Babymoon

We just got back from our summer vacay! John and I both agree we are so glad we took this trip, even getting away for only 4 days together does wonders for your well-being!

After a successful and grace-filled Diocesan Youth Convention weekend in Richmond, on Monday we headed to Chincoteague, VA home of the wild ponies with our pup Carly in tow. (Car was packed to the brim with DYC suitcase, beach suitcase, beach/dog gear, and dog...looking at the final product made us pretty wide-eyed about the idea of packing for a baby soon too!)

I did not plan the actual trip events in advance. Turns out, this was the week of the Annual Pony Swim...no wonder all the hotels were booked on the island! Refusing to let a good opportunity go to waste, we jumped on the bandwagon and did the whole Pony Swim experience. This involves waking up early, parking at the town High School, shuttling over in a school bus to Memorial Park, sitting in the sun for hours until the Coast Guard decides it is the lowest tide, then watching from a great distance through a big crowd as tiny horse heads make their way across the channel. The fastest pony is raffled off to a lucky winner. The cowboys corralling and swimming with the ponies have the greatest job on earth. After 4 minutes of action, then everyone around us basically grumbled, "that's it," and turned around to wait in line for another hour (lots of grumbling) to get a ride back to their cars. I love America...

We were a little annoyed by the large crowds and lame tourists, but overall the pony spirit got to me and made me pretty giddy. I love seeing little proud towns get so excited over something so funny. Especially when it involves ponies! One day we escaped for a mini trip within a trip to the National Seashore in MD on Assateague to a spectacular natural beach. Again, over-ridden with tourists but not bad at all compared to the beach near Chincoteague. We got some good pony sitings along the roads of the park, but sadly none were up for a swim that day. My guess is they wait until night fall and wander through the campgrounds looking for pickings.

Another hilarious part to the trip was that John's sister and her family were there the same time in a separately planned camping trip. Also, my mom and brother spontaneously decided to come down for the day to see the pony swim too. God is already preparing us for parenthood. I guess if you want alone time as a couple you have to go to a deserted island. :)

We did get plenty of special alone time though thanks to the lovely Garden and Sea Inn. I booked the upgraded room with the king bed and jacuzzi tub--spectacular for a fat, sore pregnant woman and her doting husband. Breakfasts in the morning served by the German innkeepers were scrumptious-- blueberry pancakes, french toast stuffed with marscapone cheese for example. All the breakfasts were topped with these amazing fruit sauces and fresh fruit garnishes. It was definitely breakfast I could approve of (my standards are high!).

Carly did amazingly well as a tag along. She behaved for her "grandparents" in Richmond during DYC and got to play with their newly adopted beagle, Dodger. No accidents on the road although she did chew up my favorite Camelbak water bottle...little brat. She took to the waves like a natural, swimming back and forth frantically between John in the water and me on the shore to make sure we were both safe I am sure. In the inn she behaved well and even got to spend her first night ever outside the crate, cuddled up right at the foot of my side of the bed. Her protective shepherd and loyal lab qualities really came out this trip. She just kept melting my heart. I am going to just die once I have a little girl to melt over.

Bedard Vacation 2010 = Success.

3rd Trimester = here.

Now back to work for 3 months...looking forward to maternity leave!!