Countdown to Christmas

What a crazy time of year this! We had a fantastic Halloween, including, but of course not limited to, visiting Grandma, Aunt Margaret, and Uncle Don and Aunt Mary's house. I laughingly joked that we should get shirts that say "Tour of Rory 2009"! Rory loved Trick or Treating and thought it was pretty cool that people just willingly gave out candy to total strangers. It is kind of a crazy holiday, if you really think about it. Rory really went crazy when we went home... check out the youtube video called SUGAR HIGH.

When we returned home he dumped all his candy on the table and just went to TOWN eating everything. But, we still had trick-or-treaters visiting, and the candy we had just wasn't good enough I guess. Rory wanted to give HIS candy to the 'big' kids- you know, the ones that SHOULDN'T be trick or treating, but do anyway. Actually, Brandon reported a trick or treater with a BEARD this year. Yikes. Anyway, Rory insisted on giving his candy to the kids (there were only a few). When we asked him what his favorite part of Halloween was, he said "giving out the candy". He's a giver... loves to give. When we laid in bed that night, we talked about how EVERYONE goes trick-or-treating.... his friends here, his cousins in florida, all his classmates, etc.... And he asked if anyone in Haiti goes trick-or-treating. I said no, it's just here. Then he asked if Witchy (one boy still in Haiti waiting to come home) would go trick-or-treating and I said, "No, Witchy isn't home yet so he can't go, but he'll go next Halloween." Rory was visably upset and asked why Witchy wasn't home yet, etc.... etc.... which turned into a long conversation. Then Rory asked if he could send some candy and his costume to Witchy so he could have Halloween in Haiti. How sweet is that... I just about melted.

Rory got his first report card in October and we had our first ever parent conference. It was really interesting being on the other side of the table. I actually teared up when the teacher was telling me how far he'd come and how he was writing (MY CHILD! WRITING!). I swore I'd never be that 'emotional' parent, but I do get it now and it just kind of brought it all home. He's come so far in just 8 short months. We are constantly amazed at the the things he says and does. The other day he just out of the clear blue sky started singing "Who let the dogs out!! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!" If I had a dime for evertime I say "Where did you hear that?"

Also, Thanksgiving was great. We had a small gathering - same as last year, but with Rory here, it was a whole new ball game. He had a countdown until the "big turkey". We made a little pilgrim hat and collar for him to wear too. He was really excited about the turkey, and he had a leg of it at dinner- hey, that's what he wanted, so I simply obliged... it's a holiday for pete's sake! He also loved the rolls and Grandma's chocolate pie. He was bummed to go to bed while the rest of us played cards. He wanted to stay up and play with us saying "Hey, guys, let's play cards".

The day after Thanksgiving was awesome. We got out all the stuff, boxes and boxes of it. Rory loved the newspaper :) in the boxes... thought that was really cool for some reason. Rory loves the dancing snowman and all that stuff. Grandma and Grandpa sent him a reindeer and dog that both sing and dance. He played with them last night for an hour! We are gradually adding to our collections around the Christmas tree and Rory says there are 31 right now. He could be right, but I'm not going to count them! The cutest thing is that he asked Santa for four things (a train, a drum set, a transformer, and a teddy bear) so he BELIEVES truly that he is going to get those four things and nothing more. Boy, is he going to be surprised on Friday! We can't hardly STAND IT!!!

In the meantime, we are going to have fun during our school break. I'm drinking coffee and typing this in my pajamas. The break comes just in the nick of time. Don't get me wrong- my job is great, but let's just say, that this year... I'm working for every red cent they pay me!

Fall is in the Air

If I had to describe our last month in one word it would have to be - BUSY! We have been going non stop just about all the time. Our reunion in September was awesome! Rory loved meeting up with some of his old friends. It was an amazing time and we are so glad we went. Of course, the airplane ride was special- he didn't even bother with any of the treats I brought for him to play with. He just parked himself right next to the window and stared out until he fell asleep. Same for the ride home. HE LOVES AIRPLANES! Here are some pictures from our trip. He was in HEAVEN!

We went to the zoo with Grandma. Rory loves the walrus... just can't get enough of him. He also go to feed the giraffe! See picture!


Gearing up for Halloween is very interesting. I mean, really, how do you explain Halloween to someone who has never known it? Rory is really excited about wearing his Halloween costume (spiderman). It has "big muscles"!

