Chapter one - week one

So today, Joseph woke five minutes before our alarm at 5-45am, he must have known we were going on holiday!

The hardest part has been transporting the three of us, plus our three pieces of hand luggage, Joseph's pram, car seat and three huge bags around with us!

Joseph spent a lot of time playing in the soft play area as our flight was delayed thirty minutes. Joseph's first plane was a Boeing 747 - the jumbo jet! It was a good job we booked three seats as we needed all of the extra space! Joseph was very good on the 8.5 hour journey

and one of the cabin crew said she hadn't heard a peep from him all flight! Jonny and I even got to watch a film each!

When we arrived at Orlando airport, I had to go in the lift with Joseph whilst Jonny struggled with the bags and as the airport staff didn't really tell us what was going on we lost each other for 35 minutes! It was a truly horrible experience involving a monorail trip to the main terminal then trying to find the car hire place but thankfully it ended pretty quick!

Jonny managed the journey to our villa in Lake Davenport, which is just south of Orlando and Kissimmee near to Haines City, very well and we arrived at 7pm local time, just ready to put Joseph to bed.

The weather says its expected to be 75 degrees in the morning - which is June weather!!

Wednesday 15th April

So today we took it easy as we get used to our new surroundings.

After a leisurely morning we headed out to the local Walmart store for essentials. It took us ages as the shop is so big and we didn't know where anything was. Joseph enjoyed being in his big boy trolley!

In the afternoon we had a play in our swimming pool before cooking our first tea- a pork roast!

Joseph has found a whole new set of vocabulary today! He is moving away from singular 'ah' to real babble which is hard to make out but sounds like 'ba' 'la' and 'wa' - although I swear I heard him say 'da' and 'ma ma' but I can't be sure!!! :)

Early night for everyone as we all try and catch up on sleep.

Thursday 16th April

After a leisurely breakfast we headed out in the car towards Orlando which is about 40 minutes from our villa - but we took a few detours as we get into the swing of things. We spent the day shopping but surprise, surprise it was Joseph who benefitted the most followed by Jonny then me! Jonny and Joseph have matching navy blue polo shirts - and it wasn't my idea! In every store we went in the staff commented on what a happy baby Joseph is, which made him want to jump out of his pram with excitement, he is such a ladies man and loves the attention!

We had a steak and all you can eat buffet at Ponderosa (Lam family, it's the one opposite the hotel we stayed in) which was nice as it's quite quiet this time of year.

We took a wrong turning on the way back and ended up going through the Disney Road network, spotting the Holiday Tower from a distance!

Another early night tonight as Joseph still isn't sleeping too well but we don't mind really!

Friday 17th April

After a slightly better nights sleep (I’ve been reading up on sleeping babies at 9 months and it seems sleep regression is normal due to

learning how to crawl/walk/talk) so as long as we go to bed at 8:30pm we are fine!

Today we went to Seaworld. We arrived for 9am when it opened and the park was relatively quiet. It was quite overcast too to start with which was nice. We had Joseph’s photo taken with Shamu, the giant killer whale -he started quite curious but then burst into tears as you can see by the photo!

We watched a dolphin show and the Shamu killer whale show. The trainers no longer get in the water with the whales following a death last year. Joseph was fascinated but found it hard keeping up with the movements in and out of the water! Joseph stroked a stingray too!

Jonny went on the rollercoasters – on and off in 10 minutes as the

queues were so little! We left mid afternoon as we have a 14 day ticket as it was the most economical so we have plenty of time.

Saturday 18th April

So today we went to Bush Gardens in Tampa, about an hour from our villa. We spent the day mainly looking at animals and taking in the shows which Joseph enjoys and has a surprisingly long attention span! He is still not sure of the characters and cried today when some of the characters from Sesame Street came to say hello! Yet he doesn't mind the real thing, he stroked a real husky today!

We watched Jonny go on a few rides and whilst we waited for him to come off the rapids we were obviously stood in the wrong spot as I got soaked and Joseph's legs got wet but he didn't seem to mind!

Joseph has taken a real liking to Floridian strawberries like his Mum whilst his Dad prefers the cakes! He has also learnt the benefit of ice, when he can keep hold of it for long enough!

Sunday 19th April

Today we went to Aquatica, which is Sea Worlds water park. Joseph was absolutely in his element he loved it! We spent the day in the kids area and the day just seemed to go play - eat - sleep - repeat! He is so confident in the water all the swimming has paid off! We left the park at lunch to eat and break the day up which was nice! Plus I drove so Jonny could have a beer!