The Curse of a Mother

My mom and I often talk about "the curse of a mother." The curse works like this: when your baby is awake you want to them to sleep but once they are asleep you can't wait for them to get up. I hope that those of you who are mothers can understand and those of you who aren't will forgive me for how awful the curse sounds.

Here's the thing though, when Vaughn is awake I have a hard time getting anything done unless (*cringe*) I put on the TV to entertain him. But, as soon as I put him down for a nap or bed I miss him. I tried to explain this to Guy once and he thought I was crazy. I physically miss Vaughn sometimes even when he is less than 25 steps away in his room. I just want to hold, cuddle, kiss, hug, play...Once I lay Vaughn down and I am sure he is asleep I can't help but go and check on him. Here are a few pics of him being irresistibly cute.

Vaughn somehow fell asleep with his feet sticking out of the bars of the crib. He is one wild sleeper!

*Disclaimer: Vaughn does very well playing by himself but he has quite a bit of separation anxiety right now so when I leave to do something he wants to come with me. The TV will keep him distracted from me leaving. Please don't judge me for this; I judge myself enough about it!

The Help

I just can't keep it in any longer...


I read the best book! My mom gave it to me for my birthday and I can't help but reccomend it to everyone. If you are looking for a book to fall in love with that you can't put down, this one is for you.
Let me know if you have read it, are planning on reading it or have anything else to say about it!

Sanitary Vaughn

Our little boy loves to wash his hands. He often stands by a sink and says, "hands, hands, hands..." until we get his fingers under the water. He has also mastered using soap and rubs it all over his hands and between his fingers. Sometimes he wipes it on his pants before he remembers to rinse it off but he is learning! He also really enjoys lotion. His Grandma taught him how to rub it in and then smell his hands (because most lotion smells good these days, especially Grandma's).

Santa!

Now that Christmas is over Vaughn has a new obsession...Santa!! My parents had a big stuffed Santa at their house and Vaughn carried him around with him the whole time we were there. Mostly he just used Santa as a pillow but he loved showing everyone his new friend. He also got a Christmas themed Wiggle movie which had Santa on it. Now that we are home he feels like it is his duty to remind everyone about Santa year round. He has also learned two key phrases 1) "ho, ho, ho" and 2) "Merry Christmas". Needless to say he is pretty darn cute!!

Missing Husband

I just thought that I should tell everyone that when Guy is gone I refer to him as "Rodeo Man." I like to pretend that he is out there trying for his 8 second ride. It seems to make the time go by a little faster because I can relate more country songs to our relationship. Also, I pretend his bonus checks are prize money. However, he has been gone way too long this time. I have been singing "I Can Still Make Cheyenne". Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to leave Guy but it sure is hard to be married to a rodeo man. Our big house is too much for just me and Vaughn. Since it doesn't seem to be changing any time soon I think I will nail a horseshoe above our door and keep that jukebox playing those country songs.
Luckily for me I can make this fantasy come to life every summer for Frontier Days. Usually, Guy will oblige and put on some pearl snaps. Last summer he even asked if I had packed his cowboy boots! So, when y'all are ready to kick back with me and enjoy some good 'ole country livin', please come visit. I have been gettin' rather lonely!

Time Out?

I have been trying my hardest to put Vaughn in time out when he does things that are dangerous, mean or otherwise too mischievous for my taste. Yesterday he was climbing on Grandma Do's table and holding for her very fragile mosaic bowl. I decided that this warranted time out. Vaughn, however, had a different take on the matter and laughs hysterically whenever I try any form of punishment.

It has been really hard for me to discipline him for a few reasons:

1) No one, including Vaughn, takes me seriously when I am mad.

2) He is still so young that I can't decide what deserves time out and what is just a kid being a kid.

3) He is too stinkin' cute!

I feel so lucky to have such an adorable child and hope that he remembers these kind of time outs and not the ones when he is screaming and kicking! I have a very cute video of this on my phone but it does not upload to the blog. If you want to see it let me know and I can email it to you!

Nursery

We still have not made it through a whole nursery. Luckily, we have sacrament meeting under our belts but Vaughn just refuses to stay put afterwards without one of us there. However, the nursery teachers don't support us staying for the entire time...so our options have dwindled to 1) staying and feeling awkward with the teachers, 2) take Vaughn to our classes and feeling awkward with everyone there because he is loud, restless and like to poke the women who sit in front of us or 3) Leave after sacrament. We are at a loss. What should we do???