The Adventures of the Middaugh Family: 2012

Last weekend, Jason and his dad converted Audrey's crib into a "big girl bed". Jason and I figured since Audrey did so well sleeping in a bed while on vacation, we may as well just switch her to a bed now. I'm so happy that it is going very well and she does not seem to have many issues with the transition. Although, the very few times she actually takes an afternoon nap, she asks to sleep in mommy's bed :)

It brings a smile to my face to think about decorating her room before she was born - picking out the wall color (Jason insisted on the shade of pink we used because the name was "baby girl pink"), the furniture, the sheets...and how I thought it would be so long before the crib ever turned into a bed. And here it is, sitting in her room with the most adorable sheets and blankets. I hope this room becomes a place she can relax and hang out by herself and with her friends. I'm excited for her to grow older and change it to the way she wants it as well. But for now, I'll just enjoy the way I decorated it!

Last night in crib

Transforming into a bed!

Testing it out with all of the blankets and sheets set up

This year we were so very fortunate to vacation at Disney for two weeks. We were originally planning to go the week of Halloween. But a few months ago, Jason was invited to a business conference in Disney the week before what we had planned. So we decided to take advantage of his hotel room and invited my mom to hang out with me and Audrey while Jason was working.

The first week we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort. It was a cute resort with natural water areas and beaches and a pool designed to look like a pirate ship. My mom and I went to the Disney parks and did so much swimming and relaxing at the resort. Then, when Jason was finished with work, we would go to dinner or another park at night. I'm so glad that my mom was able to come and spend the time with us. Audrey loved the time bonding with her!

After my mom left, Jason and I stayed at the Dolphin Resort. We stayed there last year and really enjoyed our experience, so we decided to try it again. Once again, we were happy about that decision :) We experienced so many fun moments, and I won't lie - some very challenging tantrums, but that's just what happens when you are in Disney with a two year old!

So here are some pictures - they are all out of order but I'm sure that makes no difference.

Audrey decided to do an arabesque for Cinderella!

Dinner with the princesses in the castle

Audrey loved this band!

THE ONE picture Audrey had no problem taking!

Audrey begged Jason to take her on this ride in Downtown Disney. She was so happy!

Dinner at the Rainforest

as my mom always says "Happy Holiday's"

Playing on the beach at our resort

Waving our Canadian Flags!

Watching a castle show and dancing in the street

Audrey calls this her "Birthday hat"

We saw a short Billy Ocean concert in Epcot

Such a fun family activity!

Teacups!

We all took a late night dessert break before the fireworks one night

Princess Aurora

We had the front of the castle all to ourselves one night. Took lots of pictures and danced while singing Cinderella songs.

Jason got us special passes to the HP Red Room and we had it all to ourselves to relax and use the internet.

We met so many friendly people in Disney. One conversation in particular stood out to me. A man saw Audrey playing in this fountain and he told us how we really needed to enjoy this moment. He told us about how when his daughter was her age played in a fountain and got soaking wet and they loved just letting her experience it without worrying about what would happen next. He told us to just let her play as long as she wanted and always remember her this small, innocent, and happy. And that's exactly what we did!