7 months

My baby boy is 7 months old! Wow! Where has the time gone? I tired to get a picture of all his wonderfully fuzzy hair-fluffy from a bath :) He still has a little peach fuzz bald spot in the back of his head. The best spot for kisses.
My silly little man. How much you have changed already. Slow down...
Things that Abel is up to at 7 months:
*he has 2 little teeth starting to come through on the bottom-no pictures yet
*he rolls all the time-makes changing a diaper very tricky now
*he has been scooting! He pulls himself with his arms-kind of an army crawl
*he loves food-all types so far-fruits and veggies and cheerios
*he has been going to bed better-we lay him down awake at 930pm. This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Most of the time he just chats in bed a little and falls asleep! Great pattern buddy.
*still nursing-most bottles are half breastmilk and formula but he still nurses when mom is home. I wanted to make it to 6 months- so we are kicking butt! It's a hard one to give up. Some days I think about it but nothing compares to having his little body curled up next to me in the middle of the night. (and it's way faster then getting a bottle ready) Not sure when we will ween..for now I am enjoying my Abel time!

Christmas 2011

Christmas is always full of memories. One of the memories I have is every one in the family having matching stocking with our names on them. I always thought they were so cool. This year I finally am the mom with matching stockings for my family! (early gift for mom-thanks pottery barn)
Axel was a wonderful helper this year.
Hum...I think there is some thing in there!
Gifts from MN! This year Christmas was very magical for Axel. He was amazed at the reindeer tracks in the drive way and thought it was funny how Santa ate his cookies that he left out-all 6 of them! He loved looking at the tree with all the presents underneath for the last few weeks and was excited every time a new box came from MN. Thanks again to all of our family in MN for all the wonderful gifts.
Axel loved every thing he opened this year. He has been playing non-stop! He opened a box of batteries sent from Grandma and Grandpa. When he saw what was in the box he said "Wow I've never had batteries before!" I think he would have been content with a box of batteries. Once he saw the next box-with remote controls cars-that needed batteries-he said "what the heck?" Brian and Axel have been racing the cars all over the house Mom!
Abel-he loved the boxes and the wrapping paper this year. All of his pictures were action shots because he is on the move. He rolls non-stop and has been scooting around also. Axel tried to keep his stuff way from him but it just made Abel want it more. Sorry Axel...your in for it soon :)
Axel's pile of gifts. He kept trying to pile them up to count them and then Abel would come over and knock them down.
He loves watching his big brother.
Axel's new army gear.
Abel's new blocks. It was a great weekend at home with the boys. We got to skype both of our families so it helped to feel a little closer to everyone during the holiday season. We sure do miss you all! But it was nice to stay in our PJ's all weekend-no where to go but stay home and play. I have so many more pictures but these are a few to give you a glimpse of how we spent our weekend. It was cold and of course we got more snow. On Friday we got 12 inches! I wish I could send some to MN-I've had enough of the snow now. When is summer? The days are slowly getting longer now. December 21st is the shortest day-sunrise at 1015am and sunset at 320pm. The last few days we've only gained seconds but the days are getting longer-even if it's only 15 seconds at a time!

Abel rolling

Christmas is on it's way

Axel and Abel in front of our little tree. Axel is getting very excited for Christmas this year.
Axel had a party at school. The kids did a gift exchange with each other. (Axel got play-doh and a new game-which he loved!) Santa came to the party so the kids could give him their letters. Of course Axel was super shy and did not want to sit on his lap but he did give him his letter. He had to hold my hand when he went to hand Santa his letter so I couldn't get a picture.
Having snacks at the party. Axel was not to sure about having broccoli on his plate. :) We are all ready for Christmas at our house. The tree is up, the stockings are hung and all the gifts have been shipped to MN! I've heard that MN doesn't have any snow yet. We do and quite a bit! One of the towns about 40 minutes from us got 40 inches last week! Girdwood-a great place to ski. We have been having warmer weather and Chinook winds have been crazy. We lost some snow but still have about 2 feet. It's weird how the winds from the ocean can really warm things up all of a sudden. It was 40 degrees today! (we have had cold and snow since before Halloween) The warm up just makes every thing icy when it gets cold again. The great thing about Alaskan roads they never salt they only like to use gravel. (it's great on your windshields) Hope every one in MN gets a white Christmas this year!

