2nd Birthday Party

Today we gathered friends and family to celebrate Vaughan's 2nd birthday! I, being a glutton for punishment, made his cake again from scratch. The toppers are from etsy and turned out oh so cute! Of course, the theme was Toy Story and Vaughan was in amazement of all the decoration. He called it "Birthday Buzz." I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

Happy 2nd Birthday

Today, sweet Vaughan, you are 2 years old! Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday you were born.

You are 3' tall (90th percentile), weigh 40 lb, 10 oz (off the chart) and your head is a whopping 54 cm (off the chart). You are a big boy, literally!!

You have been bumped down to skim milk and the pediatrician wants you potty trained by your 3rd birthday.

We love you sooooo much!!

PawPaw Died

Today shortly after 7am this morning, PawPaw went home to be with the Lord.

PawPaw was taken off life support on Monday afternoon and we maintained a vigil all night. Grandmomma, Kristin, Mom and I spent the night at the hospital taking turns talking to him and encouraging him to breathe while watching his vital signs drop and his breathing get more and more shallow. We also shared sweet memories of times together.

I was not in the room when PawPaw passed. I had gone to get Grandmomma coffee. I think that he did that on purpose, since he knows that I am the most emotional of the bunch. I do not think that I will ever forget that moment Mom came to get me from the lobby. It was so surreal and all I could do was run to his, and Grandmomma's, side. Life can change in literally a BLINK of an eye. Never take a moment for granted. We *thought* we would get 4-12 months with PawPaw, in actuality, we got about 2-1/2 weeks.

Coincidentally, it was also Kristin's birthday. We also think he did that on purpose, as well, so we would remember the date (he was born on Pearl Harbor Day).

My sweet baby cousins took it very hard, not surprisingly. They are only 9 and 11. After going home, clearing my head and showering I decided to take the kids to get ice cream to let them talk about their feelings.


I plan to print out this photo and put in PawPaw's coat pocket at the funeral.

More Sleeping Habits of Vaughan

I know that Vaughan is my son by his strange sleep positions!!

Hanging Out

Today we had a fun afternoon stroll with N and his Mommy!

"Cow" Boy!

Vaughan still loves the cow that Uncle Robert gave him!
This is the sight I walked into this morning :)

The Sleeping Habits of Vaughan

You never know what you will find when you go to check on Vaughan at night! He was missing off the video monitor and this is what I found. Him head first into his stuffed animals at the opposite end of the bed!!

Big Brother

I have not been feeling like myself lately, I shrugged it off as stress with PawPaw's medical issues. However, when Mother and I were at the ER with him on March 8th and I felt the need for Cheetos at midnight, I thought something may be up. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, while Vaughan was napping this confirmed by suspicions...it is not entirely stress, just a BABY (on top of stress)!! Vaughan surprised his Daddy with the positive test below.

Baby Dow part 2 will be here on or around November 14, 2012.

The Zoo

Today, we decided to take advantage of the cool weather and make a trip to the zoo. As always Vaughan had a blast (so did Mommy and Daddy)!


Ready to go!






The Pandas were out eating bamboo!


Mr. Independent!

Welocme to the Family -- Woody Bear

We had a birthday coupon for Build A Bear that we decided to use today. Buzz Bear needed a friend. Vaughan had so much fun!


Watching his bear be stuffed...the machine was really loud and he wouldn't go near.


Woody needs a proper hat!


Satisfied customer.