We
left last Sunday after church to head to TN to see Chris' grandparents.
We only drove half way to Christiansburg, VA. While we were there we
had dinner with some very dear friends, the Dempseys. It was so nice to
catch up with them over dinner and to meet their newest child,
Gretchen. OK, she is 17 months, so we had a LOT of catching up to do.
I really didn't want to leave because I was enjoying the fellowship so
much, but the kiddos needed to go to bed. On Monday, we got up and
drove the rest of the way to TN. Sophie got to meet her
great-grandparents and great-aunt for the first time. I think they
really enjoyed meeting her. Josiah warmed up to all of them rather
quickly and had LOTS to tell them. After visiting for a little bit, we
headed to the hotel to get settled and give the kids a bath. We went
back to Granny and Pa Potter's for dinner. After dinner, we headed back
to the hotel and went to bed. On Tuesday, we got up and got ready for
the day. We headed to Waffle House for breakfast---they don't have
those in NOVA, so it was a special treat. We then headed to Granny's
church and played in the gym. We chased some balls around and had a
grand ol' time. While we were there, Uncle Joe came to visit us in his
patrol car. Josiah enjoyed getting to look at the patrol car--you can
look at a couple of pictures that I took. We went to get some lunch and
then took the kids back to the hotel to take a nap. After nap time, we
got the kids ready for bed and then headed back to the house for dinner
and a visit. On Wednesday, we got up and got ready. Then we headed
over to the house to say good-bye to the grandparents. We then started
on our journey to GA to see Granny Whoosh and Papa Gig. The drive down
the mountain to Chattanooga was absolutely beautiful. We stopped at the
mall in Chattanooga so we could let the kids stretch their legs and get
some lunch. After lunch, we got back in the car and the kids...and me
fell asleep. Once we arrived at Granny and Papa Gig's, Josiah was ready
to play and share all kinds of things with them. We spent the afternoon
playing and had dinner. On Thursday, we got up and played on the deck
with a pop-up train--there are some pictures in the March album. Late
morning, we went to the playground. The kids had LOTS of fun playing.
Sophie wanted to do all that Josiah was doing--slides, swings, climbing,
etc. After playing, we went and got some lunch. We had a lazy
afternoon of taking a nap and just playing. Papa Gig, Daddy and Josiah
headed to the driving range--Papa Gig bought Josiah a toddler size iron.
Chris didn't take any pictures--I say, "BOOO!" to that. 
Chris said Josiah had LOTS of fun playing golf. I can't wait to see him in action.
Tomorrow,
we are heading to Marietta to see Chris' other grandmother before we
head back to VA. We are going to drive half-way again...the kids just
seem to do better. It has been a great vacation with the family--it
definitely has gone by too quickly, but it has been nice to relax and
spend time as a family.
February 16th
Josiah
is now wanting to put his battery operated train together by himself.
He was able to line the wheels up just right. When he got done, he said,
"I am a very good conductor!" We have been putting socks on Sophie's
hands to stop her from sucking her thumb. Yesterday, she was very
determined to get them off. She put the end of the sock between her
teeth and pulled them off--what a very smart girl! Today, she was eating a
banana. I cut them up into small pieces. When she had all the pieces
gone, she wanted more. She didn't want them in small pieces though, she
wanted to bite the banana just like me. So I went ahead and let her try
and she did a GREAT job! Today, Josiah wanted to help me sew some floor
pillows. He was putting the pins in the fabric just like I did--it was
so precious. We enjoyed the beautiful weather today by going for a
walk---Josiah talked NON-STOP!! I asked him if he was excited to go
walking again, and he responded, "I am so excited, Mommy!"
February 17th
This
morning Josiah got up extra early. So I brought him into our bed to
rest for a little bit. Well, he had a terrible case of the wiggles. I
kept telling him it was time to rest and not to play. Once Sophie got
up, I was talking with Josiah about how he needed to get his rest. I
also told him I wasn't very happy. He then told me that I needed to put
a smile on my face. I asked him why he thought I wasn't very happy.
His response as he tapped his cheek was, "Think.Think.Think." I told
him to go ahead and think and get back to me. A few minutes passed, and
I asked him why he thought Mommy wasn't very happy...his response,
"Satan make Mommy not happy." WOW! Out of the mouths of babes! He
pretty much left me speechless!
Sophie has started saying,
"apple" and "lion" when she reads her favorite book. Last night, I
asked her if she wanted juice for dinner. She crawled over to the
fridge. I opened the door and she pulled a juice box out of the
drawer--she is growing up way too fast!
February 20th
On
Friday, Chris and I had a mini getaway. I spent 4 hours in the spa
getting pampered and then we spent the night at a hotel. This was
Sophie's first night away from us--she did an AWESOME job!
The other day, Josiah heard the dog next door barking. He said matter-a-factually, "That dog is roofing!"
Tonight,
Josiah and Sophie took a bath together. They were absolutely
adorable!! Sophie started splashing the water. Then Josiah started
doing it, too. Each time he would splash, Sophie would do one of those
deep belly laughs! Our bathroom sure was wet, but it was worth it for
the wonderful memory that was created.
February 22nd
Sophie had chocolate milk for the first time today. She liked it so much that she drank half of her cup in one big gulp!
February 23rd
Sophie
has really started walking today. She is standing in one spot
balancing, can start walking and then stop and even turns around.
February 25th
Today
we went grocery shopping. As soon as we walked down the aisle with the
apples, Sophie started saying, "Apull." She was so excited to see the
apples instead of just in her book. We then went to see the train.
When we got there, I asked her if she saw the train, and clear as day
she said, "I see it."
February 26th
This morning as I
was getting ready, I told Josiah that I needed to go take a shower
because I was going to a baby shower. He told me that he wanted to go
take a shower, too. I told him that a baby shower was like a party. He
then told me that he wanted to go to church so he could eat some cake,
too!
February 27th
Sophie is officially walking now.
She will crawl every once in awhile, but walking is her choice way of
getting around. She did have her first injury today. While at church,
she tripped and split her lip open. She wasn't very fond of me putting
an icepack on her lip, but she didn't mind me letting her suck/chew on a
piece of ice. I feel so bad that her little lip is swollen and split
open, but it was bound to happen sooner than later.
Well,
that is it for today. We will be going to TN soon to see Chris'
extended family. They will be meeting Sophie for the first time. Then
we will head to GA to see Chris' mom and step-dad. We are excited to get
away for a few days as a family. Pray for safe travels.
