Our Life: Florida

With Todd being a Senior Resident he got one month "off", where he only had to work 4 shifts, then since he was Chief Resident, he got an extra month "off". Knowing all this, last year we had started making plans to go to Disney World this year. Originally we were going to go during April, figuring that by then the baby (Evelyn) would be 10 months old and the weather would be good.

Well, we make plans and life happens. In March, when Evelyn was in the hospital, it wasn't looking like we would be going to Florida, and Todd traded his month "off" in April to be "off" in March. We were all disappointed that this trip we had been planning had to be canceled, but the boys were very understanding and supportive.

Todd's 2nd month "off" was scheduled for June, so that he could help out at the Cub Scout Camp. With Evelyn home and things going well, we toyed with the idea of maybe going to Florida in June. My biggest hang-up was a night nurse, but after being home from the hospital for 3 weeks and still yet to have a consistent night nurse, I decided that we needed to live our lives as normally as possible. I called up Morgan, who is going to nursing school and lived with us last summer, and asked if she would be able to come down with us to help with Evee at night.

We left for a 2 week stay in Florida.

We did the 17 hour drive in two days. It really was not bad, and quite enjoyable, thanks to Steve Jobs. Our bishopric had recently challenged the congregation to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. The drive down was a great opportunity for catching up. The boys followed along on their iPods as we played the audio over the speakers. I was very impressed with how well the boys intently followed along and how well they understood what was happening in the different chapters.

I actually don't mind road trips and find enjoyment in them. Todd really enjoys them, he secretly wishes he was a truck driver. I would complain about my husband's secret ambitions, but as my friend pointed out, "You'd rather have a doctor husband who wishes that he was a truck driver than a truck driver husband who wishes that he was a doctor". I don't think I enjoy them as much as Todd does, but they are much better than dealing with airplanes and airports. Plus the scenery was amazingly beautiful.

And we never got lost for Grant had provided us with an atlas:

Yes, that is a small squishy ball/globe. We consulted it frequently.

Even though the drive was not too difficult, we were happy to arrive in Florida

and to sprawl out in all the room we had

We rented a 5 bedroom house, 3 miles from Disney World, for $120 a night! Can't complain about a deal like that. I really appreciated not having to deal with a hotel lobby, hotel elevator (we rode an elevator enough times during Evelyn's stint at the hospital), and squishing into a hotel room. We had enough space, kitchen, living room and even had a private pool. Yes, we had to make our own beds, but it was a good trade-off.

Originally, we had Morgan come to take care of Evee during the night, but as we stepped out into the hot, humid Florida weather, we realized that Morgan was needed in a different way. We needed her to stay at the house with Evelyn during the days so that she wouldn't over-heat.

Todd and I continued to do what we had been doing at home, caring for Evee at night.

It did make us tired, but it was better than having her out in the heat and worrying about her stressing her body.

The complex had a bigger pool that we went and enjoyed.

One evening, one boy was thrilled to have four boys to play with

And the princess seemed to enjoy swimming in the baby pool.

And we enjoyed swimming with her

How could we not enjoy her?

Todd informed me that he thinks that he found a girl that looks better in a swim suit than I do...I would have to agree.

My dad, sister Lana, and brother Reagan were able to come join us in Florida for a bit.

It was fun seeing them and spending time with them.

Of course, Evelyn got a LOT of attention

It's hard to not give her attention and love

But I was not totally forgotten by my boys:

A yogurt William saved for me

When not swimming, playing games, eating, or playing with Evelyn while at the house, the boys still found other things to do. For example, Roger, my super-lizard-catcher, caught a little friend, who lost his tail.

But of course, Evelyn was the star of the house

The first several days in Florida, the boys awoke early, ready to go to the theme parks, but soon we started sleeping in a bit and not leaving the house until 10 AM