Rory had his last soccer game on Saturday and we were sad to see it end! He just loved it! Baseball is just around the corner and we think he is looking forward to it the most.

In the meantime, there are a lot of new videos on our you tube channel. Just click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/indyvaughn

Six Months HOME!

Well, Labor Day was Rory's six month anniversary of being home. What a wild six months. In some ways, it seems like a flash... and in others, like an eternity.

Rory started school on August 10th and hasn't looked back. He loves school, especially riding the bus and packing his lunch. He's developed the reputation (around our house, anyway) as the town cryer. He comes home everyday and gives us a full report on what other kids have been up to and who is getting in trouble. His teacher gave him a glowing report just recently and says that he is always smiling a.k.a. 'he's so sweet'. Those of us who really know Rory know better! I'm sure he's just concocting his next scheme! Seriously, he is sneeky, but overall very well-behaved.

Brandon's parents visited in late August and we had a really good time together. Grandma taught Rory to play war and some other games, while Grandpa must have been pretty worn out by the end of the trip from playing ball so much. Rory rarely let him sit down. He misses them so much- we loved having them here.

Rory also started soccer. The first game was today. At first, Rory was very hesitant ... but right around half-time-BOOM- something just clicked and he totally just took off! No score is kept in his league, so I can't be sure... but I think he scored three goals. He's the ringer of the team according to the asst. coach (a.k.a. Pappa)!

In the last month, Rory has just blossomed. He's really come into his own. There is hardly anything we can say anymore that he doesn't understand and he just loves everyday. He sleeps solidly through the night (FINALLY) because the school day is just so long. He is actually reading- yes, reading- for school and just last night we were reading a book and he said, "Mama-look- 'little'"... he recognized the word he'd been working on all week in one of our books before I could read it. Brandon and I are really enjoying this time, because he is so happy! On Thursday, we told him about a big trip we are taking in two weeks. We are going to the Chances 4 Children reunion in Ft. Lauderdale and there will be around 25 other kids there. They are all home now and the look on his face when it dawned on him that he was going to see his old friends... oh, enough to melt your heart! However, he is also really excited to go on the airplane. Hasn't been on one since our trip home, so it will be interesting!

Summer Montage

I'll just work around that stupid cat if it won't move.


















Visiting Mary and Don:)








Swimming lessons













On the river boat tour in Cinci with Chris and Melissa















More swimming lessons:)













My first fourth of July

On the double-decker bus tour in Chicago with Malana

There'a another new post below:)

Last Day of Summer :(

Well, Rory starts school tomorrow! This summer has just FLOWN by! We've done so much- here's a brief list:

1. Vaughn Family Vacation
2. Swimming lessons :)- Rory is a FISH!
3. Storytime and summer reading program at the library
4. Indians games
5. Overnight trips to Grandma's
6. Going to the festival(s) with Grandma
7. Trip to Chicago to visit Malana
8. Trip to Cincinatti to see Melissa, Chris, and Gus
9. Zoo!
10. Air show!
11. Endless Dr. and Dentist appts.
12. Signing up for soccer!
13. Getting ready for Kindergarten!

I'm really excited for him to start full-day kindergarten tomorrow- so is he! We've had a countdown going for about 3 months so he is more than ready! We went to kindergarten orientation the other night and he got to meet his teacher and the other students in his class. He was a little nervous, but fell right in with everyone. It was just surreal to see him sitting in a classroom with his name on his little desk. I just about cried, but quickly pulled myself together. It was funny to be in with all the other parents because I hadn't really given any thought to the fact that this was a group of people that up until five months ago, I hadn't 'belonged' to. Don't get me wrong... it was good, just strange and unfamiliar.

Rory starts soccer soon too... Brandon is the assistant coach for his team. We can't wait until the first real game. His language exploded this summer and he is not using very many creole words anymore. It is so amazing and exciting to watch his progress, but at the same time it is sad to see him gradually losing his native language. We still use creole words sometimes, but not because it is needed. He understands almost everything we say and he uses more complex words and sentences daily. The ELL (english language learner) teacher at his school was testing him and it was really cool to see how much he really did understand and objectively see how far he's come. She seems to think that he is doing very well and will master the language in a couple years. Not bad!

