MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Winter 2018

WINTER 2018 ML BLUE 47 so is our own physical and mental well-being. Hiking in the open air with nature as a backdrop, snow beneath our feet, helps us to let go of fears and judgement. Health and self-care can be forgotten words when you have a new baby. Baby wearing and hiking are ideal ways to remember them. Infants and babies love closeness, movement and being outside. When content and calm, the youngster’s energy is directed towards growth and development rather than fussing or crying. Being out in nature, listening to the stream of conversations between hikers, provides mental stimulation which is beneficial to baby’s development. And after all that stimulation there is a good chance that baby will have a long and restful sleep in the carrier—a sliver of peace in what can be long and challenging days. Hiking with baby provided me with much needed exercise, time outside and a social connection. There’s nothing better than a hike up the Escarpment carrying the equivalent of a sack of potatoes around to get the lungs burning, blood moving and the energy flowing. Some of us were merely weeks or months post-partum and our bodies were telling us to take it easy. The crunch as crampon hit snow and ice was a rhythmic drum beat to keep us moving. Baby wearing is very much a bonding experience. Keeping baby close allowed me to learn to read facial expressions and gestures to quickly decide if baby was tired, hungry, bored or in need of a diaper change. Anticipating and attending to these needs keeps a baby calm. And a calm baby means a calm mother. There were days that we probably should have just stayed home, grabbed our second or third cup of coffee and curled up by the fire. But the lure of a hike, a moving meditation, and a chance to off- load the baby dramas of the week was far too much to resist. Being outdoors, in the company of other women, all of whom were facing the same challenges as new mothers, was therapeutic. And for many of us the draw to nature—to feel a connection to something greater than ourselves—was too much to ignore. Buyer’s Checklist ✓ Assure your credit is in great shape ✓ Get pre-approved for your mortgage to establish your budget ✓ Make a list of your must haves and deal breakers ✓ Think about resale. The average homeowner lives in their home 9 years. ✓ Choose a REALTOR® wisely. Do they know the neighbourhoods? The schools? The activities that may be of interest to you and your family. Brendan omson Sales Representative Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage Direct line mobile: 705-606-1270 Oce: 705-445-5454 www.brendanthomson.com www.realestatethornbury.com 393 First Street Collingwood follow me: @btrealestate [email protected] Let me help you navigate the lifestyle and location choices in the Blue Mountain area. Having spent the majority of my career in the building trades, I under- stand the importance of the building envelope and keeping up-to-date on trends in the industry. I have some very strong and thorough home in- spectors that will show you what can be expected from the structure and how to solve those issues so you can con�idently choose a property that will suit you and your lifestyle. BRENDAN THOMSON, Sales Representative Cell: 705-606-1270 Office: 705-445-5454 [email protected] brendant mp on.com Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage "Sling babies spend more time in the state of quiet alertness. This is the behavioral state in which an infant is most content and best able to interact with his environment. It may be called the optimal state of learning for a baby." –Dr. William Sears