I love my Playgym!

All Smiles!

We'll Porter isn't quite crawling around, but he sure is trying-- he is just as intent sitting, smiling and laughing! His ball has become one of his favorite toys. this is such a fun age!

I love watching lola!

One of Porter's favorite actvities is watching and playing with lola-- the swing is a great place to watch her catch the ball!

beach walk on whidbey

we spent last weekend up on whidbey island--fun to be together as a little fam! took porter on a long beach walk--he loved it! especially when we let him play in the sand and he got to feel it in his hands and even try the mouth! so nice to have that place as a little get-away!

New Year's Eve 2009

Porter and His Cousin Kaira Moon

Porter's First Christmas Morning!

Christmas Eve Festivities

Porter's Gearing up for Christmas!

Porter wearing his Mom's old Sorels...

There was 30 year old mud on those boots...

Outdoor Fun in Colorado

Porter's First Ride with the Sled Lulu & Bubba gave him...

Porter and his Aunties...

Mom & Dad took Porter on his first Nordic Ski Adventure and he loved it!

Taking her baby on a nordic ski could not have been a happier moment for Piper.

Porter Visits Santa...and LOVED him!

We made our first annual trip to visit Santa today! Porter was absolutely taken by Mr. Clause! Loved pulling on his beard....

Annual Xmas Tree Hunting!

we braved the cold (very cold) temps and took the little guy out with the gang for the Annual Xmas tree hunt/gathering! He was quite the trooper--great practice for our upcoming trip to Colorado!~

Porter Eating (guest appearance by Lola)!

Weekend on Whidbey

Beach walk

3 generations of guys with cool hats...

Porter's 1st Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a fabulous weekend with the Abodeely's up at the Whidbey house... Porter got to join us at the table for Thanksgiving dinner; enjoying his own squash and apples! He loved being part of the festivities!

Sunday Happenings...

Porter gave his Bronco's jersey a try in honor of Uncle Willy, but he couldn't keep the Donkey's from the same losing fate as the Hawks...

Aunt Meg came over for Sunday dinner and fed our little chubster some squash and peas-- mmmmm!

mmm...squash!

we had Porter's 6month apt today...clean bill of health! got the go ahead to introduce more foods, so tried squash tonite. what's your take, did he like it??

Playtime with Lola

After watching the Seahawks game with Dad, Lola and Porter engaged in some tug-of-war playtime together. Porter really tried to hang on, but Lola did not want to let him win--wanted to prove she is still holds court in this house!

Porter Ticklemania!

A Wine Weekend in Sonoma!

While Porter enjoyed his first weekend with his Siti and Giddi, and auntie Meg, We flew down to Sonoma for a long weekend with some a wild and crazy group of friends. Let's just say, Mom and Dad have not forgotten how to drink lots of wine and have fun! It was an absolute blast (for more pics link to the Kerwin's blog: http://russandang.blogspot.com/ ). We rented a house and a party bus for Saturday-- quite the adventures! and then finished it up with a halloween 5 course dinner at the house that each couple dressed up for and prepared their course accordingly!

Along with Dudley and Walker, we prepared the main course of sliders and sweet potato fries-- bringing the diner to Sonoma!

6 months! and first meal!

One day shy of Porter's 6 month bday, we gave him his first meal! Tried rice cereal to ensure he could swallow, and tomorrow, moving onto avocado, as he was a champ! ate it up with no problem! even wanted to take the spoon and try it himself~

Porter's weekend without Mom and Dad!

We ventured (without baby) down to Napa Valley for the weekend and left Porter in the hands of Siti and Giddi and aunti meg! They did lots of fun activities and bonding together--especially on Halloween. After a fun morning with his granparents, Meg took porter trick-or-treating in Madison Park for the afternoon. they all survived (thrived) the weekend and I think porter got the invite back for another weekend in the future without mom and dad! what a treat~

Cousin's play together!

Cousin Kaira came to seattle for a visit-- they are going to be best buddies growing up!

Happy Halloween! My first pumpkin...

Playing in the fall leaves...

1st Halloween Playdate!

We got 12 babies (10 under the age of 1) over for an early Halloween playdate! While we (the mom's) enjoyed chili and cider, they romped around the carpet. It was halarious--and they all had a blast together!

Rocco and Porter-- the two dinasaurs!

Signs of Fall!

Pumpkins and Football--two true signs that fall is here! Porter is loving his pumpkin hat that Lulu bought him! And, after a saturday of working in the back yard (always a bigger project than we anticipate), Porter got to join Dad for the Seahawks football game. They met up with Lucy and Todd, as well as Uncle Johnny... quite the afternoon. (notice his backpack full of baby gear!) All I heard was, "he took two naps, pooped, and was the life of the party." As for me... I got four hours to myself--what a treat!

