Vegas and Zion Camping Trip

You survived your first camping trip! I am way behind on this post, since it's been weeks since we have returned from our trip and it still feels like I am trying to catch up.

I must say I was a bit nervous about going camping with a toddler. After staying in Las Vegas for 2 nights to see Jeromey's family, we drove for 2+ hours to visit Zion National Park in Utah, planning to stay at a campground for 4 nights with friends and their baby. The campground was actually one of the nicest I've ever been to, it was such a great facility, bathrooms, showers, a store that had just about everything you may need or have forgotten, and even a pool which we used every day! But I had no idea how you were going to deal with the whole napping/sleeping/eating situation, but you adapted just fine. Sure the usual routine was out the door, but it was ok and I guess that's part of being on vacation. You still napped, sometimes in your stroller, sometimes in the carseat if we were heading somewhere, and sometimes even in the baby backpack (although I must admit that was probably the least comfortable for you) and you did fuss a lot while in it ... if you were tired. Our friend's baby Kingston napped in his backpack all the time, but we all decided that his backpack was a lot more comfortable and we're now thinking of replacing yours for future hikes. Sleeping at night was great, you didn't fuss much and did your usual talk and sing, and eventually just fell asleep. You did figure out how to open the window that was right next to your pack n' play and your little head would peak out and look outside and say hello to us. It was fun! Our tent was so big that it fit your pack n' play in it along with our blow-up mattress.

Sure we didn't have all the luxuries of our home or a hotel, but I think we made the best of it and I would even say that we'd do it again. The only thing that I wouldn't repeat would be going camping when it's so hot, otherwise everything else was very enjoyable. Great friends, good times, and wonderful memories were made!

Instead of posting a bunch of pictures, I'll post just two of my favorites along with a link to a great slide show our friend Herbie put together that sums up the trip pretty well! We went on a total of 4 hikes, some short, and some long, all drastically different. The scenery was amazing. Zion is truly a magical place. There is definitely so much more to see and come back to, and I certainly hope that we will do that someday.

Zion National Park Montage

This is how far we made on our Angel's Landing hike, the hardest, longest, and the most amazing hike we attempted

Strolling down a path on our way back from the Narrows hike

Doing a puzzle

We got you this puzzle and this is probably your 4th or 5th time playing with it. You get pretty excited when I pull it out. Here is a little clip, you struggled with the diamond, but got it eventually and was very proud of yourself.

19 Months and starting daycare/preschool

You are talking up a storm. I have no idea what you're saying most of the time, but you sure do mean it! You pick up books and pretend to read them, or sometimes you're just in a chatty mood and you go with it, it's so much fun. Other times, you are attempting to repeat what we say... and come pretty close. Phrases such as " Here you go", "all done", "lets go", "thank you" . Water is "wawa". You love saying bye and hi. When you see us go up the stairs you say "bye"! You've also become a lot more affectionate lately, you come up and give us hugs, and pats on the back while hugging, and kisses as well. You've also finally blown kisses, with sound too.

We had your first dentist appointment and that went ok. You of course didn't not want to have her look inside your mouth, even after she let you play w/her tools, you were still uncomfortable with it, so we had to hold your hands down and you cried, but it was quick and didn't hurt at all. Your teeth seem to be fine for now, we do need to do a better job brushing and the little white spot I noticed a while back is not soft which is good, so they'll just keep an eye on it. Also we need to have you stop using the bottle and the pacifier. The bottle battle I've lost once again (for the third time). You cried for it, and wined and would not touch the milk if it's in a sippy cup. Also we tried putting milk in the sippy cup and water in the bottle and you will take water. You don't seem to care if the bottle has milk in it, you just want the bottle, may be it's comforting to you. The pacifier will be another battle.

I think I am going to let you get away with these for now because you just started daycare and it was a tough adjustment for you, so I don't want to add any additional stress on you or ourselves. Day 1 you went for a few hours and you cried a lot when we left, you wouldn't eat much, and you didn't even let them change your diaper, you also cried when daddy picked you up. Of course it didn't help that you've been w/us for a whole week while we went on vacation. Day 2 was a full day but shorter than usual, you cried once again when we left, but calmed down once distracted, and you didn't eat much and you slept for a little bit, but not in the pack n' play. It was so hard for us to leave you there knowing you didn't want to be left alone. Day 3 was the same. Then we started another week, and you are doing better. You start wining when you see the house and you don't particularly want to get out of your car seat either, but once you go in, see all the kids, you don't cry much, they quickly occupy you w/toys and other things. Picking you up is much more fun. You run up to me or daddy as soon as you see one of us, and you say "mama" or "daddy", there is so much excitement in your eyes, it's so cute. Also you immediately start saying bye to everyone and now the kids say "Bye Sascha!". You've become very familiar w/the routine of meal time and nap time as well as all the play areas. You're eating a little bit better, and you started to sleep in the pack n' play! Horray! You play well with the kids and all the toys too, seems like you have a lot of fun when you're there, so looks like you will be just fine, just takes time! Also after 3 days, I saw you using the spoon... which is so cool. I think you'll be learning a lot from the older kids, since you're one of the youngest ones there.