Christmas: Part Two

Here are a few more pics and some videos from over the holidays.

At first Abram was scared of his Rocking Horse from Uncle Tim, but now he seems to really like it. It's really funny to see him drag it around the living room! He can't get on to ride without assistance but he's figured out the dismount!

I used Curtis' Christmas present from last year and made some filled candies for the Hardacre Christmas. They were very yummy. I made mint, peanut butter and caramel and liked the PB the best.

We did a lot of travelling between the two weekends and Cheerios came in very handy to finish out those long trips. He's figured out the routine!

Abram got a little train that pops out little balls from his cousin, Silas, at the Hardacre gift exchange. You can tell he likes it because his hands are behind him. That's an "excited" stance:) He was interested in it until he was distracted by an electronic toy that was zipping around the room the rest of the evening. He was mesmerized.

Got to meet cousin Brent! Didn't get to see Jessica though....miss her so much:-( All these pictures were taken "post explosive pee diaper". He only had his cute red turtleneck and kakhi's for lunch and then we had to switch to the spare...we left on the sweater vest though!

Abram "helped" with the adult exchange. Aunt Paula let him help her unwrap

.

My first pick of the "Stay and Go" crockpot got stolen so I had to pick again. Second pick did not get stolen...socks and candles.

Easy to be lazy with three cats in the house....they literally pin you down to the couch and there is no escape!

Our cats have each have their own way of bypassing the baby gate. Joan's method is a bit unorthodox but it works! We think she's a little bit retarded!

Poor Harriet's ears were getting raw and swollen from dragging them through the cold grass, dirt, etc and then scratching them like a fiend. So I made her some "snoods". I didn't get fancy with it, just used some remnants from cut-off sweats, in case she wouldn't leave them on. But they stay on and it has helped A LOT! I'm going to make a few more out of some pretty flower fleece I got at a yard sale this summer:) Harriet has been with us 2 1/2 years now. She's a bit more blind and deaf, but otherwise a picture of health and happiness!

Bye bye Christmas decorations! See you next year!

Christmas: Part 1

Christmas is so much more fun with a baby around. We got to spend lots of time with family over Christmas and New Year. Curtis and I both had the week off between the two and we enjoyed our time off together...although Curtis used the downtime to work a lot on real estate leads. He worked with one couple on putting in an offer on a house right before we left for grandma's house! Fingers crossed and praying hard for a buyer or seller sometime soon! Here are some pics from our Christmases this year.

Abram really likes playing with "Chip" and he really does play with him, which is nice. He likes to get Chip's toys and hand them to them and then pick them up when Chip drops them and take them to him again. It's very cute! Definitely raising a dog-lover!

My portrait of my neice, Paige, at 6 months. I've done portraits of both of my nephews at 6 months, so I couldn't stop the tradition now! Honestly, I like this one the best:) I'm wondering how many more portraits are in store for me??

Abram figured out how to turn around and sit in his rocking chair at my parents house. He would get up on it on his knees then turn and sit then scoot to the edge so that his feet touched and rock. He's also "rockin'" the argyle sweater vest I love so much!

Aunt Leslie helped him open his first present, a "Silly Songs with Larry" Veggietales CD from Grandma.

The Discovery Toys Marble Castle Tower was a hit. Abram liked playing with this the most!

I found this quilt rack in the alley behind where I work. The rungs were all loose and the finish was old and grungy. I brought him and Curtis put new screws in it, sanded it all down and restained/sealed it. I thought it turned out quite beautiful. One man's trash is another man's (or woman's) treasure!

This will eventually be a favorite toy I'm sure! His feet don't quite reach the pedals but when the weather gets a bit warmer we'll go outside and ride bikes with the neighbor boys...just probably not down the hill like they do! Scares me to death!

Here's our "haul" from my family's Christmas. I got a beautiful sweater, the book "Bringing up Boys", a new hairdryer and some other little things. Curtis got some sweaters, a knife and some other little things. And Abram got the rest!

