Intro and need ideas please :)

[bgmom]

Hi all!

I'm a lurker from F14 on TB, formerly known as et170322, and occasionally post when I get the time!

My DD was born February 7, can't believe she's almost 1 and that at this time last year I was huge and uncomfortable!

I'm a CPA and am currently spending a few minutes here avoiding the impending tax season work (kind of wish I were having another child next month so I could skip tax season again!) I just went back to work full time, I was lucky enough to only work 3-4 days a week after maternity leave was done. I live in Montana on a farm, and work in a rural town of around 400-500 people. I'm addicted to Amazon Prime, as the nearest Target is an hour away

My question for F14ers: For those who live in cold weather states, what activities do you do with your LOs outside during winter months? We having been in the 30-40 degree weather range for the past several months, with a few bouts of negative degree days, and I feel like poor LO never sees the sun! We live on a dirt road 15 miles out of town so taking out the stroller is a no-go except to walk down the highway, and it's cold enough out that I really feel like she's always bundled within an inch of her life when we do venture out. Maybe I should just accept that it's cold out and keep her inside until May when it's nice again, but I was hoping you all had some ideas on what to do when we get sunny windless (albeit cool) days.

Also, anyone else feel slightly guilty if they live in an area that doesn't have fun places for LOs to go visit/play? I love where I live and our access to the outdoors, but poor LO won't get to go to the zoo or aquarium unless we travel to another state. I always get slightly jealous hearing about all of your trips to these places, the nearest zoo is 5 hours away and the nearest aquarium is all the way in Seattle!

Happy almost-Friday everyone!

[djtippietoes]

I'm in Georgia so I'm of no help with the weather thing (though contrary to popular belief, it does get cold here), but welcome.

[shellbell]

Montana?

IMO 40 is warm enough to go out for a bit (depending on wind chill).

LO loves to go to the grocery store or any store. Just a change of scenery. There's no fway I'd stay indoors until May. I'd lose my fmind.

[bgmom]

shellbell I often feel like I'll lose my fmind during the winter months Usually I'm stuck inside anyway because of long hours of tax season, but now that I have DD I'm trying to make an effort to get out more with her. Luckily DD has 3 different places she goes for daycare each week, so she does get change of scenery. DH takes her with him when he feeds the cows too, she loves it! We take her grocery shopping when we go every two weeks also. I miss living in a city only for the fact that I didn't have to think two weeks ahead for grocery shopping! The Schwans man is my friend.

[bgmom]

scaredofcats I put her in the carrier and walk to the shop to see her daddy working on equipment, but we don't have a barn or other big indoor building - our cows are outside except for a few small shelters. No greenhouses around here either, our area raises barley for all of the beer everyone in the U.S. drinks. You're welcome

[bgmom]

scaredofcats there are plenty of ridiculously hot farmers/ranchers here, DH being one of them is the reason I gave up city life for farming

[monkey1980]

Do you have a toddler sled? You could bundle your LO up, put her in the sled and just pull her as you walk around.

[bgmom]

tLex I need to look into the playgroup, maybe DD is unlucky in the fact that I like to be a hermit with her on the weekends and I'm selfish about sharing her with others when I only get limited time with her. The library has reading hour on Wednesdays, but she's not with the in-town daycare that day, so I can't take off time to take her there. And *sigh* we have no YMCA or museums within an hour of us, when you think of our house think "no other houses in sight for at least a mile." I will just have to put on my big girl panties and venture out for a drive to more exciting places when we are feeling cooped up.

monkey1980 we do have a sled, but we just had a snow melt so now the farmyard is a muddy, rutted mess. Think rondackhiker 's street disaster, and add dirt. Yuck. But yeah, it was totally fun when we had lots of snow!

Man I'm negative today. Time to cheer up! Maybe I haven't had enough sun lately either

[innanni]

I live out in the country too in a very similar situation. I'd like to take him on a walk in the evenings, but usually by the time we are home for the night I deem it too dark/cold. I understand getting stir crazy out in the country. Work and home will be the only place I see for weeks at a time (and the babysitters house.). Just try to make inside somewhere new, I'm always showing LO things online or making an occasion of nothing. Like, having a little tea party, or showing him games the dog will play. Don't worry about LO not getting outside enough, later on it might be good to make sure there is some exercise but right now I don't think it matters much. Honesty my little guy cried for months about grass, like every time we'd set him in it, sitting or standing, just tears.