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Is “a bit of fresh air” really worth it?

Posted on 21 January, 2013 by dilovelyadmin

Let’s take a walk!

What could be more invigorating, more wholesome, more beneficial for body and soul? I can take the kids, we can all get some fresh air, and the baby can have a nice lung-cleansing nap.

On Wednesday I took my children for a walk around the neighbourhood. We have been graciously handed down a “sit-and-stand” stroller from a friend, so I could put A on the front in her car seat, and E could choose to sit or stand at the back, or walk.

We’ve done this a few times, and it works fairly well. E is happy and keeps his eyes open for tire swings and other interesting facets of people’s houses and yards. For instance, when we passed the house with the gaudy hot-pink garage door, he exclaimed, “That’s a SO beautiful pink garage!” and then proceeded to repeat pink garage, pink garage to himself for the next block or two.

on a walk with a preschooler
Wide-eyed at the environs.

Plus, A is ridonculously cute in her fuzzy snowsuit thingy.

baby in the stroller
Getting sleepy on the ride.

The stroller is rather large and unwieldy, but it’s worth a bit of straining around corners to have both children contentedly bundled and riding.

By Friday, it had turned snowy. That tipped the balance: given the number of households likely to have cleared their sidewalks (not many), I was not willing to try manoeuvring the behemoth on snow.

That is how Friday afternoon found me lugging the singleton jogging stroller up from the basement. That thing corners like it’s on rails… relatively speaking, of course. I should ask my son to just walk, so we don’t need a stroller – he actually has pretty good endurance – but it’s harder in the snow. When he poops out, I won’t be able to carry him on my back. The whining that would therefore ensue is not an option today. (I know you feel me, mamas.)

Strap on the 3.5-month-old in the baby Trekker. Find a hat that fits her fast-growing head. Don my sister’s voluminous blue second-hand Coat of the Nineties, because it is big enough to zip up around the baby. Situate folded receiving blanket where it will (I hope) absorb the most drool.

Help three-year-old with coat, hat, boots, mittens. Equip him with a snack. Let him clamber into the stroller. Opt not to do up the safety straps because frankly, this kid has gotten huge.

Navigate out the door. Lock door with one hand while preventing stroller from tumbling down stairs of front stoop with other hand.

Whew – it’s chilly. That’s a windchill. (It’s -13C with wind – that’s 9F for the Yanks.)

After we’ve passed about six houses, I stop and awkwardly put the plastic weather shield on the stroller so that E doesn’t freeze. It’s wrinkly, ripping at the seams, and generally disreputable from being bunched up in the storage basket. Between that and the highly fashionable coat I’m wearing, I allow myself a giggle at what an awesome mom-picture I must make.

A is gazing as far up into the trees as the head support for the carrier will allow. She has, of course, positioned herself such that she’s drooling onto the coat. Actually, she’s sort of licking it dreamily.

Well. Getting ourselves going was a production, but now it’s pretty! Lovely and white! Not to mention invigorating!

Until we turn westerly. I realize too late that any road we take heading vaguely west enables the wind to blow the cavernous hood off my head, so that there is no barrier for A’s face. She gasps as the wind steals her breath, and pieces of my ears begin to crumble away in icy chunks. I shield her with a mittened hand, steering with my other hand, as she complains. Good thing the stroller is so light and lithesome. Kind of. With a 35-pound kid in it.

The whole nap idea is not working out as I’d hoped. Instead of sleeping, baby fusses periodically as we change direction, taking the shortest possible route home.

She finally falls asleep about a block from our house, on our own street where the trees shelter us. I ask E, “Hey buddy, you doing okay?”

There’s no answer. I peek over the shade. My son, who has not had a regular afternoon nap in well over a year, has also fallen asleep. Or frozen in place, I suppose.

I do an extra lap of my street, trying to make the most of the situation. The longer E naps, the more it will screw up his bedtime. The shorter A naps, the grumpier she will be at dinner hour. I’m sure I could figure out the optimal length of time using calculus – if I remembered any.

In my wish that E will awaken cheerful and enlivened when we arrive home, I am sorely disappointed. His circuitry has somehow gotten stuck on whine mode in his sleep.

So that settles it. We’re going to make popcorn for dinner and then commence hibernation. It’s way more fun to hang out all day in our pajamas anyway.

baby girl and big brother
Yay pajama party!

