First Swim

We took August to the YMCA pool to go swimming for the first time!
 

He was pretty calm in the water.

 

 

Two-Month Stats

Today was August's first check-up with our new pediatrician.
His 2-month stats:
12 lb 7 oz - 58th percentile
24 inches - 92nd percentile
Weight-Length ratio: 10th percentile

 

He has just started smiling occasionally, makes adorable coos, and has discovered his right hand, which he likes to look at and nibble on.

August was such a good baby during our long visit with the ND, who we really like! He did receive several immunizations today, and after a few moments of unprecedented terror he recovered like a pro.  I assured him that the pokes were far less horrible than contracting one of the awful diseases they are meant to prevent.

Enchanted Forest

August slept nearly the entire time Madelyn and her friend played at Enchanted Forest. He doesn't even know what he's missing!

He woke up for a few minutes while they rode the roller coaster.

Welcome Ceremony

August's Welcome and Blessing Ceremony was a perfect celebration. I was glowing the whole day about it. Thank you to all of our friends and family members who made it so very special.


Gram signs the photo-guest book. August is her 55th great-grandchild!

Gram, Emma, and Kristen at the buffet with gorgeous flowers brought by Grandma Bonnie. 

Candles for the candle-lighting part of ceremony, framed pictures of August as gifts to the grandparents, and a photo of my Grandma Winkel (with me at age 2.5) to represent her being with us in spirit. 

23 adults and 18 children came to celebrate this special occasion with us, so it was a full house!

I spoke about the transformation of becoming a family of four after 5.5 years of being in love with our "one and only," and how excited we are for the new dimension the change brings to our family. Gary offered a heartfelt tribute to Abraham Lincoln, explaining the reasons we chose to give his name as a gift to August.

During part of the ceremony we honored the new big sister and talked with her about her favorite and least favorite aspects of her new role.

My father offered a thoughtful blessing prayer for August.

Gary shared his own tender thoughts as a conclusion to our beautiful, poignant ceremony.

With Grandpa Dale and Grandma Bonnie

Proud Daddy

I should have taken the dessert out of the freezer just before the program so it would have time to thaw a little.  But my dad and I bent a few utensils slicing it, and it was still delicious!

Uncle John with cute baby August - is that a little smile?

Grandpa converses with his 13th grandchild

Beautiful Grandma in the backyard

A special day for a very special boy!