Claire's First Hike--Mountain Girl!

We had our first family hike on Sunday, and it was a successful outing. No it wasn't a big peak or alpine lake, but it was a hike with a two month old! We added diapers, changing pad, wipes, burp cloth, and pacifier to our usual day pack and set off on a new hike neither of us had tried before to the Humbug Spires. The trail was a gradual grade following Moose Creek with ancient Douglas Fir and verdant Aspen groves lining the way. The area is known for its unique rock formations, though we didn't make it all the way to the biggest formations.

We hiked about two miles one way before stopping to nurse and change a diaper. (I didn't think to bring a change of outfit, and, of course, Claire wet through all her clothes...first time parent mistake...lesson learned.) Claire enjoyed hanging out in the shade listening to the wind and watching the light filter through the trees. There are some sights and sounds that just have to be experienced in person. We are hoping that by starting young Claire will come to love the sights and sounds of the forests and mountains as much as we do. Not to mention, it was VERY good for her mom to get out of the house and get back to doing, though on a small scale, some of what she used to do before getting really pregnant and caring for a newborn the past two months. I finally felt like I was living in Montana again, not just viewing it through the windows.

In other news, Claire had her two month check up today--which as most of you know meant SHOTS! Yikes, I've never heard her scream like that. She now weights 10 pounds 6 ounces (50th percentile), and is 23 inches long (75 percentile). I had to start taking out the next size of baby clothes this morning--getting those newborn onesies to snap was getting harder and harder. Everyone is very impressed with her ability to hold up her head and her great sleep patterns. She made it until 6 AM this morning! Go Claire!