[OnTheJourney]

So I am starting to get really pumped about summer coming!!!! How can you tell was have a nice week forcasted here!

I thought I'd start a thread about including our little ones in our favorite summer activites. I love summer and I will hopefully get some great ideas!

We are campers, although we don't really rough it so much anymore... we are going trade in this spring to get a 5th wheel with bunks for the little man. I can't wait to go camping with DS! I have to figure out the best carrier for taking him hiking with us.

Gardening! I think for this year, I will set up the screen tent in the back yard so he can have some shade and be free from bugs. (if he's not an early walker) I love the outdoors and want to have DS out there with me.

I have a Fantastic Jogging stroller we use alot already. But I'm sure he's going to love not being bundled in a snowsuit, blankets, hat, and then the plastic weather cover over top of stroller. (we go out for walks up to -10 Celcius. Nice winter days)

What do you like to do in the summer, that you are looking forward to including Babe in??

M

[HBV]

H is past that one year mark now, but last summer we got a huge wading pool for the patio and our nanny took him to the big pool about once a week, which he loved. His latest joy is being pulled in his new red wagon and riding his plasma car. (We're having nice weather too---YAY!)

One thing I learned last summer--- babies are especially sensitive to mosquito bites---they swell up WAY more than they do on adults. Even when we covered H w/ spray, they'd get on his face. Be careful and talk to your pediatrician about safe bug sprays/wipes, etc.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Nick was outside with me ALL of last summer. (Aveeno has the best baby sunblock, in my opinion.)

For hikes, we used our MeiTaiCarrier (one word brand name, google it) and it provided the support he needed as well as the comfort I needed.

Sometimes we took the exersaucer outside for me to garden (our apple tree provided lots of shade but it's coming down after it's bloom this year because we learned it was diseased last year and is dying) so we'll be getting a tent as well. Little Tikes has a great family shade tent.

Last year was a blast outside with the kiddo. ENJOY IT!

[OnTheJourney]

Jenna - Sunblock, wasn't even thinking about that. I love the Aveno products so I will definately try that one. How 'covered up' with clothing did you keep Nick last year or was the sunblock enough ensurance? DS was born in Sept so they are about the same age for their 1st summers.
Also I've been looking in to the MeiTaiCarrier as per your recomendations in many previous posts. I want to order one, but I've shown my DH and he worries about them not being secure because you have to tie them up and they could come undone. Not really my concern, his. I use a Bjorn now and he sees it as a lot more secure because it has 'clips and stuff'. It is just getting to be a little uncomfortable as the straps are thin and add alot of pressure on my shoulders. Also I can't use it on my back. What can I tell him to convince him the MeiTaiCarrier is safe so he will agree to ordering one????
HBV - A wading pool is a great idea. DS loves the water, I never thought about that one!

[redbonec]

Summer IS coming soon!

A wading pool will be so fun, and I just found out about our local city pool. Can't wait to go shop for a wee little swimsuit! And teeny tiny sunglasses!

Journey--have you camped with baby yet? We have a tent, but I don't know how old a baby should be for them to be outdoors all the time, in a tent at night.

I have heard good things about Ergo baby carriers--presently I am wanting that one and the Mei Tai. Ergo I have heard can be more comfortable when babies are older--like preschool age, and good to carry for long periods of time. When I heard that I thought of hiking.

[maviskat]

We love to camp too. Just wondering when we could take our little one. Can you tent camp successfully with a 7-9 month old??
I look forward to our family beach vacation...seeing her put her little toes in the ocean.
Love the idea of the wading pool in the yard or just spreading a blanket under a tree and napping.
I can't wait, I am so done with winter already!!!

[mommamarci]

We took Cameron swimming this weekend in the hotel! It was his first time and he loved it!!!!! I think I have dh talked into buying one of those 3 foot tall cheapo pools. May not hold up for many years, but it would be worth it. Plus we LOVE walks! Hopefully we will walk every day. Dh has also mentioned getting a bike seat for Cam. I need to do some research on that.

I love spring!

[SchmennaLeigh]

Nick always had on a hat last year and we were always in the shade. For the rare times that we weren't, like the city pool, he was in a onesie (white), slathered in Aveeno baby sun block and wearing his hat. Basically, if he wasn't in the city pool (no shade) I tried to keep him IN the shade so he could wear less clothing.

[StorkWatcher]

Last year, for our first summer, we spent time:

- in our wading pool (usually in the evenings, out of the sun, and then used it for nakey baby baths outside!

- going to horse shows - spent some times there in the pack and play but mostly in the stroller

- went swimming once (but went w/ Baby Cam last weekend, and A LOVES it! So we'll be doing that a lot more this summer).

-TONS of walks. I took him most every evening,a nd gparents took him during days and out on the golf cart for fun

This year we'll be spending extra time in the barn, playing outside, going to the park, and starting a garden.....

[StorkWatcher]

Oh - one lifesaver for me in the yard last year - we used a Superyard (it's like a hexagonal shaped gate) on top of an old sleeping bag so babe could safely play bug and dirt free (and well-contained!) outdoors while we did things!

[OnTheJourney]

Lots of great summer fun ideas!! I can't wait for the snow to go away!!

redbonec and maviskat:
We went camping with DS last Oct (Canadian Thanksgiving) for the first time. He LOVED it! I 'wore' him in the Bjorn most of the time to protect him from the cold and wind. He was exactly 1 month old, but we have a 5th wheel trailer (with a heater). You can camp with baby in a tent, you just have to think it out fairly well. (DS's birthmom went on her 1st camping trip when she was 8 weeks!)
Things to consider:
- Does babe sleep thought the night. If you have a sleepy head, I think it would be pretty good. And the freash air helps with that. Night time feedings would be tough if you are having to heat a bottle. And a tent does not allow much room if you have a babe that needs to be 'walked around' or bounced at night.
- What is babe eating. You have to plan storage and heating/prep of foods. DS eats all homemade foods, so things like bananas and avacados are great 'cause they keep well and you just peel and mash up when you need them. But taking prepared foods; coolers can be a little messy if you are going for more than a night or 2. Boughten jars of food would be best if babe eats them. (DS won't eat anything I don't make, the turkey!) Ready to serve cans of formula would be the way to go since they don't take special storage, you just may waste a little more than you do at home. Or powder and mix as you go.
- You should have a separate screen tent or something that offers shade and protection from bugs that is different from the sleeping area.

Just some thoughts! I think it would be fine to go camping in the tent. Just a little extra prep would make it more relaxing.

M

[Persephone76]

We've got season passes at a local theme park...I plan on being in the water park as much as the little one can handle.