B-Man

It's been a rough couple of weeks! Mr. B got croup that turned into pneumonia, which landed us in the ER twice in one week. He had a fever that lasted 10 days. Ugh! He just finished three days of steroids and boy did our boy go crazy. Usually Brady responds to the roids by turning into a rage machine. This time he turned into a puddle of emotional goo. The only thing he wanted besides a 24 hour showing of Shrek was to be held. If these 2 demands weren't met, we all heard about it for hours in the form of tears, whailing and a big giant welcome to the pity party. My son was replaced by a PMS'n teenager who just got dumped. I am looking forward to the return of Prince Charming.

So all this sickness is a direct result of attending preschool. His bubble like existence is being challenged in the form of viruses and bacteria. Out little man's system is being tested. Schools only been in session for 3 months and our squirt has had roseola, croup and pneumonia. I guess his immune system is learning a thing or two!

Our little mama bird has been so sweet to Brady. She brought him his sippy cup and has been trying to heal him with hugs and giggles. The girl is funny. I'm not sure if the tubes opened up her personality in addition to her ears, but I like it. I have never seen a little girl with a bigger heart. I am so thankful for her.

A Bug and a Burger

This was the best Halloween. We actually went trick or treating this year and our neighborhood did it up! They went all out. It felt like a movie set. There were kids galore in creative costumes running from door to door. Brady was pretty timid about the whole event, but Mallory has got this candy thing down! She had 2 suckers in one hand, a snickers in the other and a milky way in her mouth. I may have to incorporate a "monkey backpack leash" into her costume next year just to slow her down a bit.

Things have been crazy around here. Mr. B has been sick for the last 9 days. NINE days! It started with Croup and a visit to the ER and then it morphed into pneumonia. He got two shots yesterday and we are hoping that makes him feel better. The poor guy has hardly eaten in a week. I told him this was no way to compensate for those extra Holiday pounds. :)

Mallory got tubes yesterday! Everything went great. She was a trooper. Fortunately, she has remained pretty healthy through Brady's ordeal. She doesn't like all the extra attention he is getting, but she is dealing.

The Buddy Walk

Brady's Tidal Wave commenced for our 4th Buddy Walk. It was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. This was the first Buddy Walk that Brady actually WALKED....more like ran. He was a man on a mission. He wasn't too impressed with the Major's speech so he thought there is no time like the present to begin his campaign for office. Brady's qualifications???: a firm hand shake, killer smile and hardy laugh. He promises to eliminate the restaurant tax, create more jobs (specifically around his house i.e. raking leafs, laundry and making his bed) and his loftiest goal is to somehow increase the female population (ages 3-5) obviously to increase his dating pool.

Thank you to all that supported Brady's Tidal Wave. We are grateful for your friendship and love.

Fall Sip

Put this weather in a mug and drink it up. We are loving the toasty warm temperatures and crispy leaves that brighten up the best fall ever! The minute Brady and Mallory wake up, they are begging to soak up the outdoors. In his whirlwind dash to the front door I have to remind Brady to stop and put some clothes on. A process he would rather skip, claiming that "Brady all a natural" is appropriate for all things nature. Hmmmm, solid argument, but in order to avoid a nasty leaf pile burn we better stick with some coverage.

There are two versions of Mallory; indoor Mallory and outdoor Mallory. Indoor Mallory is grouchy and temperamental. Outdoor Mallory is an angel topped off with a touch of heaven. If I could control her rock consumption we would move her outdoors permanently.

Fall

Brady has been busy slamming pumpkin spice lattes, de-fuzz'n his favorite brown turtle neck, raking leaves and perfecting his chili recipe. Therefore a post is the last thing on his mind. This is his favorite time of the year, not including spring break when he can fashion a speedo and swoon the ladies. Fall has it's perks: school, candy corn and peanut mixtures can suffice as a meal and most importantly trick or treating.

Mallory is a maniac. She is all over the place and chatting up a storm. Everything and anything can be used as a phone. She is giving Brady a run for his money. No longer does she stand idly by as he steals a toy from her. NO NO! She throws him a left hook that lands him on his tush. He's a gentleman and doesn't hit back (mostly because he is so stunned). He has vowed to give her a lesson in civility, but due to her lack of receptiveness, he's pretty sure she speaks Spanish.

Chompers

Brady went to the dentist today. This was an appointment I was dreading. Mr. B is totally sensitive about his oral care and I knew he was going to go bananas. Well folks, I'm happy to report that Brady boy turned those bananas into a banana split with whip cream and a cherry on top. I'm not saying he didn't put of a fight, but the walls are still in tact and the dentist is still alive. She reported that Brady has big, beautiful, healthy teeth.....the largest she has seen in her DS population. That'a boy! The best news...no cavities, a shocker considering his cookie addiction. Dr. Dana didn't want to press her luck with X-rays so his total tooth count is still a mystery. Most likely he has a full set and it appears the I teeth are going to make their grand entrance soon.

