My boys

"Please notice who is next in line to squeeze themselves into the tube like a stuffed sausage"

We recently inherited and purchased some new toys for Brady. They are all of the tent and tunnel variety and Brady thinks they are the cats meow. Though, I will have to say that Jeff still remains his number one play structure. Slicky fabric in cool shapes just can't compete with a 6 ft 5", laughing, talking, baby tossing joy ride! My two boys will wrestle and giggle until one of them throws up, and it's not always Brady.

30 seconds

I took these photos at lunch today. This is a small example of the number of faces Mr. B makes in a matter of seconds. He is the most expressive little tyke I've ever met. He is also a camera hog. Mr. B turned into Mr. Shutterfly the minute the flash started going. Notice the way he works the spectrum of emotion...happy, elated, sad, tortured artist, pimp, snotty pants, ahhhh and he's already got down the "my sister did it" version of innocence. Impressive.

Testosterone

Since his surgery, Brady has been going after life with a vengeance. He

no longer gingerly tosses a ball at us, he curtails a fast ball. He pushes his "lawn mower" at such speeds we were thinking of entering him in the Indy 500. Meal time looks more like a hot dog eating contest at a 24 hour buffet. To top it all off I caught Brady shaving this morning. I can't imagine what will happen when stage 3 is complete. Behold! the most manly 1 3/4 year old on the planet.

Ace in the hole

Brady is home and sleeping soundly. His surgery went great and he is milking us for everything we've got. Requests are flying out of his mouth like the rain drops falling from the sky...."rub my feet, scratch my back, comb my hair, file my taxes, press my polos, shine my shoes and get me a drink...and make it a double." YES SIR!

Stage two was a success. Brady's grocery sack is 50% full now. He is sore and a bit agitated, but overall doing super. His Doctor said that the Mr. lefty was surprisingly "moderate sized." I guess in the world of ascended testicles, size does matter. I hadn't even thought about size being an issue. Apparently, if Mr. lefty is the last man standing then he is MAN enough to do the job.

So we will spend the next couple of days on the sofa in sweats. As sad as it makes him, Brady has to retire his speedo for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for all your well wishes. Brady has dually noted them and greatly appreciates your love and support (as do we).

Batter up!

"Brady's new smile! He squints to add extra cheese"

Brady and the ball mission continues this week. He has stage two of the Fowler Stephens Orchiopexy procedure. Most of you know by now that Mr. B's man parts have been hiding out up north since birth and we have been knee deep in the three part surgery to arrange them properly. The last procedure was a lathroscopic surgery to cut the main blood supply to his right hand man. This was done so the vas deferens can create a new blood supply. They have to cut the artery because it isn't long enough to reach home base and the vas deferens has the ability to reach all the way to Iowa if needed. The final part of the surgery will be in September. Our trusted Doctor will revisit that testicle and see if the vas deferens picked up the slack, and if it did the twins will be reunited in their rightful home. If NOT, (40% chance) the lefty will become a widow at the ripe ol' age of two.
So back to Thursday's surgery... Mr. lefty is idling just above home base so the Doctor will make a small incision near the groin and one downtown and then he will connect the dots. He said this is a simple procedure and we should be in and out quickly.

I'm pretty sick of surgeries. This will be Brady's 5th in under two years. It is horrible to have to starve Brady pre-op (nothing by mouth from midnight until surgery) and then it's torture watching them wheel him away. I don't totally loose it anymore, but it's NEVER easy. Recovery is a bit sketchy too. It's wonderful to hold him in my arms, but horrible to know he's in pain. Also, I can smell the anesthesia on his breath. It almost makes me throw up. Fortunately, Brady is a trooper and he is soooo strong. Hopefully after the next surgery we can close the OR door for good.

Grandma Robin

Grandma Robin was in town for the week. Brady did his best to entertain her and tried even harder to order up some better weather. He knows how she prefers the warmer temps of sizzling California. To make up for the inclement forecast he smothered her with hugs, smiles and high fives. All three kept her cozy from the inside out. It was a busy week and we were thrilled to have her. Brady is already plotting for her next trip. We love you Grandma Robin!

Fish Fry

Brady started swim lessons today at Brownell Talbot. I was anticipating a glorious dip in the pool and ended up with a hysterical little swimmer. Judging by Mr. B's reaction one would think the water was charged with an electrical current. The lesson was 10 minutes from start to finish, but I think Brady calculated this time frame a bit differently. In his mind the rest of his life would be spent on his back, in an aquatic hell hole. To his dismay I signed him up for 9 more weeks. Per his coach "it WILL get better." Neither Brady nor I are believers just yet.

Once we get over the "learning curve" I know Brady is going to be a great swimmer. I am of course basing this off of bath time, not exactly an accurate calculation (obviously). If anything he looks great in a swimsuit.

Walk the walk

Brady is getting closer and closer to becoming an official walker. I bet by his 2nd birthday he will be on all 2'S. They say that kids with Down syndrome are either really gifted in the physical OR the intellectual sense. Well, we like to think Brady has nailed both categories! This video is what we call the "Lawn mower." Brady walks laps back and forth in the living room, ensuring the carpet is trimmed perfectly. In true Brady fashion, once the camera is rolling, all focus is lost and we barely catch half a sweep. In your mind double what you see and that is what he usually does when the camera isn't present.

Jeff is the ultimate trainer/parent. He is much more willing to push the limit with Brady. Thank God we are a team. He is the perfect balance to my willy nilly-ness (not that walking one handed with Brady is like holding him off a cliff). Jeff is responsible for getting Brady to sit up too. His technique?.... sit him up and let him fall. This was something I was never willing to try because "he might get hurt." Jeff on the other hand, is teaching him to be a man! This is definitely why kids need a male in their lives. If it were left up to me Brady would be painting his toes and frosting cup cakes. Hahahaha!

Good'ol Boys Club

This weekend Jeff and Brady were on their own while I was off for a Bachelorette party in Chicago. Some of you may not believe your eyes as you are reading this, but YES, I left my boys for an entire weekend. They seemed to fair pretty well without me. Jeff assured me that Brady's broken arm will heal and his highly offensive vocabulary will soon return to the sweet nothings prior to my departure. He also reminded me that it's normal for kids to "explore" the knife set and that matches were obviously meant for burning various household objects, not just for lighting candles contained in appropriate fire safe containers. B-O-R-I-N-G!
Well let the rain pour on this man's parade because Mama bear is back in town. Brady and I have been "readjusting" some interesting behaviors. He now squeals like a dying rat when he doesn't get what he wants. He also dropped his manners like a hot potato. "Please" has been replaced with a grunt and a very firm point! Obviously unacceptable! I think after 3 days my "point" might be getting through.
In realty Jeff, with a bit of help from Grammie Lou and Grandpa B, had a great weekend! Brady Boy had the time of his life and hardly noticed my return. It is wonderful seeing my 2 boys so chummy.