Baby Blog

Leaving the house with a baby is quite the adventure. Leaving the house with a baby for a number of days is bound to be more so.  This weekend is the first time we leave with our darling baby boy for a long journey without friends and family to help us out. Yes, it should be quite a trip.

It’s all I can do not to over stress about the situation. It’s hard not to bring everything but the kitchen sink for all those “just in cases.” I have got out my biggest diaper bag and filled it to the brim with sun block, bug spray, sunglasses, sun hats, swimming trunks (just in case), extra sandals (just in case), extra outfits (just in case), first aid kit, teething meds, eye wash,  sippy cups, pacifiers, extra pacifiers (just in case), wipes, diapers, extra wipes, extra diapers (just in case) and my toddler manual in case he decides to exhibit some strange new behaviors over the weekend.

I know I know I’m over packing. But we live in rural Wyoming and we are going into an even more rural area and I worry. I am a first time mom after all. Actually I don’t think it would make much of a difference where we were going I would still over pack and over worry. Having a baby is fraught with unexpected situations and I just want to be prepared.

I’m bound to forget something. Something important. I’ll freak out for a little bit, my husband will calm me down and everything will be okay. It’s just mom worry, something I will have for the rest of my life. It started the minute I knew I was pregnant and it has only increased as time has gone by.

But, besides all that I am looking forward to getting my baby out there into the world for a bit of good old fashioned exploration. Some people say there is no point in taking small babies and toddlers to sightseeing locations because they won’t remember. How silly is that? A child’s brain is a sponge from birth to five years and every experience has an effect on them. We plan to have a great time and a very happy child.

Baby Nik has done his own packing for the trip. He has chosen all of his Thomas the Tank engine outfits. Nothing else. His shorts, t-shirts, pants, overalls, onesies, shoes, sandals and pajamas are all train themed. He has his own little suitcase and is very excited about this special “bye byes.”

And if you happen to be visiting the nation’s first official national monument this weekend? We’ll be the ones with the giant diaper bag and the 18 month old who thinks he’s a steam engine.