Milkies anyone? Anyone??

"Hey, you know where I can't get some milkies?"

I have begun weening Mr. Brady. Let's just say he isn't the biggest fan of this process, but the boy can't be a boob man forever (Jeff would like to add that one can ALWAYS be a boob man). We are now down to morning and night only. This is an adjustment in our routine. Now when I lay Brady in his crib he grabs my arms and holds on for dear life. It breaks my heart. I might add that he is impressively strong. He's got one hell of a death grip.

Other news:

Brady began PT at Children's last week. It is going great. Brady gets quite a workout. He's requested a fuel belt and some gel packs for Christmas. He said if this training continues he's going to need to ensure that he has ample fuel and hydration. I guess I know what to put in his stocking! We are focusing on keeping his hips tight and rocking on his hands and knees. Today Brady felt more like dancing and shaking his tail feather. I think he's preparing for his raging New Years par-tay. The boy has some moves. He also took 6 steps in a row on the treadmill. WHOAA!!

Brady now signs "hat." His list of signs is growing by the minute. This kid is impressive!! He must have good parents. :)

Brady

Brady Boy has really been showing off his stuff lately. Yesterday he officially confirmed that he is a triple threat. He signed "Mom, " said "kitty" and danced a jig. The important piece of information here is that he signed MOM! His list of signs now includes: Mom, Dad, Hi, Bye, Baby and Wash hands (he likes things tidy). He clearly understands more, but just hasn't figured out how to connect the dots yet.

We have had a busy week. We met with Brady's new speech pathologist. She will be working with Brady twice a month. Brady just requested that she teach him how to rap. Tomorrow we begin additional PT at Children's. They will be implementing several strategies to work on gross motor skills and fine tuning Brady's low tone issues. Brady has 2 PT's. Marne is his primary PT through the early intervention program provided by OPS. She is fantastic and we feel really lucky to have her. Brady is ready to "pump it up."

Brady is finally feeling better. He is on an antibiotic and MORE steroids. It has taken 3 weeks and 2 rounds of roids to help our little booger get over this cold. Once he is through with this I am officially putting him in a bubble. It will be nice. I'll make sure its spacious enough for toys and a few non perishable items. If he's lucky I'll even put in a "teen line" for him.

Go Crazy

Brady's latest trick. I hope this makes you smile.

Crap-tastic weather

We are snowed in AGAIN! Brady insists that the weather really adds a nice "Holiday touch" and helps him get into the spirit of the season. He's already done with his shopping, wrapped the gifts and stocked the fridge with egg nog. He's gotten so fired up about the season he wants to incorporate all faiths. So this year we will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. I can't help but notice the 2 additional celebrations involve 7-8 additional days of gifts and festivities. Our boy is pretty sharp. He's working the angel of cultural sensitivity and in return squeaking out a couple more gifts. What will he come up with next?

Batty

"Baby"

Being snowed in for a few days has made us all a bit batty. As the snow piled up outside we dog piled in the living room. Brady has been forced to entertain us. The above feature highlights Brady's ever growing number of signs. He is obsessed with the Baby Signing Time videos and does this sign about 14 hundred times a day. I only let him watch the video once a day, and this really chaps his hide. What I should have filmed was the tantrum that follows if I don't hit play within 13 seconds.

This video was initially shot to show Jeff boasting about Brady signing "Dad." He is so thrilled that Brady signed "Dad" before "Mom." I reminded him that Brady SAID Mom first. Verbal trumps sign! Haha! Anyway... the video turned into a close up for Bill. That damn cat has to get into every frame. Brady wasn't about to let him steal his thunder so note how he turned it up a notch after Bill's entrance.

Snow Angel(s)

Right after this picture was taken Brady jumped out of Jeff's arms, took his clothes off and made his first naked snow angel. We couldn't believe it either. It turns out he was adding a bit of peppermint schnapps to his hot coco too. Jeeeez. I guess he takes his snow days seriously.

Dad

Here is Brady signing Dad! I actually got it on film without any incident. I think Brady's learning who's boss here! The sign for Dad is done with an open hand with the thumb touching the forehead. Brady's version is a bit different, but its consistent and close enough for us! Now that we know Brady is beginning to sign we are watching him like a hawk for other signs. For instance I think at the conclusion of this video he signed "baby." Which is signed by "cradling a baby in your arms." Watch and I think you'll see it. This is such an exciting time. Brady is discovering new things everyday. Let's just hope he doesn't discover the sign for his middle finger!

Brady is feeling much better. He still has a nasty cough and is creating enough snot to be an extra on the movie Ghost Busters. We went to the Doctor yesterday and he checked out okay. We are just watching him closely for the next week. The Doctor extended his steroid dose for 3 more days. Grrrrrr. The good news is that Brady has gained a 1/2 pound in the last 3 weeks. IMPRESSIVE!! Our protein shakes are working. Yesterday, Brady weighted 21lbs 6.5 oz with his clothes on. At his 15th month check up 3 weeks ago he weighed 19lbs 13oz (naked).