Sorry.

It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  :(  I don't think I've gone that long between posts ever.  I've been continuing to have frustrating issues with Blogger.  One of them has been worked out, the other one not so much.  I hope it will be worked out soon though and I'll be happy to post a lot more.  As it is, tonight it's late and I'm tired so this is all you get.  Except for quick blurbs:

I have Gabe's parent-teacher conference tomorrow.  It was supposed to be last week but school was closed due to snow.  I had a dream recently that he tested at a tenth grade reading level.

Zion.  Oh Lord, what to say about Zion.  She is a free spirit.  Moving on...

Gideon is so darn super cute I just don't know what to do most of the time.  Tonight we circled the neighborhood to check out what Christmas lights have been put up so far.  He was a constant recording of "Hey, Mama!  I got Cwistmas!!!"  "Heeeey, Mamaaaa!  I got Cwistmas Twee!"  Non-stop.  He does the same "Hey, Mama!" thing at the grocery store too.  Shopping with him is non-stop fun for us and everyone within hearing distance (and I mean that sincerely).

Elias just turned five months old, just cut two teeth and is saying all sorts of new sounds like "Da da!" and "Mmmma!"  I love to watch his face when you make sounds to him, his expression changes to one that is very thoughtful and his mouth starts trying to copy yours.  Tonight he actually mouthed "Mama" right after I said it only he didn't make a sound.  I am confident that he will be sitting unsupported soon and I'm already worried for when he starts to be more mobile.  As it is when he sits in your lap he is always kicking, kicking, kicking and rocking back and forth.

My Sweetie

Yes, he can be sour but then he's sweet. Mostly he's sweet. Tonight was a prime example. We were at Target waiting at the pharmacy counter. Rob was pushing the cart with Elias in his carrier in the basket and the other kids goofing off on the ground. Zion asked to sit in the cart so I hefted her in and we went to move on with our shopping. Gideon didn't see Zion in the cart and about half way down the aisle thought we must have been leaving her behind so he turned around and ran back shouting "Zion ... where are you?!" It was so, so, so cute.

He is also amazingly tender toward Elias bringing him toys or his pacifier or bottle if he fusses. I admit to having concern over how Gideon would handle not being the baby any more, especially since he tends to be very attached to me, but after the first couple of weeks things have just been getting better and better.

Watching my children grow in their care for each other is one of the best parts of being a mom. It's great to watch them play and enjoy each other that way but even better is when one of them demonstrates a real concern for one of the others and acts on it. It is so rewarding.