Preggo blog #2: 7 months at -7 degrees

[SOMbands]

Now reading this post, promise me one thing, you will not think I am crazy.  I admit, I may do things that no one in their right mind would volunteer, let alone love to do as I do, but still, I swear I am not.

As many of you know, Scott and I LOVE camping out in our minivan.  The past 2 winters we have been up to the mountains to go snowboarding we camped out in the minivan probably 3 weekends out of every 4.  Sure, we’ve had some cold nights.  Our record being -17 (outside) but that is all part of the fun and adventure.  You get some really warm sleeping bags, bundle up and if you are lucky you have a big old husky like we do that sleeps on your legs and you actually stay really warm.  The water in our water bottles and our contact lenses may freeze solid in their cases but we are nice and toasty. 

Now I am not actually crazy enough to attempt snowboarding while pregnant- too dangerous.  Although it has been pure torture not going this year with record snows.  But, it is only fair for Scott to get up at least a couple of times before the baby comes.

So, Sat night we packed up the van and added a little something- a twin mattress in the back for my comfort and off we went.   We have this little routine when we go up van camping before snowboarding.  We go to Borders up there and get some hot chocolate or coffee and watch the sunset over the mountains, read and relax.  When the store closes at 9pm we take Tucker on a walk no matter what the weather (last night it was about 6 degrees out for our walk) about a 1 mile loop that goes to the top of this lookout where you can see all the stars when it is clear. 

Then we get ready for bed, park in our secret location we will never reveal and snooze.   

I actually slept pretty great last night despite the cold (we think somewhere between -5 and -10) and being very pregnant. 

I realize that not everyone has the desire to go camp in the middle of winter and subject themselves to the perceived cold, hassle and discomfort.  However, the point of this post is story is to show you that it can be done, and quite comfortably. 

When we step outside of our comfort zone and embrace the things we fear and overcome the things we never thought possible we become stronger, inside and out. 

 

-Lauren