Where Have I Been?

I realize it's been several days since I posted. It's also been several days since I got more than a nap or had more than five minutes to consume a meal. What's going on? Massive state contract at work. My assistant quit back in January and we don't have a replacement yet. So, I had to forfeit sleep and food to try to get everything done. That includes the blog.

Well, that also means I haven't been spending a lot of time with Billy.

So, I'll leave you with a picture of some eggs that Billy dyed for Easter. And yes, I just got around to throwing them out.

The Sunday Post ~ How to Camp With a Baby/Toddler Part 2

 Awhile back I wrote a quick summary of how to camp with a baby/toddler.

How to Camp With a Baby/Toddler

But what I didn't include was an actual list of things to bring. Since camping season is just about to start, here is the list that I use to pack for camping. This is just stuff for baby/toddler to be included with regular camping gear

Avoid milk. If you have to, get some individual milks. I usually take juice boxes too. I avoid sippys if I can. Camping stores sell scrubby brushes with soap built into them, but it requires potable water to wash with. I usually pack 2 per day (per kid) and bring home the gross ones to run through the dishwasher instead of cleaning on site.

Baby list:
# of diapers he uses per day + four extra per day
box of wipes (yes, a whole box)
a sheet saver to use as a changing pad
2 cloth diapers for whatever small person bodily fluid emergency
diaper rash ointment
SUNSCREEN!!!
wide-brimmed hat
fever medication (just in case)
any regular medication that baby/toddler takes
baby lotion
baby allergy medication
3 outfits per day
coat or sweater that is comfortable to sleep in
1 sleep outfit per night with long pants
2 summer blankets
1 heavy baby blanket
2 sheets for baby sleeping arrangement
baby pillow (if he/she uses one)
White noise machine
2-4 favorite luvies for crib
binkies
2 pairs of shoes
3 pairs of socks per day
3 baby bowls
6 baby spoons
2 sippy cups per day
1 plastic bib
baby shampoo
1 bath towel
3 wash clothes
2 swimsuits/swim shirts
1 bag of books (5-8) for bedtime or quiet time.
1 large bag of random toys
1 small bag of toys for car ride that he doesn't get outside of car
1 large blanket to play on
toothbrush
crib/pack'n'play (for sleeping and play
shade (either a shade tent or a tarp with rope to hang up. good to keep both sun and rain off)
stroller- bring one with a feeding tray if still an infant.



Food for baby/toddler:
bananas
animal crackers in gladware
cheerios in gladware
fruit loops in gladware
raisins
pb&js for lunch
grapes
yogurt bites (instead of yogurt)
arrowroot cookies (good for unhappy bellys) (gerber makes them)
precut cheese
juice boxes
water
already cooked peas (serve cold)
baby carrots
anything for you guys that they can eat too




If there is a swimming area:
1 bag of water toys/beach toys
1 swim towel
1 pair of sandals or water shoes
swim diapers


Bring a ball. A big ball. Glowsticks are awesome. Flashlights are fun. Make games out of what's there, like picking up sticks.

April 6, 2013 ~ Billy's First Circus

Do you know how expensive the circus is these days? Wow. We were going to take Billy, but between the shows all being at naptime/bedtime and the cost we decided to wait until next year. Then I got free tickets. Who can pass up free tickets? (Clearly not me).

We had a birthday party at lunchtime, so Billy went no nap on his way to the circus.

Here we are at the circus. In this photo you can see Billy's head, elephants and acrobats hanging from the ceiling.

Here's Billy in his seat:

If you ask him what his favorite part was he will tell you the elephants. Ok, elephants are really cool, especially elephants that do tricks.

(On a side note, I was not so happy to see the trainers using bull hooks and hitting the elephants. I had hoped the circus had evolved some. If you don't know what I'm referring to, read Water For Elephants.)

We got to see a very angry tiger almost eat her trainer. Yeah, that happened. My coworker speculates (he was there) that it may have been part of the act. Could be. But the other big cats in the ring were under control. Just not this one very angry Tiger.

I think one of Billy's favorite parts of the whole experience was sitting in a theater seat. They don't stay down unless you're sitting on them, and at a toddler weight, they don't stay down unless you're sitting on the very end of the seat. He found this fascinating and ended up sitting in my lap the whole time between wanting to push the seat up and down from my seat and because he couldn't see when it would squish him.

Despite going no nap he stayed up for the whole show and was so excited to see everything. He really liked the animals. There should have been more animal acts. He liked the 8 motorcycles in the cage of death and some parts with the clowns. Let's not forget the dragon at the end.

And I can assure, after all of that activity, he was passed out before our car ever left the parking garage on the way home.