Fun In The Sun: Summer Time With A Newborn
For the first Summer post I thought I’d start at the beginning of childhood. Being a first time mom made last Summer quite a learning experience for me. I must say that I was lucky to have a Spring baby because the weather was nice enough for taking Nick outside by the time he started wanting to be entertained. While it may not always seem like it, there are many activities to do during the Summer with a newborn.
Stop and Smell the Roses
We often take the sights of nature for granted because we see them all the time, but everything that babies see is new to them. This makes nature fascinating to them. Babies love to just stare at trees and I know Nick especially loved looking at flowers. We spent many hours during the Summer outside getting up close and personal with my flowers.
Going for Walks
Most babies love spending time in their strollers. It’s a time for them to relax, and sometimes they’ll even take a nap. Almost every day during the warm weather months Nick and I take a three mile walk. I really loved our walks last year when he was small enough that he still rode in his car seat set on top of the travel system stroller because then he was looking at me. Sadly those walks didn’t last long though because by half way through the Summer he was ready to sit in the stroller, and he loved being able to face forward so he could see everything.
Relax in the Shade
When you have a newborn you’re likely to feel that you’re cooped up inside all day long. On nice Summer days, when it’s not too hot, it can be really nice to just sit outside for a little bit. I’d take out a quilt, or Nick’s play mat, and we would just sit in the back yard on the grass and play. Sometimes I could even get Nick to play some by himself and I did a little yard work. It does everyone good to get out once and awhile and get some fresh air. Just remember if you’re going to be outside for awhile that you should try to sit in some shade so that your little one isn’t in direct sunlight.
Play Ball!
OK, so this one isn’t an outdoor activity for your little one, but when all else fails I say watch a little baseball. By two months Nick could become mesmerized by watching a Detroit Tigers game. Baseball became my salvation on Summer evenings when the witching hour hit. I never was much of a baseball fan before last Summer. I know they say no TV before 2, but sometimes a moms got to do what a moms got to do.
What Summer activities did you do with your newborn?
Good job.