Success!

The camping trip was a huge success.  In some ways, I found it was easier to camp with Anja than to not camp with her.   Each day all we had to worry about was taking care of her, without all the distractions we have at home, it was nice.  As long as there isn't a schedule to follow, it seems that car camping with a baby is very doable.  

My main concern about the trip was keeping her warm, so we put together a pretty nice sleeping arrangement:  we bought a changing table mattress, which is like a concave crib mattress made of several-inch-thick foam, and used that as her bed.  We put that in the tent between us and put her in a onesie, inside a fleece zip-up sleep sack, inside a fleece baby zip-up sleeping bag, under a zero degree sleeping bag, and between us in the tent with a hat on.  It was quite cozy and she stayed very warm.  In fact, she had her best two sleeping nights since we've had her!  The first night I had to wake her after 5 hours of sleeping just to feed her - we've never had to do that before.  The second night she also slept for 4 hour blocks of time.  We used disposable diapers for the trip so we wouldn't have to change her a lot in the middle of the night, and that worked great.  

During the day she spent almost all of her time in the new baby carrier, which puts her to sleep almost instantly.  She really likes the motion while you walk with her, and stays very warm inside.  This may be a problem when the weather is warmer, but for now it's great.  The bugs also can't get to her when she's in the carrier, and there is a hood you can pull over the top to keep out the sun.  She didn't get any sun or bug bites on the trip, even though we did.  I am amazed at how much she likes this carrier.  The philosophy behind this type of carrier is that infants can be overwhelmed by too much sensory stimulation, and carrying them like this, facing you, allows them to feel safe and secure.  Whenever she becomes squirmy or cries (if it isn't related to being hungry or needing to be changed), putting her in the carrier puts her straight to sleep.

The weather was pretty good, I think the first night the temps dipped into the 40's, and the second night was in the 50's.  The days were maybe high 60's.  The second night gave us a pretty good thunderstorm with spectacular lightning, but we stayed mostly dry in the tent.  We went for a short hike on the second day (about a mile), with Jay carrying Anja in the carrier, and also spent some time on the beach.  But we didn't go too far from the campsite.

Here are a few pictures from the trip:  Jay and Anja playing in the tent, Jay and Anja on a hike, and on the beach, and Anja asleep in the carrier.  As usual, check out the link on the right to see the rest of the pictures.    

      

Memorial Day weekend

We're getting ready for our first weekend away with Anja for the holiday.  We're going camping up north near Charlevoix (car camping, so pretty low key).  We're planning two nights away if everything goes well, but we won't be far from civilization if it's a complete disaster.  Our 3 man tent will become a two-man, one-dog, one-baby tent.  We just got a new baby carrier today that I plan to use this weekend, it's the fifth carrier we own now, each one of them different.  I haven't had great luck wearing them so far, although Jay has done better than me, and carries her around in stores and at the park.  But I have high hopes for this one, it's called the "Ergo".  It's supposed to be really good for all ages and the people in the natural birthing community in town here just love it.  Here are two pictures of Anja in it right now, using the infant insert that allows her to sit sideways until she's a little older.  It's really comfortable (she's asleep in it right now) and can be used on your hip or your back well into the toddler stage.  So far it's working great.  

Anja has been eating a lot and growing fast lately.  She is noticeably bigger than when she was born.  She  hasn't outgrown any clothes yet, but she will soon.  At least now the newborn clothes fit her!  She has decided lately (this past week or more) than she doesn't want to sleep in her bed at all anymore.  She sleeps in her bouncy seat mostly, or the carseat, or in your arms, but not in the crib.  Two nights ago I gave up and just brought her to bed, and she slept all night.  Hopefully this is just a stage.  Last night was a good night, she slept for 3 hours all in a row, which hasn't happened in a long time.  If this carrier works out, it will allow me to carry her while she sleeps and still get a few things done.

We've been giving Anja "tummy time" every day, which is supposed to stimulate development in babies, both physically and mentally, as they try to lift their heads and look around.  Right now she can lift her head and move it from one side to the other.  She is also becoming more grabby, often grabbing your hair or her blanket.  Sometimes she gets lucky and her hand is close to her mouth and she starts sucking on it.  She can't do it on purpose yet, but it seems she gets it in there more and more often lately.    

  

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Anja is 5 weeks old

Anja was born on April 18, 2008 at Sparrow Hospital.  She was 5lbs 15oz and 20 inches.  Just like the midwife predicted, long and thin.  Despite my preeclampsia, the birth went well and she was born healthy.  15 hours from induction to birth and we were able to go home 48 hours after she was born.  The full story will have to wait for another time when I have the energy for it.     

There is a link on the right for more pictures of Anja, I will be adding more pictures there often.

Here's a quick picture recap of the last 5 weeks with Anja:

Two days old, in the hospital (one of my favorite pictures).  She was so perfect.

5 days old, at home

3 weeks old, in hobbit/elf clothing.

4 weeks old, on the river trail.  Our first trip out with the stroller.