We made a long trek up to Abingdon, Virginia this weekend for an interview for Jonathan. That's right, we're already starting the interview process even though Jonathan still has more than a year left in residency. We had several meetings, mostly during meals, but also lots of downtime. Josiah flew wonderfully, slept great in the hotel, and was well-behaved during all of the long, adult-conversation-driven meals. He was a real trooper; we are very blessed with our flexible, easy-going little guy. The rocking chair picture really encompasses Abingdon: a historic, charming Southern town.
On Saturday morning, our schedule was free, so we went for a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is a gorgeous, mostly flat trail for runners, bikers or even horses. The scenery was beautiful, and the weather was ideal.
The bike ride conked Josiah right out. He woke up on the way back and was quite ready to get out. We knew the bike was kicking a little dirt on him, but by the end of the ride he was covered. The poor kid had dirt flying in his face the whole time. And he had a stick that an fallen into his cart, but he didn't mind that.
Our attempt at a self-portrait on the trail.
That cow was staring us down.
Josiah and I at the start of the trail. I got some really good snuggles this weekend. Josiah did fine in the hotel pack and play, but we woke up each morning at 6:30 a.m. I thought he'd stay awake, but when I got him, he snuggled back in the bed with me for another 45 minutes or so. It was so precious. Plus he slept on me for most of the plane rides too.
The boys in front of our hotel, the Martha Washington Inn. It was a really lovely place to stay and right in the center of downtown.
Did we mention what the absolute best part of the town was (at least for Josiah)?
A choo-choo train went right through town and right behind our hotel.
The child was utterly entranced. He kept asking about the "choo-choo" throughout the weekend and for a solid 20 minutes as we were driving to the airport. Choo-choo? Choo-choo?
We went to a nicer restaurant on Saturday night, and these fellas spiffed up so nicely, I had to take a picture. How handsome are my boys? It was good to get some quality time with Jonathan/Dada this weekend.
"High-five!"
And one for you!
I took this last picture just so that I could giggle at myself later.
The town had lots of Revolutionary and Civil War history and historical markers everywhere. Josiah and I were on a walk Friday afternoon, and I stopped for every marker and read each one aloud. Josiah, of course babbled, completely bored.
And then I realized I'd become my father. He would do the same thing to Parker and I as kids, most of the time in the car, pulling over whenever there was a historical marker or a battlefield. I know I rolled my eyes as a kid at this, but now I'm very grateful for the history lessons I learned from those stops and from my dad's love of history. So I may well torture my son in the same fashion. Maybe one day he'll appreciate it too.
Smile!
So luxurious. In the picture below, I told him to make a bubble beard on his chin.
A family that was there at the same time brought saltines to feed the animals and let Josiah have one to participate with too. He doesn't get the whole sharing thing much anyways, nevertheless sharing with an animal. So he stuffed the cracker in his mouth and looked at me like I was crazy throwing pieces to the fish.
This was his favorite part, throwing gravel over his head. If he'd been throwing it on other people, I would have corrected him.
I don't know how he sits on his haunches like that, but he does it all the time.
Airplane!
Post-airplane siting. He always follows airplane with "whoosh shhh" flying noises.
At the fountain, getting wet after the visit!
Meeting cousin Caleb for the first time! "Babay! Babay!"
I think he likes him!
Jonathan and his nephew
The whole crew at Six Flags. We had some rain, so we didn't get to do all the rides we would have liked, but it was still very fun.
Josiah enjoyed all the rides for his age, especially the semi-trucks, cars and trains (surprise, surprise). The Moseley Grandparents took him around most of the time, so Jonathan and I could do the thrill rides. He also really liked playing "tag" in the lobby with Brooke, Taylor and Courtney's little girl, who is 3. She was really sweet to him.
Love this one, of course. He's really likes balance beams; I don't know why.
Josiah is having more and more fun with Kate and Lexi as he grows up. With Lexi's encouragement, he even tried the tire swing.
Love those Stewart gals. They dressed themselves that morning; don't you think they did a good job?
We made a long trek up to Abingdon, Virginia this weekend for an interview for Jonathan. That's right, we're already starting the interview process even though Jonathan still has more than a year left in residency. We had several meetings, mostly during meals, but also lots of downtime. Josiah flew wonderfully, slept great in the hotel, and was well-behaved during all of the long, adult-conversation-driven meals. He was a real trooper; we are very blessed with our flexible, easy-going little guy. The rocking chair picture really encompasses Abingdon: a historic, charming Southern town.
On Saturday morning, our schedule was free, so we went for a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is a gorgeous, mostly flat trail for runners, bikers or even horses. The scenery was beautiful, and the weather was ideal.
The bike ride conked Josiah right out. He woke up on the way back and was quite ready to get out. We knew the bike was kicking a little dirt on him, but by the end of the ride he was covered. The poor kid had dirt flying in his face the whole time. And he had a stick that an fallen into his cart, but he didn't mind that.
Our attempt at a self-portrait on the trail.
That cow was staring us down.
Josiah and I at the start of the trail. I got some really good snuggles this weekend. Josiah did fine in the hotel pack and play, but we woke up each morning at 6:30 a.m. I thought he'd stay awake, but when I got him, he snuggled back in the bed with me for another 45 minutes or so. It was so precious. Plus he slept on me for most of the plane rides too.
The boys in front of our hotel, the Martha Washington Inn. It was a really lovely place to stay and right in the center of downtown.
Did we mention what the absolute best part of the town was (at least for Josiah)?
The child was utterly entranced. He kept asking about the "choo-choo" throughout the weekend and for a solid 20 minutes as we were driving to the airport. Choo-choo? Choo-choo?
"High-five!"
And one for you!
I took this last picture just so that I could giggle at myself later.
The town had lots of Revolutionary and Civil War history and historical markers everywhere. Josiah and I were on a walk Friday afternoon, and I stopped for every marker and read each one aloud. Josiah, of course babbled, completely bored.
He got a book, sidewalk chalk, some candy and a fun new rubber ducky for the tub. Mrs. Sharon found this hilarious plastic egg that says things like, "I'm hiding. Come find me."
"Hat!"
We tried coloring for the first time yesterday. I wouldn't say Josiah is crazy about it yet. We might need some fatter crayons.
I don't mean to brag, but look at how well that digger arm is colored. OK, maybe Mama helped a little...
The "smile" face
I refilled our previous bubble container with homemade bubbles. Unbelievably easy. The play dough and bubble manufacturers have a serious racket going. These were both so simple to make, and I had most of the ingredients on hand.
I printed off fun coloring pages and crayons that we had collected from our beloved Publix and restaurants. Cheap? Yes, but I prefer to be called resourceful.
Josiah seriously pigged out on the jelly beans and graham crackers in his basket. He shoved a way too many in his mouth; it was really quite funny. This was his pre-Easter outfit (aka I didn't want to get his Easter clothes dirty before church).
Later that night we all pigged out on Easter dinner with our friends Aaron and Erin, and Lisa and her son Silas. Erin brought crock pot mac and cheese, and we also had yummy ham, yeast rolls, summer squash gratin and peach cobbler. And the delicious coffee Aaron and Erin brought us from Hawaii! Quite a feast with great friends.