A couple days ago we were at my school getting the room ready, and Rory yelled "MAMA! My tooth felled out!" He'd finally lost a tooth that had been loose for some time. We had been working on the tooth fairy concept with books and a show on tv that talks about it. But sure enough, he asked A MILLION questions about the tooth fairy: Where does she live? What does she look like? What is her name? How big is she? Why does she want my tooth? What does she do with the teeth? How does she get in my house? Is she good or bad? Is she scary? But, the next morning he was downstairs (forgot all about it) and ran upstairs when he remembered the tooth fairy was supposed to come. She left him two dollars for his tooth and he was AMAZED! Now, he's constantly wiggling the other tooth that is loose:)

The Summer of Rory

Rory and me at the air show... Rory like the airplanes- but he loved the parachutes more!

Well, you can be sure that this is definitely turning out to be the summer of Rory. He is having a grand time, mostly because everything revolves around him! Right now, Brandon and Rory are flying a kite, which he's been begging to do for a week. Rory is really doing well, and his English has really taken off. Right now he's really into saying things like "YESSSSS!" and "Are you kidding me?" and "I LOVE being me!" (the last one is from the movie CARS). Much to my frustration, he is also saying "Every time...." at the beginning of a sentence when he is not happy with us. For example he says, "EVERY TIME, I turn off the luminae (lights), Mama turns luminae on. Everytime." (his response to us telling him to turn the lights off- I'm innocent in all this.) Also, "Every time, Mama eats the orange snack (cheese puffs) passe Rory (more than Rory) and Rory gets small orange snack. Everytime." (Which, okay, is probably true most of the time, but it's like living with the food police!).

Rory had his 1st of two major dentist appointments yesterday. It went really well, and it was hard not to laugh at him about 5 minutes after they gave him the sedation. Does that make me twisted? Anyway, it wall went very smoothly and we are going back for round two next week. After that, we have our Vaughn family vacation in Tennessee which Rory is so excited about. Every time we get in the car, he asks to go to nina and grace's house. He thinks that is where we are going no matter how we try to explain it to him.

This morning we were cleaning, which he still loves to do- go figure. Anyway, he cleaned the TVs, and was helping me clean his bathroom. Then, he launched into this big plan, how he was going to dust everything in his room and then downstairs, too. Then, we went into the garage to help Papa with some stuff and he used the blower to clean off the porch and the driveway. Now, he's discovered the measuring tape and walks around measuring everything. He things it's hilarious.

Papa's little helper!

Rory had his first overnight with Grandma Sanders last weekend. They went crazy and did all kinds of stuff, which of course HE LOVED. They even went to the Greenwood festival and rode rides! I think Grandma might have had an even better time than him!

Here are some pics of our last fishing trip. Rory is a great fisherman- catches them all by himself.

Photo Update!

Here are some of our latest photos! Also, check out our channel on youtube (23 new videos!!!)- just click on the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/indyvaughn

Rory bowling with Papa.

Rory and Owen at the Indians game... first one ever!

Happy birthday (May 14th) to Rory!

Rory and Grandma at the Bday party!

Mary and Don with Rory on his 5th Bday!

1st swimming EVER at the Reeves:)

No, we haven't fallen from the face of the earth....

But our lack of posts might make you think so! May has been so super busy - I went back to school on April 27th and school gets out next Thursday! Whoopee!

We've had so much happen in the last month and it's been so much fun! Rory got really adjusted to me going back to school. I can completely understand the emotional hell that some people go though who leave their babies to return to work. Our situation was a bit different. It was nice to be able to explain to Rory what my job is, that the "boys and girls" need me to teach them, and that every day when they get on the yellow bus, I will get in the black car and come home to see Rory at 4:00. He can tell basic time (on the hour and half past) so that really helps, but requires me to be right on schedule!!!

We also had Rory's bday party. It was a nice, small cake and ice-cream party- nothing crazy. But he's had lots of new experiences with Papa. He went to his first baseball game with Stacey and Owen. He LOVES his bike (papa and him go riding EVERYDAY). He's been bowling and to more restaurants. He had his first sleepover (Hudson and Rory slept in Rory's bed :)).

Everyone, without exception, inevitably ask two questions:

1) How's he sleeping? Well, that's complicated. He usually sleeps 10 hours a night, which is about right and is on a pretty strict schedule - down at 8:30, up around 6:30. However, he WITHOUT FAIL wakes up around 11:30 (our best guess) and comes down to our room. The real problem is that he sneaks into our bed and neither of us know he's there or how long he's been there. He's only been home less than three months, and from what I read and hear from others, the sleep thing will come, but right now, he's just really scared. AND, we can see real progress when we look back at where he's been.

