Camping: Take One

We decided to go on our first camping trip.  But to play it smart we decided to go someplace close to home.  So we went a few miles down the road to Baldwin Oaks.  It had many trees to make for plenty of shade.  There were several Sassafras trees as well as Oak trees as the name of the campground indicates.  I liked that there is not a lake at this campground so I won't have to worry about the boys running into the water when I'm not looking.

So Friday (June 9th) we set out for the campground with boys in tow.  Grandma and I had set up the tent the night before while Grandpa watched the boys so we wouldn't need to worry about them getting in the way or running off.  Once we got to the campground we just had to set up inside the tent.  Then the boys were set free to investigate their new home.  They did fairly well staying around our site and not wandering off.  They recognized the tent right away.  We had set it up in the house the week before to make sure there was no problems with it.  At that time they had a chance to play in it and thought it was the coolest thing ever.  They cried and hollered something fierce when I took it back down.  But it made it nice to have something familiar there when they started to look around.

They wore shorts when we arrived but it didn't take long for me to realize that plain ole diapers was a better choice for camping attire.  Especially since I brought the kiddie pool for them to play in.  I don't put too much water in the pool in case they slip they won't drown.  They did more than just play in the pool.  Because it was so much more fun pushing the pool.  Mostly it was William pushing.  He is going to be Mr. Universe someday.  He thrives on lifting or pushing large and very heavy objects.  Grandma referred to him as Atlas (as in Greek mythology). 

I think they enjoyed eating their lunch outdoors.  At first we thought we could let them walk around us and we would feed them from our chairs.  There were way too many distractions to keep them focused on food so I conceded and pulled out their feeding chairs.  We finished our lunch at the picnic table.  That was our first learning curve to camping with lil' ones.  

After lunch they took a nap in the tent and woke up rearing to go again.  More playing and discovering to do until dinner.  Grandma made dinner on the grill.  We decided not to do any campfires because I was too worried about them having an accident.  I didn't want to experience the nightmare of one of them falling into the fire.  She made one pot spaghetti and green beans.  Then she roasted some red peppers for the next day.  The boys like it.  And they shared some with the critters.  Well, what fell under their seats anyway.

It was getting close to bedtime when we drove home to check on the cats and grab a couple things we forgot about.  The boys were so worn out that they fell asleep in the car.  It thought this was great because then I could just put them to bed for the night back at camp.  Nope.  They woke up and wouldn't go back down.  They cried and cried and cried.  We even tried laying down with them but that just made them want to crawl around the tent and play.  So I put them in the pack-n-plays and left the tent.  More crying.  Part of the problem I think was they were so tired that they couldn't calm down. The other part was probably where we were situated.  The pool was on one side of us and the playground on the other.  So we had a lot of noise coming at us and it would be hard to go to sleep with so many other kids playing loudly.  I tried until 10 pm to get them down before I gave up.  We packed it in and went home for the night.  They quieted down in the car immediately and were out in just a few minutes.  Once we got home and laid them in the cribs we didn't hear one peep out of them until morning.  

Day 1

Overseeing the campsite set-up.

Levi is sitting in the camping chair and William is climbing the stroller.

Captain America  a.k.a. Levi

How 'bout that.  It's a tree.

Investigating the table.

I love those chipmunky cheeks

My dynamic duo.

Ooooooo, a stick!

Levi guarding the tent.

Both boys thought the water faucet was quite nifty.  Sometimes we would turn it on to a little dribble and they would try catching the water.  It looked like a string to them but they couldn't grab onto it.

Plumb wore out from playing all day.  Just a short snooze please.

We came back after lunch the second day.  My little men were dressed in t-shirts and bathing suits over their diapers.  Just so they didn't look so uncivilized.  The boys recognized where they were and set off for more adventures.  One of the things they decided they really liked about the campsite was running in and out of the tent.  They could go on and on with that game.  It was good for me because it gave me a break and kept them from running onto the "road."  

