OhMyHead

messy sucker

How I love my boys.

Dexter's antics had Abe in hysterics!!

Abe was a train conductor for Halloween.  See blog entry.

Our carved pumpkin; see blog entry.

We went to the pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin for carving.  See blog entry.

Mommy and her big guy

A Day Out With Thomas - Abe was elated; 4 months later and he is still talking about it.  See blog entry.

Shhhh.... the prince is sleeping. (Mike wanted it clear that while Abe is wearing a Burger King crown, we did not go there to eat. I taught the story of Queen Esther to my Sunday school kids and got them all crowns. Thanks BK!)

Family picture

Abe loves to do horsie with Grandma. Of course, he is getting a little big for it.

Grandma Glenda plays with Abe's new train set and table... with Abe of course.

2 year pictures

Hannah, Bailey and Melissa, Abe

Isabel, Alexei, Ashley

Mary Catherine leads Abe and Joshua in pretending to bite at the cake.

We never did get the candle lit because the wind was too mighty.

Abe and Joshua anxiously await for "cake time."

Abe, Mary Catherine, Logan

Grandma and Mommy made a fun train cake for Abe's birthday party.

Reunion - At the top of the hill.

Reunion - At the top of the hill. I'm still kicking myself for not getting any pictures of Abe with Grandma Mim or any of his cousins. The trip went so fast!

Riding the tractor trailer was a big highlight. Note the orange ping pong paddle; he carried everywhere that weekend (to bed, to the shower, etc).

Mowing the sidewalk

Bath time with Joshua and Tobin.

Grandpa Roger came to visit in June and Abe took to him immediately. If Abe ever pretends to talk on a phone, it's usually to Grandpa Roger.

See blog entry. These pics crack me up though!

He's finally wearing his hat. Perfect timing for the blazing Texas summer.

So wish they lived closer....

Bowling brought out polar opposites of Abe's emotions. When it was Abe's turn to bowl, life was bliss. When it wasn't, well, the whole bowling alley paid for it.

We spent an afternoon at the McAuliffe-Shepherd Discovery Center. Abe was only nominally impressed and we only made it through half of the planetarium show. Pushing his choo choo around in the stroller was a big hit though.

Of course, this was the best one and I WAY over exposed. Had my iso set for inside shooting. Grumph.

1st time bowling - Grandma treated all of us to bowling. Abe's first time ever and my first time with little balls. He was in heaven. The second we walked in the alley he looked around and said, "Ball! Ball!"

I think Abe knocked down more pins than I did. Don't ask.

Even Grandma Glenda gets into it! I'm sure the kids had nothing to do with that...

Getting a cousin picture turned out to be a much bigger ordeal than I'd expected. Every time (and I tried multiple times) I got the four of them together, a sudden and intense need to be attached to Mommy would come over Abe. Sigh.

More swinging!

Abe adored playing with all his cousins. He and Kendra especially spent a lot of time together.

Everyone likes bubbles; age doesn't matter.

Easter - Abe loved the egg hunt so much that I wasn't able to get any pictures of it. We were to busy trying to beat the masses to the eggs. Levi won the cross because of his fabulous answer to why Jesus was nailed to he cross.

Abe loves to swing.

Egg Races - If you haven't guessed it yet, Abe and I yet to the NE to visit my sister and her family. Left to right: Kendra, Levi, Ryan and Abe

This picture cracks me up!

Airplane

It's that time of the year again!

Sea World - Abe and Daddy watch the dolphin show.

These days it's all about the choo choos.

Playing at Shamu's Harbor

Zilker

NBWR - Abe feeds "Piggy" the goat.

NBWR - Daddy and Abe feed the Emu (much nicer than the ostriches)

NBWR - I like this picture because of the two Zebras. They wanted food!

NBWR - He did great at feeding the Zebras and keeping his hand flat.

NBWR - I love Abe's expression here.

NBWR - He's even trying to feed him!

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (NBWR) - Check out the smile... lovin' it.

So close, but still so far away. (Note the choo choo in his hand.)

Sea World

Downtown Boerne

Pictures that aren't focused properly usually drive us nuts, but this one was a keeper even so. No other words needed I don't think...

18 month pics - He is just one very fun and expressive kid. Super sweet and a little on the quiet side, but wins the heart of almost anyone he meets.

