In Uniform

(left) with Owen at combat training graduation at Camp Pendleton (Nov 2003)

(right) with August in our backyard while stationed at Camp Pendleton (Sept 2012)

 

9/28/12
Side note: Justin's last day in the military could've been 9/11/12.
He got an extension to stay here til March.
We're buying time while we figure out what to do.

And then we have our little Tiger Cub.

His scouting dreams finally came true.

He is obsessed.

And I did not tell him to pose like that.

His first pack meeting, where we signed him up, was the night before August was born.

Which meant that Errin, Brent, my mom, and anybody else that watched him that weekend got to hear nonstop about belt loops, his upcoming den meeting, his uniform, etc.

 

Justin is forever the 11-year-old scout leader (3rd ward he's had this calling).

 

Drew wanted to go with him to a court of honor just so he could wear his uniform.

Owen had his on, too...but then just opted for his new Bear hat.

Which is one good thing about Drew's excitement...

it's catching on to Owen, who has never been into scouting.

1st Den Meeting (that my mom got to take him to):

We were waiting to be discharged from hospital.

 All my mom's hard work on the scarecrow paid off.

(parents worked, kids not so much)

And then last Saturday, Justin took him to do some popcorn sales outside a grocery store.

 Drew: "Hello, would you like to buy some popcorn today?"

If the answer was no...

"Okay thank you and have a nice day!"

Justin said it was so cute in his high little voice.

And the last of the uniforms seen around our house lately:

Drew's soccer one.

I have not one picture.

(this was supposed to be picture, not video...
but now you get to see 1 second of Drew begging to be goalie).

You may recall after baseball season ended last spring, Drew said he never wanted to do sports again.

But then the thought of another trophy combined with Justin coaching got him suckered in.

On the field he's either in la la land or pretty aggressive...not much in-between.

I think Justin may be having more fun coaching than Drew playing.

A Week with Mom

These were taken the night before my mom left to go back home.

We were lucky and got a whole week with her.

It was so nice.

She was a:

- Scout helper (took Drew to his first den meeting for Tiger Scouts (a demanding den meeting at that) and did a belt loop with him)

- Tutor (homework with Owen takes extra patience)

- House cleaner/organizer

- Chef (left us with a freezer full of meals in addition to regular meals)

- Driver (kids to school, me to everywhere I needed to be)

- Middle of the night baby calmer

- Sewer (helped make diapers cute for burp rags)

- Life coach

And more.

We were spoiled and it was hard to see her go.

Thank you so much Mom.

PS Three faves from my phone:

 First meeting August at the hospital.

(after a 6 hour drive here turned to 9 after being stuck behind an accident).

 One quiet afternoon (Owen & Drew @ school; Sally @ a friend's) I fed August then took a nap.

I woke up to a house that was still quiet, a peaceful sleeping baby, and home-made salsa (the best).

I may have shed a tear.

Sally & my mom were room buddies.

A couple nights they stayed up a little later than the other kids.

My mom got her ear talked off, layers of make-up applied, and some fancy hair accessories.

A & S

 (slightly jaundiced, catching some rays)

She loves him just a little bit.

Hopefully the feeling stays mutual once he stops sleeping 95% of the time.

Bathing

 Wasn't a fan of his first bath.

Calmed down after.

 

 Slept through the entire 2nd bath.

And everything after.

That night was so nice.

Friends had our older kids over for pizza & a movie, and we got a quiet evening at home.

Visitors

3 day old August got a visit from Uncle Brett and Aunt Yamina.

They were nice to stop by on their way home from Disneyland.

August in September

August Frederick Hollobaugh

September 20, 2012

8:04 AM

7 lbs 14 oz

19 1/2 inches

Random facts:
- He was born 2 weeks early. Well, 13 days to be exact.
- He came 14 minutes after we got to the hospital.
- 3 minutes of pushing.
- I didn't get an epidural (not that I had a choice, but I'm grateful I didn't...wanted to experience natural childbirth this time around, and recovery has been better than with my other kids).
- Was totally unprepared packing-wise and life-wise (my babies don't come early). As in, we brought nothing baby with us to the hospital.
- Mom dropped everything and left a couple hours after he was born to come be with us.
- Errin and Kelli were awesome, too...helped with kids til Mom got here.
- Justin got the idea for the name, August, while doing temple work for his grandpa's uncle. Can't say he's named AFTER the guy since we know nothing about him, but his name was inspired by him.
- Frederick is Justin's middle name.
- The last picture is the welcome home we got...yummy cupcakes, balloons, and a cute sign. Thank you Mom and kids!
- Drew said, "Is our family just right now?" And I'm thinking yes. We love him.