Auggie Bear,

That’s what I call you. Here we were wondering if you’d be called Augustus or August and I defaulted to an annoyingly embarrassing day one nickname for you that I think is just about as perfect as it could be. Like you.

Where do I start? Once again the Lord gave me a nugget just as unique as could be. I swear it would take me having fifteen children (sorry I’ll be right back off to knock on ALL THE WOOD) before I would realize how amazing He is with creation. I sit through my pregnancies assuming the next will be like prior and it just isn’t so. Everyone’s favorite game is guessing who you look like, and my mom always puts it perfectly in response:

“He looks like August”

It’s so true Auggie. You look like you. I see pieces of your big brothers here and there, but all in all you’re your own little person from looks to personality and we can’t wait for each month to unveil a little more of who that guy is.

Let’s start with the most embarrassing part of that. I didn’t wait long for that did I? Truth is, your sitting here sprawled out on the sofa next to my laptop pecking making the little whistle sounds your nose has made off and on from day one while you sleep. It’s non stop whistles and your worst trait yet. Well, the grossest at least. BOOGERS. I literally spritz some saline in your nose, you sneeze, and a PLANET emerges form your nostril. I kid you not, the things stretch from the depth of your brain I’m quite sure. I document this by placing them by your tiny face for scale, then sending the photo to Amanda and Mom like a trophy to show them and squeal with delight at how disgusted I make their clean lives for the day. They are sitting, i imagine, in their designer clothing with fresh botox and a cup of HOT coffee and open their phone with delight at what interesting text awaits them. Then BOOM. BOOGER. It’s how I picture it, and to be honest, it tickles me.

You aren’t just all boogers. Shep was a HARD baby and River was like a throw pillow. I like to think you’re right there in between, so a normal baby. You like being held, you don’t sleep great, but you aren’t fussy. You toot from the moment you wake until you sleep, but that doesn’t seem to bother you, and you snuggle about as often as we will let you between the crib naps yo indulge us with. You nurse just like the brothers. Quick and OFTEN. I’m fairly certain that you will be a snacker like they were and keep me from being able to get too far for too long. I’m okay with that more than ever because I know how quickly those days end so I’ll try and not complain too much outside of 3am 😉

Your bothers ADORE you and love to see your precious blue (for now) eyes open when they come near. The minute you started being more alert throughout the day, you gained two big fans for life. River loves to shout “TWO EYES!” and rests his little head in his hands and stares admiringly util they shut again. Sheppard competes for first smiles (which he got on October 11 just shy of your one month birthday) and loves to give you head hugs with his currently snotty nose. I can remind him he’s sick 100 times a day, but he will always find a way to sneak in a hug and I can’t help but smile at his sincere love for you. You’re truly lucky to have them. Shep will be your greatest friend. He’s a good person to talk things out with. I know he’ll show you extra sympathy and know when you need a hug even if you aren’t brave enough to ask for it in the moment. River will be your protector. He will always run to your rescue if someone isn’t being kind, and I know he will teach you to lead in the moments that its tempting to follow and take the easy path. You’re their greatest treasure and I pray that you grow to know that to be as true as it is.

You had a few first this month like a visit from Dolly, a trip to the soccer field to see Shep’s first goal, and a front row seat to the boys’ group swim practice on Fridays. You killed it at your first bath and spent the entire time staring at me through the mirror which melted my heart a bit. You don’t sleep long spurts. At all. We’re talking embarrassingly short. But I guess it’s worth mentioning that you gave me almost 3.5 hours between a feeding just before month one that made me feel like a million bucks! (until 2am….then 3….then 4 when I felt less “let’s take on the world” than I had before). By 4am I plop you in bed next to me and we sleep together until the troops wake for a little extra slumber. Oh! You went on  field trip! She’s very first was to a pumpkin patch and he even snagged you a tiny green one from the patch to take home without prompting. He just adores you and I’m sure didn’t want you to come home empty handed.

Auggie Bear. We love you. We want you to know how glad we are to have you and your crazy hair here in this house of ours. You made it a home and we’re all better for having you here.