our walking essentials

If you're like me, you make a batch of brownies and eat two after every meal for three straight days, then decide you need to walk it off.  Not just any old walk, but a brutal, one hour, uphill, circling walk.  Must also add 50 pounds of stroller + baby + bag.

My baby and I have been real good about walking uptown about three times a week.  It's been the perfect buffer for the couple hours between his afternoon nap and dinner.  That is typically crazy time.  Not anymore!  Patrick hardly makes a peep on these walks.  Not only does he love the breeze on his face and the fact that we're constantly moving, he loves watching the cars and trucks go by, as well as the doggies in the yards.

Seeing as we do this very often, I've got the packing down to a tee.  It takes us five minutes and we're out the door.

Here are our walking essentials:

• All the normal diaper bag stuff.  (change of clothes, diapers)

• Sunscreen.  Even with the sun shade down on the stroller, arms and legs still seem to get that sunshine.  I use Water Babies.

• Sippy cup.  Just as any adult gets thirsty, so do babies (obvs).  I fill Patrick's with half water and half Juicy Juice.  Sometimes I'll throw an ice cube in to ensure it's good and cold.

• Water for Mama.  I found this cup at Starbucks on clearance and bought it, even though I didn't know what to use it for.  I try not to give Starbucks my business because there's nothing worse than a company that spouts going green and bla bla nature bla bla, and then charges $4.75 for a drink.  Ridic.  But this cup is awesome - it's double paned so condensation doesn't build up on it, and it stays cold forever, like my ice cubes from home still aren't melted after our walks.

• Snacks.  Something easy for Patrick to grab in his stroller, like Cheerios or Puffs.

And there you have it.  It doesn't sound like much, but just a few simple things can make life a heck of a lot easier!