Friday, September 11, 2009

Little Cabin in the Woods

Here's a little belated look at our Labor Day weekend. We went to Gatlinburg with my parents and had a great time. Our cabin was super comfy and as you will see from the pictures below we did a whole lot of swinging on the AWESOME back porch, playing with our boy, and being lazy. It was a great way to spend the weekend!!!!!

On the swing

Mommy and Son
Playing Pat-A-Cake with Gamma
Looking out the window at the mountains

Waving Bye Bye
Our cabin was super open and had a loft. Jacob was FASCINATED everytime one of us went upstairs. He would watch us walk up the stairs. If we would stop and look at him he would smile really big or laugh really hard. He also would wave bye bye to us. It was just so darn cute!!!
Playing with cars - this boy loves him some wheel action

Pops I wanna wear your hat
Hey Coach.
By the way - from the moment we got to Gatlinburg Jacob was obsessed with Coach. We pulled up and Coach and Gamma were waiting on the front porch. Jake immediately went for my dad. And, well that's how it was all weekend. This boy loves his Coach. Oh, and Coach loves his Jacob. It is so fun to watch the two of them together.
Tickle time before dinner
My sister who goes to UT didn't come with us this weekend because of the football game. We sure did miss her. However, since Knoxville isn't that far away she and her new boyfriend Michael came up for dinner on Sunday night. Jacob was so happy to see his Leelee.
Jacob admiring the view
There's that truck again - I think I know what this boy is getting for his birthday!!
Getting ready to go home
One last family picture on the swing
Jake and the Grandparents
Jacob LOVES his grandparents - look at that happy face :)
Our cabin. Gotta love Gatlinburg for the super cheezy names
We didn't just stay in the cabin the whole time. We got out a bit too. Jared and I went walking around downtown Gatlinburg while the rents kept the boy. It was nice to have a few baby-free hours. We also rode go carts. Here are a couple of pics of J at the track. This boy was completely and totally mesmerized watching the carts race. It was too funny!!!!
Watching Pops on the slick track
Walking around the track
One more look guys
On Monday morning we all went and had a yummy Pancake breakfast before my parents left for home. We however had one more stop to make. A visit isn't complete without a trip to the aquarium. Jacob LOVED it!!!!
Creepy looking spider crab - I actually had a nightmare about this thing
Shark
In case you can't read this sign it said it was put up due to the "SHARK ATTACK".
That's right - one of the sharks attacked the glass in the underwater tunnel.
There were teeth marks and scratches to prove it.
Can you imagine!?! So glad that didn't happen on the day were there!!!
Cute little thing - I have no idea what it is but I kinda want one
Maybe this is the one that attacked!?!
Looking at the fishies
Look at how pretty that water is. Not that I would want to get in it with one of those things though.

At the end - what a great way to end our trip
Love this boy!!!
Well, we sure had a great time. Can't wait for next year!! Hope everyone else had a wonderful holiday weekend as well. Till next time peeps.....

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Perfect 10!!!

Jared and I can't believe that Jacob is already 10 months old. Happy One Year here we come!! Our sweet little guy just brings us more joy every day. He is such a happy, content, fun-loving, playful little fellow and we just adore him. Here's what our little monkey is up to this month:

