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!

Faces of Abel

Abel is getting big! We can't believe he's already 5 weeks old. We had a doctor's appointment and he weighs 9 lbs 1 oz! At his 2 week appt, he weighed 7 lbs 3 oz, which means he has almost gained 2 lbs in 3 weeks! That is ridiculous. He is going to be a chunkster!

He's doing well. He loves to kick his legs when lying on a blanket or when getting his diaper changed, he is starting to really like baths, he clearly enjoys eating, and is even starting to smile more - though I'm not sure yet if he knows why he's smiling. Sleeping is getting a little better at night - hopefully we'll get longer stretches in a couple weeks. He has already changed so much! Here are some pictures of his faces.

I love this outfit - so cute! J's parents got it for him.

I know every parent thinks their child is the cutest thing ever, but I think Abel really is the cutest. :)

I had him sitting in the corner of the couch to take the pictures, but he can't really hold himself up very well, so this is when he fell over. So this is "The Backside of Abel".

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Here a few pictures of Abel from the last week.

Smiling at Grandma

Chilling with Mom

Three generations

J's mom made him this quilt and they brought him this little pumpkin.

It's not really a costume, but still a cute outfit - it has a little tail but I didn't do a good job of getting it in this picture.

Cousins

Abel met more family this weekend - J's sister and her kids came to our house for the day, and his parents are also here for a visit. Here are some fun pictures:

J's mom - Abel is a lucky boy to have some adoring grandparents

J's dad

Angelique holding her new cousin

Jeremiah loved meeting baby Abel

Two weeks

Abel is two weeks old today! It has gone by quickly, but then again it seems like forever ago that we were in the hospital. We're doing well - learning more about him every day. He doesn't like to be cold, so diaper changes and baths are not his favorite things. He is eating well, which is a blessing. I am sure we would be very stressed if that was not working. Tomorrow we have his 2-week appointment so we'll see if he has gained his birth weight back.

But really, I'm sure most people want to see pictures.

More pictures of my parents' visit.

Tummy time

Smiley boy

A new outfit from my sister - thanks Auntie Renee!

Ahh what are you doing to me?!

I love his hair - we can get a sweet fauxhawk going. I was worried that he wouldn't have any hair since blonde parents sometimes have bald babies, but he has a great 'do.