3 months!

3 months old! Can't even believe it! Abram is getting so much bigger and growing out of clothes as soon as they're put on him! As you can see, he's developed a smile that is going to make any girl melt. Its most easily brought on by making juicy fart noises, but he's now giving it up when we just smile at him too or tickle his cheeks.

"Mom, why are we doing this again?"

At the beginning of April, I took Abram to Bloomington on our way to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We stopped and visited with Charlie, whom I taught with at Headstart. Charlie loves babies, so we had to go see her while Abram's still little.

We went to see the Cunninghams/Wagners while we were home. Abram doesn't really appreciate a good book quite yet! We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Hardacre's house for the whole week since it was my mom's spring break. The week went soo fast (and I was stuck painting a rain barrel...pictures of that will be posted once I finish the darn thing) but we had a great time. Leslie cleaned my teeth one day and another day we went and visited dad at school and tried our hand at throwing on the potters wheel. I made a little bowl that dad finished for me (so that it wasn't lopsided) and then Abram drug his toes through it to finish it off! Maybe I'll do a post of that too once it's fired and glazed.

Aunt Emily gave Abram the bouncy seat that matches his swing and he LOVES it! He can sit in it and watch the tv or watch the cats since it's low to the floor. Over the past couple of weeks he's starting really reaching out with a purpose and grabbing at his dangly toys. He'll grab them and then hang on for dear life! He's also getting better at holding his head up when pulled up into a sitting position. We do "sit-ups" occasionally and have tried using the Bumbo seat a few times.

"Wait a minute, you're not my usual bather..."

My first official night out without Abram was to attend a fundraising event for the Cabbage Patch. It was an indoor Putt Putt and quite fun...some co-workers and I played...I had a few "hole in one's" but I still finished last on my little team. Oh well.

Colonel Sanders was there representing his putt putt station (no, it's not the real one, he died a long time ago.) The had great catering at the event featuring several Louisville eateries, including some KFC, a product of YUM brands which is based in Louisville.

Play Ball!! Abram attended his first (of many) Bats baseball games.

Uncle Travis got the weekend off so he and Aunt Leslie could come down for Thunder Over Louisville. They've been wanting to come see the show for several years now.

We had horrible weather this year. Cold and rainy. We walked down to the waterfront from my friends house at about 7:30, but we should have waited. Nobody was there since it was yucky out and people didn't show up to watch the fireworks til about 9:00!

I was worried about Abram being cold or afraid of the fireworks, but he did great. I had him bundled in 3 layers of clothes (maybe a bit much) so he stayed nice and snuggly. The jets woke him up, but he nursed the entire time the fireworks were going off and never flinched!

We had a great view from Ashland Park! This was the last hoorah before going back to work on the 19th.

Twelve weeks of maternity leave flew by. It seems like cruel and unusual punishment for a mom to have to return to work, just when a baby is starting to interact and be fun! I had a short week to start with because of Good Friday and it wasn't too bad. Abram stayed with our friend Donna for those 3 days and after Easter, Mammaw Jill will be coming to stay with us through the summer! It will be so nice having her here. It will help me emotionally, physically and financially. We're so grateful that she's willing and able to come. Summer should be fun this year!

Spring has Spru.....nevermind...

Well, we thought spring was here...the flowers are blooming at least. We found the first dandelion in the front yard but had to pick it to get a good pictures. The flowers and trees are all budding and blooming.

It was so warm on the first day of spring, we got down the patio chair cushions and lowered the swing....but the warmth didn't last.
Snow on March 27th...that doesn't seem fair really.

But it did give us a chance to put on the cute bear snowsuit that Abram's outgrowing rather quickly! He was asleep (thank goodness) while I squeezed him into this!

We took a day trip up to Muncie to see new cousin, Paige Marie Cunningham! She had more hair than Abram! I think Abram looks disappointed that he's not the "baby of the family" anymore. That didn't last long! Well, he'll be the baby on the Hardacre side for a little while at least.

Curtis and Abram were pooped after a long day of activity! Curtis from work and Abram from...er, sleeping all day.

Well, he doesn't sleep ALL day long. When he's awake we do belly time...


It's hard work and he doesn't like it for very long.

He prefers his back. He likes to play on his mat with his dangle toys!

And he's sooo close to laughing!

French Photography

Donna French, a friend from our small group at church, has begun to "dabble" in photography. She took some amazing maternity pictures for us and continued to take beautiful newborn pictures of Abram. We're going back to her house tomorrow for another photo shoot! Since taking our pictures, she has bought a new camera, other tools of the trade, and some great props. She has now photographed several other babies and expectant mothers which you can see on her facebook page if you "friend her". She's quite the photographer.

Many of you have probably seen most of these on facebook already, but here are some of our favorites from our maternity and newborn sessions.
Thank you so much, Donna! You have helped us capture a moment in our lives that will never come again.

2 Months!

According to the "ticker" on our blog, I took these pictures a few days early...but close enough! I couldn't just pick one pose either! This one looks like he and "Beary" are celebrating the occasion.

And in this one he looks quite concerned about the whole situation! haha But doesn't he look cute in his "James Dean" outfit once again?

This month he has started smiling more purposefully, but he does it so fast it's hard to capture.

He smiles a lot when we're playing on the floor or when he's getting a diaper change. He's also been "talking" a bit more. He makes sounds like "ah-goo" and such...not a real meaningful vocabulary, but much more enjoyable than only crying. His little hands are opening up more too and he bats towards dangle toys...I was also finally able to get hand prints in his baby book (that was still quite challenging.)

We've been working on establishing a routine of feeding/wake time/nap time. Abram has given us the gift of one 6 hour night and he averages 4-5 now. Daddy has been helping with the early morning "wake time" so I can take a shower...that motivates me to stay up rather than napping with Abram til 9:00 and then noon!

Family and Friends are a Blessing!

Just when my exhaustion level maxes out, friends and family come to the rescue! It's so nice to have people come over to talk to and or give me a little bit of a break! haha I'm not really sleeping in this picture, but Abram was zonked as usual after eating...the hardest part of my day is getting him to wake up after he eats...and then get him to go to sleep at night.

My friend Kristen brought her son, Lewis, over for a visit. He is a month younger than Abram...should have been two weeks apart but Abram was a week early and Lewis was a week late!

Our families came for the Baby Dedication at church. Curtis's mom brought us the outfit that Curtis wore at his dedication, so that was pretty special. My Aunt Paula surprised me by coming down with Mom, Dad and Leslie. It was great to have them there for the weekend! Leslie stayed for the entire week and then Uncle Travis came at the end of the week to see Abram for the first time.

Baby Dedication at Northside is a big event...there were about 20 babies (up to 36 months old) up on stage and that was just one of 4 services! I'm not biased or anything, but I think Abram had the best picture for the slide show.

How beautiful is that picture!?! I will do a post later featuring more great photographs by my friend, Donna.


Abram likes when Grandpa visits because they bounce and dance together.

Last weekend we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house! Abram was ready to greet his visitors wearing his "James Dean" look...white onesie, blue jeans and Old Navy shoes. My current favorite outfit:)

Family and friends came over to visit and meet Abram. He was passed around from aunt to cousin to aunt and did very little napping in his new porta-crib.

But when he did get to sleep in it, he slept very well! Good job Grandma!

Sunday evening we had dinner at Curtis's brother's house, so Abram got to see that side of the family too! Here he's posing in his church clothes (sans shoes) with his cousins Caleb and Eli.

Abram and Aunt Kimberly

Four generations.

Just had to add this one...check out the look Abram's giving Caleb! haha