We’re Having a Child! – Disney Vacationer Weblog


We have now one thing to share that’s crucial to us, however wholly unrelated to updates about Walt Disney World or Disneyland trip planning. However, we wished to publish about it as a result of it’s main life information for us, and that is largely a private weblog.

Lots of you could have been with us because the starting and really really feel like buddies. You noticed us a struggling faculty college students, joined as we grew to become engaged at Walt Disney World approach again in 2007, bought married, and honeymooned at Walt Disney World in 2010. You’ve spent many early mornings and late nights within the parks with us, just like the photograph above from August 2009. You’ve been alongside for the wild trip as we moved cross-country…a number of occasions…with Yossarian the Cat and Walter E. Dogsney, who’re each as spunky as ever at ages 14 and 15 and solely took a quick break from play-fighting for the photograph beneath–one of the best of many outtakes!

You’ve been there as we’ve grown collectively, and we contemplate you all a part of the DTB household. Even should you’re a newer reader, it’s honest to say that we’ve all been by loads collectively in the previous few years. Properly, now you’re about to embark upon one other journey as we start the following chapter and develop even additional, this time within the literal sense…

We’re extremely excited to share with you all that we predict a child! This has been an enormous secret to maintain during the last a number of months, and also you’re among the many first folks we’ve advised. We’re over the moon and our hearts are full of happiness as we’ve begun this new journey. It’s been fairly the emotional whirlwind for much longer, for causes we’ll get into beneath.

It’s additionally been overwhelming, as we devour each parenting e-book and attempt to study every little thing we have to know. We go from moments of pure elation–like feeling these first kicks–to true terror as we take into consideration how on earth we’re going to babyproof this or that. In fact, we all know these emotions are hardly distinctive or unprecedented. It looks as if everybody goes by this, and the prevailing knowledge is that “it’ll be nice–you’ll determine it out.

However should you’re realized something from this weblog, it’s that we’re planners. We like to check totally different methods and iterate till reaching perceived perfection. That works higher in terms of rope dropping Magic Kingdom than it does for elevating a human, it might appear. If an Early Entry method doesn’t work, it may be retested the following day. The stakes are barely larger right here, so “you’ll determine it out as you go” usually are not precisely reassuring phrases.

Frightened as we’re generally, we’re additionally anxiously awaiting the chance to determine it out. To fulfill our child. Study who they’re. See their distinctive idiosyncrasies that makes every individual particular. Watch them develop up from new child to toddler and past, turning into their very own individual, with their very own persona and preferences. Already, we’ve began to see and really feel a few of that, with our physician and sonogram technician already utilizing the phrases “feisty” and “lively.” That sounds about proper!

Whereas we’re trying ahead to studying about our child, we’re additionally excited to form and lift them. “What we are going to do after we are dad and mom” in sure situations is an ongoing dialog that we’ve been having for years–over a decade. We’re already on the identical web page by way of parenting philosophy after having spent years speaking by these matters. Clearly, a few of that can change and molded by circumstances and experiences, although.

However there are some issues which are set in stone. It’s not a query of whether or not they’ll love Nation Bear Jamboree, however reasonably, which bear will likely be their favourite. Conversely, our little one gained’t be an NFL extensive receiver; not resulting from any qualms with the game, however as a result of…you’ve seen the 2 of us, proper?! 

There’s a lot extra that we are able to’t wait to find out about our child as we welcome them to the world. We can not wait for his or her first go to to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and past, and have adventures as a household of three (plus Yossarian and Walter). There’s a lot we are able to’t wait to expertise and uncover with our child.

We’re additionally actually and really excited to have you ever together with us for the trip. Watch (or giggle at) us as we endure the Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare Shuffle, however for the primary time, having to navigate that crowd and chaos with a stroller. Be part of as do extra character eating experiences, which we’ve been “banking” since studying this information. Watch as we meet Mickey Mouse for the primary time anew, seeing him by the eyes of our little one.