2) Is he speaking in English? YES! Actually, there are very few Creole words that he still uses. He is really starting to use a larger vocabulary. Some of the things he's been saying recently are:
"I know what to do."
"Mama come at 4:00?"
"Papa fix the bike."
"I'm hungry... I'm not full"
"I love Ballons/Basketball/Money"
"You wait Mama/Papa.. I'll be right back"
"Exactly" or "Excellent" or "Perfect"
"Rory wins really good"
"I need a fork/spoon/drink/water/blanket"

We went to some garage sales last week and he took some of the money from his piggy bank. He bought some little toys, but what was funny was the things he wanted to buy, but for obvious reasons couldn't: a motorcycle, a treadmill, a chandelier, a pair of men's boots (for the snow), and a rake "to pick up grass". Most of the people at the garage sales got a real hoot out of it. The thing that really amazed them was how much he loves clothes and gets excited about someone's old shirt. He will usually hold up something and say "YES MAMA YES... really good". We found a shirt with a fire truck on it and you'd think from his reaction we had unearthed the Holy Grail. He just held it up and danced with it in circles and sang gibberish with a few things I could understand here and there like "good" "shirt" "Rory" "Mama" "Papa" "fire truck" and "red". I'm pretty sure the homeowner thought we were nuts and probably thought I kept this kid locked in my basement or something.

Tomorrow we are attempting our FIRST EVER swimming experience... we'll see how it goes. My instinct tells me he'll love it... but so far my predictions have been off on what he'll like/not like.

I promise to post again soon... Thanks for checking in regularly, only to be disappointed when I had failed to post hardly at all in the last month! With being at work, AND the month of MAY (my busiest by FAR), and being a new mama, I've been pooped. But, summer is in reach, and I know I will be better about it:)

Mama, YOU CRAZY!

That's one of Rory's favorite things to say right now. We've had a great week! Grandma and Grandpa Vaughn came on Tuesday and left this afternoon. Rory took to them immediately and actually snuck into their bed on Wednesday morning. We had so much fun with them! Rory caught his first fish (actually, three!) and we played candyland and chutes and ladders until we about fell over. It was so great to see Rory loving every minute with them. I'll attach some pics tomorrow and upload some new videos, too.

Unfortunately, Rory and I were both sick the last two days of Grandma and Grandpa's visit. He hung in there like a trooper though! He's getting over it now and should be back to his old self in no time. He's really amazing us everday with all his new things that he says and does:

• Rory discovered Papa's mic and amp today upstairs... he loves the sound of his own voice!
• When we were outside playing tonight after Grandma and Grandpa left, he saw an airplane and said Goodbye Grandma and Grandpa. He was a really big boy when they left... a little sad, but just briefly...
• When Rory plays candyland, he's learned to 'stack the deck' when no one is looking... he was cheating a lot in the beginning and really a sore loser, but he's gotten better very quickly. He thinks it's hilarious when someone gets the big slide in chutes and ladders (except when it's him, of course)!
• When we went fishing with Grandpa, he thought the fish were so cool, but wouldn't go anywhere near them or the worms. We tried to get him to touch them, but he wouldn't. You could kind of tell that he wanted to, though!
• The other night, I was putting Rory to bed and he was almost asleep and he said "mama, listen...." So, I'm listening for some noise that I assumed he was hearing but in a real quiet, hushed, tired voice he whispered the lyrics of his new favorite song "Baby, you can drive my car, Baby, you can drive my car... and baby, I love you"!

Post Drought

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.... we've been keeping busy and getting out a lot! We have had some people visiting and we've gone a few new places. So far, Rory is doing great with each venture! I actually took him to school to meet a few people after the kids were dismissed. He seemed to really like it and I think he somewhat understands that mama is a teacher now that he has seen my classroom. I go back to work on April 27th- less than 2 weeks- ugh! But, the good point is that Brandon and Rory will get to have some serious boy time and I'll be back home for the summer in just a few short weeks.