Mallory tagged along for moral support. Her version of support is chasing the balloons and distracting the dental assistants. She did make a dental statement of her own by chipping 1 of her 2 teeth. Thankfully it was only the enamel, but we have changed her nickname from brut-a-saurous to snaggel tooth.

My kinda town

Per Brady's request, Jeff and I gave Brady some distance, he only required 135 miles, but we like to make our boy happy, so we went 439 miles to Chicago. Brady was in desperate need of some quality time with G-Ma and Papa, so he kicked us to the curb for 48 long hours. He used the weekend to raid the cookie jar and stay up late. I don't know who was more tired, the grands or Mr. B. For our next outing, Brady has requested that we take Mallory with us. He claims that in order to further her development she must be as far away from him as possible and MUCH, MUCH closer to us. Likely story Brady Boy, likely story.

It was a glorious weekend. There wasn't much on the itinerary besides RELAXATION.

Straight A's

Brady started school last week and boy is he a fan! This is the look he darts at me when I pick him up. He acts like pooped in his cereal bowl. To Brady leaving his classroom causes about 7 minutes of daily morning. He fears that I have come to swipe him away, permanently dispose of his teachers and blow his classroom to bits.

Due to his spaztastic display of departure drama I'm strongly recommending he try out for the schools rendition of "One flew over the cuckoo's nest." He's a shoo in for the lead.

If we are grading on enthusiasm alone, Brady has earned an A! Look at that a 4.0 already. That'a boy!

Interupted Service

Pardon the interruption in your blogging service. When I told Brady it was the end of "the adventures" legacy he pitched a fit!! He swore up and down that he would quit smoking if I fired up the old blog again (yes, that's a dirty cigarette in his paws). With a deal that healthy on the table, I had to submit.

In realty we just took this time to change the security settings from public to private. In this day and age it seems careless to have so much private information right at the fingertips of any old joe shmoe on the Internet. Plus, now that Brady is an old man he values his privacy. He's even fashioned a "do not enter" sign on his bedroom door.

So welcome back folks, welcome back!

So long blogosphere

Jeff and I started this blog three years ago to accomplish a few things: 1. show people that having a child with DS isn't as sappy as a "trip to Holland." 2. to educate people about DS 3. to give people a chuckle.

I think we have accomplished our original mission so we have decided to shut down the blog. Boo hiss!! Mainly, Brady is starting school next week and he thinks having a blog is totally lame and sooooo 2010. He promises the next time you see him he'll be on Extra with Mario Lopez charming the fine ladies in the Grove.

It may the end of the road for Brady's blog, but the adventures will continue. Thanks for sharing the ride.

The Calendar

It's time to order your very own 2012 Down syndrome Super Stars calendar featuring the one and only B-MAN!!! Don't miss out! The 2011 calendar was a big hit and I'm sure you have seen a few around town. This is a fundraiser for the Down syndrome Super Moms group. Last year we collectively sold over 1000 calendars. Oh yeah, that's big time. Brady would like to note that about 90% of the sales were due to his good looks and charm. The money raised benefits local moms and their little ones. Last year we used some of the money to support families while their kids are in the hospital and for outings celebrating our good fortune of having a child with an extra chromosome.

Please email me if you would like a calendar for the bargain price of $15. That's $15 to enjoy looking at Bradys face 365 days a year. It's the deal of a lifetime.

jen_shannon@cox.net

Orders are due Sept 1.

Happy Birthday Brady

Brady is 3 years old today. He's officially taking it easy on his special day. All he has asked for is to be waited on hand and foot (not too different from any other day). To his disappointment he's been required to cover his birthday suit this year.

He started his day by devouring a cookie tower and will probably end it the same way.

Brady would also like to announce that he will be accepting gifts all year round. He would like to emphasize that a force such as himself should surely be celebrated 365 days a year.

Outstanding in the Field

Last weekend, Jeff and I had a unique dining experience. We took part in a dinner event called "Outstanding in the Field." As opposed to laying out all the details check out their website here

This was a fantastic evening and goes above and beyond the typical night out. The food was amazing. Jeff and I ate things like goose egg noodles topped with duck. We nibbled on rabbit and fresh produce picked hours before the dinner bell rang.

The table was set for 150 guests. Everywhere the bus travels, the long signature table is set up in the most scenic way. Everyone brings their own plate to add color and variety to the setting. Every item on the menu is sourced from local farmers, even down to the honeysuckle accents in our drinks. The meal is served on the farm and the farmers give a brief tour of the land and an explanation of their "biological" farming practices. (this farmer doesn't have the official organic label so they prefer biological instead). It is truly a celebration of the farmer and highlights the hard work it takes to put food on our table.

If you have a chance attend a dinner. They are sold out for this season, but get on their email list and book it the day they announce their 2012 schedule.