney animator Bill Justice. I'll share it's contents in an Instastory one day soon. It's so cool. 

There were some other neat items on display too, relating to WWII and Disney. 

With my friend, Kari. Laughing it up with ol' Jimmy boy. 

John's sister and her friend stopped by on Sunday afternoon, and we all went to brunch at Dixie Cream Cafe in downtown Windermere. If you're ever visiting the parks and want to take a little side trip, consider popping into the little town that is a ten minute drive from property. It's so quaint; you'd never guess the Main Mouse was less than ten miles away. 

That's the face of one well-fed, happy, sleepy little boy. 

Hope you had a great weekend too! Thanks for reading. 

XO, Ashley

Disney Baby: Will is Nine Months Old

I can't tell you how much fun we are having watching our boy learn and grow every day. Lots of people told us to enjoy the newborn stage, that it was the easiest and their favorite (I'm looking at you, Mom ;)) but I've personally enjoyed this stage much more. It's amazing to see Will's personality bloom, and he's such a joy to take places, to watch explore his world and learn how to move his body.

From time to time I miss the newborn-ness. His tiny body, the newness, the small poops. But not enough to want to do it again any time soon! Ha.

Here's a recap of Will's past month:

- had his first taste of Steak n' Shake

- visited One Man's Dream for the first time. That boy will know that exhibit like the back of his hand if I have any say in it

- visited his Papa in The Villages and took his first golf cart ride

-had his first trip to the splash pad with our Fit4Mom mommy and baby friends

- started swim lessons

- chilled in the Hub Grass at Magic Kingdom

- played naked in the kiddy pool

- watched Wishes for his first (and last) time

- visited his favorite princess Ariel (his first face character meet and greet)

- enjoyed story time at the library

- visited Pandora at Disney's Animal Kingdom during an AP preview with our Disfam

- had his first character meal at the Garden Grill and LOVED meeting the characters. 

- helped his mommy celebrate her first Mother's Day

- discovered a newfound love for drums. The kid loves music. Once swim lessons are over, we're going to find some music classes for sure. 

- really gotten the hang of eating table food. He's doing so well with big pieces of food and is drinking less and less of his bottle. 

- got his two front bottom teeth and is now cutting his two front upper teeth 

Will, you are simply a joy and bring light to everyone who is fortunate enough to know you. 

Thank you for being mine. 

XOXO, Ashley