An Afternoon of Sailing

As part of the weekend activities, we all went out on a 60ft sailboat for an afternoon of sailing on Pudget Sound. We bundled Porter up and he was quite the sport out there!

Porter Gets Baptized

It was a wonderful weekend--- not only was it a full moon, but little Porter was surrounded by his godparents and family as he got baptized! Porter has three incredible godparents-- Russ, Angela and Katie. We couldn't think of better people to support his journey and provide the love and support as he grows up! Porter was a rockstar during the service-- woke up right as the Pastor was talking to him during the Sermon and was all smiles during the actual Baptism (lucky, considering it was his naptime!). Yes, that is a gown he is wearing. and while JJ had a complex about him wearing a gown--it is tradition, as my grandmother wore it during her baptism, meaning it is 80 years old...

Porter being presented to the congregation!

Semi- Annual Walla Walla Venture!

Porter's first trip to Walla Walla--yes, call us crazy, we brought both the dog and kid! Everyone did great-- dogs ran like crazy with the other winery dogs, and Porter hung right in there with the gang-- he is going to LOVE wine when he gets older! Don't worry--brought plenty of bottles so mom could enjoy every last sip!

the wine is too good to waste even a sip

celebrating Emily's bday--things got better with each winery we visited--

the end of a long day of wine tasting-- porter's was sound asleep for the rest of the night... he can sleep anywhere!

A weekend of activities!

watching mom and dad do some yard work--our supervisor! he approved of the ivy removal...

hmm... not quite sure about that... might look better the other way...

playing with his girlfriend, Lucy. She was really into his red shoes.

first weekend in the "johnny-jump-up"-- trying to figure out how to use it

Porter's First Mariners Game

a boys day at the Mariner's game-- first of many!

A true Mariners Fan!

Paul and Tamara's wedding!

another wonderful abodeely wedding up at the Whidbey house--- they did an incredible job--a very special occasion! Porter's 6th wedding this summer! He has got the wedding thing down!

Porter with his Great Godmother, Alison

the bride and groom serving eachother cake!

Piper's (30th) Porter's (4 month)Bday weekend

We ventured out to do some wine tasting in woodinville to celebrate my 30th (as we all know, wine is one of my favorite things). so fun to have aunti meg here in seattle now!!! there is nothing like a sister...

Porter was a trooper for the day--he managed to find a spot to play at each of the wineries while we enjoyed tasting!

tummy time on the winery table...

learning to sit up, smile, and laugh at the same time!!! fun to be 4 months~

Porter's first hike with the backpack!

setting off for a great hike on Courgar Mountain--Porter loved being on his dad's back looking at the trees

posing for a family photo

truly enjoying the rest of the hike...

Parke's Colorado Wedding

flying kites in the field after the wedding-- and of course, a family photo~!

one of our favorite things...nursing with the hooter hider!

Porter hanging with Bubba and the gang!

tearing it up on the dance floor!

Birds and the bees

Gonna have to have the talk soon..,

Porter's First Seahawk's Game

Welcome Kaira Moon Smolinski!

Porter has a new cousin! JJ's sister Michelle and hubby Shawn welcomed Kiara Moon to the world this weekend. All are doing well!

Porter Swims at Crooked Lake

More Family Time at Wipigaki!

Hanging with Bubba and Lulu at the Square Dance...

Some QT with the Frasers and Porter's new Friend, Claire...

Porter's First Trip to Wipigaki

Camp Wipigaki is a special place in Wisconsin that we visit every Summer. Porter's Bubba and Lulu even met there as teenagers. Piper has never missed a summer in 30 years! We were delighted to introduce Porter to Wipigaki for what will hopefully be the first of many summer stays!

Porter Visits Family in Detroit

Porter got to meet his Great-Grandmother (Sit-Sit) for the first time and they both had a blast!

Porter with Mom, Sit-Sit, Auntie Rhoda and cousin Julia looking on...

Porter with his cousins, Anabel, Julia, Asher, Ava, Adam, and Joey (with Porter)

Testing, 1,2,3 Testing

It just occurred to Porter that his cheeks are substantially chubbier than his friend Claire's...

Technical Difficulties

We are having some technical difficulties here at absolutelyabo. Please be patient while our IT staff identifies the problem. Thank you.
-Management

update: we hit the maximum storage for the free version of Picasa Web Albums. Adding 10GB of storage now... please check back later, thanks!

Porter-- hanging with some of his peeps!

