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.

A Top James

Here a some stories that later in life James will say, "Mom were you paying attention to me at all?"

A beautiful day to sit on the front porch. We had just received our new rockers so James and I went to get the mail and test them out. It was lovely...a sunny afternoon, my plants were still alive and looked great, my son in my lap and "oh a card from the Original James Vaughn and wife". I love Grandpa Vaughn's cards, they are always so witty. It was an anniversary card and of course filled with humor. I laughed, put it aside and rocked with my boy on a perfect afternoon. After a bit, I glanced down at James. He was COVERED in GOLD GLITTER! The card! I read it over him and the decorative glitter spilled golden flakes all over his head and shoulders. He looked like a little fairy! It took forever to get it off of course and I felt ridiculous, but it makes for a pretty good story. Thanks Grandpa Vaughn!

We went to dinner at Nana and GrandBobs to meet our cousins Chris, Misty and the boys. We always have a blast when we're together and the boys had not met James yet. Everyone was so pleased to play with James, make silly faces, and wait for his giant smile. I then heard through the conversations..."is that blood?" I took a deep breath! Realized Nana was right there with Matt and James, a nurse, and calmed down. I would have handed him right to her anyway. After a quick observation it was determined James had probably scratched his gums with his nails. His hands are constantly in mouth and Mom has trouble keeping up with those quick growing nails of his. Okay, everything is fine.

The next day I get home from work, grab a snack and James and we head upstairs for his feeding. I change his diaper and we sit in the rocker. After he's done, I roll him back and he has what looks like dried blood on his onsies. What! How did that happen? I just changed him and we ate. He didn't move. I grab James and head off to find Matt, slightly, okay more than slightly panicked, I practically pull Matt off the toilet! (He's home with the baby all day...not much alone time until I get home) We lay James on our bed and start looking for where it would have come from...and how did it dry so fast? And what is with this bleeding two days in a row...AND oh boy! I'm sure I turned beet red. Matt looks at me as I say, "it's chocolate." sheepishly. I ate with James...my after work snack...the granola bar with the teeny tiny chocolate chips that always fall off. They dropped between me and James and melted...looking just like dried blood. Ahhhh. Poor boy.

Minutes vs. Hours

James and I headed out to the post office today at 11:30am.  We returned home at 1:30pm.  We live roughly 8 blocks from the post office and it is a common stop for us on daily walks.  Typically takes 20 minutes.  Just a reminder of how I am now on my little man's schedule not my own.  He didn't just want a walk silly Mom!  Our walk included: walk, talk, play, eat, burp, eat, spill, diaper change, cry, bounce, play, sleep, post office, walk.  

Smile, Shave and Bumps

I recently celebrated my first Mother's Day.   Woke up to my beautiful son at the oh so popular hour...4am.  He has started smiling on his own terms now, which makes any awake moment (no matter the hour) so wonderful.  We have our time together and Daddy comes in to give Mommy an extra long shower break!  Yeah!!  One in which I can clean, shampoo AND shave!  The three of those things have not been together in a very long time!  So I'm feeling fantastic, getting dressed and I hear this cry coming from James I hadn't heard before.  Here comes Matt and our boy into the bedroom..."I dropped the remote on his head!"  Poor James is putting out this pitiful cry sounding out his first boo boo...but Matt was the one that needed the hug.  He felt awful, of course, and exclaimed "Happy Mother's Day!"  I hugged my amazing husband who although gave James his first bruise...also gave me the first "I'm hurt, comfort me Mom." moment.  

No one noticed the bump at church only hours later...he healed fast.  Which meant no one got to hear this story and Matt didn't hear some snarky comment from everyone in the place...until I put it on the family blog!  Love you honey!

James Owen Vaughn is here!

Born on 24 March 2009 at 7:44 am. 7 lbs 9 oz 19 in and beautiful!
More pics to come. Many more!

Happy March!
So that my friends was the quickest 9 months in history. I wanted to share some funny happenings before it's really over. I feel great! Hope these tid bits make you feel great!
9 mos of Hilarity
1. Dishes ended up in all sorts of different drawers.
2. I put awesome shrimp that Matt made, in the freezer...hence ruining any chance for enjoyment again.
3. I carried the top of the paper towel rack into the bedroom.
4. I had to repositon myself to do makeup. Standing on side of sink and leaning in...couldn't lean over anymore.
5. I bought new tennis shoes, thinking they would be more comfortable. Yeah, can't tie tennis shoes. Wearing work slip ons that I already owned.
6. I wore one camisole to Oklahoma for Christmas and 4 days later, couldn't fit in it for the ride home.
7. Oranges= yes, Onions = no.
8. Ice Cream = yes, Lettuce = no.
9. Bananas = yes, Butter Popcorn = no.
10. Matt made James vibrate!
11. I kept trying to squeeze through lab benches at work. Walk around!
12. Asked at the lunch table...shoveling food in my mouth...trying hard to wait until noon to eat...although starving at 9:30..."How big are you?"
13. I lost the stupid strap that holds maternity pants together by undoing both elastic button ends. It was like having to rethread your hoody string, but worse!
14. 6 pillows please.
15. Me trying to to get out of bed while covered with 6 pillows.
16. Midnight yogurts.
17. Thin Mints and Rainbow Sherbet
18. Feeling like a cow...in more than one way!
19. "You need a new coat!"..."This is my new coat!"
20. So happy when son lost the muzzle mouth and split domed head.
21. Getting out of the car.
22. Second breakfasts!
23. Belly no longer round...but shaped like James.
24. After viewing birthing videos, Matt and I did not sleep.
25....more to come I'm sure!

Hiccups and High Kicks

James has new tricks!
1. He found BOTH my rib cage and hip bone to kick off of! Thankfully his romping is brief and I get to practice my "mom" voice, "James, get down from there."
2. He catches hiccups almost twice a day! It just cracks me up...what must he be thinking. It also verifies his position. I feel his "hic" "cup" low in my abdomen which would put his feet straight up...into my ribs!

No worries, I still love him.

Week 28!

Hello, would you look at that boy! How adorable are his little lips and nose! All is well.

We had a fabulous holiday break. Spent some time in Oklahoma with Matt's family. Beautiful weather and wonderful company. We played Wii bowling with the champ, Grandma Vaughn,which was far from a good ole fashioned Christmas, but great! And we got everyone hooked on the crazy card game Killer Bunnies which again doesn't sound festive, but nothing could be more so! We made it back to Illinois with a few extra pounds and still had a week to hang out with friends and relax. It was great.

Enjoy the newest image of James! The next time we see him it will be in person!