Pitzman Family: Camping with the Xander Man

This last weekend we went on our first camping trip with Xander. We headed over to Tillamook State Forest and settled in around Elk Creek and the Wilson River. It was great to get away from the scorching heat in town and relax in the shade next to the cool creek. Lyrik tried casting a few flies, but a wound up dog, off leash, does not make for ideal fishing, and Lilly was definitely excited to be in the water. Xander just took it all in and loved looking up at the tree canopy above our camp. We opened up the top of the tent so that he could see out the netting while he was settling in for his naps.

He did great staying on his routine while we camped. His naps went pretty well, although I was worried it was too hot in the tent in the middle of the day, but he didn't seem to mind. Getting to sleep for the night was a bit more difficult because I think he is used to having darkness in his room at night and it was light until 9pm or so. We tried to make the tent as dark as possible at 7pm bedtime, but it seemed not to matter, he stayed awake until 9:30. But it worked out because he only woke once in the middle of the night to nurse and then slept all the way through to the morning. My biggest fear about camping was that he would wake often during the night but he didn't, even though Lilly had about six rounds of barking through the night.

We went on a great hike along the creek and had lunch by a nice little pool where Daddy went for a dip in the freezing water! Xander dipped his little toesies in the water and let out a cut little shudder, as you can see in the video here. All in all, it was a great trip and it gave me some hope that camping with a baby is possible. Next time, we want to try backpacking, although, I have a feeling it is going to be difficult to pack light with a baby in tow.