Fourth Baby Camping Woes

Having our fourth baby has really slowed us down this year. The older kids are going into camping withdrawals .... "when are we going camping again?" "I want to go horse riding" "when can we go outback?" are all weekly questions in our household. "Soon... When Matthew starts sleeping better" or "When Matthew starts walking" (for the outback) is the answer.

We've camped with all our kids as babies but THIS ONE... has not quite been the same. Is it that we have the extra ones to contend with? Is he really that worse a sleeper than the others? Is four really a lot of children? Not sure what the answer is, I assume it is a mixture of factors all put together.

This is not to say we haven't been camping since he was born. We've been on 5 various camping trips, which is probably 4 more than most people! BUT there have been 4 more trips that we have declined! The first trip Matthew was great (6 weeks old) since then.... well, lets say at this point in his life he doesn't enjoy camping like the rest of us. The trips were we had older children around who were happy to walk around pushing the pram made life much happier for all - thanks guys!

Life is seasonal, this season will pass onto the next, probably without us noticing until we stop to reflect and look back - so we don't despair. The children grow up so fast and I would like to think we can cherish each moment before it moves onto the next - I'm happy for life to slow down a little so we can enjoy our baby and all his little mile stones.

We have a map of Australia under a plastic cover on our dining table. Each day we ponder over it... will we go outback, to the beach for two weeks or should start planning (and saving for) a big 12 month trip for 3 years time? We'll await and see what unfolds.