Fall Camping

We're just a couple days into fall and I've already tackled a few adventures on my list.  Last week, we went camping.  Chris and I used to backpack in the summers before we had kids, and we did camp once when Eliot was three months old, but this was our first time in over two years.

I was really excited to take Eliot camping again and for Jack's first road trip and camping trip.  OK, so I was not looking forward to the road trip part at all with Jack because he hates the car, but I figured we'd make it work.  And we did.  The four-hour trip took five hours with stopping to feed him twice, but when we got there, Jack was all smiles while he looked up at the trees.  That kid loves outside.

Eliot was stoked to help set up the tent, climb on rocks, and explore.  We built a fire, played with sticks, and waited for the stars to come out.  It was all going smooth (and wasn't even too cold) until the campground "hosts" came by to check if we had paid.  They were friendly and all, but warned us about the possibility of bears.  And Eliot promptly freaked out.  And hid under the picnic table.  He really wanted to get in the tent, like, RIGHT NOW.  Poor little guy.

We managed to get everyone to sleep and Eliot accepted that we weren't going home and that we weren't going to be eaten by bears.  But, dang, it was cold in the morning.  I can handle the cold myself, but I felt bad for the boys.  Chris and I packed up while letting the boys sit in the [heated] Jeep and took turns keeping an eye on them.

It was a lot of fun to get out camping again, and I'm just glad no one fell in the creek.  We survived, I think we all had a good time, and I managed some cute photos.  And I'm really proud of Jack doing such an awesome job camping at only two and a half months!  I'm looking forward to camping again in the spring.  I think it'll just be too cold to camp again this fall.

Hollins Mill and a Sleeping Plan

We went to Hollins Mill today!  We were going to go to a park, but Eliot loves to run around and hit things with sticks so much that we figured an open area to play would be even better.

This little boy loves his dad lately.  Everything Christopher does is better, more interesting, and much more fun than anything I can pull off.  I'm there for comfort and food only.  That's fine.  I love seeing my boys enjoying each other.

See what I mean?  "No time for kisses, Mom.  I have a stick and I want to hit something with it."

Or play in the dirt.

Eliot was mesmerized by the water.  Me too!  There is something hypnotizing about it.  And Eliot still had that stick with him.

As he grew tired and less adventuresome, he came to me to ask to be held.

It felt great to get outside, watch Eliot run around, and take photos.  I really enjoy the portability of the camera on my iphone and being able to use Instagram, but I am finding that I take less "real" photos.  This is something I have been trying to avoid.  So, it was great to get some nice shots of us.

In regards to my previous post about sleep, I have developed a plan to "wean" Eliot over to his crib.  I am honestly in no hurry to get him out of our bed.  We're all happy together.  And I let my dogs sleep in my bed, so why would I not let my son?  Anyway, I'll give this plan a try, and if it doesn't work, I'll wait a few months and try again.

Week one:  Eliot and I will have some play and rest time in the crib every day.   We'll read in his crib, play with toys, and point out the animals on his sheets.  This will hopefully help loosen any negative associations with the crib.

Week two:  We will continue play and rest time in the crib.  In addition to this, I will lay with him in his bed while he naps and also some until he falls asleep at night.  I've tried this before and he wakes up 10 minutes after I leave.  If he wakes up, I'll try to soothe him to sleep.

Week three:  When it is nap or bedtime, I will try to soothe him to sleep and sit by his bed.

It won't be easy.  It will actually be exhausting.  But, I suppose it is worth a shot to try to be more consistent and persistent.

Merry Christmas Eve!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Eve.  To me, Christmas Eve always felt like the more important, celebrated day because we spent it with our extended family.  Christmas Day was just with my sister and parents as we tinkered with our new toys.

This year has been so much more special with Eliot around.  I know he doesn't understand what is going on, but I think that he has a sense that something important is happening.  It has been great to establish new traditions with him.  Everything is more fun with a baby.

Today we got up and went for a bike ride at the park!  Chris ran while I biked and pulled Eliot in his new trailer.  It was a lot of fun and he didn't fuss one bit.  He might have even had fun.

After showers and a baby nap, we went to Wal Mart to pick up a few things to prepare for Chris's family coming in Christmas evening.  Then we played with Eliot followed by another baby nap.  By then, it was time to get ready for Christmas Eve dinner with Christopher's aunt, uncle, cousins, grandma, and Aunt Susan's parents.  I really love having family around to spend the holidays with--and we are going to my aunt and uncle's tomorrow.  Eliot loved exploring their house and chasing their cats.  Then something really cool happened.  Chris's cousin (Austin) is on the autism spectrum and he hasn't paid much attention to Eliot.  Eliot was playing with a ball on the floor after dinner when Austin started to roll the ball with him.  Then Austin announced that he wanted to hold Eliot and just picked him up.  It was so cute!  Later, they watched some of the movie Cars together and Austin wanted to hold him again.  Austin really has such a beautiful heart.

I guess I should also mention that we pretty much have a walker on our hands.  When do you officially say that a baby is walking?  Well, he stands great completely on his own and walks about five steps unassisted until he reaches what he wants--usually a person.  He took his first steps over a month ago, but he has been walking now in a new, more sturdy way.

We got home right before 9:00 pm and I called my parents to wish them a merry Christmas Eve.  Then we took these photos of Eliot.  I knowww everyone thinks their kid is the cutest in the world, but, dang, that baby boy is darling!

We let Eliot open one present, but mostly because he was already digging into a new sweater during our photo session.  Christopher and I exchanged gifts also.  I got him two graphic novels (and also The Tree of Life and Midnight in Paris).  Chris got me two absolutely beautiful dresses that I can't wait to wear.  The photos don't do them justice.  Ah.  Dress love.

Tomorrow is Christmas and I can't wait to take my pajama-ed boy downstairs and let him rip some gifts open!

Ivy Creek Park, Nursery Drop-offs, and That Pirate Ship

This weekend, Christopher, Eliot, Elizabeth, and I went to Ivy Creek Park!  We're late on the park bandwagon, but finally made it there.  The trees around Lynchburg really have been changing.  It seems that fall is going to happen again this year.  Oh well.  The weather has been beautiful, though!

The park has a nice little loop around the pond, so we're hoping to go running there sometime soon.  Just not tomorrow because Eliot has his nine month check up in the morning.

This weekend Eliot went to the church nursery for the first time.  I didn't want to send him back because I wasn't sure how he'd react.  I knew he'd be fine, but I didn't want him to give anyone a hard time, especially with his teething fussiness and the fact that he had only drank two ounces that morning--he usually chugs ten ounces within a couple of hours of being awake.  Chris and I both work from home, so he is hardly ever away from us.  However, the ladies said he didn't cry at all.

Eliot has decided that his pirate ship makes an excellent walker.  He has been using everything as a walker these days, but few things are as frightening as this unsturdy boat.  I mean, it is good for what it is meant to be used for, but it is no walker.  Not at all.  Eliot hardly needs any support, though, and hasn't fallen once with it.  I hold my breath and hover around him for a good while whenever he starts to push it around the house, but it works out.  Somehow.