Just like Dad~

Just like his dad (JJ) in the photo-- Porter is wearing the same outfit that JJ wore at 3 months! Amazing that Sitti kept it to pass on to the next generation. I am going to do the same for Porter's little boy--three generations!

Porter posing (obviously time for bed) with Sitti, Gitti and Dad after his bath--

2nd wedding of the weekend!

After a great few days celebrating DeeDee and Geoff's wedding, we got up early on sunday and headed up to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands to celebrate Zeke and Anushka's wedding--a perfect day! Porter sure is a little wedding enthusiast!

hanging with uncle Travis!

the wedding was at the lavendar farm-a fun location and a blushing bride!

boys will be boys....

Dee and Geoff Wedding!~

Great rehersal dinner on whidbey island-- porter spent a lot of time with his soon to be baby cousin!

with the beautiful bride!

enjoying the evening with aunt whit and uncle chris!

... done for the night--sleeping soundly as we dance the night away!

One HOT weekend!

We visited Porter's Great Godparents Nancy and Dave at their house on the lake--

Went to the Indigo Girls concert at the zoo on sunday with Katie and Ashley--they are practicing for their first babysitting experience with porter!

Porter's All Smiles... and Sounds!

Porter at the Neighborhood Beach

Cute little piggies...

Testing the waters...

Celebrating Molly and Darby's Wedding

 

The Colby Girls

 

Sun Valley Weekend

 

Schooners at Grumpys

 

Hanging with Aunt Dudley and Uncle Walker

 

 

Porter's showing off his standing skills with Auntie Jen

Porter Finds His Thumb Video

Also testing the video quality from the regular photo camera. The sound is not so good...

Porter meets one of his Great Grandmother's!

starting to move around a lot--showing off for Blanchie!

Blanchie was fascinated by Porter--so neat to see a connection like that...

Four generations--and porter in the Christening dress that has been worn for all four generations!

4th of July in Vail!

Hanging with Uncle Willy at the pool!

Celebrating the 4th with the fam and the festivities of vail!

Weekend in Portland!

Porter goes out on the town in Portland with M&D

Storytime (which he is really getting into!) at aunti sal and uncle chris's house~

backyard bbq!

new favorite playtime--leaning against the pillow to look out the window!

Porter's First Trip--Montana!

Porter and I flew to Montana last weekend for our cousin Katy's wedding. He did fantastic on the flights--preparing for the many travel adventures ahead! This is his wedding outfit Lulu bought for him!

Wedding was outside in Paradise Valley--cleared just for the ceremony! beautiful!

Porter meets uncle willy and aunti tori for the first time!

Porter loved the music and was in awe of the dancing! He is going to be a little party animal~

Who's Baby Is It?

After a summer dinner party evening with Colleen and Reed, featuring a fair share of mojitos and wine for a couple of sets of new parents, nobody was really sure which baby belonged with which parent...

JJ was pretty sure the dark-haired kid was his, but he was wrong...

Porter's Stats

Just had the 1 month check-up (a little late, he'll be 6 weeks on Thursday!)

Weight: 9 pounds, 6 oz. 20th percentile
Length: 21.5 inches. 25th percentile
Head Circumference (for the truly inquisitive): 15th percentile

I don't about anybody else, but whenever you hear parent's talk about what percentile their children are in for weight and length-- 9 times out of 10, they are above average and usually above the 75th percentile. It never made any sense to me. At least we know Porter won't be contributing to the size percentile overstatement movement for some time!

Another Porter Video

WARNING! This video will only be appreciated by Porter's serious admirers...

Porter Goes Out!

Bonnie and Nancy hosted a party for Porter so all the ladies could meet him... even included green kiwi Martini's!!

Porter loved his first Bar experience... only milk for him though!

Porter's First Video

Testing out the new video camera and the video on the blog functionality...



ps. since learning that his Lulu didn't stop sucking her thumb until she was 12, we've decided not to encourage him anymore!

mom gets a break

sleeping in with dad...

Sitti and Gitti watching Porter while mom gets back to work!

First Whidbey Weekend!

love my picnic at the beach! after a great meal...

harvesting mussles and oysters with Dad for dinner!

fun family walk on the beach

sleeping from the filled day--so mom and dad enjoyed a drink!

Bathtime!

Porter loves bathtime!!

weekend events!

Tummy Time!



Already reading at a 6-week level!

Porter meets one of his future girlfriends... Lucy Lourdes Solberg

Backyard dining with Uncle Curtis and Tia Emily... where's Murray?

Meeting my Aunts!

Auntie Dee and Uncle Geoff along with Auntie Meg have all come to Seatttle to meet and bond with baby Porter!