-Jacob loves, loves, loves to eat. His favorites right now are cut up green beans, sweet potatoes, mango, bananas, and cranberry sauce. J also really likes yogurt. We just gave it to him a couple of weeks ago and it has quickly become a staple in the Vaughn household.
-Jacob is getting really good at picking food up and putting it in his mouth. He still drops a lot, but a lot more is going in too! :)
- Jacob now waves bye-bye. He also shakes his head back and forth when he doesn't want something...sometimes though he does it just because he knows it'll make us laugh.
-Jacob is pulling up on everything. He can now walk sideways by pulling himself along the couch. He is also learning to climb. Yes, climb. People my house has officially become one big jungle gym. He likes to climb up in his little blue chair. J will also pull himself up onto the couch by the use of my leg. And, just this morning he climbed under one of our bar stools and then climbed through the other two and out the other end....what a crazy boy.
-I've said before that we have quite an inquisitive little fellow.....well it continues. Jacob inspects EVERYTHING. You can see the little wheels turning trying to figure out how things work. Last week I set up a blockade upstairs thinking it would keep him contained. Well, J crawled over to it and just sat there looking at it. I thought all was still ok. A few mintues later the little Houdini wormed his way through!
-My dad made an observation the other day that Jacob loves wheels. He loves playing with his toy trucks and if a car goes by he will watch it until he can't see it anymore. Also, we went to ride go carts the other night and Jacob was fascinated watching them go round and round the track. Do we have a typical boy on our hands or what!?!
-We have been working on "No Touch" with things in the house that are off limits. I can proudly say that Jacob is getting so much better at responding the first time we say it. It's still not 100%, but he's still little and learning. The other day though I was on the other side of the room. Jacob was behind me. A second later I turned around and he was over by Samson's water bowl. I didn't have time to make it before he spilled water all over the floor. I said, "Jacob no touch". He looked at me and then crawled away. Did that boy get some hugs and praise for that!! I was such a proud mama!
-Jacob plays by himself and entertains himself so well. He loves to just pull out all of his toys and put them back in their containers. When he gets bored he just moves onto something else. I think this is such a great thing and it helps me out a lot too.
-Jacob LOVES...did I say loves?...to watch Samson play in the backyard. We throw the ball and J laughs hysterically. He also anticipates Samson bringing it back so we can do it all over again. It is so stinkin' cute. J also loves to watch Samson run up and down the hallway with one of his stuffed animals (Samson's not Jacob's) in his mouth. J will just sit there and crack himself up. These two are going to be the bestest of friends.
-J has started exhibiting a bit of stranger anxiety. We thought we had passed this stage, but apparently not. He has started clinging to both Jared and I when we are in public places. He is still friendly and smiles at everyone, but he wants to stay in our arms. :)
-Jake has starting showing a preference for men. When we are with other people he always tends to go for the males in the group. And, this boy LOVES his Coach. We were in Gatlinburg this past weekend and he didn't want anything to do with anyone but my dad. And my dad didn't like that at all!!! :) :) :)
-J loves being outside. Taking a stroll, playing with Samson, sitting on the front porch. He is just so content.
-He is learning to make noises with different toys by banging them on things or against each other.
-J likes to throw everything. Well, he hasn't learned to throw food yet. Toys and sippy cup are another story.
-We also have a little biter on our hands. We think it's because he's teething. But, he'll go like he's about to hug you and before you know it all three of those sweet little teethers have bitten into your shoulder. You say "ouch", Jacob looks at you and smiles.
-He is getting better at standing up. He can now do this with very little support....sometimes just one handed. The other day he stood by himself for about three seconds before he fell over. I don't think it's going to be long now. He also likes to get up on his knees. He's throw his hands up like he's praising the Lord and he'll hold himself there for several seconds before he falls forward. I'm not sure what he's trying to do, but it is the cutest thing. He must like it too because he'll do it over and over and over again.
-J loves to go with mommy to the grocery store. He is fascinated by all the sights and smells (I let him feel and smell the different fruits and vegetables while we talk about what they are). He also really enjoys staring at the nice checkout people as they put our groceries in the cart. I know there will come a day when taking him with me will not be so fun, but for now I am enjoying this activity.
-Our little guy just loves to interact with people. We think he may be social like his aunt Jayme. He is so content to just sit and look at you. He loves it when we talk to him, sing to him, play with him, read to him...anything. And, we love it too!
-Jacob really enjoys listening to music and he is learning to dance by bouncing up and down. At night when I am making dinner I play music in the kitchen and it keeps everyone so very happy. Jacob also loves to watch mommy dance around and entertain him.
-We love being called "mama" and "dada".
-Our sweet boy is just so active and playful. Everything is learning to him at this stage. He is figuring this world out and we are loving watching him explore his environment.

What an amazing responsibility and priviledge it is to be his parents. I assure you it is not one we take lightly. God has entrusted this sweet little soul to us and we want to raise him well. We are just so honored be his mommy and daddy. Everyday with Jake just keeps getting better and better. Happy Happy 10 Months little man!!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

9 Month Pictures

Here's some of the 9 month photos we took of Jacob last weekend. Hope you enjoy!!