Friday, March 22, 2013

Our New Normal!

 Our family on day 2 of our new normal!
 Welcome August Richard Golackson!
Born on March 17, 2013 @ 5:15a.m.
8lbs.10oz. - 20.5 inches
 On the left is our Doula Lisa who helped deliver our baby (Josh actually got to catch him!)- We ended up calling the midwife too late and she arrived 5 minutes after August was born! 
 Happy Family!
 BOYS!!!
 Gus & Jason hanging out
 Oh the testosterone!
 Can I please order another sister?
 Babysitter Laura said she will come over anytime to hold the baby. I said that's fine as long as you can pry him out of 10 little hands!
 Olivet still thinks there is a baby in my belly :)
 Here's the dream team! Sarah (training to be a midwife), Willemien (wonderful midwife from Holland), August (the one sleeping :), me (happy & relieved mom) & Lisa (doula living in China)
 Another nephew!
 "oh, the possibilities!"
 Jason's wife Susan & daughter Ci ci enjoying holding a newborn.
In this culture, most new moms spend a month in bed and not many others get to see the baby.
 Sweet Danielle has had a crash corse in parenting this month! She has been caring for Xiao Luo's baby about 4 hours a day. Baby David (3 months old) definitely prefers Danielle over the rest of us!
 As I was visiting with friends in the bedroom after August was born, one by one, pictures appeared on the bedroom door! 
 August's most recent pic- 5 days old
Sleeping Handsome
 Cute David!
 Story time!
 Proud Uncle Phil
(with a Popeye smile :)
 Smiley David
 A couple nights ago we enjoyed a family fun night! Each person was in charge of sharing something funny with the rest of us and then we watched an episode of America's Funniest Videos. 
It's great to laugh.
 Smile if you love your new brother!
 the hesitant smile
 Actually I think this is the most recent picture- 6 days old August
 so sweet baby
 This is me in labor- about 2 hours before August was born! 
(Having a home birth was truly amazing)
 This is what the midwife arrived to see!
 Proud, Strong & Brave Daddy
 August getting weighed
 The Midwife doing a baby check up and the kids getting an education!
 This is how he was positioned in my womb only hours earlier!
 I love the smell of a newborn!
 Our doula called Danielle and was debating on when to have her come and get the kids. I was yelling in the background- have her come NOW! Danielle arrived first- to the news the baby was born! Surprised and excited Phil arrived a few minutes later.
 Proud sisters
 Now Cade won't have to lock himself in the closet for another year or so :)
 Hadassah could sit like this for hours. No smiles, no comments, no movement. Just contemplations.
 Obs could too if we kept giving her mangoes! 
 For my mom: (I meant to post this sooner- these are the owl curtains in August's room :)
We have been so blessed to receive meals everyday since August was born. Olivet is praising the Lord with me that I get a break in the kitchen! Thanks friends for all of your kind meals, and such sweet encouragement!
To conclude with some other works of art...
Vivi & her butterfly

Hadassah's orange elephant
Caedmon's speed racer car
And Lily's owl
-Life's a hoot-