As I'm getting through these rainy days, I'm trying to hype myself up about the outdoor activities that summer will bring. For some reason, this winter has hit me harder than others. Maybe it is because it seems to be dragging on. Maybe it is because I had a baby, which might have added some "baby blues" in there as well. But summer will be fun.

I'm planning backpacking adventures in my head. With a baby? Well, we'll give it a try. First we will try camping without the hike at Panther Falls. If that goes well, we'll try backpacking. See, it sounds crazy, but I got to thinking. What would be so different? What would make it complicated? Mostly obviously, we'll have to carry Eliot, so we'll get a baby carrier. This means whoever isn't carrying Eliot (I assume Chris will) will have to carry more gear in the other backpack. But we won't go for more than one night, we will just need the usual essentials: tent, sleeping bags, water, and so on. I think we can handle it.

Then there is the challenge of food. If I'm still able to breastfeed (which I don't see why not), then we have that covered. Sure, we will begin introducing solids at six months, but that won't be until mid-July. Then there are diapers. Well, with breastfeeding, his diapers are not that unpleasant. We'll just bring along one of those scented bags to toss them in. Plus, at this point, his poopy diapers are slowing down.

OK, then. What about sleep? Well, what about it? Eliot loves loves loves to sleep in bed with us. And so I imagine he'll take to sharing a sleeping bag with me quite well. I don't roll in my sleep at all and I'm a very light sleeper, so co-sleeping (though we try to avoid it) has worked well on nights when I prefer to nurse Eliot laying down and then we fall asleep together that way. I know co-sleeping isn't suggested by many people, but sometimes it is too sweet to pass up. I confess that sometimes I bring him to bed when he isn't even asking for it, just because I want to be close to him.

I think we're covered on all ends. The only problem is see is a six-month catch 22. The manufacturer doesn't suggest using the child carriers until they are six months old. Well, all right. But. At six months, we'll be introducing solids, making his poop smell more and also complicating my breastfeeding fast food simplicity. Darn. Honestly, I think he'll be fine in the carrier a little earlier than six months. And when we introduce solids, it won't be like that is allll he eats all the time. And even if he did, well, baby food isn't so hard to carry along. It will just go in the bear bag too. :)

So, those are my excessive reasonings about backpacking with a baby and why it just might work. I think we might go check our local hiking store tonight to see if they have an inexpensive carrier. I found ones I like online, but I'd rather support local businesses when I have the option.

p.s. This marks four nights in a row that Eliot has continued to get up frequently. Last night it was six times. It feels like the first month all over again. Gotta be a growth spurt, right? I hope so!

We took Eliot to Panther Falls today. The weather was finally a bit warm and since Eliot is almost two months old (two more days!), we figured it was time to take him off road, find the secret parking lot, and enjoy the water fall. He slept through the entire thing and finally woke up as we were hiking back, but fell back asleep in the car again. Haha! Of course, I didn't expect him to appreciate the trip or even realize what was going on, but I love sharing moments like these with him and Christopher. We're laying the foundation of the childhood of an adventurer. :D

The water was so high! Panther Falls is in between Amherst and Lexington. A couple of days ago, Amherst public schools had a two hour delay due to rain. I can't believe we used to sit in that waterfall. I know it doesn't look that big in the photos because it is so wide, but, man, it is probably fifteen feet tall. Or something. I don't know. People jump from the top rocks into the pool and let's just say that it is so high that I will never be brave enough to take the plunge.

Christopher and Eliot totally match. He always tries to get me to match with him. Now he can force Eliot to match with him and Eliot kind of has no say in it. Haha!

More photos

I'm trying to figure out sleep. Eliot sleeps in a bed-side bassinet that attaches to our bed. However, the way I have to get him out in the night is kind of weird and awkward. I tell Chris that it is like taking an eleven pound turkey out of the oven over and over. When do you move a baby into his own crib? I mean, he is eight weeks old, but I feel like we should wait until he is sleeping more consistently for convenience. Maybe if he were only waking up once? Although, he has been doing a good job of just getting up two, maybe three, times a night. And some people co-sleep foreverrr, it seems. Meh. I don't think I'd get more sleep if he were in his bedroom. I'm sure I'd listen to the monitor all perky-eared and not sleep hardly at all. Plus, going into the nursery to feed and change him will obviously be more tedious. I guess I'll just wait until he is closer to sleeping through the night.