This latest hiatus was due to another off-site adventure—this time in Atlanta for the National Volunteering and Service Conference. Daddy also had a conference in Miami, so Yia-yia generously flew up to Nashville to drive down to Atlanta with us. I facilitated a workshop on youth volunteerism and effective engagement, and we played in the city a bit. You were an amazing baby! You only got one nap each day, because we kept you so busy, and yet, you were in great spirits. Each night Yia-yia gave you your dinner and put you to bed in the playpen, so I could go to evening receptions and remember what it feels like to be a professional again. Once you fell asleep, Yia-yia turned on a rather bright lamp (that’s all there was) and read; it didn’t bother you at all. You also slept through my late-night return as if you were in your own bed at home, clocking an easy 11 or 12 hours each night.
During our time there, you received so many compliments; you were definitely the hit everywhere we went. I wonder when all of the oohing and aahing will go to your head. People I work with who also know your Daddy said you look just like him (and you do. 
)
We visited the Georgia aquarium, and I am pretty sure you enjoyed it. The space is so well-designed for little kids that we could stand you up by the plexi-glass, and you could try and grab the fish as they swam by. You were as equally interested in the other little kids and made fast friends with a little four-year-old named Gabriel who wanted you as a little brother.
Yesterday was a bit of a rough ride home. We skipped your morning nap, so we could have lunch with Momma’s friend Sarah before we left, and you were only able to sneak in 50 minutes in the car before some bump woke you up. You rallied though and didn’t cry, just fussed a bit. You were asleep by 7:30 last night, woke at 4:30 crying but put yourself back to sleep, woke at 6:07 talking but went back to sleep and slept until 8am! Worn out completely! You are such a good traveler, and I am so grateful for that.
Thank you, Yia-yia; we had fun!