Santa 2011

We went to find Santa today. I had heard a rumor that he came down from the North Pole for one day to visit kids at the mall. On the way there Axel said he was so excited that he was going to fall down when he say Santa. Once we saw him shy guy Axel came out. He wanted to talk with him but wasn't to sure about sitting on his lap. He did finally sit on his lap but won't uncross his arms. Abel was just fine getting handed off to Santa and loved pulling on his beard. (At least mom didn't have to be in the picture this year)
Merry Christmas Santa. Axel loved asking questions about his reindeer. He now knows that the reindeer like to eat carrots, oats and chocolate chips and Santa would like cookies and milk. One the way home Axel said "hey gang, I got an idea. Let's leave out 2 cookies for me and a bunch for Santa." Of course once he got in the car he couldn't stop talking about Santa.

Abel had his 6 month doctor visit this week. (a little late) He is hitting all his milestones right on. Rolling, moving things from hand to hand and making lot's of baby sounds.
His weight-16 pounds 7 ounces (40th %)
His length-28 inch (90th %)
OFC- 44.6cm (forgot the %)
So he has leveled out with his weight and is long. He has been moving so much lately that-I'm sure he has been burning a ton of energy. His sleep is different every week. He is starting to get better at going to bed around 930pm and wake up once or twice a night. So sleep is still hit or miss at night but Abel normally takes one good nap-2 to 3 hours.

Family from MN

We had some visitors last weekend! It was so nice having family around. Axel already misses them. He asked me today when I got home from work- "Mom, when is June?" That's when Grandma comes back. (he's already counting the days-what is that like 300?!) Here is Auntie Tracy loving up on Abel.
Grandma, Axel, Abel and Tracy
Axel getting to open one early Christmas gift.
Thanks Grandma!!!
Axel loved his one on one time with Grandma. Making cookies-Yummy :)
Abel always watching and learning. He tried his first baby finger food this weekend. He did really good grabbing on to it and getting it in his mouth. Abel is a moving machine. He rolls all over, wiggles in a circle and started this new thing of shaking his butt while laying on his tummy. Super cute! I think he starting to get ready to think about crawling-just if he could get his knees off the ground.
It was great having family visit for the weekend. The weather was kind of crummy-rainy and super windy. We ate a ton of food, did a little touring and ate more food. I think I am still full. (yes, every one I can cook- and not just a pizza) :)

Sleigh ride

Axel and mom got to go on a sleigh ride today-for a field trip!
Here is the rancher and Axel watching the horses. (Axel said wow-that guy is old!)

Over the mountains and through the snow....
After the sleigh ride we had a fire and roasted marshmallows.
Today was warmer then it's been-like 20 degrees, but it was still to cold to big the baby brother. Mom and Axel had a fun field trip day. Sorry Abel next time you can come!

6 months

Abel is 6 months old!
Look auntie Krisha-the hat finally fits. I've been waiting for this hat to fit Abel for some time now. It'll be perfect for all this lovely winter weather we have been having here. (another 4 inches of snow last night)
Abel loves getting his feet in his mouth!
Axel had to show my that he could get his feet in his mouth also. He was like gesh mom what's the big deal?
HAPPY TURKEY DAY! We had a great day at home-just the 4 of us. Axel and Brian got the wish bone.
Axel wins! He wished that he could play every day-all day.

Routines and cookies

First-look at all of Abel's hair! It's really starting to growing in nicely. Routine's- It's interesting how patterned people are. I have to have a cup of coffee in the morning (yes, I drink coffee while I'm breast feeding) and I drive the same way to work every day-even though there is 3 different ways that I can take. Abel's routine changes every couple of weeks. Every time I think he has set a pattern it changes. He had gone almost 3 weeks with only waking up once a night. (it was blissful) Now, for the past week he has been staying up until 1030pm and waking up 2 or 3 times a night. What happened? I'm totally exhausted again. Maybe he's growing a lot this week? It's amazing how 3 days of a new pattern and BAM Abel has reset himself to a new routine.
Here is Abel holding his own bottle. He is getting pretty good at it.
Axel's routine-he love sitting in his bean bag with his pillow pet and chocolate milk, water and a snack. Every day this is his request when it's cartoon time! He's very particular about it. :)
Axel and mom had a special just the two of us morning. We went and made cookies with people from my work. They rented out a huge kitchen and baked and frosted all morning.
He was very serious about the frosting.


