Camping and Sticking to Schedules-Does it Work?

Last week we went on our first camping trip of the season. Not only was it the first trip of the season but two of Baby A's friends were with us with their parents. Prior to this trip, Baby A was always the only little person there. This could be a different experience. Would we stick to the routines? Of course WE would but would she? I figured she would but you never know when there are other little people around. It could get challenging. Dad and Uncle went out early Friday to secure us a good camping spot. Baby A, me, Aunt, and Friend drove out together. We didn't leave our place until 5. I knew that getting there by Baby A's bedtime, 7:30, would be a challenge. She would want to run a round a bit. By the time we got there it was just after 7:30. Pretty much all camp was set up, but I had a few things to get done for her before she went to bed. We were flexible a bit on this night. We let her play with her friends for a bit. By the time she got to bed it was 8:30, an hour later. She did fine, fell asleep quickly, and slept all the way through the night. No she did not sleep longer, but she woke up and played for a bit before dad and I moved.

Next day was a fun filled day in the sun and wind. Nap time came. All the girls went down at the same time and believe me, she was ready. She was tired and is so used to napping at that time she doesn't even fuss. Now when we camp, dinner doesn't tend to be made early for the adults, but we tried. By the time we ate dinner it was 7:00 on Sat. night. 30 min. to eat and get to bed? Nearly impossible. When it was time, we made our rounds and she happily said her goodnights to everyone, including her friends. We got into the crib by 7:45 and she was out. 15 min. late, not so bad and no fuss from her.

We are so proud of her and how she handles her routines. Rarely do we have any fussing. She knows when it is her bedtime and she is ready for it!

How we handled two birthday parties in one day

A week ago from this past Saturday we had two birthday parties in one day. Before I had children I used to think, wow, 2 birthday parties in one day. That is a lot of stimulation for a young child. I don't remember going to two birthday parties in one day when I was a kid. I kind of assumed that when I had kids, we wouldn't do that. And then it happened. Baby A received an invitation about a month a go for a little girl's 3rd birthday at the gymnastic center. It started at 11:30. I figured that would work. We can be there for about an hour and a half and get back for nap on time or just a few minutes late. So I RSVP'd and a couple weeks later we were invited to a friend's daughter's 2nd birthday that same day at 4:30. Bonus for me...both parties were perfectly scheduled around Baby A's nap. Obviously not for us, but it was very convenient. At first I did consider unRSVPing to the first one but then figured, there is no point as it didn't interfere with her nap. Remember, you are reading from the parents who schedule their days around Baby A's schedule 100% of the time. My second concern, pizza and cake were being served at both parties. We eat very healthy in our house. Yes, we do have sweets every now and then and pizza, but definitely not in one day. So I thought this would be interesting to see how Baby A would handle the food.

Saturday came. We were off for party number 1. All the kids got to run and play in the gymnastic center for 1 hour. They were all very good. 12:30 came and so did lunch. I was eyeing the clock quite often wondering if the kids could eat pizza and cake in a 1/2 hour because we had to leave by 1. Baby A had 2 bites of pizza, a few bites of ice cream and cake and then stopped. Good girl, she stopped when she had enough. By 1 the party was actually over and most of the parents were scurrying out of their, I'm assuming to get their kids home for nap. We followed right behind. As I pulled out of the parking lot I saw Baby A's eyes drop closed rather quickly. She was out. I kept thinking, should I try to keep her up for the 10 min. ride or just let her sleep and get her right to bed. I let her sleep even though I knew she would probably wake up when I took her out of the car. But I had faith she would go back to sleep quickly for two reasons. One, she was very tired, and secondly, she naps at the same time EVERY SINGLE DAY so it is part of her routine! We parked, I took her out of the car seat, she woke up, we went straight to her bedroom, I skipped the milk, took off her shoes and coat, changed her diaper quickly, and had to remind her it was still nap time. I sang her the songs she likes to hear before bed, put her in the crib, and she was out! Thank you for consistency and routines.

Party number 2 was at 4:30, well after she woke up, we went, she didn't eat any pizza, ate a few bites of chicken fingers, and half a cupcake. At 7:00, you guessed it, we packed her up, drove the 10 min. home and put her to bed for her 7:30 bedtime.

We had a very successful first experience with 2 birthday parties in one day. We definitely can do it again, as long as the parties work around her schedule, otherwise, we will be skipping one.

Back to play time in the crib!

Just finished up a 3-week visit from Grandma who lives over 2,000 miles away. So Baby A had lots of excitement. Grandma was around almost daily, and Kita (the cousin doggy) who Baby A loves was around a lot. We still kept with the schedule...1pm nap time and 7:30 pm bedtime. Baby A was always ready for bed when it was time but her naps weren't always as long as she normally takes. Somedays were great naps, some were less than 2 hours. We always give her play time after nap and in the morning in the crib. Sometimes she plays up to an hour. These 3 weeks it was less play time than usual. Grandma who only gets to see Baby A twice a year wants to see her when she gets up. So we were a bit flexible. Honestly, for me...it was hard b/c we have Baby A in such a great routine. Down for nap at 1 and out of crib around 4 whether she sleeps until 4 or wakes up earlier and plays. So the week after Grandma leaves, isn't any different regarding routines but less excitement for Baby A. Her first couple naps, she slept so so. Not as long as normal. Her average nap is over 2 hours. One day, soon after Grandma left, she woke up she started crying. It was just before 3pm. This tells me she is still tired but wants to get up. Her crying increased so I went upstairs. As I peeked through the door, I saw her standing up in the middle of her crib, with the saddest face, crying, staring at the door. As soon as she saw me, she hit the deck, back to the mattress with her butt in the air. I went in, rubbed her back and softly said, "It isn't time to get up yet. I love you. I will be right downstairs." She whispered, "k" and as I walked out the door, she looked back and again I said, "I love you, I'll be right down stairs," closed the door and left. As I patiently waited by the monitor, I expected to hear crying again......waiting.......waiting......Success!!! No Crying!!! I was so excited! She is so comfortable with being in her crib and she is so familiar to the routines that I was able to walk out of her room without her crying. For the next hour she was in her crib. We are unsure if she fell asleep or not. It was quiet for a long time. We dare not peek in the door b/c if she saw us...that could be it. Eventually we heard her, playing and talking to her posse that she keeps in the crib. 4:00 came and it was time to get up.

Next Post: Our first experience with 2 Birthday Parties on one day!