Baby Shower for Henry

This past Sunday, family and friends threw a baby shower at Tricia's house for us. It was exciting and great to visit with everyone. Henry sure is one lucky little boy. We are so blessed to have such kind and supportive family and friends.

The hostesses: Stacy (sister), Heather (friend), Shannon (sister), Whitney (cousin), Tricia(friend), Aunt Gail, Randa (cousin), Allison (friend), Deirdre (sister) & Sue (friend). Not pictured: Melinda (friend) and Jana (cousin).
Sue made a carriage out of a watermelon and used it to serve the fruit salad. How creative!
My maternal grandmother (Granny), Molly (holding Madeline), and Madeline.
Heather made and wrapped each of these cookies with really cute green gingham ribbon.
Sue had this onesie made and we just love it! Yes, he will be our third team member on our adventure race team . . . one day.

Got Six?!

Weagle weagle! They got Nick and we got six. I think we'll take six.

Look who flew down for the the weekend . . . SUE!!!
Gary sported the traditional orange robe despite the chilly weather. Leading War Eagle on the top of the RV and announcing Nick Saban is the devil seemed like a good idea. I think I heard my Dad mutter, "And that my friends, is soon to be the father of my grandson."

Allison, Joel, Madeline, Yancy and Joy
It was a long, cold tailgate, but definitely a memorable and enjoyable one.

Update

Good news-Bricks made it through his first treatment splendidly! When I picked him up Friday, he was in pretty good spirits and was not sick. He did well over the weekend also. We are so thankful he didn't have any adverse reactions to the injection.

Word to the wise: DO NOT BUY A VOLKSWAGEN, EVER. If you are considering one, choose another automobile. If you have a VW and love the car, good for you. DON'T USE THE MONTGOMERY OR BIRMINGHAM DEALERSHIPS FOR SERVICE. Gary's Jetta has been at either of the aforementioned dealerships for the last three months. And, they still don't know what is wrong with the car. For only two weeks of those last three months, have they provided a loaner car. We have paid for parts and labor on parts that still have not fixed the car, and paid a pretty penny at that. The consumer is so helpless it seems. We have submitted a claim to the Better Business Bureau. The only thing I know of that we can do personally at this point is to give them bad PR. Maybe Fox 6 On Your Side will consider our situation for broadcast. Anyway, steer clear of VW and/or those dealerships and encourage your friends and family to do the same!

For the unedited version of this post, feel free to stop by our house any night of the week. It has become a spirited topic of conversation at the Vaughan house.

Here's to Bricks, my sweet boy

It has officially been one year since Bricks came to live with us. I remember this time last year people saying "Wow, another dog! Isn't two enough?" Our lives would be so very different without him, he has brought such joy and laughter. And, I think he will keep Savannah and Shelby young for many years to come. He is such the "gentle giant" and big old goofball. His extremely laid back personality, sensitivity, and love for his family is such a great balance in our household. It is hard to remember NOT having him around; he is so wonderful! I could go on (about all of our dogs), but will spare you . . .

As we closed in on the year mark, it became time for his annual shots. Unfortunately, he tested positive for heartworms. Since he's been on heartworm preventative ever since rescue found him and he's been living with us, our vet believes he contracted the worms prior to rescue finding him. Heartworms take 6 months to develop and show as positive on a test. So, he has been on antibiotics for the last 5-6 weeks to lessen the effects of the injections (3 total) he will have to receive.

Yesterday, I took him in for his first immiticyde (sp?) injection. It's pretty powerful and painful stuff; they give the injection in the back between the hips and they keep him overnight for observation to make sure he doesn't have any crazy reactions to the injection. I called to check on him yesterday afternoon and he did great! So far so good. I pick him up this afternoon and can't wait to have him back home. He will have to be kept on very a minimal activity level for the next 30 days, at which point he will have another injection (2 actually, back to back). I've fostered dogs recovering from this treatment, but have never had a dog owned personally that has had heartworms, so it's definitely been a learning experience. Hopefully, he will be back to his normal self very soon and heartworm free!

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous "stuff" . . .

Congratulations to Brandon and Elizabeth on the birth of their daughter, Emma Kay Rose!

Sterling LOVES the dog bed on our porch and is so cute when he curls up on it. This picture doesn't do the cuteness justice.

A little over 27 weeks . . . things are still going well and I am feeling great! Hopefully, I can get the old cast off my ankle this week. It's been 7 weeks since the fateful day, ha ha.

Congrats

Congratulations to Gooch and Jessica on the birth of their daughter, Ryan Kobe Hart.

Also, congrats to Todd and Mandy . . . they found out they are having a healthy baby boy.

The number of babies born this year and that will be born in 2008 in our circle of friends is truly astounding! As for us, our baby name is confirmed, Henry Davis Vaughan. Let's hold off on calling him Hank . . . which seems to be the trend these days from a few friends. He is one active little man and always seems to be moving more on my right side. I have no idea how he is positioned though to make any sort of educated guess as to what we can feel moving and what we can't.

Happy Halloween from Ocala

Our nieces and nephew in Ocala are ready to go trick or treating . . .

Unfortunately, we can no longer post pictures of our niece and nephew here in Auburn at the request of their parents. They were adorable though in their Super Girl and Darth Vader costumes!

As for Gary and I, we declined to dress up this year. We had lots of good ideas, but alas, thought of them too late. Maybe next year!