I should be out running, but I've neglected my blog long enough!

Sorry, guys, we've had a challenging few weeks and I haven't made the time to post updates. Maxito is warming up to us all just beautifully. Sometimes he even runs across the room with a huge smile on his face just to give me a hug. When he first came home, I couldn't even imagine that happening, and here we are three weeks later and I'm getting lots of slobbery kisses and love from him on a regular basis! Honestly, my sweet Gussy is still having the hardest time with it all. I can't stand it, it makes me so sad. He doesn't like me to hold Max. He doesn't like for me to change Max's diaper...he actually says, "No Max dirty diaper. Gussy dirty diaper. No change Max, change Gussy diaper, Mama," knowing full well that he has a perfectly fresh diaper on. He doesn't like for me to sit in front of Max's car seat in the car, which makes it hard since Max is behind the driver's side. I think we might have to switch things around, just for my sanity's sake. Today, Gussy pitched a fit over going to school, something that he hasn't done in months. He was crying, running away from his classroom door, wiggling out of his shirt when Miss Karen tried to bring him into the classroom. Ugh, it's really upsetting to watch and I have such a soft spot for him that it would be easy for me to create a monster during this time. But, I'm trying really hard to balance the discipline and affection. It's a fine line and I know I'm making mistakes, but there's just no easy or quick trip through this part of our lives. We're doing our best, and, all-in-all, I'd say we're doing a pretty good job. It helps that my husband is ridiculously helpful and supportive and that I have incredible friends who have been bringing us supper every other night. It helps so much and we are so thankful!

Okay, now onto everyone's favorite segment of my posts: pictures! And, I've got quite a few pics and even a video of my Christmas cuties!

While my mom was still here, we made a trip to the mall for the obligatory Santa visit. Gus was so cute, all he wanted to do was pat Santa on the knee. He talked about it all morning. I think that he asked for a choo-choo train. Catalina had written a list, which included a dollhouse, a kitchen, a Pocahontas dvd, and hairbows. Max was not exactly happy about sitting near the fat, hairy-faced stranger, as you can see!



Didn't even help to have Mama and Papa around:



We also took a few pictures in front of the beautiful, Hyde Park Village tree. This one is my favorite and it pretty much sums up little Gussy's attitude since he became a big brother:



We have tried and tried to get cute pictures of the three of them in front of our tree, or wearing their matching gingerbread man jammies, but they haven't always been successful. Here are some of the cute ones:





This series makes me laugh: #1 Everyone's perfectly happy, #2 Max shows interest in Gussy's toy of the moment, #3 Max dares to touch it, #4 Gussy takes it away and Catalina tries to mediate the situation.



Last weekend we had a bit of a cold spell (before the temps went back up to 80+ this week). Merritt, Jodi, and I ran in a 5k in the cold. It was a lot of fun! There were lots of activities for the kids, so they enjoyed it,too.

After the race, in the kids' craft tent (photo taken my McConnell!):



I love this picture of my little boyfriend giving me his heart:



Max stayed nice and cozy in the stroller the entire time:



McConnell, Catalina, and Harrison working on crafts:



That night, we were so excited to have a grown-up evening at the O'Brien's Christmas party. It was lots of fun and I brought my camera, telling everyone that I was not leaving without pictures of girls hugging. All I ever take pictures of anymore is the kids...not bad in itself, but I like to have pics of my lovely friends, too.

Girls hugging:



Mission accomplished!

A couple more things, I hope that I haven't lost you by now because these are extra cute and sweet. During lunch on Tuesday, Gussy busted out with a verse from "Go Tell it on the Mountain," a song that I didn't have any idea that he knew. Then, Catalina helped him out at the end. Didn't know she knew it either, but it was so cute and sweet I had to get it on tape (below):



Also, Catalina came up to me on day with her head covered with a blanket and said, "Hi, I'm Mary." Gussy walked up next, as serious as could be, with his Bink-Bink over his head and said, "I'm Jo-fes." Here's a picture of Mary and Joseph and their baby Jesus:



And, finally, my little Gus, as you know, has been a little testy these days. One of the best ways to put him in a happy mood, if I don't feel like going to the park, is (get this) taking him to Target to look at decorations! He's crazy about them and is perfectly happy when he can see the trees and then those blow-up lawn decorations and light-up reindeers and things. Here we are yesterday morning: