Sissy Room

$4.73 this afternoon.  I put in $15 only.

Chapter 61: Back at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the pool area, the water shimmering and inviting.   Jack perked up the moment he saw it.   “…pool,” he said, already leaning forward in the stroller.   Marcus laughed. “We made it.”   Jill smiled. “Let’s get you ready.”   ⸻   They found a couple of chairs nearby, and Jill knelt down, helping Jack out of the stroller.   “Alright,” she said gently, “arms up.”   Jack lifted them without hesitation.   ⸻   She quickly changed him into his swim diaper and bathing suit, keeping things easy and comfortable.   “All set,” she said, adjusting the straps.   Then she held up his goggles. “Do you want these?”   Jack nodded immediately. “Yes.”   ⸻   Marcus helped slide them on, making sure they fit just right.   “There you go, swimmer,” he said.   Jack grinned.   ⸻   They walked together to the edge of the pool.   Jack paused for just a second, looking at the water—   then stepped in carefully, holding Jill’s hand.   “…cold,” he said with a small shiver.   Jill laughed softly. “You’ll get used to it.”   ⸻   Within moments, he did. He started splashing. Small at first—then bigger. Water droplets catching the light as he laughed.   ⸻   “Look at you,” Marcus said, smiling from the side.   Jack dipped down, testing the water with his face—   then went fully under for a brief second.   He popped back up.   “…again,” he said.   ⸻   Jill stayed close, steady and encouraging as he practiced going under a few more times. Each time a little more confident.   ⸻   After a bit, Jack made his way to the edge, climbing out with some effort.   He stood there, water dripping, goggles slightly crooked.   “…watch,” he said.   ⸻   Marcus raised a brow. “Oh, we’re watching.”   ⸻   Jack took a small step back—then jumped.   ⸻   Splash.   ⸻   Water sprayed up around him as he landed, laughing. A real, full laugh.   ⸻   Jill clapped lightly. “That was a big one!”   Jack surfaced, pushing his goggles up.   “…big splash,” he confirmed proudly.   ⸻   They stayed in for a while longer, Jack moving from one side to the other with their guidance- small kicks, little paddles—Marcus and Jill watching closely, encouraging every bit of it.   ⸻   “You’re doing so good,” Jill said.   Marcus nodded. “Look at you go.”   ⸻   Jack reached the other side and turned back, smiling wide.   “…I swim.”   ⸻   They exchanged a glance—Jill and Marcus—both smiling. Proud. Happy. A little emotional.   ⸻   Eventually, the sun dipped lower, and the energy of the day began to settle again.   Jill knelt by the edge. “Time to get out, sweetheart.”   Jack nodded, a little tired now but still smiling.   “…okay.”   ⸻   They dried him off, wrapping him in a towel, his hair damp and slightly messy. Marcus carried him back toward the room while Jill gathered their things.   ⸻   Jack rested against Marcus’s shoulder, calm again.   “…I had fun,” he said softly.   Marcus smiled. “We know.”   ⸻   They made their way back inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort one last time. The hallway felt familiar now. Comforting.   ⸻   Jack looked around as they walked.   “…last night,” he said quietly.   Jill nodded. “Yeah. Last night here.”   ⸻   Back in the room, everything felt still again. The same space—but now filled with memories.   ⸻   Marcus set Jack down gently.   Jill knelt beside him, brushing his damp hair back.   “You had a big day,” she said.   Jack nodded.   “…best trip,” he added.   ⸻   Marcus smiled. Jill leaned in, kissing his forehead.   ⸻   And as they settled back into the room—for the final time—there was a quiet understanding between them all.   ⸻   The trip was ending. But what they shared—every moment, every laugh, every memory—was staying with them.   Back inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the room felt calm again—quiet after a full, happy day.   Jack sat on the bed, still wrapped loosely in his towel, hair slightly damp, cheeks a little pink from the pool.   Marcus glanced over and smiled. “Alright, buddy… bath time.”   Jack looked up.   “…bubbles?” he asked.   Jill laughed softly. “Of course bubbles.”   ⸻   A few minutes later, the bathroom filled with warm steam and soft splashes.   Jack sat in the tub, surrounded by bubbles, gently patting the water.   “…look,” he said, lifting a handful of bubbles.   