The Great Outdoors

This past weekend was the famous Camp Altenhofen - out at Craig and Bernie's on Milford Lake in Junction City, KS.  We deceided we would just head out Saturday morning and shoot for one night of camping under the stars.  We had gotten a tent from Bill and Marilee as a wedding gift, and were pretty excited to try this bad boy out---even though I was slightly concerned how the whole night would go---I told myself not to stress about it, and it would be fine.  Patrick (with Bill's help...I wasn't much help for this!) got the tent all set up, with the pack and play, air mattress, folding rocking chair and fan---we were set!

So, we spent some time in the pool--Will's 2nd time and he seemed to really enjoy it!  We got to enjoy the quiet in the pool when the older cousins were out on the boat!  Will took two awesome naps, so he was in a great mood--and so glad he got to see all of his Altenhofen family---as it had been since Christmas that we all got together. 

By Will's normal bedtime--we attempted to put him down, but he wasn't having the pack and play---it seemed even if he would eventually fall asleep in our arms, he would wake up the instant we tried to put him down.  (Granted it was still light outside, only 8:00pm when we started....and it was very humid out that night)  After both P and I trying for about an hour, we deceided to get him up and go back to hang out with everyone until we all broke off for bed.  Keep in mind, we are all in tents fairly close to each other, so we were really hoping Will wouldn't keep crying to keep everyone else awake....  we ended up trying to put him in between us, with me feeding him on and off to try to calm/soothe him---but he was so restless and just couldn't stay asleep---it was so hot, sticky out---we were both getting exhausted and frustrated (not to mention our air mattress was suddenly springing a leak and we were both pretty much laying on the flat ground)  At that point---we thought we would try to go inside and see if that would be better.  Craig and Bernie were sleeping in their room on the main floor--and upstairs both their kids and families---so, the inside had plenty of people trying to sleep also.  So, we rock Will, he finally falls asleep and when either of us tried to sit/lay down with him---he would wake up and start crying---cycle starts again (now, inside is still hot also, as the A/C wasn't on....)  hot, tired, frustrated, and feeling guilty for waking others...we decide at 2:00am that maybe we should just drive back to KC.  (Junction City to KC = 2 hours)  Sounded like the best plan, so P woke up Bill and Marilee to let them know we were leaving and asked if they would mind packing up our stuff the next day---and so they wouldn't freak out in the morning when none of us were in our tent! 

We head out in the car---Will is thankfully sleeping peacefully in his carseat---and we prepare ourselves for a late-night road trip---I am bound and determined to do all i can to stay awake and help keep Patrick awake also.  About a half hour into the trip---Will wakes up--and is NOT happy!  He seriously cries the whole rest of the way home---oh my gosh---was so, so hard...we couldn't do anything to make it better---little guy was just so overly tired at that point...tylenol and Mama wasn't helping at all. 

Let's just say, when we finally got home at 4:00, it was such a relief---he ate (again---not sure what I had left to give him at that point!) and finally fell asleep in his crib and slept from 4:30-9:30.  Man---it was deifnitely a crazy/memorable night, and just happened to be Patrick's first Father's Day!!  We have laughed that it's one we both will never forget.  (I can't wait to tell Will these stories someday---he may not really 'get' it until he has his own kids!) 

We did still have a great day--we lounged in the morning, took a nap when Will did, and both felt somewhat refreshed after showers and a good meal.  We spent some time in the baby pool we got for Will, Patrick got to pick out a grill for Father's Day, and we had a great day together!

Other than crazy camping, updates on Will:
- sitting up all by himself really well
- he loves smiling at Mom and Dad---and melts us every time
- he starts laughing hysterically when he starts getting tired--we call it his 'slap-happy' laughs---I still am hoping to get this on video sometime!
- he loves to grab our faces---.our noses, putting his fingers in our mouths, etc.
- still loves his food---nothing he hasn't liked yet, seems to favor fruits a little more though
- from time to time, he still has trouble falling asleep...he is still a very stubborn baby when it comes to sleeping, but otherwise he is an angel baby!

Hanging out in the morning, while Mom/Dad get ready