Just over a year ago my life changed drastically. My wife and I welcomed our first child into the world in April of 2021. It was a turbulent time in the world; COVID was still raging across the country making things around the hospital and doctor visits a bit more stressful. We pulled through it, though, and a year later our little boy is growing like a weed.
He has been going outside since week one of his life. His first trip outside of the house was to the park for a walk in the stroller when he was just a few days old and he has made plenty of trips there since. From fishing to summiting mountains Oliver has had an eventful first year.
Hiking with a baby has its challenges. The extra weight to the front is something your shoulders can’t quite be prepared for, and toting all the extra supplies adds a little more to your pack.
I have long had a passion for the outdoors and being able to share it with my child has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I love seeing him smile and interact the nature around him, and other hikers enjoy seeing him babble on at them as well. We’ve seen wild horses, flowers, butterflies, sunsets, and many more things and we will certainly see more over the coming years.
I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the past year of being a father. But what is my personal idea of “lesson number one”? Enjoy it.
There will be highs and lows, good days and bad, but in the end, it is all worth it. And who knows? You might just catch a few good sunsets along the way.
