I’m still beyond under the weather. Still feverish, stuffed up, achy. I wanted to write about our trip now, though, before the feelings — of adventure, freedom, happiness, playfulness — fade.

The trip was amazing. The monkey and I had a blast at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. I think I liked these parks better than MGM, Animal Kingdom and Epcot: they were a lot less crowded and there was more stuff to do with the monkey. At Universal Studios, we enjoyed Kid Zone, which featured a Barney indoor playground, Jaws!, Men In Black, The Mummy, Back to the Future, Dora galore, Sponge Bob, Woody Woodpecker, Curious George, Sesame Street, etc., etc. It was so much fun.


O! to be healthy like that again! O!

I really lucked out with my timing at Universal and Islands of Adventure. Because, when we returned at the end of our trip, the parks were jam PACKED.
So, everything was going great. We played, we toured the parks, we danced in the streets — the monkey and I….

It was a total dream.

Josh got Thursday afternoon off, so we shopped at the outlets. I bought pants, lots of clothes for the monkey, shirts and jeans for Josh, and these funkay Sketchers for moi:

And, then, that night, the monkey and I were watching Scoop (which Cheaty highly recommends). I decided it was time to brush our teeth — a daily ritual we do together. I took the monkey to the washroom with me. Put her right on the floor where I knew she’d be safest. I gave her her toothbrush. I turned away for 2 seconds while brushing my teeth, and WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I rushed over to the monkey, picked her up and saw blood. “Omigod omigod omigod!” I thought to myself. I looked at her teeth. The top right tooth was completely twisted — 180 degrees. I have no idea how this happened. I’m guessing she smacked it on the bed post while lifting herself to walk.

I called Josh, who was at a business dinner. He and his colleague came right away. (I’m a little embarrassed that Josh’s colleague saw me in my bra as I was struggling to put a decent top on to go to the hotel lobby….) We went upstairs, and security came with a Woody Woodpecker and a Curious George stuffed animals for the monkey. The hotel was amazing. We were advised to go right to the hospital. Off we went — via ambulance. The monkey slept in my arms, exhausted from crying.

She woke up when we got to the hospital, and played as if nothing happened….

and played….

and played….

and played (yes, that’s blood)….

and played…. After our hopes were raised — “Oh, we’ll just take some pliers and twist it back” — and, then, dashed — “Oh, sorry, we don’t usually play ’round with baby teeth, so you’ll have to go to the dentist tomorrow and he’ll probably yank it, but don’t worry, her permanent tooth will come in just fine in 5 years.” Suckage.

The monkey slept well that night. 8am finally came, and I grabbed the first cab I could get to the 24hr dental clinic, since the pediatric dentist the hospital recommended was closed on Friday’s. Got to the 24hr dental clinic finally, only to learn that the dentist didn’t do babies, but that he’d look at her for $80. I was, like, “whatevs, this guy’s a total joke.” He came in to the front office, flirted with his assistants and totally ignored us. Nice. Anyway, after much luck, I found a pediatric dentist who was open on Friday. He happened to be the number 1 pediatric dentist in Orlando. We got very very lucky. After an INSANE cab ride (read: hour-long scenic route), we arrived. The dentist took us in eventually, and looked at the tooth. He said it was probably toast, but that he’d try to twist it back. Several hours later (can you say ARRRGGGGH?). He began the procedure. I wasn’t allowed in the room (WAHH was me!). About 15 minutes later, they emerged with the teary-eyed monkey, tooth in tact and twisted back!

That afternoon, the monkey slept in her stroller, as I walked all around Universal looking for food. I hadn’t eaten all day….In the evening we enjoyed the Macy’s Day Parade. She pointed at all the balloons and characters. I don’t have any pictures of the parade. I was in the moment. Appreciating my monkey. Crying at her excitement, at her traumatic experience and at how overwhelmingly I love her.

We were very lucky. Lucky she didn’t hurt herself worse. Lucky we found a dentist who gave the tooth a chance. We have since gone to the dentist here in Toronto. The tooth is looking good. We’ll know for sure if it’s a keeper in a month. I have to make sure it doesn’t go grey or develop an abscess on the gum. Fingers crossed.
The day after, Saturday, Josh was all ours. No more business. We went to DISNEY WORLD!

We started off at Animal Kingdom….

The Tree of Life.

A bat.

Hyacinth macaws.

Moi. Sick with cold and fever (day 1 of this bug), but loving every minute of Disney.

Then we went to Magic Kingdom….

The next day (Sunday) we started at Epcot….

Then we visited MGM….

And, we ended our day back at Disney.

We had dinner at the hotel that evening. And, we spent that next morning back at City Walk (the shopping and restaurant/bar area in front of Universal).

And, we enjoyed our final boat taxi back to the hotel.

I will never forget this amazing vacation. The monkey’s a new monkey. She grew this holiday — experienced so much. She now smiles for the camera, goes “whoooooaaaah!” when she’s excited, and much more.

Notice the breastfeeLing!!!!

Thanks for bearing with me all this time. I totally miss you and your blogs. I’ll hopefully be well enough tomorrow to sit down and read….I slept all afternoon today with the monkey….So, I’m up late now. Tomorrow — back on schedule.
I did manage to gossip today — check it at Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip.

[20] Comments