All you mamas and daddies with three or more children who EVER get out of the house as a group… I bow down to you. You have my eternal admiration.

***

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49 thoughts on “Is “a bit of fresh air” really worth it?”

  1. Amanda says:
    21 January, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    I always wonder how Lili does it with four! Mind you at work we do it with nine one year olds. Just the getting the snow suits on is an ordeal lol!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      21 January, 2013 at 9:24 pm

      Me too! And so close together!! And if I thought Kindergartners were bad in terms of getting ready to go out… one-year-olds has gotta be even harder.

      Reply
  2. berty says:
    21 January, 2013 at 6:09 pm

    YAAAAAAAY adorable! I hope you can glue your ears back together. Although maybe no one will notice their crumbled edges if you’re at home being Pyjamas-On Amazon queen all day.
    xoxoxoxoooooooooOOOOO!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      21 January, 2013 at 9:25 pm

      Yes – it’s one of the benefits of mat leave. No one gives two hoots about crumbly ears.

      Reply
  3. Mama says:
    21 January, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    Now you know why the crew of an airplane we (I and four children, the youngest about 2?) took to Texas one fall told me they were awarding me the Brave Mom of the Year Award!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      21 January, 2013 at 9:26 pm

      YES. FOR SURE.

      Reply
  4. mama lola says:
    21 January, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    oh the balancing act of meeting everyone’s needs! so hard! but, even though in the end i’m sure you had someone’s tears to wipe away, you got outside with both kids AND THEY BOTH FELL ASLEEP. that’s kind of like a miracle!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      21 January, 2013 at 9:27 pm

      You’re right. That’s the way to look at it! 😉

      Reply
  5. Auntie CL says:
    21 January, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    oh, this is so funny — and familiar!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 11:43 am

      Does it seem like just yesterday? xox

      Reply
  6. Carrie says:
    22 January, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Wow – are you sure you weren’t on my street, chronicling my almost identical child-walk ordeal?? lol

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Oh no! And you have the same big-ass stroller that we do…

      Reply
  7. Skye says:
    22 January, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Very good story, Diana! I felt like I was right there (even though I am inside in my pajamas and have no intention of leaving the house today).

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 11:56 am

      Yeah. Smart lady. 🙂

      Reply
  8. gem says:
    22 January, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Stay warm…..brr!
    I am already dreading the logistics of soon navigating with two children. I know people with 4,5, plus kids but two baffles me!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 11:59 am

      I know! How do people do it? My own parents had four of us and I don’t know how they did it. Have you seen this guy? So awesome!
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8xcBmj1sn8

      Reply
  9. Mayor Gia says:
    22 January, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    Oh man! I got chilly just reading that! I hate wind.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Yep. It’s the wind that makes it nasty.

      Reply
  10. Jared Karol says:
    22 January, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Oh, how I miss those days. . . okay, maybe not that much. My twins will be four this weekend, and it is now much easier to get out of the house. Your detailed writing brought back all those oh-so-fond memories though. Thank you for that. . . 🙂

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      I have noticed that with a 3-year-old, it’s easier because a) there’s less stuff and b) he can get in and out of stroller, car seat, etc. by himself. But then you add a baby and you’re back to square one.

      Seriously, though, I am in awe of parents of multiples – you did all this hard part x2, at once!

      Reply
  11. Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom says:
    22 January, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    Props to you, Mama, for getting out in the fresh air. I’ve been cowering in my house. lol It’s a major covert operation, isn’t it? Loved your post!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      I’ve pretty much been cowering since then. It’s just been colder and colder every day. The baby is my scapegoat. 🙂

      Reply
  12. christie tate says:
    22 January, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    How the heck do you blog with such little kids? You are amazing. I hate dealing w the strollers in the snow. It makes my core strength peter out, mostly becuase I have none. Your kids are adorbs!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Um, what?? Your kids are TWO AND THREE, shouldn’t you be way too insane to blog? (Or perhaps just insane enough… 🙂 That must be it.) And thanks, I agree they’re adorbs. Sometimes I can’t even stand it.

      Reply
  13. Janice says:
    22 January, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    Sometimes, it is just easier to stay at home. The end.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:05 pm

      You said it!

      Reply
  14. Ken says:
    22 January, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    My hat is off to you.

