Pictures of the kiddies

Aunt Gina gave us the best present this year - a professional photo shoot! We took the pictures in November. We needed to document how chubby Brock is. Notable note - 12/27/08 - tony and I are afraid for Brock. We think his thighs have increased in size again! Pretty soon he won't fit in the bumbo chair! He is now sitting up for a while by himself and can stand with help. He needs to get moving soon, because he is in 9 month clothes at 4 months!

Christmas Program

This is a little late, but here are pictures of the childcare christmas program. The kids and teachers put alot of time into this. During the 1st few songs, Vaughn and another little girl pointed to their daddys video recording the program. Vaughn would say "that's my daddy" and the little girl would point and say "no, that is my daddy". After the program, Vaughn gave us a private dance of his own in his costume. Papa, Grandma, Brock, Daddy and I all enjoyed the show.

christmas at the hessburgs

We celebrated Christmas with the Hessburgs & friends last night. Vaughn and Campbell had a lot of fun running around with Aunt Ellie's christmas headband and getting lots of toys. Brock got a "bumbo" and like the fact he could sit-up and join in on the fun without doing sit-ups. His thighs are so big that he got stuck a few times when we tried to get him out. Vaughn got 2 batman airplanes - one from Mom & Dad & one from Campbell & Ellie. Aunt Gina gave us beautiful pictures (which I still need to post from daddy's computer) Grandma & Papa gave Vaughn a spiderman, game, tinker toys, haunted house car thing, and a 2 headed dragon. They didn't lack for toys! Vaughn had a little problem understanding that Campbell wasn't getting all the presents before we left for Papa's and Grandma's. I had to wrap all of her clothes and dolls and he got a little jealous. A small whining/pout/tantrum before we left.

I like my tongue!

Brock has found his tongue. He likes to look at us and stick it out. I guess that is what babies like to do? Brock has also started to reach out for things on his mobile - a few weeks ago I guess. I think he is teething too. Lots of drool!

where has the month gone? Surprise a post!

I don't know where all the time has gone. Here is a small update as I will post a few different pictures and notable notes.

Brock is now in 6-9 month clothes. He is so chunky we have to put him in size 3 diapers because of his thighs! Yesterday, he rolled from his tummy to his back. He is also doing pilates moves while on his back - he will lift his head up all the way and his legs at the same time. More than mommy can do right now! :)

Vaughn has mastered the potty - finally! He now can run to pee when he needs to, but the pooping is still day by day. He can count to at least 20 and he knows his abc's pretty well. He got strep again last monday and had a ruptured ear drum. The urgent care knows us well. He is still into his batman airplane which he got yesterday. He likes puzzles and tinker toys too.

Thank God for Santa Claus! Christmas is early!

I never thought it would happen. Potty training is going pretty well. He had 1 accident on the playground at school - poop & pee. No accidents at home. Today he was a gold star. When I picked him up he said "mommy & daddy are so happy" . I can thank santa claus for this! The only thing Vaughn can talk about lately is Santa. Santa will be so happy I did this and that - is what he will say. I am now using this to my advantage. "Santa is so proud of you when you use the potty" Every night he tells me that Santa is coming the next day. I then try to explain to him that it is Thanksgiving 1st then we need to get ready for Santa. (ie. Christmas tree, cookies, and going to see santa with lukie) All I want for Christmas is a potty trained 3 year old!

Vaughn's words

Peanuts = penis

Claws = cards

Puppets = stuffed animals

:)

The day we never thought would come!

Last week we had a parent teacher conference at Vaughn's school. One of his action items according to his teacher was he was ready to wear underwear. Huh - Tony and I were surprised. At home he refused to go. It has been 1 step back. After a weekend in ND with no signs of improvement this morning I decided it was time to jump in head 1st. "vaughn - your teacher told us you should wear underwear to school" I thought he was going to say "no diaper mommy" but he said o.k. I brought all the extra clothes - fully thinking he was going to be in the 3rd outfit by the end of the day. Somehow, when I went to pick him up he was still dry and in the same clothes! No accidents - (he did smell a little like pee - he hasn't mastered the "flick" to get the pee off his "peanuts".) I did try to get him to go before we went in the car - a teacher had to bribe him with a soccer ball sticker to go. The only close call we had was when Tony found him in the back of the living room - ready to poop. He still hasn't gone poop yet - hopefully not in the underwear! Stay tuned to day 2.

Elvis Radio

I got a new company car a week or so ago. It has many new features - storage underneath the backseat floor, a cold storage above the glovebox, oh yes and satellite radio. One would have thought had a satellite radio long ago since I am in the car alot. I love it. It does however bring up questions of life and death. Conversation with Vaughn last week -

Vaughn - "I want Vaughn radio - not mommy radio"

Mommy - "O.K. Let's find Vaughn radio" (I am hoping to avoid the kiddie channel)

After a few channels - no love music or top 40 we find the all elvis channel.

Vaughn - "Stop mommy - I like Vaughn music"

Mommy - "Elvis?"

We proceed to discuss Elvis and somehow I tell Vaughn Elvis is dead. (Although it is still up for some debate - depending on who you talk to)

Vaughn - "How did Elvis die?"

Mommy - "Too many pills - he overdose"

Vaughn - "Where is Elvis now?"

Mommy - "Heaven"

Vaughn - "Like Ben the Cow" ( Vaughn's only association with death is the cow who died in the Barnyard Movie)

Mommy - "Yes Ben and Elvis are in Heaven"

Vaughn - "I want to go to heaven"

Mommy - "You can go to heaven someday - but a long time from now"

Then I proceed to explain how if you go to heaven you can't come back home.

