Family Pictures

I realized recently that almost all of the pictures on here (and that we take in general) are just of Abel. That's okay because he's pretty cute, but I want to try to be better about taking pictures of him with us too - so that later he realizes that he does indeed have parents. It's hard to remember to bring out the camera in the evenings, but we got some the other day.

So far he hasn't turned out to be the chunky baby I thought he might be earlier in life (and that his dad wishes he would be), but he still has cute little rolls on his legs.

We swaddle him at night and for his long nap. He doesn't really like it that much but it is necessary keep him from flailing his arms and waking himself up. I will often come out in the morning to find that he has gotten his arms out. Lately, he has been really cute when he wakes up - he will just talk and coo for a while, playing by himself. I think this was right after a nap.

Of course, then the hand goes to the mouth - he loves to chew on those hands! J is fearful that we may have a thumbsucker, but we're hoping it's too early to tell.

Spring Fever

Is everyone ready for spring? We really can't complain living in CA because we have had a great winter, but the past couple weeks have been rainy and we have been shut inside. Abel is ready for warmer and sunnier weather!

We're doing well. We haven't been up to much lately. I recently started a swimming class on Monday and Wednesday evenings, so Abel stays home with dad. I don't think I have reported how much he loves his papa. It's quite funny - J can make him laugh just by walking in the room. It's really cute.

And of course, Abel is growing well. He learned how to roll over from his back to his tummy! We are very proud. :) He continues to be a lot of fun - he's generous with his smiles and even giggles too, especially for his dad. It's getting more fun as he is developing more of a personality.

We went to J's sister's house for our niece's birthday

Abel and Clarissa, the birthday girl (and her brother Jeremiah, going in for a smooch)


Love that face!

Cute boy

Here are some recent pictures. There's not much to say about them, except he's getting big fast!

I couldn't decide which picture I liked better, so you get both.

3 months

Our little boy is 3 months old! Whoa. It's going quite fast. He's been doing lots of smiling and starting to laugh. He's been sleeping great, which has been a blessing. He has discovered his hands and thinks they are very fun to chew. He rolled over once, but we think it was an accident - he hasn't done it since.

Here are some recent pictures. Sorry, I'm not a great photographer, so lots our pictures are him sitting on the couch. :)

It kind of looks like he has a bad toupee. Nice.

A cute dino outfit from cousins Kent and Becky - this is his "I'm cool" look.


He's started grabbing his toys - he plays a mean tug-of-war with his dad.

Uncle Nik went to China and got him a Chinese baby outfit

Christmas

We had a fun Christmas this year - first we went to J's sister's house for the weekend and then we headed down to Arizona to see his parents. It was great to be around family!

Angie, Clarissa, and Jeremiah put a show on for us - they have some serious talent.

J wrestling with Jeremiah

Liz and Jimmy

All the cousins in their PJs

We were in AZ for a week - Abel loved spending more time with grandparents!

Napping was a popular activity

At the Desert Museum with J's brother


Wearing his cute Christmas outfit

Opening his stocking

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Well, it's almost Christmas, but I haven't gotten the pictures up from Thanksgiving, so here we go!

We went home to my parents' house in MN. It was Abel's first plane ride - he did great!

The whole family was home - my sister and her family and my brother and his wife. They got to meet Abel for the first time. My two-year-old niece met him too, and that was fun. She has seen him on Skype for the past couple months and talks a lot about "Baby Abel", but we weren't sure how she would react in person because she was telling my sister that she couldn't hold him. But she was a great sport and was very helpful, bringing me burp cloths and his pacifier.

Brian and Abel

Cal, Jocey, and Abel - Jocey liked to hold his hand

We celebrated Christmas since we were all together as a family. Jocey and Kailee (our nieces) were good at helping open presents - more Jocey than Kailee.

It was so nice to have help with him while we were home - we didn't change many diapers, my mom got up with him during the night, he always had someone to hold him. It's hard being so far away from family!