Easter was fantastic! We went to Marie and George's and had an Easter egg hunt. We were thinking it would be good to do a dry run the night before so we hid eggs around the house (it was raining). There were 18 eggs and the sum total of candy in the eggs was one roll of smarties, some mike and ikes, two twizzlers, and one lollypop. That way, he could eat it all when he found them. So, he hid in his room while we stashed eggs everywhere... he really took to it! Once we explained to him that the eggs were hidden, he tore though the place. Then, when we opened the eggs. We could tell from his eyes that he was like "THIS IS SO COOL!". At Marie and George's he practically bulldozed everyone looking for the eggs! But he got a major stash of serete (candy) and money- he puts the money in one coin at a time so he was in his room for at least 20 minutes when we got home... the money was a much bigger score for him than the candy. He loves change!

We are really looking forward to Brandon's parents coming next week- he's talked to them on the phone and knows their pics so we are hoping he warms to them really quickly.

On another note, I've accomplished a personal goal:

I completed the sunday crossword!!! WOO HOO!

Some new pics

Two posts in one day! Enjoy!!!

Don't I look handsome in my new helmet?

After coloring this picture of a black cat, Rory decided to 'give' it to Giggy and thought this was the best place for it!!!

Going to get the mail with Aunt Mary.

Family photo at Mary and Don's:)

Playing in Uncle Don's garage- it's a fun place with lots of cool stuff!

Eating chocolate robin's eggs = BLUE TONGUE!

Our BIG outing!

Today, we went to the mall. We were dying to get out somewhere besides the grocery store. We thought that Rory would love the indoor playground- especially on a cold day like today. We thought the stores would interest him, too. Not surprisingly, we were dead wrong on both counts.

We went to the Disney store... we thought he would like seeing things he would recognize like the 'machine' from CARS or Quincy from 'Little Einsteins'. He did love it and would find something he liked... like the Wall-e robot.... and wrap his arms around it, but we were steadfast in not buying one thing from the store. We just put it back on the shelf. He really liked all the clothes there, too. He always shared clothes with all the kids at the Creche, but now he knows that his clothes are HIS clothes, and that is a whole new idea to him. He loves clothes. How much do you wanna bet that it won't be the same at Christmas when he opens up a 'present' of socks??? We tried to coax Rory onto the playground, but he wasn't too interested, he just turned and ran back out. What did he love?? The floor at the mall. He loves anywhere where the tiles consist of alternating colors. At the mall, he hit the jackpot. At the Disney store, he loved the big Mickey on the ground right as you walk in. Also, big hits at the mall included: the 'penny rides' (that actually cost 75 cents). He loved the 'hot dog truck' and the jet ski. We had to coax him to get on the horse, but he ate it up once he was on. Brandon made a good point- maybe he thought the horse was going to take off. Totally possible! I didn't even think of that.

HOWEVER, by far, the biggest hits were #1)the penny donation container that you drop the pennies in and it spins until it drops in. I think we must have dropped $4.00 worth of pennies just on that. And #2, the pay telephone. He eyeballed that and made a b-line for it. He kept picking it up and listening to the dial tone. They have a 'phone' at the library. When you pick up the receiver, it's an INDIANA PACER reading a popular children's book. I think he was expecting that but was just as happy with it anyway. He was amazing at the mall. At the penny rides, we said "2 more rides" then "one more ride" then "okay we are finished". He went back to honk the horn on something and then said "I am finished". As long as we give him a 'countdown', he does so well.

Oh, AND, first ice-cream was today!!!! Maggie Moo's vanilla with sprinkles -- he loved it, but didn't really have a reaction. I think the sprinkles, for him, were the best part. I mean, isn't that true for everyone?????

Almost 4 weeks home!

I can't believe that we are nearing the 1 month mark. I look back and wonder what on earth happened? Wasn't it just February? Rory is doing well... as I write this, he is playing his new favorite song (Viva la Veda by Coldplay) with Papa on his new Rory-sized GEEtar that Aunt Malana brought for him. He is so easy to please, but so quick to take a downturn sometimes. Everything is so overwhelming for him, and we have to really hold back not to just cram his day full of new stuff. I don't have the feeling at all that we have to make up for the last four years. He will catch up as time goes by, I have no doubt.

Rory will finally get to meet some more family this weekend. We are going to Aunt Marie and Aunt Margaret's on Saturday. We are so excited for new people to meet him! Then, in a couple weeks Grandma and Grandpa are coming from Florida! We can't hardly wait for them to meet him.