18 month pics

18 month pics - I like this one because he's saying "cheese". This is the 1st round of pictures where he would do that for us!

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 month pics

18 months old already - it truly is crazy just how fast that went. He's walking, running, talking and throwing tantrums. Ah, life is good.

4 years old - that went fast too.

18 months and 4 years old. We had to attempt pics together. We didn't try THAT hard, and thus didn't get really any good ones.

Rawhide the Wonder Horse! My parents have had him since we were kids.

I couldn't get this truck out fast enough for Abe. There HAS GOT to be a better way than those stupid wire thingies. I'm going to invent it.

Cousins! Jordan, Paige, Abram and Nathan

Lots of time was spent with Grandpa Neal and Grandma Glenda. In the mornings, Abe would get up with Grandpa Neal and just sit and hang out with him. Here with Grandma Abe is getting a horsie ride.

Look at all that snow! It snowed and snowed and snowed. And then, the day before we left, it melted. Bizarre.

Check out the egg on Abe's head. Within 24 hours of being in Michigan Abe bit it on the stairs at my parents (so glad they were carpeted) and then ran his head into a wall corner. Tough start on our vacation.

While visiting, a college friend had a party welcoming another friend's new baby. Here is a picture of the offspring of those that were able to come. From left to right: Lexie, Nicolas, William, Brian, Nathan, Joey, Abby, Abe, Quentin.

Finally, some family pictures! When one of you is the photographer, they are tough to come by. So Mike swapped favors with the photographer he typically brings with him to weddings. He did their family pictures and she did ours. Most of you will recognize some of these from our Christmas card. Many thanks Hollie!!

Cousins - from tallest to shortest: Anthony, Julianne, Mallory and Abram

In November we headed up to OH to visit Mike's family (Mom, sis and extended others). From left to right: Abe, Jodi, Mike, Julianne, Katie, Anthony, Ryan and Mallory

Outside blowing bubbles at Grandma Mim's. Abe saw Mallory the most since Anthony & Julie had school.

Wish I could remember what animal they're looking at.

At the climbing wall, Abe just ran back and forth on the mat. Boy did he have fun running though!

Daddy shows Abe how to fly.

We took the Abe and Mallory to the Akron Zoo, which was a lot of fun. Here Abe meets a penguin.

I included this shot just to show the overall costume. The best part was by far the mane; whenever Abe walked the curls would bounce. Pictures don't do it justice.

Abe was a lion for Halloween. After several failed costume attempts I ended up borrowing a fabulous home-made costume from a friend. So adorable.

This lion is roarin' mad! The minute he started screaming I started laughing b/c it was cute beyond words. Does that make me a bad mom?

A new favorite pic

We met some friends at a pumpkin patch. The two lion cubs, Logan and Abe, and Jonathan, who came as himself.

I've decided we're doing spaghetti at least twice a week just for the cuteness factor.

We went camping at Guadalupe River State Park with two other families. With 5 kids ages 3 and under plus a dog we were guaranteed a noisy night.

This picture is just pure Abe; a smile on his face and a finger in his belly button.

Pals

Mom and her little man

Mike's instructions: "Abe, look at me!" What Abe hears: "Abe, play with Daddy's expensive lens!"

Fun family pic! (I didn't want to post to normal one b/c it may end up on our Christmas card.)

He's got a sock obsession.

"Grace girls" play date - Logan, the youngest, turns one! From left to right: Jonathan, Abram, Logan, Abby, Bailey (and Janelle at the bottom)

We spent some time in Seattle too. The day before at Pike's Place and the morning before we left we went to the Space Needle. Neither Mike nor Abe had been to the top and the last time I was I was 7 or 8.

A final picture before leaving.

Abe had taken his 1st step two days before we left. He took his 1st steps while there!

This was how Abe spent most of our hikes - truckin' along in the back pack. He handled the bizarre schedule like a champ.

Lots of fun with Grandpa Roger and Mimi! They even watched him one afternoon so Mike and I could sleep. That morning Abe was up at 4am so we went for an early drive.

The Olympic Peninsula holds incredible beauty, so we try to hike a lot while there. Here we hiked the hill behind Roger and Ginny's home to view Hurricane Ridge...which was of course covered in fog. Abe would rotate b/w backpack, arms and shoulders.

