something to write home (or in my blog) about...

okay, so I deeply apologize to those of you who have been left hanging because of my lack of commitment to this blog. I'll just say, three kids keeps me VERY BUSY, exhausted at the end of the day, and I LOVE IT!!!

so what's to write home about, well, to start one of the big reasons I have been not blogging is because I have been very very tired. It's been almost 2 months of waking up somewhere between 2 and 10+ times per night for the Guatemalan princess who likes to wake up often and sometimes stays awake for HOURS! so we have tried numerous things to get this little girl to sleep through the night or even just wake up 1 or 2 times a night, but 10+ times was really getting out of hand. When we visited Peter's parents we slept her on a futon mattress on the floor, she woke up only 2 times per night the entire week and took 2 hour naps every day without waking up in the middle. We thought it was the crib. We came home and put the crib mattress on the floor and she woke up a gazillion times! so we figured the crib mattress was too firm! so, we found a 1 3/4 inch thick wool crib pad and tried that with a super cushy soft blankie to lay on. this seemed to help a little, but it was not the miracle solution. so we decided time to let her cry it out again, maybe it would work this time. well last night she was up screaming for up to an hour at a time at least 3 times. todays naps were short lived and she had an exhausting day. I spent lots of time cuddling with her and loving her when she was out of bed, to reassure her of my love and consistency in her life. so tonight I laid her down, the boys were being noisy and I never got her asleep before I left the room. I put the boys down and she cried for less than 10 minutes and it wasn't even constant screaming! Oh, I hope tonight is better!

and as for Peter's dad. He is in the hospital with an intestinal infection. At first it seemed to require antibiotics and then he could go home. the radiation is working and his pain from the cancer was lessening. Then the antibiotics didn't seem to be working, they anticipated a very risky surgery and miraculously overnight the antibiotics kicked in and he is feeling better and they have since regulated the pain. the news is up and down. Peter talks to his family at least once or twice a day. some days are better and others not so good. we continue to pray for Art's comfort and for peace in their home. The cancer has not spread to any of his major organs and the radiation has reduced the tumors and pain.

what else? Caleb is doing very well! He was a robot for Halloween and is loving preschool! He has made new friends and loves his teacher. One of his new friends lives just down the street from us! We went to play at their house on Friday when it was 70 degrees out here! Caleb is practicing for the Christmas musical at church, he is soooooo excited. He loves to practice the song at home and can't wait to perform on stage!

Elijah is sooooo sweet. We have eliminated his naps, he was staying up till 10 or 11 when he got a nap. He seems to finally be adjusting to sleeping later in the morining and is getting used to his new place with Micaiah in our family. He was Superman for Halloween. He is a great big brother and loves to be the big boy and the big brother, but not enough to want to go in the potty! oh well. He is sick, he seems to always be sick. Just as he gets over one thing he comes on with another. He takes vitamins, washes his hands as much as I remember and eat really well. I guess it is from the RSV when he was a baby, it is very frustrating. I feel bad for him.

Micaiah was a dog during the day in the warm house and a bunny at night when it got cool (we had two cute costumes for her to wear)

let me see if I can get some pics up before I sign off...

Caleb (robot), Elijah (Superman), Henry (Curious George), Allie (ladybug), Micaiah (poodle)

hope to be back soon! (I really am going to try to keep up again)

oh yeah, Micaiah took her first steps Oct 30 and is progressing every day, she had gone about 10 feet and learned to climb up the stairs a few days ago!