Preston's First Campout

Will was a proud dad this last weekend.

Preston got to experience his very first outdoor adventure. And what an adventure it was!

We went to the Ward Campout Friday night. Although I don't think Will considered it real camping since we arrived with everything in our car instead of hauled on our backs.

The weather was nice and warm when we first arrived. We had a scrumptious dinner of sloppy joe's, hot dogs, beans, salads, desserts, chips, etc. (standard pot luck campout dinner). Then as the night grew darker, the temperature dropped.

We bundled Preston up in a blanket, a hat, and put him in the Baby Bjorn all nestled up next to Will for bodyheat. He slept through the festivities of family skits.

Many people made the comment to us that we were so brave to camp with our 2 and 1/2 month old. I couldn't really figure out if that comment was out of shock/horror for bringing him out into the night air, or adoration/admiration for being brave enough to sleep on the ground, in a tent, and with a baby.

Well, pre-baby, Will and I were really big on camping. Almost every other weekend during the summertimes would involve some type of outdoor excursion from camping, kayaking, or backpacking. This would be no different...right?

But we were soon to find out how brave we were...

We headed back to our little tent around 9:30pm and this is where the true test began. Our little "2 Man Tent" was now 2 plus baby. It was a bit tricky trying to figure out how we would place Preston to sleep. We couldn't let him sleep with us on our airmattress because we were afraid we would roll onto him and squish him during the night. And because we didn't expect the temperature to get so low (and for there to be so much dew on the ground), we couldn't just let him sleep on the ground with blankets.

So we brought in his carseat and loaded it up with blankets so it was cozy for him.

The next hour and a half involved the following routine:

- Feeding him....and then him falling asleep with us on the air mattress during feeding
- Carefully trying to pick him up and put him in the carseat without him waking up from the bouncing of the air mattress and the squeaky noises it would make
- Putting him the carseat only to have him wake up 30 seconds later and crying.

- Since our "2 Man Tent" doesn't have any walking room, we can't stand up to bounce and shush him, so we have to try to do it while sitting on a wabbly air mattress.

- Still crying, so handing him back to Mom for another short "Dream feed" to get him to sleep.
- Start routine again.

Luckily our neighbors also had a baby and she was crying too, so we didn't feel too bad. And Preston's cry was a lot quieter too (2 month old lung size compared to 12 month old). But given how tired Will and I were, and how old the "routine" was getting after a few times....we were sure glad when Preston finally decided to conk out and go to sleep for reals this time.

And sleep he did...he slept all through the night and didn't wake up until 6 am the next morning.

We awoke to a nice fog cover. Will took off around 6:30 to go mountain biking, while Preston and I snuggled in bed for another hour and a half until breakfast at 8:00am.

After breakfast the ward had a host of "Olympic" events to participate in. Will and I were in charge of two different events (see picture below).

Overall, it was a fun filled weekend and we are glad we took the little guy camping. We are contemplating going camping this weekend for Labor Day at one of our favorite spots. I'm not exactly excited about our tent size anymore. But I don't think we will be getting a new tent any time soon, so I may just have to suck it in and be tough! LOL

Here's to many more adventures with our little guy. Welcome to our family Preston! This won't be your last adventure we promise.