Camping with baby: part deux

Even though our previous attempt at camping with the baby was derailed at the last minute, the KOA Campground was kind enough to simply switch our reservation, without penalty because of the circumstances.  Now that camping weekend is upon us, I've been making lists of what we need.

Good lord, how is it that a baby requires so much stuff?  He's not that big.

We got a taste of this excess over the weekend when we stuffed our Jeep to the gills for a simple overnight in Lake Geneva.  Between a Pack-n-Play, two strollers (yes, two. Baby likes variety), a baby carrier, the Baby Bjorn, suitcases for each of us, and the giant carseat that seems to take up three quarters of the car's backseat, there was hardly room for anything else. 

Clearly, for this weekend we'll need to defy physics by fitting even more into the Patriot.  Never has my vehicle seemed to tiny.  In addition to all of the above, we need to bring our camp stove, the Big Red Camping Box (the huge tub that houses all of our camping utensils, towels, firestarters, dry goods, etc.), sleeping bags, pillows, and oh god what else am I forgetting?

Did I mention that we don't even need our tent this time?  We're renting a Kabin. (Yes, I realize that isn't technically camping.  The Kabin even has AC.  But we're baby-camping n00bs, and we have to start somewhere).

I have no idea how this is all going to fit.  Maybe we'll need to leave something behind.  Like my husband.*

If we manage to pull this off, I'll post some pictures because clearly we will have broken a few laws of physics.


*Just kidding, honey.  I know you read the blog now.  *kisses*

We're crazy! I mean...we're camping!

This blog has been a bit on the serious side for a few posts, so today is a good day to talk about something light.  We are counting down to our very first camping trip with the baby.  I should probably call it a "camping" trip because it is the exact kind of camping that my not-yet-pregnant self would have mocked mercilessly just over a year ago: we are heading to the state's largest tourist attraction to spend two nights in a KOA Kabin.

I know.  When you are within a few miles of forty-plus restaurants and a score of hotels, you aren't roughing it.  Really, the campground even has wi-fi.  I may as well be sipping champagne and getting a pedicure while I'm there (and I could!  There are six spas within five miles of the campsite).  Baby steps, my friends, baby steps.  We have to start somewhere.

As C-Day approaches my Type A side has begun making lists and checking them twice.  Anyone who has ever done so much as cross a street with a baby knows that babies require a staggering amount of gear whenever they leave the house.  Planning for a weekend getaway means consulting Google, querying my favorite baby message boards, and creating a spreadsheet so I can be sure that I've left no stone unturned.  Even so, I have no doubt that when we leave on Friday, we will need to turn the car around no less than twice because I've forgotten some essential thing.  Like the A&D Ointment, or perhaps the baby.  I am actually concerned that our Jeep may be too small to fit everything we will need to camp for two days.

Despite the fact that this is going to be a LOT of work, I'm really looking forward to it.  I love a meal cooked over a fire.  I love glow of camp lights.  I love how our things smell like the fresh outdoors.  And by Monday, I'll be ready to have a vacation to recover from our vacation.