It's really, really pretty up there. Stick a cute kid in front of it and perfection happens.

Abe wasn't yet walking and didn't always like being confined, so we kept our hikes no more than a mile or so. This easy trail is on Hurricane Ridge.

The week after Labor Day we headed to the beautiful NW to visit Grandpa Roger and Mimi. This is Abe's 1st ferry ride!

This picture is primarily for Grandma Mim. Much of the nursery is a result of Grandma Mim's generosity. The crib, the drawers under the table (there are more in the closet) and the latest (gifts for Abe's 1st birthday) is the completion of the two sets of art work on the walls - the three over the crib and the three over the table. Mim, I thought you might want to see how it all looks! As for the rest of the room - the picture of the lizard on the right is one of Mike's and the table Mike made for me the year we got engaged. The giraffe you see on the left was actually my giraffe when I was a little girl (I think it may have started out as my sister's) and all of the stuffed animals in the hammock are also mine. The animals on the bed were given specifically to Abe. We call this the happy room.

Abe rode home in style with Mary Catherine. He loved the bike trailer!

Abe opens his gift from Mary Catherine, who watches on.

Joshua helps Abe open his gift.

The result of the styling, complete with a "cake-face".

Ella decided to style Abe's hair for him. She was a big fan of the invitations.

Some of the guests.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear...." You get the point.

The Cake - Since I didn't know what Abe would like, I got what I like. Chocolate cake with vanilla cheesecake filling and cream cheese frosting. Yum!

For Abe's 1st birthday we celebrated with a pool party. I'm hoping to put up more pictures with the other kids, but here's a sampling for you.

1 year picture

1 year picture - Once again, a huge challenge but we got two we're pleased with. Good enough.

Then on Sunday we dedicated Abe at church. The purpose of the dedication is to declare before our church family our intent to live our lives before Abe in a way that makes it easy for him to come to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The congregation holds us accountable to this and also commits themselves to living that example life for him as well. It was imperative to both Mike and I that we publicly declare that while God has blessed us with raising Abe, he belongs not to us, but to our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus. Abe and Pastor Paul are buds.

Family picture

Then for lunch we had special visitors. Abe's Great Uncle Merwin and Great Aunt Eloise, new Texas residents (and the 1st extended family from my side to meet him) came for a visit.

All done!

Sarah was very smart and gave Abe his own comb to chew on. He did incredibly well. I truly expected a fit, but he was just wiggly.

Next on the weekend agenda was Abe's 1st big-boy hair cut. We went to go see barber Sarah.

Daddy's boy

Then it was gift time. Here Grandma Glenda helps Abe open up his present from my sis and her family.

"...BOO!"

Official 11 month picture (I think)

11 months

Check out that belly!

Nap schedule worked just right for us to take Abe to the fireworks. He sat in awe for the 1st 5 min., was antsy in the middle, and then awe again during the finale.

Abe with his pals. Alexei, the oldest of the gang, turned one! From left to right: Logan, Katelyn, Molly, Alexei, Abe, Bailey

Total hick.

10 month pictures - What a chore. Abe had no interest in us and evidently had left his smile at home. He wasn't really mad (most of the time). He just didn't care that Mommy and Daddy were making idiots of themselves trying to get anything close to a grin. Such is life.

I was just telling Mike that we didn't have enough pictures of him mad. This one cracks me up and may just end up being the official 10 month picture.

We got some pool toys and the spade is Abe's favorite. When he's older we'll put him to work in the flower beds.

Abe loves the water and appears to have no fear of it. I'd prefer this over terrified of the water b/c of how young kids can learn how to swim.

Say "cheese!"

"Grandma thinks my feet are just as cool as I do!!"

Keys.

Abe is mobile and army crawling everywhere. Made these pictures the most challenging thus far.

Official 9 month picture (it was a tough call b/w this one and the previous one). Abe cut his 3rd tooth (top left) on 5/10/08 (this is more for my records)

His hair is his main (or mane) attraction. Everyone comments on it. He actually had his 1st haircut for these pics, but only the sides and back.

On Abe's 9 month birthday he pulled himself up for the 1st time (I also found him sitting in his crib for the 1st time.)