One very particular factor we’ve been ready actually years to do with our child is meet Figment. Earlier than even getting married, we purchased the Figment costume above for our future little one to put on whereas assembly FigZilla. That costume has moved across the nation with us loads, and we virtually removed it final fall when getting our stuff out of storage. What level was there in protecting it–given the unlikelihood of us having a child and Figment having a meet & greet. Now that very particular, decade-plus outdated dream will quickly come true.

Talking of oddly-specific goals, we are going to lastly get to check strollers, Dwight Schrute fashion. (This isn’t actually “our” dream, as solely considered one of us has been enthusiastic about this for years…however we current a united entrance!) There’s a lot we’re trying ahead to seeing, doing, sharing. And albeit, we’re trying ahead to choosing your brains and soliciting suggestions. There’s no substitute for lived expertise, and lots of of you could have been there and performed that–each in elevating youngsters and taking them on journeys to the parks and different travels.

Clearly, some issues are going to alter on the weblog with a child on board. We’ve by no means had posts field-testing stroller pace, energy, and agility. All of our previous character meal opinions had been simply the 2 of us as we tried to awkwardly work together with face characters; that shouldn’t be as a lot of an issue now.

For these {couples} and solo vacationers who favored this web site as a result of it wasn’t a household weblog, there’ll undoubtedly be some posts to disregard. However loads may also stay unchanged. All through its existence, this weblog’s writing sensibilities have skewed in the direction of “dad jokes” and dated popular culture references. Exhausting to think about that getting any higher/worse than it already is.

Essentially, nothing goes to alter. This isn’t like your favourite tv present leaping the shark by switching showrunners or bringing in a brand new character to maintain issues recent. This isn’t going to be Poochie, the “child with an angle.” Minor content material additions apart, this web site’s “voice” has not meaningfully modified over the course of the final decade–for higher or worse–as a result of it’s our voice. Fairly, that is an addition to our household, and the DTB household by extension, and we wish to share our happiness with you.

It has not all the time been this completely happy and joyous. In truth, if there are 4 phrases we didn’t count on to write down on this weblog initially of 2023, they’re “we’re having a child!” This has been a painful course of, and one which started a number of years in the past. Lots of you longtime readers would possibly recall common references to “when we’ve youngsters” in older posts; these quietly vanished some time in the past.

We have now been attempting to conceive for the higher half of the final decade, which is clearly not a traditional timeline when issues are going swell. Our journey reached its nadir throughout COVID, round which level we began seeing specialists and consulting professionals. The ordeal grew to become an emotional albatross that weighed us down at a time when issues already weren’t going precisely swimmingly on this planet.

Our diagnoses had been largely inconclusive, with varied assessments indicating totally different exacerbating elements, nevertheless it was primarily ‘unexplained infertility.’ That led us to pursue a spread choices at a variety of fertility facilities. The entire course of was much less like medical remedy and extra emotionally manipulative salesmanship, tugging on our heartstrings in an try and prey on us at our most susceptible.

Worse but, nothing labored. It’s unimaginable to overstate simply how isolating and emotionally draining this was. Infertility was all the time entrance of thoughts or lurking close by, with miserable and intrusive ideas drowning out happiness at a second’s discover. We withdrew as a protection mechanism, and struggled to place ourselves on the market as a lot.

Sharing our personal struggles with infertility was additionally a problem. Basically, few folks know how one can react to this type of factor; some provide unsolicited recommendation, awkward silence, or unintentionally hurtful feedback. Exterior of our immensely supportive household and circle of shut buddies, that is the primary we’ve opened up been about our struggles–and it’s solely occurring from the ‘security’ of popping out the opposite finish. It’s exhausting to fault anybody for not figuring out how one can method this uncomfortable subject, as that is one thing folks don’t actually speak about.

Even having been on the receiving finish of that, it’s nonetheless tough for us to speak to folks going by the identical factor. It’s unimaginable to know what others wants to listen to, what is going to assist and what is going to damage. (To that time, we are going to always remember the ache that led us right here and sincerely hope the tone and tenor of this announcement is just not hurtful for many who have or are nonetheless battling infertility, as our purpose is consolation and never callousness.)

It took years, however we slowly began to come back to phrases with not being dad and mom. We had been lastly prepared to maneuver on from what was, for us, really the Dino-Rama of life experiences. It thus got here as the final word shock–in the easiest way doable–when the take a look at got here again optimistic and we realized that we’d really get to be dad and mom.

