Green Thumb?

"You didn't bring my garden shears?"
"Is basil supposed to blossom?"

"Basil"

Jeff and I have been doing our best to become "urban farmers." Until a few years ago this was defined by shopping the local produce section at Whole Foods. Now, we are in the process of learning how to grow as much of our own food as possible. We also purchase our meat, eggs and milk from local farmers who support an organic, healthy and sustainable practice. Thank goodness we had the foresight to join a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) because if we had to rely on our plot'o land to sustain the family we would be begging Bill to share his kibble. We aren't the most keen farmers, BUT we are learning....slowly. For instance, never harvest salad greens mid-late in the day. Only harvest in the morning when the leaves are plump with moisture. We harvested our lot after 4 and ended up with a bowl of wilted greens. Bum-mer.

Since Brady's arrival on this planet we have really focused on healthy eating, for us and for him. Often times we see kids with Down syndrome who are over weight and really look unhealthy. Much of the research I have read lists a million health reasons for the weight, but rarely do they talk about the importance of a good solid diet. It is our responsibility to make sure that everything he eats benefits him as much as possible.

Oklahoma

Great Grandma Allen
Grandma Robin

Aunt Lorri, Aunt Kay, G-ma Robin, G-G-ma Allen

Baby Shower for Earl

The Shannon's packed up the car this past weekend and hit the road to good'ol Oklahoma. It was a lovely weekend spent with family. I think Brady now associates family with adoring audience. The entire state of OK is now considered his stage. He put on the performance of a lifetime. He laughed, hugged, kissed, greeted and chatted up every single person he encountered. I guess the bible belt suits him.

Today it's back to reality and I can see the boredom in his eyes. He's wondering where his G-G-ma is with his bacon and where Abby is. He can't be expected to cart himself around. He was quite happy being passed from loving arms to loving arms.

Thanks for a great weekend fam!

On another note check out this website- In the future I think the film will be renamed "Brady and Claire."

www.monicaanddavid.com

Come one come all!

Brady would like to announce the opening of his topless pool. Seriously... there's not top on his pool. What did you think I meant? :)

I bought Brady a pool yesterday... the best $5 I've ever spent. As long as coach wetsuit isn't around Brady digs life at the pool. Considering this is Brady's first pool I thought we should run over some of the basic rules.

1. No peeing in the pool

2. No poop in the pool (let's all remember St. Pooptrics Day)

3. Don't drink the water (you know rule #1 was broken 1.2 seconds upon entry)

4. No diving

So far only rules 1 and 3 have been broken. Not too bad.

Brady has begun standing up freestyle, which is a technical term for standing up without something to pull up on. He thinks it's pretty cool. Now we just have to get him to combine the steps and the freestyle stand up and POW! We've got walking.

I think it might take a cabana full of yellow poka-dot bikini's to motivate this little man.

View from the top

This is what I now see when I look down at my ever swelling feet. We have 9 weeks until miss Shannon makes her entrance into the world. This is really blowing my mind. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm ready to be done with this pregnancy and my answer....NO! She is so easy to take care of while she's in the oven (minus the killer heart burn). Plus, Brady and I are in our groove. We are pretty smitten with our routine and the thought of it being disrupted is a bit overwhelming.
Brady has no idea what's coming. As far as he knows, my enlarged mid section is a cozy little step or shelf to rest his bum. In preparation, I have been reading books to Brady with large pictures of babies and informing him of his upcoming role and new title. His response? poke those babies right in the eye! Blam-o! It must be his version of "hello." I will consider it a huge accomplishment if our little darling makes it through her first year with both eyes in tact.

New digs

"Can you see my floaties?"

At the birth of this blog, the set-up was pretty basic and there really weren't a lot of choices in the format category. Well, well blogger has stepped it up. I just spent 22 minutes "upgrading" the look of Mr. B's blog-a-rific site. I hope you enjoy it. Brady thinks it's hip with a grown up edge. The poka-dots were so last year!

Brady officially began his 9 (now 8 week ) sessions of swim lessons. He would like all of you to know that he did not scream the entire time. He woke up this morning and really gave himself a pep talk. "You can do this, you are strong, coach a la wetsuit won't let you sink." Just for extra security he slipped a couple of floaties in his swim trunks. "You just don't know who you can trust these days," he says. I admire his self preservation skills, something I haven't focused on, but can appreciate. From the looks of things, by the end of the summer Brady will be clocking 30 second 50 meter swims.

Stepper

Brady is now taking 4 steps independently. Of course Jeff and I have yet to witness this miraculous event, but Grammie Lou and Sarah (private PT) have seen it. All that Jeff and I can get Brady to do is stand up for about 6 seconds at a time. Instead of putting one foot in front of the other he stretches his arms to the sky like Godzilla and crumbles to the floor. This has become his favorite thing to do. Once his bum hits the carpet he explodes in laughter and applause (for himself).

Thankfully Jeff and I are very patient, Brady has taught us that. I'm no longer obsessed with a gross motor development timeline. I used to have certain goals set in my mind, but now realize that was silly, silly, silly. Especially when I'm dealing with a very stubborn little man. Brady is going to do what he wants, when he wants. I am certain he has every skill and strength to walk, but he really doesn't feel the need to be on two wheels....yet!

New Stuff

Since my last post Brady has gotten a tooth, took two steps, proposed to Claire and spent 4 long days without us. Officially, Brady is a grown man. I would post a picture of his tooth, but he guards it like a pot of gold. I would also post a clip of his "walking," but I don't have fast enough film speed to catch Mr. Flash Gordon! He is up, step, step and down within a half mila-second. Even Steven Speilberg would have a tough time filming it. The proposal was short and sweet and on the fly. Claire gave him a tentative "yes" as long as nothing better comes along in the next 23 years. Ahh young love.

Brady spent the long weekend with Grammie Lou and JB while Jeff and I enjoyed 103 degree weather in sunny Dallas. I don't know what made me sweat more... the heat or the fact that I left our boy for 4 days. Thanks G-ma and G-pa for taking such good care of Mr. B. We really appreciate it!