Now just rewind what I just wrote and go over the conversation 10 more times for 2 days straight! :)

more pictures!

Mommy & Brock!

When Babies attack!

north dakota vacation

We have had alot of fun in North Dakota this past weekend. Mommy came up for work. The trip here was uneventful - McDonalds in Buffalo and movies. Unfortunately, we got two zebra toys and there were a few tears by Vaughn, because he wanted the penguin toy. Brock as always was a great baby. The only downside to the trip was mommy's breastpump decided to break that afternoon, so we had to go buy a new one. Needless to say, I was excited to get to ND.

Highlights of our trip include -

Brock's longest night between feedings - 8pm -5am!

Vaughn and mommy's trip to the mall to eat pretzels - (someone has too much energy, so we needed to get out of the house)

Tummy time with the brothers - see picture.

Brock still seems to be gaining weight even though he only eats 4oz every 3 or so hours. Usually, he cluster feeds in the evening and then will give us at least 5 or so hours of time.

Vaughn grew about 1 3/4 inches since June!

We still are struggling with diapers. Vaughn does not seem motivated by anything. Actually he has regressed! We are hopeful Lukie can help us convince Vaughn underwear are cool!

Now all we need is to have a good trip home!

Dan & Luke play hide the baby!

Vaughn & Luke played Sunday afternoon while we went to Aunt Mary's 80th birthday party. Brock had a meltdown the whole time. When we returned to Dan & Karla's we took some pictures.
The baby is in most the pictures - Can you find one where Dan and Luke played "hide the baby"?

The last boat ride of the season

We went out on the boat for a quick afternoon ride with John Graham, Rebecca & Leo. Here are a few pictures from the trip.
Brock has II's dimple!

visit from Amy & Julie

Brock & Vaughn had some girls stop by on Sunday ! They are starting young! Amy & Julie stopped by for a quick visit. They were in awe of Brock's thighs!

halloween - SCARY!

Last halloween Vaughn had a tramatic experience at our neighbor Sue's house. He was a little scared of a moving skeleton that was the same height as our 2 year old. He promised Sue that this year he wouldn't be scared. Well - he wasn't scared at Sue's house this year! No, this year it was Roy & Carla's house :) He reached in to get the king sized snickers out of the bowl and a motion scensored skeleton hand came out to grab him. He proceeded to say their house was scary and ran to the end of the driveway! Then we went to Eric & Lisa's house. Lisa had gotten special treats for him - 3 king sized candy bars! She even got him a toy bat to match his costume,but after the skeleton hand he was a little scared still. We didn't get to too many houses. Brock was Batman's evil penguin. He hated his costume. He was fussy for the 1st two houses. We then went home and he had a snack and then we put him in the stroller. That seemed to do the trick. The night ended with Mommy & Daddy enjoying some wine with Eric & Lisa. We did get 1 trick or treater at 11pm. Mommy didn't think that was too strange at the time - he was wearing a cape.

Back to work

Mommy's 1st day back to work was last Wednesday. So far, Brock has charmed all of the lady teachers in his room (it must be his long eye lashes). Vaughn thinks it is pretty cool to go to the baby room to drop off Brock in the morning. Brock has yet to master the bottle on the weekend- he prefers the real thing.

fun pictures

Hey everybody!

My cousin is so cool!

vaughn - october 2008

I have started to use reverse psychology with Vaughn when it comes to potty training. I have told him I am going to stop asking about going potty and just change his diaper. It has seemed to work. He says no and then he goes to the toilet and takes off his pants and diaper and goes. Now if I could just have him go without suggesting it.

He is now into 5T and is getting taller and taller. Some of the funny things he has been saying lately have been - "I'm not so happy with you right now mommy" or at bedtime saying " I'm sorry I was cranky - I was just tired". Tony took him to the Haunted Trolley in Excelsior on Friday. He wore his batman costume and wasn't too scared. Apparently, a man jumped out of a closet to scare him and all he said was "don't do that again".

He continues to be a great big brother. The only problem is he tries to hug Brock and ends up smothering him. Brock gets this look on his face like "give me my space" Vaughn means well and I make sure the "babe" doesn't get hurt.

Cousins

Hug or wrestling move - you decide. When I asked the boys to pose for nanna this is what they did a few weeks ago.

brock - October 08

Brock has had a very active October. He has gained 2/12 lbs in less than 3 weeks. Today he is 14 lbs 10oz and 25 inches long. He smiles all the time and his active time is late morning early afternoon. He like to have quiet time and gets fussy when there is alot of noise or disruptions. He is extremely strong and can lift his head up. He like to sleep on his side too. His smile is funny and usually he tends to squint one eye and lift up one side of his mouth. He is starting to sleep now 4 to 5 hours at a time a night.

who you calling chubby!

The other day I decided to see just how "healthy" Brock has become. I thought I was a human pacifier, but now that I see these pictures I know it is the truth! You be the judge.

orange juice or crack you decide!

I am getting used to using the camera video option. Unfortunately, you have to turn your head sideways this time. Tony and I have a theory Vaughn gets hyper from orange juice - it looks like the suggestion of having orange juice does it too!

sweet revenge!

As a younger sister I yearned for the day to get my sweet revenge on my sister. It could have been the years of being sat on and told to "kiss the floor" (even in junior high) or the years of being teased about "Beth's mashed potatoes". I love my nephew Lukie. If he continues to give me material like this it will be easy to tease my older sister like she teased me. By the way - he wanted to eat the gravel and of course after a few bites II & I made him spit it out. We can't afford to send him to the dentist - of course they are only his baby teeth - he will get a new set some day. :)