It’s been a few months since I’ve posted here, and what a tumultuous time it has been.
Our son was born in late May, healthy and well; he is thriving as we move into his second month, in a record hot summer. Newborn life is a whirlwind and a cocoon. As usual after a new baby, our world has shrunk into our family unit and revolves largely around the hour-by-hour needs of our little human. This cocoon feeling has been compounded by stay home orders and concerns over the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns.
I must admit one thing: The third child is different from the first, or even the second: while our daily tempo has slowed for the new baby, he does have two active older sisters who need to get out and explore, be curious, and grow just as he does. This means that while we may be slower (and I may be much more tired!), we still get outside most days, and the baby just rides along in my front pack, nursing as we walk, or when we take breaks.
COVID-19 has changed and driven how we execute much of our outdoor activities. We understand that being outside now involves understanding health risks and personal and social responsibilities in ways we’ve never experienced before. It’s also midsummer in the high desert of New Mexico, with temperatures reaching 100° many days, so our time outside is restricted to early mornings and late evenings. As a mom who just gave birth, I also need to pay attention to my own physical needs and changing limitations.
We’ll talk about being a family of five in the outdoors, new babies in the outdoors, how we handle activities with kids of varying ages, outdoor play and exploration in the time of social distancing, parent sanity in the time of stay-home and mask requirements, and much more in coming posts. If you have anything in particular you’re wanted to hear about, leave a note in the comments below!