Rory's new favorite place is the library or the playground. We went to the library yesterday and saw a mini-concert for preschoolers put on by this guy that sings about choo choo trains. There were probably about 40 kids there and they all sat in the front and listened, danced, and sang. Rory, however, was a tad bit overwhelmed. I sat in the front row and he sat directly in front of me. He didn't clap, sing, or dance BUT... I got the distinct feeling that he wanted to. He mostly watched all the other boys and girls and was taking it all in. We know that as we introduce him to more people and kids, he'll come out of his shell. But, it made me really think about what this all looks like through his eyes. The other part of it is that most of the kids there were white and were curious about this new boy and his white mama (I overheard a couple kids asking their parents about us). But they so badly wanted to talk to him and play with him and he just kind of 'shutdown'. I sense this letting up though, and who knows how he'll be in another month? Meanwhile, he loves the library and when we took a huge stack of books home he thought that they were his! I had to explain in creole/english that the library lady is nice and lets us read her books. But she loves them and we have to take them back to her to make her happy and she'll let us have more. As soon as he crasped this concept, his eyes got huge and he started kissing and petting the books and say "it is okay, ou mama loves books".

The other thing that stands out to me.... have you ever seen the movie SPLASH with Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah? Ya know, the one from the eighties where she's a mermaid and it's totally cheesy? Well, you know the scene where he buys her the present from tiffany's and he gives her the trademark blue tiffany box and she just looks at it and loves the box, not realizing the real gift is inside? That is everyday for Rory. The the other day I snuck a bag of twizzlers into my purse and in the car I gave him one, papa, and (of course). He thought it was a toy and started flicking it around and twirling it and wrapping it around his fingers. He thought it was great! Then I took a bite of mine, and he was shocked that I would eat my toy! I said "No toy, serete (candy) bon gou (tastes good)!" He took a bite and thought it was the best thing ever! Ever since, he's been asking about the red candy and when it will make its appearance again. I don't think that I can break it to him that it's mama's favorite and I'm hoarding it for a really bad day.

By the way, thanks for reading our blog... it's so nice to hear that so many people are keeping up with our posts and enjoying the videos. Feel free to leave comments or questions...

Rory's first snow!

Things are still going so well with Rory. He is amazing! He got his first haircut.... he was so cute! We are still having some power struggles... but he's come so far that we are just amazed at how well he is adapting. Malana and Josh came over this weekend and brought a pizza. Rory approved- especially the sauce! Then, he went to bed pretty easily considering it was the first time that we had people in the house at bedtime and it was storming pretty bad.

His english is really coming along and in weird little ways. When I was putting him to bed that night, there was big thunderclap and I said "That was a big one." The next one came a few minutes later and I said "That was-" and before I could finish it, Rory said "- a big one, Mama." He is currently in LOVE with his legos and was excited to sing happy birthday to Grandma today on the telephone.

His first snow was this weekend.... just enough to wet his appetite. Click on our youtube link below to see it... my favorite video so far! Also, Rory has discovered 70's music and LOVES IT!

Medical Week:)

This week, we finally got Rory in to see his new pediatrician. We were concerned that a doctor's office would be overwhelming for him, but he sailed through it with no problems. The only issue is that our dr. has to get his immunization card translated- it's all in Creole, but somewhat understandable. Otherwise, she was COMPLETELY amazed at his cognitive development, weight, and overall health. He was totally cooperative and liked all the colorful pictures on the wall. I think his favorite part was how much we doted on him for being such a good big boy for the doctor and when Brandon surprised him with a roll of smarties in the car afterwards.

Today, we went to see Rory's dentist. My mom's dentist actually has done several missions to Haiti and speaks pretty good Creole. Rory's teeth are in some serious need of dental work so we wanted to make this as easy for him as possible. I laid in the dentist chair and they had him lay on me. He didn't flinch ONE INCH, as they scraped, flossed, polished, xrayed, poked, prodded, etc.. Everytime the hygenist's hands left his mouth, he would turn to me with this big toothy smile as if to say "How do my choppers look NOW?" He will need to see a specialist for some work, but nothing to bad. When we got back to the car, I was almost in tears I was so proud of my big boy. How scary everything must be to him, but he always is stoic and brave to no end. Everyone seems to think I must be crying every two seconds because the wait is over, and I must be so happy to have him home. Other people always say how they cried when they watched this video, or read this post, but I haven't cried once. Is that weird? I just don't cry out of happiness. But today, I was so moved because of how much he's been through in his short life, more than what most of us go though in decades.

