James, where's your monkey?

I took James Owen to the mall in Springfield Saturday afternoon. It is so cold and yucky out and we needed to give daddy some time to grade papers. The mall seemed perfect. Some where to stroll! After a screaming meanie fit all the way there, James really had a blast inside. He wandered and smiled. He pushed the stroller and climbed all over those silly riding toys. (lucky mama doesn't have to put quarters in yet...it's so fun not knowing they move!) We spent a couple hours there and I realized this was the cheapest mall trip ever! I didn't want to take him into any stores and I couldn't justify standing in line for Gloria Jean coffee. So we just had fun. On the way out though was Gymboree. Come on! I couldn't resist and he had been so good he needed a cute new shirt...which he got...a train conductor onesie...super cute...and he had his choice of an alligator or monkey stuffed animal. He picked the monkey. We made it to the door, I put on his coat and put his monkey in his cup holder. We left the mall and just as we got to our perfect parking spot...like 3 spots from the door...I noticed Monkey was no longer in the cup holder...or with James...or under James...or behind us the 20 feet we travelled. Monkey was gone. James Owen where is your monkey? Ha! he had it a whole 6 minutes! Good thing mommy missed out on her $6 latte. It made up for the monkey purchase!

Our Silly James Owen Vaughn

James is a Walking Machine!

Caught James showing off his new skill...big boy!

Our growing boy is exploring new sounds. He's gone through grunting and growling which had us worried for a week or two! Then straight raspberries...nothing but drool. (one night I was teaching him mama, "James say MAMA" I'd get back..."Ppppppppppps and spit all down his chin" we repeated this nearly eight times and had to stop when my abs started burning from laughter) Then we started hearing "ba ba ba" over and over. Matt asked Barb if she knew anything that triggered it and she said they practice Mama with his friend Titan and that is how James participates. Hee Hee. Anyway it sounds SO CLOSE to Bob...that we just had to call Matt's dad, GrandBob. We called and on cue James said into the phone "bob bob bob" We hope we made GrandBob's day! It sure was super cute...just like our boy.

I was putting my work bag in the car this week...tired of work...can't wait for a break...really, really don't want to go! And all of the sudden everything is better...why? There is a DINOSAUR in my back seat! Love you James Owen!

8 months of AMAZING

That's my typical response to "How's James?". AMAZING. He turned 8 months old yesterday and of course did something extraordinary to make the day memorable. HE STOOD! We were in the kitchen and Matt was behind him as he played with the outside of his exersaucer. I turned around as Matt whispered, "hey...look at this..." There was our James standing with a packet of crackers in his hand/mouth. He had no idea what he was doing and how he had his Mom and Dad beaming with pride. Matt hovered around him waiting to soften the blow of the fall but James stood solidly for 3 seconds! Happy 8 month birthday James Owen!!!

Grandpa Jeff out of his box!

James met his Grandpa for the first time this week! My dad was back on his R&R from Iraq and had a blast meeting, playing and loving his grandson. They adore each other and of course James remembered Grandma and was all smiles for her! She made him cackle laugh! Matt and I have yet to duplicate! It's a "Grandma Thing." Matt and I took advantage of the visit :) We went on our first date since our little man arrived. Family is blessing, a loving husband is a blessing, a beautiful boy a blessing. God is really making life beautiful for us.