We made our annual trip to Apple Hill a little earlier than usual, but it was feeling like fall, so we thought, “Why the heck not?!” We loaded up our picnic lunch and baby and stroller and million other things that, you know, you just might need with said baby, and made the mini road trip up the hill! It was a few degrees chillier, the air was crisp, the apples were abundant and we enjoyed our day so much. It. Was. Perfect.
HAHA. Okay. Here’s how it really went down…
Doing anything with a one year old is like a million times harder than doing anything with an any-other-year-old. I mean, in our experience. And so really all we can compare it to is: A. Doing anything with no baby (piece of caaaaake) and B. Doing anything with an infant (also- in comparison- piece of caaaaaake). Because infants are potatoes. And toddlers are anything but. Toddlers have this new-found independence in the form of walking legs, and so all they want to do all day every day is walk walk walk toddle toddle toddle everywhereeee. And that’s fine! I mean, it’s freaking adorable and fun (albeit exhausting), but oh, when it’s not fun. When you take his ball away because he’s making his mouth red from trying to EAT it, and the crying starts. Or when you pick him up because you want to simply walk up a hill that he keeps falling down, and the crying starts. Or when you want to take a nice, cute family photo that screams, “Hey, guys! Just enjoying a perfectly harmonious fall afternoon picnic in the woods with my perfectly happy and peaceful family!” and instead get wiggles and more tears and no smiles at all. Yes. That. That is what it is really like to do something with a one year old. In case you were wondering.
So yeah, most of the time I weed through the tantrums and the blurry photos that show a bit of frustration on my face. I choose only the prettiest and cutest and sweetest ones to share here, because that’s what I want to remember, I suppose. But I don’t want to be a stock photo. I don’t want to be a fake family. This is it. This is our life. Ups and downs included. And yes, I may have had to have taken a moment from yesterday’s supposed-to-be stress-free and fun family outing to take a few deep breaths and center myself and force myself to not cry along with Sam. Because life can be hard, but I think the hard parts are what make the easy parts that much sweeter. They make us stronger. And really, I’m already laughing about it, so it couldn’t have been that bad.
Also, I can blame hormones right now. So I’m going to pull that card.
But then this happens, and I forget why I was so frustrated to begin with. He’s a toddler, being a toddler, and you know, I’m all for letting him be little. He won’t always be this way. And it might make for easier family outings, but God I know I’ll miss this. Right here. Right now.
So ask me again how our trip to Apple Hill was. It was perfect. In all of it’s imperfection. :)
p.s. Last year’s Apple Hill trip. MY BAAAABY. And another year.
Hahaha, I feel ya, and I love that you’re so honest! We’re right there too (a few months behind), with a 14 month old who is starting to break down when things don’t go his way (e.g. “no, you can’t eat that cigarette butt!”) plus pregnancy hormones and first trimester exhaustion. It’s fun though isn’t it ;)
Haha it’s all sooooo fun! ;) And I’m learning to laugh at myself and situations more, which is a blessing, for sure!
xo
Awww, Apple Hill…LOVE it! My college roommate is from Folsom, and she always told me about Apple Hill and how great it is. We finally got a chance to check it out in May. It obviously wasn’t the right season, but it was still fun and so beautiful!
I think I may have asked you this before, but where are Sam’s moccs from? So cute!
I remember when you went! So fun! :) It’s always beautiful, even if it’s off-season. Sam’s moccs are from Sweet n Swag- only $20! http://sweetnswag.com/product-category/moccasins/
xo
Ah, so true. Out youngest is 2 and a half, and we were just saying that it’s finally starting to be less hard and more fun with him. Still, every time we take him somewhere and he starts acting like…well…a toddler I’m always thinking to myself, “Please behave!!! Don’t you realize I’m trying to make perfect memories here!!!” There’s no such thing though, and they wouldn’t be nearly as funny reflect back on if they were.
Hahaha so true, it’s hard to convince these little guys that we’re trying to make memories here. But either way, we are! And you’re right- it’s more fun and funny with the mishaps.
xo
LOVE the last photo, so perfect! And Sam in those moccasins? KILLING ME! Love your honesty :)
Thanks girl :)
xo
Girl, the struggle is. real. haha.. and now that we have two and the littlest just now being mobile, it takes wrangling to a whole new level ;) we’re going to the apple orchard tomorrow so wish us luck!
Ahhhh I am going to hold off on having our second walk as long as I possibly can!!! Hahaha ;) But seriously, I can’t imagine the whole new level of exhaustion that will bring! You are a rockstar!
xo
Oh goodness… This has been my life since my baby was born… I wish he was a potato! Lol! He grew out of the “fall asleep anywhere” stage REAL fast.. I’m talking, couple of weeks fast. He also used to throw insane crying tantrums, all through his newborn life, and we’ve just started being able to go to stores without having to rush around to avoid a public fit! He’s currently 5.5 months & I’m thankful I’m able to distract him and sing songs & make funny faces and he finally enjoys it… I’m worried for these toddler stages now though! lol! I better soak up this “easy” phase for now!!
Don’t worry, girl!! It’s a challenge, but nothing you can’t handle! Especially since you’ve already got a good amount of practice with it! You got this!
xo
You totally described toddler life right now to a T! Same thing going on here. The mood swings on these one year olds and the crazy independence. But sooooooo much love!!!
http://www.floatonblog.com
Yes! It’s a challenge some days, but you’re right- SO much love. :)
xo
That last picture is the kind of picture I would blow up and hang on the wall. Such a true glimpse into a family. I too tend to remove the pictures where I look frustrated or the little looks grumpy. I agree there is nothing wrong with trying to remember mostly the best of times. Yay for apple picking!
xoxo
Katie
http://beyondtheclothing.com
Haha I think I am going to frame it- I love it :) In all of it’s truth.
xo
I really loved the honesty in this post. My son is 11 months and just on the border of entering the toddler stage. I’ve heard so many friends say how it can be so hard and challenging so I’m scared for it but excited all at the same time. I continuously smiled looking through the pictures. Although maybe not perfect, they still have captured a moment in your lives forever. So sweet! :)
Carly http://www.frecklesandcheeks.com
You’re right- they have definitely captured this moment in our lives! I wouldn’t trade it for anything :)
xo
I can’t wait to go to Apple Hill. It just needs to stop being so darn hot!
Thank you for sharing about your less than perfect day. It’s very refreshing to see more people sharing the imperfections on social media, instead of always painting this perfect picture of their not perfect lives. This is something I’m working on myself: sharing more of the imperfect on social media!
Thanks so much Gina! I’m glad it was refreshing- that was my goal! :) There should be more imperfections shown- perfection is boring.
xo
Beautiful messy life! but I wouldn´t take it any other way!!! plus… it´s the same for all of us, and yeah, we choose the best pics because that is what we want to remember, and what sticks in our hearts!
I love that- it really is a beautiful messy life!!
xo
Wow those donuts look really good!
Oh you don’t even know. They were TOO good. ;)
xo