At times they did try traveling further.  There was a couple of dogs at a nearby site and William locked onto them.  He kept wanting to go over there.  I got some exercise chasing him down.  

I was pleased that we made it through the camping trip without their tender skin getting burned.  That in itself should make the whole trip a success.  Of course there was a lot of shade which helped.  But occasionally they would play where there was some sun so I made sure to keep the lotion flowing.  One time William walked out of the shade into the sun.  The ground must have felt really hot to his little feet because he started doing a little panic dance and then started crying.  He didn't know what to do but knew he hurt.  Grandma ran over to him and picked him up.  She walked him to the kiddie pool and put his feet in the water.  Instant relief.  Poor kid.  Such tender little feet.

It was a great weekend for camping.  The weather was even kind.  No rain or wind.  It was in the 80's but it felt really nice at the campground.  Between the shade and gentle breeze it felt perfect.  Sometimes we would pull our chairs up to the kiddie pool and stick our feet in.  There were a couple of times that William slipped and fell in the water.  It was an unpleasant surprise  for him but I was right there to grab him and then hold him.  I of course got soaked when I would hold him but it felt good and kept me cool.  William liked the snuggling and I soaked it up too, literally.

After dinner I slowly started packing up the site and putting what could in the car.  We decided to make it our last day and not come back on Sunday.  I knew we were all going to need a day to sleep a lot.  Okay, Mom and Grandma needed to sleep a lot.  Those boys sure kept us on our toes.  Having to be so vigilant can wear a person out.  At least at home they have boundaries so you don't have to watch them every second.  Once we were home we unloaded the car and I left Grandma to giving the boys their baths and getting ready for bed.  I went back to finish packing up the site.  When I came home I could hear crying before I got in the door.  They had just had their baths and were upset that they couldn't play in the water longer.  I guess I got there in time.  Off to bed they went and they slept good all night long.  They even slept in late the next morning.  How nice.

So in conclusion....we have decided that they are too young for overnight camping.  This year we will stick to day-camping at some local parks.  There are is no lack for parks in our area so we could pick a new one every week and it would take a year to get to them all.  Next year we will try it again and hopefully they will be able to understand what is going on and be able to sleep in the tent at night.

Day 2

Playing the "in & out" game.

So that was our trip.  Not too eventful and mostly enjoyable.  :)

Visitors!

As I said before we had some special guests.  Grandma Deborah and Grandpa Joseph came from Washington.  It was so nice seeing them with the boys.  Grandpa Joseph is an avid cyclist.  In fact he is doing a 75 mile trek today.  Thank goodness he lives in a better climate than Michigan.  While they were here we watched some of la Tour de France and he educated us on the strategy the cyclists use.  I noticed there were a set of brothers riding.  The Schleck brothers.  Maybe someday my boys will want to be in la Tour.  The Lang brothers!

We didn't go out much while they were visiting because the weather has been so horribly hot and humid.  I am so thankful for the air conditioning right now.  These 90 degree days have gone on too long.  I did take Deborah out to the farm where I get my milk.

On the last evening they were here they took Doug and I out for dinner.  We went to San Chez Tapas Bistro.  That was my first time there and man-o-man I think this is my new favorite restaurant.  I can't wait till the boys can eat solids and we can introduce all kinds of yumminess to them.  This is definitely one place we will bring them to introduce new flavours to their palate.  I hope one of the boys decides to be a chef.  I should be so spoiled.

The same weekend that they visited we found out that Grandpa Doug and Grandma Heidi's house burned down.  So tragic.  Thankfully no one was home when it happened but nothing can replace the loss of a home.  Prayers for them please.

So two weeks ago I was sitting in the recliner with Levi in one arm and my phone in the other hand.  I was checking my e-mail when a little hand reached up and one lone finger pressed the delete button.  There went the e-mail I was in the middle of reading.  I guess Levi wanted to say that he thought he was a little more important than the e-mail.  Guess I need to pay more attention to him.