We had our own Christmas on Christmas morning at my parents house. We got Abram a bouncy ball because he enjoys playing with one similar at "the frat house". Curtis bought me another beautiful sweater and I bought him bamboo cutting boards (which I nearly ruined in the dishwasher...don't put them in the dishwasher) and sunglasses (I had broken his previous pair).

I don't know why he was fussing, but I just love this face. He doesn't fuss very often right now. I'm sure this face will eventually embarrass me in some public place, but for now I love this expression too.

These are the hats I made for my nephews and neice (and sister in law: not pictured). They put them on at least...I hope they wear them! I'm going to make a few more hats soon for some Abram and a few friends...

Abram got a little rocking horse from his Great-Uncle Tim. He was a little scared of it at first but now he really likes it. He will drag it around the living room and "rock" on it to the sound effects. I will post a video as soon as I get it uploaded. He got lots of nice presents from Curtis' family, clothes and books. Aunt Kimberly bought him one called "Press Here" by Herv Tullet that is really cute.

The Little Tree

We went to get our Christmas tree a few weeks ago on a Saturday evening when it was almost dark. We picked out a "little" tree...for me at least. I like the ones that almost touch the ceiling, but we thought a slightly shorter (cheaper) one might be better this year.

Not sure what Abram thought about a tree riding in the car with him.

He has done very well with the tree. Showed some interest but not too bad. Pulls off the "non-breakables" that I hung down low. We always did that for the cats anyways. Occasionally tries to grab a light string but usually stops when we say "no-no".

I think it's a beautiful. Merry Christmas little tree.

11 months

This is the month of the most bruises and bumps. He had two fresh bruises for this photo session right in the middle of his forehead. He is walking everywhere and wants to constantly be on the move, so I only got a few somewhat decent pictures before he was "off"!

Looking stylish and festive in his new fleece romper from Barbara and Tim.

"Are you done, Mom?"

"Cause I'm ready to get down!"

"The Blur"

Abram loves to open and close this book called "Love Bug" he got from Grandma Cunningham. It plays music and lights up...so fascinating!

Videos

10 Months!

Ok, ok, I know, I"m like a month behind almost...I blame all the Christmas projects and parties I"m preparing for. Curtis and I can't seem to find a few extra hours in the day...and getting up earlier isn't an option because I still need those few extra hours in the night too! Without further ado, here is Abram's 10 month photo shoot.

We got one immediate big cheesy smile and then...

...he was up...

...to deconstruct the chair and then quickly get down.

The Rest of November's Events

Somehow November just slipped by, barely noticed. I only managed one quick video blog and then it was gone! So here are a few more pics from November. I"ll do a separate post with a few videos and for his 10 month pictures...even though he's almost 11 months now!

We finally broke down and bought a bigger car seat. We waited as long as possible and it took a while to decide which one to get but decided on the Evenflo Symphony 65 E3. Abram seems to think it will work just fine!

One weekend we went to Capriole Dairy goat farm. Abram enjoyed the chickens and the baby goats.

This baby goat just wanted to eat my fingers. Very cute:)

Abram is enjoying much more food now. Here he's feasting on wheat toast and scrambled egg yolks!

We've done several hair "trims" to get rid of sideburns and mullets. It's taking more and more people to help get these accomplished. I think an actual hair CUT will be in order around Christmas.

MMMM....Thanksgiving was delicious! We ate at Curtis' brother's house with his family on Turkey day and then with my family at my parents house the day after. YUM!

Abram's first Thanksgiving! He had turkey, mashed potatoes, and rolls at both dinners (and noodles and carrots at Grandma Hardacre's).

Reading a book with Grandpa Hardacre.

Abram's really getting the hang of this solid food. He'll pick up and eat most things on his tray and he's been using a sippy cup pretty well. It's so much fun (although messy) for him to eat this way and it helps to be able to put out finger foods while preparing the rest of his dinner...much less fussing that way.