P.S. Rory pooted (farted) in the bathtub today for the first time... he cracked himself up so much I had to hold him up to keep from drowning.

Check out our videos!

Things are going really well the last few days! New experiences are around every corner and Rory is settling in well. This week we have our first doctor's appt. and maybe a trip to the library to take in the local playgroup.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out our videos on YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/indyvaughn

Just click on the link.... It only shows nine videos... but click on the BLUE "See all" at the bottom of the page. ENJOY!

Rory is truly a VAUGHN

Wow! Things around here change at lightning speed! We've had no major 'episodes' since the last post, so that is definitely progress, but we know that things can change in any direction at any time so we are still working on making this a smooth transition for Rory as possible. Sometimes I'll just look at Rory and wonder "WHAT ON EARTH COULD HE BE THINKING?" Everyday there is something that cracks us up or makes us realize just how little he understands. Then, he will amaze us with something that he's learned! Some high points:

• Brandon burned a CD for the car that has some really upbeat songs that he thought Rory would like. When Rory heard the "Ob-la-di" song by the Beatles, he totally fell in love with it. We were in the car today and he kept saying 12... he had figured out that it was song twelve on the CD! Now he walks around yelling "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da..." This is Rory's serious car face. He's also given up wearing his own glasses and opted for Papa's big boy sunglasses instead.

• Rory won't wear clothes twice in a row. No matter what. For example, the other day he wore a pair of pants for MAYBE three hours so I just folded them and put them on the hamper and thought he'll wear them another day-they aren't dirty or anything. Well the next day when I got them out, he looked at me like I was insane! Like, "Okay mom, who are you kidding, I know these weren't washed..." What am I? June Cleaver or something? Seriously! So my new trick is to throw things in the hamper, then, when he's not around, I'll get out his pajamas he wore one night and refold them and put them back in his drawer. The first time I did it, he looked at me like "Wait just a second..." Then hesitantly put on the pajamas, but he had his evil eye on my the whole time! I think he's on to me...
• Rory is amazed by my hair dryer. When I walk out of the bathroom with wet hair he will touch it and say something in creole. Then, whenever I get around to drying it, he'll follow me in the bathroom. I sit on the floor and dry my hair and he'll brush it while I dry it. Then he'll touch my hair and say "Mama chevaux cho"- Mama's hair hot. Needless to say, I've had some pretty bad hair days.
• Rory was in the bonus room upstairs the other day and looking at all the baseball stuff on the walls. He took one look at the Babe Ruth picture and pointed and said "Papa papa papa". Then, today, there was a commercial on the TV and he started pointing and saying "Mama! Mama! Mama!" when I turned and looked, it was Christie Brinkley! Of course I said "THANK YOU RORY!"
• Rory loves anything to do with cleaning. He will help in every chore, no matter what. I'm enjoying it while it lasts because YOU KNOW it won't! Among his favorite things, the vacuum is a total treat for him. He loves it. We put some stuff on the floor so he could actually see that it picks stuff up and his eyes got huge and he immediately grabbed it and started going to town. His other favorite... the leaf blower. He thought that was the coolest thing EVER! See picture of Papa taking a break...

• Rory has discovered Tom and Jerry. I know that today people say Tom and Jerry is so violent (which, let's face it, it is) but so is the news and every other show that is on. At least it's just a cartoon. I think the reason he likes it so much is that there is no talking at all, just action so he understands everything about it! He will sit and watch it- completely expressionless and motionless, then out of nowhere, he'll burst into uncontrollable laughter and run around imitating something that just happened. So far his favorite is when the human goes out for the night and all the cats come over and have a party and Jerry is all mad because he can't go to sleep. He retells the whole story in Creole which is really hilarious because it sounds like nonsense, but we can totally understand what he means!
• Rory says banana like "BOO NANA" - so funny I don't ever want him to say it normally.
• Rory loves school and counting. I got out the poker chips and I have him separate the colors and we count them and compare the stacks. We count by 10's and at the end we knock them all down for fun. Now, if I could just wrestle up the $10,000 entry fee for the World Series of Poker, we'd be in some serious business!