Marcus leaned against the doorway. “That’s a lot of bubbles.”   Jill smiled, rinsing him off gently. “Gotta get all that pool water off.”   ⸻   It was quick. Simple. Comforting.   ⸻   Soon Jack was wrapped up again, clean and warm.   Jill dressed him in a fresh diaper and a soft onesie, smoothing it down carefully.   “There we go,” she said.   Jack leaned into her.   “…comfy.”   ⸻   They moved back to the big bed, the lights dimmed now. Marcus climbed in on one side, Jill on the other, with Jack nestled between them.   ⸻   Jill handed him his bottle. Jack took it right away, settling in comfortably, his body relaxing as he drank. One small hand held the bottle—the other reached out again.   ⸻   He found Jill’s hand. Held her finger.   ⸻   Marcus watched, a soft smile on his face.   “Long day,” he said quietly.   Jill nodded. “A good one.”   ⸻   Jack drank slowly, eyes growing heavier with each sip. The room stayed quiet. Peaceful.   ⸻   When he finished, Jill gently took the bottle and lifted him slightly.   A soft burp followed.   “There we go,” she whispered.   ⸻   She offered his pacifier.   Jack accepted it without hesitation, settling back down between them.   “…mmm,” he murmured softly.   ⸻   Marcus reached over to the nightstand and picked up one of Jack’s favorite books.   “Alright,” he said gently, opening it. “One more story.”   ⸻   Jack turned his head slightly toward him, eyes half-closed but listening. Marcus began to read, his voice low and steady.   ⸻   Jill rested a hand on Jack’s chest, feeling his breathing slow. Each page turned softer than the last. Each word quieter.   ⸻   Halfway through—Jack’s grip on her finger loosened.   ⸻   By the time Marcus reached the final pages—Jack was already asleep. Pacifier in place. Breathing deep and even. Completely at peace.   ⸻   Marcus glanced down and smiled, closing the book gently.   “Didn’t make it to the end,” he whispered.   Jill smiled softly. “He never does.”   ⸻   They stayed there for a moment, not moving. Just listening. Just being.   ⸻   Jill brushed Jack’s hair back gently.   “Tomorrow…” she said quietly.   Marcus nodded. “Airport. Heading home.”   ⸻   Jill looked at Jack, then back at Marcus.   “…worth it,” she said.   Marcus smiled. “Every second.”   ⸻   Between them, Jack slept soundly—safe, warm, and completely content—as their final night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort settled in around them.     Chapter 62:  Morning came a little more quietly this time. No alarms, no rush at first—just soft light easing into the room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and the gentle stillness of their last morning there.   ⸻   Jack stirred between them, shifting slightly under the blankets.   “…Mommy?” he mumbled.   Jill was already awake, brushing a hand through his hair. “Good morning.”   Marcus stretched on the other side. “Morning, buddy.”   ⸻   Jack blinked up at them, still sleepy.   “…we go home?” he asked.   Jill nodded softly. “Yeah. Today we head home.”   ⸻   Jack was quiet for a moment.   “…I had fun,” he said.   Marcus smiled. “We know.”   ⸻   The mood shifted gently—not sad, just… reflective.   ⸻   “Alright,” Marcus said, sitting up. “Let’s get packed.”   ⸻   The room slowly came back to life. Bags unzipped. Clothes folded. Items checked and double-checked.   ⸻   Jill moved through the space methodically, gathering Jack’s things first—extra clothes, bottles, his favorite items.   “Flopsy?” she asked.   Jack held him up immediately. “…right here.”   Jill smiled. “Good. He’s coming too.”   ⸻   Marcus handled the larger bags, zipping them closed and setting them near the door.   “Feels like we just got here,” he said.   Jill nodded. “It always does.”   ⸻   Jack sat on the bed for a moment, watching them pack everything away.   His lanyard rested around his neck again, pins lightly clinking as he moved.   “…my trip,” he said softly, touching the castle pin.   ⸻   Jill paused, looking at him.   “Yep,” she said gently. “Your trip.”   ⸻   Once everything was packed, Jill helped Jack get dressed for the day—clean, comfortable, ready for travel.   “All set,” she said, smoothing his shirt.   Jack nodded.   “…ready.”   ⸻   Marcus did one final scan of the room.   “Chargers? Bags? Everything?”   “All good,” Jill confirmed.   ⸻   Jack looked around one last time.   “…bye room,” he said quietly.   ⸻   Jill felt that one. She smiled softly. “Bye, room.”   ⸻   Marcus opened the door, and they stepped out together—bags in hand, stroller ready.   ⸻   The hallway felt different now. Familiar—but finished.   ⸻   They made their way downstairs to the lobby, where the same morning bustle continued—new families arriving, others leaving.   ⸻   Marcus approached the front desk while Jill stayed with Jack nearby.   “Checking out,” he said.   ⸻   Jack leaned against Jill, watching everything.   “…we come back?” he asked.   Jill smiled gently. “Maybe someday.”   ⸻   Marcus returned a moment later. “All set.”   ⸻   Jack reached for his hand.   “…Daddy.”   “I’m here.”   ⸻   They headed toward the exit together, stepping out of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for the last time.   ⸻   Jack looked back once. Then forward again.   ⸻   “…home,” he said.   ⸻   Jill nodded. Marcus smiled.   ⸻   And with that—bags packed, memories made, and hearts full—they began the journey home, carrying a little bit of Disney with them.   Outside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, their ride was already waiting.   Marcus loaded the bags into the trunk while Jill helped Jack into the back seat, settling him in with Flopsy tucked close.   “Alright,” Marcus said as he climbed in beside them. “Airport time.”   ⸻   The car pulled away from the resort, the colorful buildings slowly fading behind them.   Jack watched out the window quietly.   “…bye Disney,” he said.   Jill smiled softly. “You had a pretty amazing trip.”   Jack nodded. “…best trip.”   ⸻   The ride was calm.   No rush.   Just the hum of the road and the occasional glance back at everything they were leaving behind.   Marcus reached over, squeezing Jill’s hand briefly.   “We did good,” he said.   Jill nodded. “We really did.”   ⸻   Soon, signs for the airport came into view.   Jack noticed.   “…airport again,” he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.   ⸻   The car pulled up to the drop-off area, and Marcus got out to unload the bags.   Jill unbuckled Jack, lifting him out and setting him into the stroller.   “You’re okay,” she said gently.   Jack nodded—but stayed close.   ⸻   Inside the airport, everything felt bigger again. Louder. Busier. Lines forming, announcements echoing overhead.   ⸻   They made their way to the check-in counter, Marcus handling the details while Jill stayed with Jack.   Jack held onto her hand tightly now.   “…Mommy,” he said quietly.   “I’m right here,” she reassured.   ⸻   Marcus returned with their boarding passes.   “All set,” he said. “Next stop—security.”   ⸻   Jack looked toward the long line ahead. People moving. Bins sliding. Machines humming.   ⸻   His grip tightened.   “…I don’t like it,” he admitted softly.   ⸻   Marcus crouched down beside him.   “Hey,” he said calmly. “It’s okay to feel nervous.”   ⸻   Jill knelt on the other side.   “We’ll go through it together,” she added. “Just like before.”   ⸻   Jack looked between them.   “…together?”   Marcus nodded. “Always.”   ⸻   Jack took a small breath.   “…okay.”   ⸻   They moved into line, slowly inching forward. Jill kept a hand on his back, Marcus guiding the stroller.   ⸻   “It might be a little loud,” Marcus explained. “But it’s quick.”   Jill smiled gently. “And then we’re done.”   ⸻   Jack nodded, still a little unsure—but holding onto both of them.   ⸻   “…Daddy?”   “I’m here.”   “…Mommy?”   “Right here.”   ⸻   And step by step—with both of them beside him—they moved closer to security, ready to face the last part of their journey together.

Been getting my last few orders from LL Medico, partly because of their free shipping on all orders.  Now it's free shipping only on orders over $49.  Sometimes I usually order only one package of diapers for around $35.  Now I have to order at least $49 to get the free shipping.  They have Abena L4 which I ordered, but if you get two different brands of diapers, you (at least I do) get two separate packages.  I ordered a package of Abena L4 and a package of Crinklz together on the same order.  The Abena's came in Wednesday afternoon.  I'm still waiting on the Crinklz diapers.

20 years of 24/7 is a remarkable effort.  Have you documented your "progress" anywhere?  If not, would you consider doing that?  Those of us more than a decade behind you would be intensely curious on what the road ahead might look like.

This.  I was going to have a tossed salad to go with it but wasn't that hungry.