Memorial Day Happenings

Porter enjoyes (sucks down) his first bottle from dad! no problems introducing it! Time for mom and dad to go out on a date and leave him with his grandparents!
One of Porter's girlfriends (stella) joins us for a memorial day bbq!
Dad and Porter putting the final touches on the backyard for the summer festivities!
The first dinner "date" at St. Clouds (our favorite neighborhood place) --porter LOVES going out for dinner!

First night alone as a Family!

Grandma Lulu left yesterday, so we had our first night alone as a family! learning how to multi-task--Porter loved cooking with dad--even out at the bbq! It must have exhausted him, as he quickly settled into a post dinner nap!

Porter's First Picnic

Taking advantage of our nice seattle weather, we ventured out for Porter's first picnic of the summer! He did great and just loves being outside--following his parents!

We are enjoying every minute of parenthood. Relishing each moment, as there are so many firsts right now-- he has quite a little personality--so happy, alert and ready to embrace the world! and while I feel like I spend most of my day feeding him-- i have to say breastfeeding is a pretty incredible bond mother and child share!

weekend activities!

Porter's new bouncer!
already learning how to suck my thumb!

1 week old!

Dad and Bubba built Porter a stoller-port to keep it dry on those rainy days! he is thrilled!
















Lola and Porter continue to get to know each other! Lola is a great older sister!












Family bonding....

Doing Great!

Dad, Mom and Porter continue to do great, enjoying our time getting to know one another!

Bubba & Lulu Elliott Meet Their Grandson

Porter's First Full Day Home

Getting to Know Porter

Sitti and Giddi Abo












Godmomma Katie











Tummy Time with Dad











An early morning moment with Mom

A Day of Firsts...

First Feeding...













First Nap...













First Bath...











First Peaceful Sleep...

Porter's Birth Experience!

Arriving at Swedish













Checking all the bits and pieces...











And in this corner, weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces... Porter "House" Elliott Abodeely!!!










Porter, meet Dad's nose...

Final Bump Watch! 38 Weeks

Nursery is finished!

can't wait to spend many moments with baby abo in here!

Bump Watch! 36 weeks

almost there! feel some real changes going on inside there as the little guy prepares for his arrival!

Coastal Weekend Getaway!

We checked out the Tulip festival on our drive up-- fields of tulips with amazing colors!

Our favorite combo!














Part of our weekend included writing our birth plan and narrowing down our favorite baby names--a secret until we meet him!
















...and we enjoyed a day on the golf course--interesting challenge playing golf so pregnant!

Nursery furniture and bedding arrives!

The nursery is finally looking more ready for the arrival of baby Abo! We received the furniture and bedding over the weekend-- now it is just about the final details. We had a couple of babies over for a party and they used it all--gave it a great test run!

Baby goes dancing!

We attended Lauren and Mike Shane's wedding over the weekend and had some fun tearing it up on the dance floor! getting this baby ready for dancing! Hard to believe we are in our final month--still feeling great! Just getting bigger and starting the pregancy"waddle!"

Siti Abo and Dad paint the nursery wall!

The nursery is starting to come together! fun to see all of the baby stuff fill the room!

Bump Watch! 33 weeks

the baby LOVES the sun! He was moving all over the place!

Shelly & Shawn Smolinski Wedding!

Michelle (JJ's Sister) and Shawn get married outside of Santa Cruz, CA in the mountains!
A beautiful wedding--

Here are some awesome pics








Our last travel on a plane for a while... doctor's orders to stay here!



















Enjoying some of the CA sun at the beach

Bubba & Lulu Elliott Help Make Preparations!

Piper's whole family came out to Seattle for the baby shower-mom and dad stayed a few extra days to help us get a start on the baby preparations! we had to revert to reading the directions a lot!

Prego Photos!

While in Colorado, Aunt Sas snapped some shots to capture the growing belly!

Backcountry Babymomma

Piper's last backcountry ski tour...
UNTIL NEXT YEAR!

Bump Watch! 29 Weeks

Visiting Colorado

Snowshoeing in Lake Creek...


















Maya & Sadie... not too sad the Lola couldn't make the trip

Bump Watch! 27 Weeks

27 weeks--beginning the 3rd Trimester!

Belize Babymoon!

We had a great babymoon for 10 days in Belize! lots of relaxing, snorkeling, kayaking, biking on the beach, and just enjoying the sun! the baby loved the sun--moving around a lot now! great to be together--seemed so quiet and peaceful--not for long!

Belize Babymoon Cont'd...

Dancing Girls...

The two ladies of the Abo household are hootin it up while they still have the majority...

Bump Watch! 25 weeks

Enjoying January Sun

Hanging at the sculpture park...