Other updates-Abel has been a rolling machine. He rolls from his back to his tummy, he gets stuck, I roll him back to his back and we do this over and over. He is also toy crazy. He loves reaching for toys, grabbing toys and rolling for toys. Axel thinks it gross how wet Abel's toys get when he's done with them.

Snow....

Here is Axel coming in for a break during shoveling the drive way.
Here's our deck and a little bit of snow.
Axel loves it! He could have played out side all day.
Helping dad shovel the drive way.
We've had a few small snow falls-like about 1-2 inches each time. Last night we got another 3-4 inches. The snow really adds up out here. It seems like it'll snow 1-2 inches every couple of days. At least that's what I remember from last year. We'll see what this winter brings.

This is where I'd rather be-Inside all warm and cozy.

The start of winter

It snowed again today :( We are officially in winter. I haven't taken a picture of the snow yet because I am in denial. The winters are longer in Alaska. We (I mean Brian and Axel) have shoveled twice already and we got another 3-4 inches last night. (won't Brian be happy when he wakes up) Today I wanted to share some of the things the boys are up to. (I have to write them down so I don't forget)
AXEL-
He is such a character. I love the funny things he does and says. This age is a blast!
-the other day at dinner Axel informed me that he wanted a gold tooth. When I asked him why, he said "do you know what the tooth fairy would do with a gold tooth?" I guess your right buddy, gold prices are really high these days.
-this is is kinda naughty but funny. (we parent's have to admit the funniness in some of the naughty things kids do) I was asking to clean up his toys. He stops and says "gesh, mom stop breaking my ball!" Um..what?! Where did he learn this one.... I had to turn not to show him my smile. Axel Edwin...pick up your toys.
-he such a boy. Farting on my leg and burping at the dinner table. When I say Axel excuse you. He just reminds me that's what boys do! I guess I wouldn't understand because I'm a girl.
Where does he get this stuff? It's amazing how much he soaks in of every thing that is a round him. He loves his pre-school and is learning so much. He is really good with his brother. Abel will giggle every time Axel talks to him. He is so interested in every thing his big brother does. Axel loves being a show off for him.
ABEL-
-is rolling over. I saw him do back to tummy first. (I think Brian saw tummy to back) He wiggles all over and does tons of baby talking.
-he has been trying baby foods. The foods he has tried- apple sauce, banana's, green beans, carrots and now prunes with rice cereal. Did you know that carrots and apple sauce can plug you up? I figured banana's for sure but carrots too? Abel had a little plug up issue that week. Now we do prunes and apple juice once and a while. (apple juice is one that loosens and apple sauce plugs? I don't remember all these details.)
-he is a happy baby. The sleeping is getting better. He normally wakes up once a night and even has slept through the night a few times. (no real pattern of that yet but it's a start.)
I'm sure I'm forgetting some funny stories but that's why I have to write them down when they happen. I'll sure winter pictures soon...

Halloween weekend

We have been busy all weekend with Halloween activities. Here is Axel working on our first pumpkin craving.

Abel was snacking on some peaches and watching his big brother do magic to his pumpkin.
First pumpkin is finished.
On Thursday Axel had a Halloween party at pre-school. Every one got to wear there costumes, they watched a movie, played games, had a candy hunt and then got time to have yummy snacks.
Here is Axel's class
Waiting in line for the candy hunt!
Axel's turn.
Axel thought it was really fun getting to hunt for candy and get to come home with a bag full.
Yummy....candy and cup cakes! There was apples and banana's on the plate also but who wants that?
Craving pumpkin #2!
He thought the inside stuff was gross and squishy
Mom and Axel made Halloween snacks. Candy covered pretzel sticks. Here is one of the finders that Axel made.
Trying to get the boys to pose with the pumpkin :)
Abel's first Halloween!
So we will be trick or treating in the snow :( We got more snow again over night. Boo...there goes the summer. (I do have to say that I had a really nice one getting to stay home for 2 months!) I think Brian and Axel will go hit the neighborhood and Abel and I will man the door at out house. Next year Abel you can go with the big boys. We have had a great weekend home together doing nothing but eating and snuggling.