Not much has happened in Isaiah's case since my last blog entry.  The second half of court was rescheduled for a date a few weeks ago.  But, both parents' lawyers neglected to notify them of the rescheduled date, so neither parent showed up.  How would they when no one told them when to be there?  So, now the next court date, and hopefully the last, will be in the second week of December.   I am really hopeful that parental rights will be terminated before the end of the year. 

Until rights are terminated, Isaiah continues to have one visit weekly with his mom.  Its a supervised visit that lasts 3 hours.  The reports I'm getting from the supervisor are that visits are not going as well as they used to and are getting worse as this goes on.  I think the mom is over this about as much as I am and its getting harder and harder for her to keep up good appearances at her visits.  It would be hard to visit with a child that you know your relationship with is about to be over.  But, that doesn't justify her giving up.  It does, however, help our case to terminate rights. 

Isaiah seems to be doing fine with the visits though, so I'm not too worried about him.  He doesn't seem to have any behaviors or effects when I pick him up.  I'm thankful for that.

I continue to be amazed by Alexander.  His relationship with us continues to evolve. He has never been very open to getting affection.  I know boys are just more active and busy.  They don't want their mommy hugging and smooching all over them when they could be playing with Lightening McQueen and Buzz Lightyear.  But "being busy" is not it with Alexander.  When he got a hug, he would wiggle away as fast as he could.  He looked like he was so uncomfortable that he just couldn't take it and had to get away as fast as possible.  But that's starting to change.  He doesn't get that claustrophobic look as much any more.  He even asks for hugs sometimes.  He sits on my lap when we watch a movie rather than sitting near me on the couch.   When he gets up in the morning, he will climb into my bed and cuddle for a few minutes (its a rare occasion that I get up before the boys do).  He's more loving toward us and lets us give him more affection too.

We were at our nieces' birthday party last weekend.  That was where I saw these changes go from happening in the comfort of home to extending to other family members too.  Alexander sat on his aunts' laps.  He talked to everyone.  He even asked to stay the night like the older kids were doing.  He did great.  It just makes me happy.

He is just growing up and maturing too.  He's excited about starting kindergarten next year (I think he will be ready next year).  He is into the pleasant fours rather than the terrible threes (Threes are much worse than terrible twos in my opinion).  He is a very sweet brother to his siblings (most of the time).  When he gets himself a snack, he always gets one for Isaiah too.  He is always the first to ask if someone is OK when they fall down or cry for some reason.  He's very caring.

I love watching these changes in him.  Its the best reward of being a parent when your child does something to make you proud of them. All of my kids make me proud everyday. Maybe just to balance things out though, they argue and fuss too.  I'm sure its for my own good, my kids wouldn't want me to be too proud of them.  Its all about balance!