Messy. The sad part is, he was actually pretty clean here.

"He's my new favorite person."

"He has a happy gene."

To celebrate our 4-year anniversary, Mike and I took "the kids" to Garner State Park for their very first camping trip. The 1st night was, uh, challenging. The 2nd night was surprisingly easy.

For one who will rarely wear a hat, he didn't seem to mind the head lamp at all.

Of course we had to do some hiking. Wore out both the kid and the dog.

Grandma Glenda comes to visit and starts the grandparents flocking to see the little guy.

Spring is officially here in the Lone Star State. (8 month picture)

Mike's work had a petting zoo at their spring festival. A couple weeks back at daycare Abe screamed at a goat (it startled him) at their petting zoo. We had no such excitement here. This goat was much nicer.

Although most of y'all seem to love the licking pictures, we've heard an objection here and there. To those few I'd just like to say that we HAVE to let them interact or jealousy will develop. I'll take licking now over snapping later any day of the week.

Love this pic

We got Abe a ball so we can roll it back and forth. Now we just have to convince Dexter that it's Abe's ball and not his.

Trace (7), Abe (7 months), Emeri (almost 6) and Dexter (3)

Sarah, Abe and Matt

Aunt Sarah drove down with the rest of the family (all but the littlest guy) to see us and the sun (mainly the sun; we were just an added bonus).

I can't believe he's 7 months old already. For whatever reason that seems way older than 6 months did.(official 7 month picture)

They're starting to interact a lot more; by 'more' I mean Abe is starting to react back to Dexter when Dexter gets in his face. It won't be long before Dexter is on the defensive instead of the offensive.

He's so expressive; cracks us up.

"Daddy makes fun expressions when I poke him in the eye..."

He's also grabbing (and "raking") at everything in sight, which often includes our faces. Call us wimps, but it hurts!

Abe is doing a ton of new things lately. He's pretty close to sitting up on his own. Already he can sit for a good 20 seconds or so before toppling over. I can see why people say 6 months is their favorite age; he's so much fun right now! Is it too much to hope that it just keeps getting better?

It was tough to turn any of these to black and white because the colors are just so incredible. Obviously, I did it anyway.

I can't believe how old they are. Abe just turned 6 months and Dexter just turned 3 years.

Cousins!

Cousin Jordan holds Abe.

Uncle Jeff

Aunt Sarah meets her nephew!

Kara meets him.

Grandma Mim drove up with Great Aunts Kathy and Evelyn. I literally had to make her let others hold Abe.

Kathie holds Abe who was a little tired of being passed around.

Abe and I flew up to Michigan to meet the clan up there. Grandma Glenda is thrilled.

official 5 month picture

Check it out Dexter: I'll be stylin'.

At least the first one wrapped and ready to open! "To: Abe the Babe From: Grampy Rog & Mimi"

Katherine steals the show in this picture.

Christina was our instructor and also our doula.

Shortly before Christmas we had a reunion of our child birthing class. The main purpose was, of course, to show off our children. From left to right: Maximus Aristotle, Lydia Emma, Abe, Katherine Grace, and Audrey (I can't for the life of me remember her middle name.)

Abe's latest trick is chewing on his toes. In this pic, he was starting to get mad at the same time. Made me laugh.

official 4 month picture

Had to take the generational picture.

Abe was all smiles for Grandpa Roger.

Mallory, Julie, Anthony and Abe

We were happy to see that we hadn't missed all of the fall colors. This is the most fall colors I've seen since I've moved south.

He's laughing now too.

Outside of Grandma Mim, cousin Shelley (1st cousin once removed) got the most Abe-time.

Aunt Katie, cousin Mallory, Great Aunt Marge, Abe

Abe with Adrian

My favorite from this set I think. (official 3 month picture)

This picture more than any other yet looks just like his daddy when he was Abe's age.

Grandma Mim showed us a new way to have bath time. Abe loved it as you'll see in the following pictures.

These next 4 pics were actually taken b/4 Ohio.

the cutest Tigger in town...

official 2 month picture

Okay, maybe a little too much tongue here...

So YOU'RE my Uncle Jeff. Interesting.

Dexter, Abe. Abe, Dexter.

Lil' Longhorn