    It’s been some time since our 3 boys were anywhere near that small and we traveled together. Parts of me miss it, but I don’t miss packing along SO MUCH STUFF, everywhere we went!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks, Ken. Yeah, sometimes it’s embarrassing, the sheer amount of stuff. And I invariably forget something…

      Reply
  15. Samantha Brinn Merel says:
    23 January, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Your kids are the cutest! I grew up in Pittsburgh, which in the winter is basically a frozen tundra for six straight months, and I remember my mom taking us for frigid walks around the neighborhood when we were little. I used to love them, and winter is still my favorite season, I think because of those long, cold walks.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks, Sam! I find them pretty yummy too. I’ve always lived in Ontario, and have fantastic memories of playing in the snow for hours on end. I still love snow, but now it’s tempered by the “joys” of cleaning off cars and dressing kids in snowsuits, etc.

      Reply
  16. Bee says:
    23 January, 2013 at 10:28 am

    I love having out in my pajamas all day! Your kids are so cute.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you! And WORD TO THE PJS.

      Reply
  17. IASoupMama says:
    23 January, 2013 at 11:14 am

    I’m right thee with you. I’m solo-ing it the next two weeks while hubby is traveling for work and getting my kids out the door is INSANE. My seven-year-old is always ready to go because he’s paranoid of being late. My five-year-old couldn’t care less if she ever gets anywhere on time. And my 21-month-old twins are now running in opposite directions and taking off their coats as soon as I get them on. Just getting into the van is an adventure!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      OMG. Just… wow. YOU are one of the mamas I reverently esteem.

      Reply
  18. Jamie@SouthMainMuse says:
    23 January, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    And I complain if it drops below 30. You are a trooper to get out there with the children. You are in the thick of those mommy days when everything seems like a physical struggle some days. “… who has not had a regular afternoon nap in well over a year, has also fallen asleep. Or frozen in place,” That was laugh out loud funny.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you, Jamie! You say this so well. Sometimes, I can stand back and think, “Here I am, in the thick of the mommy days. I will look back on this as a golden time.” Sometimes I can feel it, and I’m right in the joy of the moment. And sometimes, I just want to give up, go home, and say some cuss words out loud.

      Reply
  19. Natalie the Singingfool says:
    23 January, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Whew, I think you made the right choice! Brr!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:43 pm

      Thank you for saying that… since I haven’t been out since then!

      Reply
  20. Michelle Longo says:
    23 January, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Wow, it’s 12 degrees here and I think I might die from it. Good for you for getting out there, even if it did result in whining!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      I’m sure someday my kid will thank me, right? 😉

      Reply
  21. My Half Assed Life says:
    23 January, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    I used to have a double stroller – that thing was terrible on corners.

    I much preferred to just use my sling whenever possible.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      You’re right, I think it makes way more sense to wear the baby – I just need to know what the windchill is ahead of time, and bring a blanket to cover her head. It’s a learning process.

      Reply
  22. Dana says:
    23 January, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    I left PA for a slightly more “southern” climate, but I so miss taking walks in the snow. I even miss the frigid temps. Thanks for taking us on the walk with you!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:49 pm

      I know I would miss it too. Last winter was unseasonably warm around here, and it made me sad. These cold days are reassuring, even if windchill is a b*tch.

      Reply
  23. Sarcasm Goddess says:
    23 January, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    You are speaking my language. Popcorn for dinner is the best!

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      24 January, 2013 at 12:50 pm

      Totally. I have an almost unlimited capacity for popcorn, actually.

      Reply
  24. Stacie @ Snaps and Bits says:
    24 January, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    I hate the cold, especially with wind. I’m lucky that when my kids were that age, I only had to deal with CA cold instead of the 9 degree temps we’ve been having in NJ lately. I’m definitely moving back when I can. You are awesome for getting everyone out!

    Reply
  25. Azara says:
    27 January, 2013 at 1:52 am

    Haha! I just don’t go outside in the winter. I don’t believe in it. My husband sometimes takes our toddler out to run around in the backyard, and she goes out on the days she’s at daycare.

    When they’re a little older we’ll go tobogganing and snow tubing, but for now hibernation it is.

    Reply
    1. dilovelyadmin says:
      1 February, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      I wish I didn’t believe in it either… then I could just let it go. But if I’m honest with myself, I know my three-year-old is more fun when he has a change of scenery during the day. He can get pretty whiny with cabin fever.

      Reply

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