Adventures, Nontraditional Schedules & the Great Outdoors!
I have never been someone that enjoys siting around. In fact, I pretty much hate it. I hate sitting and watching tv, I don’t like the idea of lazy Sundays (or any day for that matter) and staying inside all day makes me go crazy. When I was pregnant, I was so afraid of how having a baby would change all that. I thought we wouldn’t be able to do anything anymore or that I would change into someone that would think going out with the baby was too much trouble and I’d just stay home instead. As a result I was determined not to let anything change. I thought we could just charge ahead when Rowan came and could stay the same. The truth is that things do change. There is a whole heck of a lot you can’t really do anymore. There is no driving 2 hours to the beach in the middle of the night just to sit and listen to the ocean for an hour (yes, we have done that before). There are no 3 hour dinners at your favorite restaurant anytime you want. There is no doubt that having a baby changes a lot of things.
BUT! Little did I know that what it would change into was about 100 million times better than I ever thought. I still hate lazy days and staying in all day — those feelings didn’t change because I had a baby. If anything my love for adventures has just been heightened because now we get to take Rowan with us. The types of outings and adventures are all different. Things need to be a little less spontaneous and a little more thought out, but that’s ok. Adventures can still be had! Since Rowan was born we have tried to find the perfect balance of schedule and spontaneity. I think because of that, Rowan has become a super happy, adaptable baby. She doesn’t have to be home to take a nap. Her nap doesn’t have to be exactly at a certain time. Her bedtime varies from about 7:30 to beyond depending what we’re doing that evening. She is social, loving and carefree.
There is nothing greater than experiencing new things with Rowan. I am always so thankful that my parents where able to travel so much with us when we were little. We moved around a bit too. They instilled this idea that the world doesn’t have to seem so big. That nothing has to stop us from achieving our dreams and that we did’t have to settle for our situations if we weren’t happy with them. They always encouraged our passions and nudged us just a bit to accomplish more. They had the right amount of support but also enough distance to let us figure things out for ourselves when we needed to. This molded me to who I am today. I dream big and I try hard to go after what I want. I want to travel everywhere. I want to experience everything. I love life, fresh air and playing outside.
I was a lucky girl to find my perfect match in Kev. He dreams bigs, he loves being outside more than I do and we both are dying to share just how much life has to offer to sweet little Rowan. I want Rowan to grow up full of passion and excitement for life. Being able to take her to things like Museums, concerts, the zoo, bike trips, picnics, different cities, etc… has become our new passion. Seeing her eyes light up as she gets to experience something new makes it worth a late bed time or the planning and stress to get us all there. This is our little family we are creating and I want Rowan to look back on her childhood and remember all these special moments we have created with her. What an absolute joy it has been  and will continue to be  to share these things with her.
ah, this makes me miss home so much! I’m so glad your family is enjoying the bike trail, that’s actually my favorite spot on it!
this is such a sweet post. its so amazing hearing the back end of what goes through new parents minds.. hopefully one day i will be as good of a mom as you 🙂
Xo,
steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons
Loved this post! Sounds like you had awesome parents. I completely agree with everything you said. Very inspirational!
I’m with you – hate being cooped up inside all day… especially since I work from home but thankfully I take lots of little outdoor breaks through out my day. Absolutely love these photos Jen, and what an amazing day to share with your adorable family, loved reading your thoughts too!! And your outfit is cute, cute! xo veronika
This just fuels my baby fever. You have the cutest little family! 🙂
This is a great post. My parents had the same mentality and me and my brother became easy kids thanks to the continuous traveling and moving around. It taught us flexibility. Oh and, no she probably won’t remember many of these trips, at least for now (typical situation with my parents, they ask me: remember that time when we wento to Luxembourg? Me: uhm, no, how old were I? Them: About 3 I think…. Me: Yeah no, I don’t remember), but she will learn a lot from them…
Keep having fun!
That’s so great that you guys get out and do stuff. Your little one will look back on it fondly too =) Looks like you all had a great time.
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
It’s nice to know that somewhere, on the other side of the world, lives a cute little family similar story as four of us. Life is great if you have courage! Hugs and kisses from Slovenia!
gorgeous photos, looks like you had a fab time!
raspberrykitsch.blogspot.com
xx
I hate being inside all day too, but there’s a price with three kids.. things aren’t as organized as i’d like them to be… if you can figure out some sort of structure for enjoying life, cooking great meals and maintaining a clean house I’d love to know 🙂
canada flag on the bike! yay.
hi! i was wondering what type of bike seat you use for rowan. thanks!!
I was wondering the same thing about the bike seat 🙂
So very sweet. When my husband and I start a family I hope I have the same zest as you do. very inspiring!
I really loved this post Jen. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your family’s life. Sorry to do this, but I don’t see any helmets for you and Kev in the photos, so I just want to express how important they are and it just drives me crazy when parents force helmets on their kids and don’t wear them themselves. My fiance and I are both alive today thanks to bicycle and motorcycle helmets, so I just hope you have them and cropped them out…but really, wear a helmet. Wear it proudly. You have a beautiful mind I want to keep it safe so there will be more posts like this in the future.
Its so great to experience life through the eyes of a toddler – watching them experience everything for the first time makes it all the more magical. Even more reason to take care of yourself – so you can be around for your daughter’s life… which means WEARING A HELMET. It makes me a litlle crazy to see all these “mommy blogs” where mom is so careful about feeding organic, biking instead of driving, chemicals on baby’s skin etc… and then they overlook the most basic thing: take care of YOU so you live to take care of her. What kind of example are you setting for your child when you show her safety is for her, but not for you. Its a shame.
i love that you guys get out and do things as a family. i definitely think that a cultured childhood is really important!
You inspire me! I am a lot like you Jen, creative, adventurous, loves to play outside, and when I do sit down to watch Tv or a movie, I fall asleep (I have two speeds: “Go” and “Stop”.) I’m 3 months pregnant and I’m so inspired to hear that my life will be enhanced after baby arrives! Thanks so much for this awesome glimps in the life of Jen, Kev, and Rowan!
You have such a lovely family and your family values are admirable! On a side note… I love your outfit in this post- the pairing of the denims and that shirt are fantastic!
I loved this post, thank you.
I loved this post. I’m not trying to be a troll or anything, but you and Kev should really wear helmets!!!
http://helpingeveryonelivelonger.org/
What beautiful photos and love that you love being outdoors with Kev and Rowan (I’m new to your blog via Lou Lou Loves). I have to admit that my husband and I stopped riding our bikes after we had our son. We also stopped going to the gym less, going out less, enjoying each other less. Now that our son is 20-months, we are “forcing” ourselves to make time to work out, go out, and enjoy our new lives. Thanks and beautiful blog!