They have both have been using their hands more and more.  Each day seems like they have more dexterity than before.  William is still using his legs more than ever.  He loves to stretch out and make himself as long as possible.  He is so strong.  Levi loves to stay bunched up in a ball.  I call him my brick-house because he is just so solid.  They are both such wonderful little snugglers.

Last night we all got to sleep through the night.  Levi got up at 6:30 and William got up at 7.  Yay!  I could get used to this.  So far today Levi has peed on my bed and William has spit up on my bed.  I just washed those sheets last night too.

So here is hoping for another full night of rest and a happy productive day tomorrow!

2 months and counting

We are having some fun this weekend because Grandma Deborah and Grandpa Joseph are in town visiting.  The boys are getting and giving all kinds of loving.  Today we went to the Fulton Street farmers market and picked up some amazing fruits and veggies.  Yum yum yummy in my tum tum tummy.

Wednesday was their two month check at the doctors office.  William weighed in at 10 lbs 4 oz.  He is 22.5 inches long.  Levi weighed in at 11 lbs and is 22 inches long.  The doctor gave Mama and Papa an A+ on caring for these boys.  They go back in two months.

They had to get some shots that day.  I was leaning over William as he laid on the table and then the nurse walked in.  She asked me if I was nervous.  I said no but I can imagine there are a lot of parents who get anxious about the shots.  I was thinking after all we went through with Arawynn this would be cake.  I pinned their arms down while she gave the shots and Papa got to soothe them afterwards.  I don't think I will forget the look on their faces when they got their first poke.  Silence, surprise and then wailing.  Poor babes.

Levi is becoming more aware of his hands.  He grabs for the bottle and tries to pull it to his mouth.  Today I put the pacifier in his hand and he pulled it to his mouth and almost got it in by himself.  I was amazed by how well he is doing.  His motor skills are farther along than William but William has him beat on strength.  William can practically stand up by himself.  He stands up on my lap and stiffens up real tight and I hold him loosely but enough that he doesn't tip over.  I love these boys.

Happy Independence Day!

What a busy weekend it's been.  I'm glad tomorrow is back to "normal" but so thankful for the wonderful time we have had over the last few days.

Friday the boys and I went to visit the Lang family near Flint.  It was about a two hour drive and I admit I was a little nervous about making that trek.  Doug was on the last day of his trip and so we planned that he would fly into the Flint airport and I would pick him up there which then meant I was driving with the boys by myself.  It is so hard to drive when you can't see your child and know whether they are awake or asleep.  I get anxious that the car seat straps will cut their necks or hurt them in some way.  I can't reach around to touch and reassure them if they start crying.  I hate it that the seats have to be rear facing.  But, you do what you have to and we made it all in one piece to our destination.

Grandma Heidi couldn't wait to get her hands on the boys when I drove up to the house.  She even stayed up that night to watch the boys and I went to bed early and slept great.  She can be the night shift anytime. :)

Saturday we took the boys over to their Great Grandparents and much of the aunts, uncles and cousins came to see the new addition to the family before heading back home.  It was a wonderful time seeing everyone.  They will be having a party in August and so the boys will be making another trip out there to see their family.

Sunday we took the boys to a pool party to visit with a bunch of our friends.  I feel like it had been ages since I had seen all of them.  It was really a great afternoon.  And just in case you are wondering, no, I did not put the boys in the pool.  We stayed in the shade for a little while and then spent most of the day in the house keeping cool.

And this afternoon we went to a park in the afternoon to meet some old friends that we haven't seen in several years.  It was great to reconnect with them and meet their beautiful daughters.  They were sweet girls and the oldest just adored the boys.  She couldn't get enough of holding them.  And a side note here, the boys are two months old today!  Gosh, they grow so fast.

So, after such a busy weekend we are ready for some rest time.  We have to get rested because this coming weekend will be filled with more excitement since Grandma Deborah is coming out to see the boys.  She will be blown away by how much they are growing.

Our boys have been so celebrated by family and friends.  It makes everything feel right when I see the happiness on everyones faces when they see the boys.  I love all of you for your love and encouragement you have shown to us.