Gates Can't Wait For Christmas:)

Gates has really enjoyed all of the family traditions related to Thanksgiving this year. He helped with food preparation and sung songs running in little circles as we set the breakfast table and cued the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on t.v. He was delighted about the turkey. Which he explains is not 'real turkey' but 'meat turkey'. He has decided to enjoy cocoa with whipped cream on top and because we are still trying to get him over thirty five pounds I use whole milk and whipping cream in the sauce pan with the chocolate and extra creamy redi whip with marshmallows. Obviously he eats healthier food most of the time but I still sneak in the whole milk mixed with half and half with his whole grain cereals. His favorite fruits right now are oranges, bananas and strawberries. He wrinkles up his nose at c antelope but grapes and watermelon are high on his list as well.

Gates recently decided that he does not appreciate nick names or endearments. We are to call him "Gates" and that's it. Not sweetheart, little man or big guy, or even buddy. Just Gates. I suppose he has begun to identify with being Gates Rudd and that's exactly who he wants to be right now. His physical differences have also become more of a distraction for him. Suddenly, He is keenly aware of his scars, his minor limp, etc. I suppose that is an expected sign of maturity. His internal focus over all has changed. He behaves less like a kitten watching a butterfly and more like a thoughtful, rather intense little black raincloud. It's clear that He is working through a new wave of awareness and yet another level of adjustment along his journey to wholeness. He expresses himself in so many ways. Although he has always chattered endlessly chasing random thought after random thought often without pause, it seems to me that lately there is a moment of clarity and connection that lasts a little longer than before. I am excited to discover alongside Him, just how he will develop his own thoughts and communicate about them.

Gates has enjoyed shopping for Christmas gifts for the family. He was excited about his choices for each of his siblings and his Grandmother. But on each excursion he has insisted that he purchase yet another gift for his Brother. Bridger is clearly at the center of his universe. They really are quite wonderful together. Bridger behaves as if he is several years older than Gates even though there are only eleven months between them. Bridge is protective and looks after Gates. Gates keeps close tabs on Bridger. If he loses sight of him he immediately starts searching for him. We have to be intentional about giving them a little space at times. For example, Aimee will take Gates outside to help feed the critters and water flowers etc. while Bridger gets a little uninterrupted reading time. Earlier tonight Gates interrupted Bridger during a crucial part of the televised hockey game and asked, "Do you want to play a game wit me?" Bridge replied, "How bout the game where we see who can be quiet the longest?" Gates picked up on the quip right away and responded, "Oh, Momma LOVES that game!" While awake, Gates's record for silence is one minute. No complaints from me though, I remember when I longed for the sound of him in the house:)

We have wrapped gifts stacked around our small living room and because he cannot yet read, Gates is content to know that the gifts atop the five foot cabinets are his. Thankfully, Bridger has obliged us in not pointing out the ones within his reach that are marked as Gates's too. We are so delighted that Gates is enjoying Christmas as his own this year. He watches carefully over the little Jesus figure representation at the center of Grandma's nativity scene and tells the story of Christ's coming while moving the little Charlie Brown Christmas Play Set people around. Woodstock is perched in the manger and Gates will say, "This is not Jeejus. This is a yellow bird that is pretending that he did not scare him away from his bed."