I have been reflecting on all of the kid hauling I have done as a parent in the last 4+ years.

GDT: My legs were absolute tree trunks. Hiking the GDT with an infant was peak fitness for me.

I got out of carrying Toothless during our Howse Floodplain hike the following year but I did carry all our gear and food.

I ride a Bakfiets daily to bring Toothless to daycare (and a couple days a week I ride another 20+ kms round trip to go to the office).

I have been stuck more times than I can count carrying Toothless home from Science World or the park. Sometimes I think ahead and grab the carrier but a lot of the time I do not and have to carry him in my arms.

I also carry his bike a lot when we go out. Especially if he needs to be carried home, then we also need to carry his bike home. He loves riding and will pedal for hours but he knows his limits (and even when he doesn’t we do) and once it gets close to nap time it’s sometimes better to be carried.

Our latest hike in Stein Valley involved a lot of kid carrying (despite him hiking a LOT!). It’s hot and shocking how big he’s getting.

Ever carry a kid on your shoulders while snowshoeing?

As Toothless gets older, he gets heavier. But he hikes more.

I’m talking a lot about me carrying Toothless but Natasha does equal carrying and riding (but she does remember to bring the carrier more than I do). So my awe also applies to all the kid hauling she does as well. It’s honestly more than I had originally imagined. And I honestly love it. Eventually (soon!) we won’t be able to carry him much anymore and honestly with carrying him we get hugs and snuggles. I’m going to miss this.