We don’t wish to crush completely happy information with heartbreak and grief, however such is life. Maybe these phrases will convey some solace to these going by the identical, or a bit of higher understanding for many who haven’t confronted reproductive challenges and heartbreak.

A part of the explanation for sharing our struggles is providing solace, however admittedly, half is providing a little bit of a glimpse behind the scenes and context for the longer term. We’re excited and we wish to share this course of…however we even have trauma from the previous few years.

A part of that is in all probability regular for any new dad and mom, however we discover ourselves fearful and fearful very often. That one thing goes to go improper and we’re going to have our miracle child stolen from us. (We’ve postponed sharing this announcement a number of occasions, opting as an alternative to get previous the “subsequent” milestone physician’s appointment.)

This has been deeply private and, actually, we don’t know the way a lot we’re going to really feel comfy placing ourselves and our little one on the market going ahead. Even this weblog publish has been a problem, taking far longer than you’d in all probability count on with a number of scrapped drafts alongside the best way.

We’ve tried to string the needle on over and under-sharing, whereas additionally attempting to be aware about sensities and scars others could have, and never inviting extra painful questions within the course of. We’d recognize it should you’d please be affected person with us, as we discover our footing and put together to be dad and mom.

Though we’re not fairly able to share every little thing, there are a few issues we are able to say to get out forward of a pair questions. First, we do know the intercourse of the kid and will likely be sharing that quickly. (It took a shocking quantity of effort and enhancing to not reveal it by chance right here!)

Conversely, the newborn’s “official” title gained’t be shared till delivery. We have now a few frontrunners, however haven’t settled on a closing decide…and aren’t on the lookout for public suggestions. What we are able to share is the newborn’s nickname: Megatron. It began as an inside joke between us, nevertheless it’s such a powerful and nice title that many individuals are saying it ought to turn out to be the official title!

We are able to additionally share that Megatron is roughly the dimensions of a Inexperienced Alien from Toy Story. Critically. Properly, not really…these Inexperienced Aliens are fictional and their measurement is just not canon, however that’s the declare of the “What to Count on” app, which has given us some highly-dubious measurement comparisons about Megatron on a weekly foundation. As a result of we all know “how large is the newborn as in comparison with a fictional character?” was entrance of thoughts for all of you. (This wouldn’t be a DTB announcement with out one pointless and rambling anecdote with zero payoff!)

Right here’s yet another factor we’re completely happy to share–extra maternity pictures from the seashore and Disney:

(Enormous due to our good friend Man Selga, who graciously waited in step with us for characters and took these and lots of different pictures of us throughout Disneyland! Photographs from the seashore had been taken by us.)  

In the end, we are able to’t anticipate what’s to come back and for you all to affix us on this journey! That is clearly enormous and life-changing information for us, and an announcement that we’ve been ready to share with you all for years. (Actually. We talked about taking maternity pictures on the Future World fiber optic pavement and doing a “Tomorrow’s Youngster” announcement again when the Big Epcot Grime Pit™️ was a mere twinkle in Bob Chapek’s eye!)

We took without any consideration that we’d be dad and mom again then, and have gone by a lot since. The highway right here has been paved with heartbreak and heartache, however we discover ourselves immensely grateful and excited to begin this new chapter of our lives. Our ideas exit to those that proceed with an identical battle; we all know simply how tough and isolating it may be.

We’ll be again with extra updates (and questions!) as being pregnant continues and our child comes into the world. For now, we provide a honest thanks for taking the time to learn our story and, as all the time, we drastically recognize your help and readership–that’s not one thing we ever take without any consideration!

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Motels Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing it’s essential to know!

Your Ideas

Any ideas you could have in response to our being pregnant announcement? Suppose Megatron would make a powerful title that completely wouldn’t get a baby picked on in class? (Once more, we don’t know the way a lot we’re going to really feel comfy placing ourselves and our little one on the market, so we’d drastically recognize you granting us grace and persistence as we discover our footing and put together to be dad and mom!) Listening to your suggestions is all the time appreciated, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!



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