Mmmm Squash...

Our little bug did so great with the rice cereal we decided to move on to bigger and better (tasting) things. Next on the menu - SQUASH!!!! Here are a few pics of J's first tastes of this yummy veggie. At first he wasn't so sure, but after a couple of bites he really liked it. I think we will eat this one again!!!

1st taste of squash...not quite sure

Hmm...maybe it's not that bad

Oooh....this is good

More please

I know it looks like it's all on my bib, but I did eat some.

We are really enjoying getting to watch Jake experience foods for the first time. What a fun stage!!! Our little guy sure is taking to this new phase of life. We couldn't ask for a sweeter baby.

On a side note - Jacob got his first cold this past weekend. He has been battling a runny/stuffy nose and cough for the past few days. His little cough is so precious. We feel bad he is sick but luckily it's not interfering with sleep. We are praying he gets to feeling better soon.

A Pro with Cereal

Here are a few more pics of our boy eating cereal. We think he's gotten the hang of it. How about you?....

Silly Mommy, give me some food

This bowl sure does taste yummy!!

Yum

This is a piece of cake

All done

Here are a few more pics from our week -

J and Pops

J and Mommy

J and his sweet great aunt Lisa

Our little family in the HUGE rocking chair after dinner one night

Week of Firsts

It has been a fun and interesting week at the Vaughn household. Jacob has experienced quite a few new things in his world.

First, Jacob stayed in the nursery at church for the FIRST time this past Sunday. How did he do? Great. How did we do? Better than expected. J's teachers are Joe and Karen. They are an older couple and are in there every week to provide consistency...we like this very much. There were about six babies for J to play with. They said he was very good and liked to lie on the floor and chew on toys. That boy sure loves to chew these days!! :) West End has such an amazing children's area. It is so bright and colorful. We feel so safe leaving our sweet boy there while we go and worship. What a blessing!!!

Second, we joined the Y. We have been wanting to for quite a while and just hadn't gotten around to it. However, with me trying to shed those last baby pounds before having to wear a swimsuit and wanting a pool to take J to this summer we decided to do it. It has been wonderful. The people in the nursery are sweet and J seems to have a good time. Jared and I have been enjoying our workouts. I even went to a step class this morning...what a workout. So fun!! We are hoping to take J for his first swim at the indoor pool sometime this week.

Speaking of bathing suit weather...here is our little man in his first suit. We know it's not quite swimming time but boy are we ready!!!

In other BIG news. J started rice cereal this week. What an experience!!! He did so well and I think he is quite enjoying it. At first he was confused and not sure what to do, but it only took a few bites before he started to get the hang of it. We were waiting to start him until we absolutely had to because we have some food allergies in our family, but J was ready. He was eating tons during the day and still waking up at night the past few days to eat more. So, we decided to jump on in. Here are some pics of J's first taste of solid food. What a BIG boy!!!!

This is J before taking his first bite

Yummy!!!!

Mommy this is good stuff

Oh, I'm not sure about this

Full Mouth

Getting cleaned up

Today, I got J's Johnny Jumper. What a hit. He lOVED it. It was so cute to watch him bounce and spin around. I think this may be one of our new faves.....

That's all for now folks. Until next time.....

She's not a little girl anymore...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEANNA!!!!

My sister turned 21 today. Happy Birthday Leanna!!! I can't believe it....you are getting older and I'm just getting old :). I hope you had a wonderful day today and that you felt as special as you are. We are so proud of you and the young woman you are becoming.

Much love - your big sis

Grace Sufficient for Me

This week I have been studying God's grace. I've heard it a dozen times.. "It is by grace you have been saved. It is not of yourself. It is a gift from God." I know in my head that grace comes free. I know in my head that nothing I do can earn grace or take it away. I know in my head that God wants me to live in His grace. Yet, often my heart doesn't understand these things. I live my life feeling the need to continually show God that I am worthy of this gift. I try so hard to do and say the right thing, worrying that I'll screw things up that I miss it. I miss the gift. I live shackled to my sin and I'm so comfortable in that place that at times I can't even allow God to set me free.

And, then when I do allow God's grace to fill me it still doesn't feel like enough. Why? I honestly don't know. Is it because bad stuff happens? Is it because problems still occur? Is it because my poor self-image is still so present? Is it because God doesn't answer my prayers the way I want him to? Is it because my faith is not big enough? Maybe, maybe not. Or, maybe it's a little of all those things put together.

Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?....

Jesus paid the debt. Jesus took my place. Jesus set me free. Jesus wants me to accept his grace. Of these truths I am sure. It's learning to live like I really believe it that's the hard part. It's learning to be content in Christ no matter what doubts I have or what life may throw my way.

A quote by Max Lucado got me thinking about this idea of being content in God's grace,

"What if God's only gift to you were his grace to save you? Would you be content? You beg him to (fill in the blank)...What if his answer is, My grace is enough. Would you be content? You see, from heaven's perspective, grace is enough. If God did nothing more than save us from hell, could anyone complain? If God saved our souls and then left us to spend our lives leprosy-struck on a deserted island, would he be unjust? Having been given eternal life, dare we grumble at an aching body? Having been given heavenly riches, dare we bemoan earthly poverty?....When we are hurting, it doesn't matter how much we know about doctrine or theology. What we really need to know is Jesus. To walk with him. To talk with him. Crawl into his lap and let him hold us for awhile. Perhaps we'll never say Jesus is all I need, until he is all that we have. At that moment, he will prove to be all we need and more."

Hmmm....makes me wanna learn to be content. Thank you God for being enough!!!!!

So Long Friend

Jared and his truck

So...this week we said farewell to a good friend. Who? Our truck. Our wonderful, manly, green truck. It was quite a sad day. Jared got this truck when he graduated high school and is quite attached to it. Friday when he came hom from work he said he got sad knowing that was the last time he would drive his truck home from work. This truck is special for me too because it was the car we dated in. Some of my fondest memories with Jared involve going places and having deep conversations while sitting on those oh so uncomfortable seats!

Friday night we drove it around the block one last time. It was a sweet time for us. I'm sure you are wondering why we are getting rid of something we are obviously so fond of. Well...as great as it is, this car just does not work with a baby. Jacob's car seat does not fit in the backseat so sadly we are having to get a different car. Don't worry though - the truck isn't going to some stranger. Our wonderful friend now belongs to Jared's dad. :) We know he'll take good care of it and I'm sure if we get the need to drive it around the block for old times sake he would let us.

We now are the proud owners of a Honda CRV. It's a great car and we are thankful to have it. Hopefully we can create some fun family memories behind the wheel of our new friend.

So long Green Tacoma Truck. We will miss you!!

For Jacob

For Jacob

It's the hardest thing you'll do they say

This job you do that has no pay

Day and night. Around the clock.

Always going. Never stop.

Feed, change, burp, sleep

You think you're done. Nope repeat.

Sometimes he just cries and cries

You wonder what else you can try

Body tired. Patience thin.

Close your eyes and count to ten

Pray to God to help you through

Show you just what you should do

Sometimes you walk and walk and walk the floor

But not that often thank the Lord.

Hold him, love him, pat him dry

Watch how fast the time flies by

You know he's sleeping in the night

And wonder if he is alright

Over to his bed you creep

You'll be quiet. Just one peek

As you watch him tucked away

You wonder what he'll be one day

He's growing up so very fast

Enjoy these moments while they last

Every laugh. Every cry. Every coo. Every sigh

The way he looks when you walk by

His skin so soft. His smile so sweet

Tiny little hands and feet

The mohawk high up on his head

Is the cutest thing. Enough said.

His big blue eyes convey so much

Every tickle. Every touch.

He grabs your finger. Won't let go

But you don't mind you love him so

Mistakes he'll make. You know he will

But through it all you'll love him still

You've made it through another day

Laughed and giggled. Read and played

His belly full. He's so content

Eyes so heavy. Energy spent

He curls right up. Soft and snug

Cherish each and every hug

There he is your little boy

Who knew he'd bring you so much joy

It's the hardest thing you'll do they say

This job you do that has no pay

Yes it's non-stop. Yes it's hard.

The hardest thing you've done so far

But you have the biggest grin

Can't wait to do it all again

For it is worth it. This you knew

And your little boy sure does love you

And that moment when your eyes connect

You know that you have no regrets

For this thing called mommyhood is just for you

Doing what you were born to do

You wonder what tomorrow will bring

As into his ear you softly sing

I am your mommy. You are my son

I love you so my little one

Written for my sweet Jacob. I love you more than words can say!!!