20 months

"No more pictures please"
"Please note the one blade of grass that escaped his mouth"

"Yes, we even have stairs outside"

The last couple of days Brady and I have been enjoying the great outdoors. I have simply enjoyed the fresh air and Brady has simply enjoyed eating the grass... and the rocks... and the sticks.... and anything he can possibly shove in his mouth. This has been enlightening for a Mom who carries hand sanitizer on a holster. I have actually surrendered to Brady's earthly ways. Which really means this is one battle I will never win. He can scoop a mound of dirt, leaves and grass into his mouth with precision and ninja like speed. The OT side of me is impressed with his "self-feeding" skills.

Today Brady is 20 months old. I am really looking forward to him turning 2 for no better reason than to stop using months in reference to his age. I will never be the mom who refers to their 3 year old as their 36 month old. It just sounds silly. So we have 4 months left of the months and then it's onto big time YEARS! OMG, years as in plural.

"What??? no rocks for dinner???"

Prep

Brady is in full sibling preparation mode. Ever since we broke the news to him he's been nose deep into big brother training. I told him not to get to worked up and to go with what feels natural. Well, Brady doesn't like to leave anything to chance (must be his fathers trait). Above you can see him rehearse the ever popular "how big is....." reply: "sooooooo BIG." He firmly believes this simple ruse is what won over millions of adults, assuring him a later bedtime, cash and ice cream. He plans to teach his little sister this trick ASAP to ensure her popularity and safe keeping. Is this guy for real?!
He has also decided that Bill could use some training. He doesn't want Bill mistaking our little girl for cat nip or a shoelace. Brady has been directly Bill's energy to things that are okay to eat. Later Brady plans on strapping a saddle onto Bill's furry little back in hopes of providing his sister with the most joyous ride of her life. Thank God we have a few months before her arrival and the development of the necessary core and neck muscles for such an adventure.

Earl is a .....

Earl's face with hand and thumb near mouth
Face shot

Earl "kick'n it"

Earl's first fist bump

Obviously we had our official ultrasound today and it turns out that Earl is a girl! All looks healthy. The doctor said there is not reason to do any further testing or follow up ultrasounds. I have to be honest I have been on an emotional roller coaster today. I didn't really expect that. I guess it's a smoothie of relief, guilt, anticipation and disbelief.

When Brady was 3 months old I had a conversation with my Mom about having another child. At that time Jeff and I had decided that Brady was going to be our one and only. I told her that another baby just wasn't in the cards for us. We were scared and in the thick of Brady's medical issues. Rolling the dice again just wasn't something either of us wanted to do. I broke down and said to my Mom "it's really too bad because if we did have another baby it would be a girl and she would be fine." For TODAY my insight is correct.

Here comes the hard part... telling Brady that we were indeed having a girl, a human girl! He was totally disappointed. He had his heart set on it being a puppy even though I explained that evolution was an amazing thing, but it's not that powerful. As a consolation prize Bill let him pull his tail. The perfect band aid to mend his disappointed soul.

Now let the name games begin!

The Adventures of Brady

"You're strong enough, you're handsome enough and darn it people like you"

"Up, up and away"

"Look out point"

"Mount Saint Stairs"

Each day Brady runs through the same route through our house. Most people see our house and say "whoa, this place isn't very kid friendly." Well after months of discovery I have decided our place isn't parent friendly. Our digs are actually a kids dream come true. We have stairs for miles, which Brady is happy to climb up and down all day long. We have a latter to no where land, a view that sores across the top of Omaha and nearly touches the sky. At the end of Brady's "tour of duty" he engages in a yell fest with the man in the mirror. It's like he is giving himself a pep talk for the day, reciting "make it a good one little man," or "go big or go home."

As a parent our house serves as the ironman course of supervision. The ultimate test in speed and agility. How fast can you sweep up your child before they launch themselves down 25 wooden stairs?

Baby Earl update... we find out if Earl is a girl or a boy tomorrow. Check back to see what we find out!

I think its love

Brady needed a Claire fix so we headed to Lincoln! The last time they saw each other Claire was a bit doped up on morphine, and Brady was busy dealing with uncooperative nurses! This time love was in the air. Brady was taken by Claire's mature advances and beauty! I think he forgot what a vixen he has chosen for his future wife. He has a bit of work to do in his own personal love department. He hasn't quite figured out how to express himself appropriately, as seen by the downward dog above. I might have to review proper dating/wuing techniques. Tossing ones buns in the air may not be the best strategy, but I'm guessing Claire will be a good mentor.

V and B

"Sweet hair dude, I remember when I was cool too."

"Don't worry it will grow back"

"It was my signature piece man!"

Today we went over to Vollen's house, well Vollen's parents house. He's only 11 months old so his ability to make the mortgage payment on his own is limited.

These two are going to be great friends. I already heard Brady offering some of his worldly advice. Since Brady has 9 months on the little man he thinks he's top dog. His advice is strictly limited to 1. how to get more dessert 2. how to work the grandparents for bigger and better birthday gifts (timely advice since Vollen turns one next month) 3. How and where to get the best fake ID. Trouble!

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Thanks Casie!!

Back off

Lately, Brady has been displaying the need for independence. Of course not enough to clean his own poop from the tub, but just enough to be a stinker. Above is what Brady does when he sees Jeff pull in the driveway. All together now "ahhhh." I assume he's trying to open the door for dear old Dad, but in reality he's trying to make a run for it. I happen to be a bit of an overbearing Mama bird and Brady's patience is running thin. I have been offering assistance, as usual, and Brady responds with a quick slap of my hand, followed by "stink face." What is stink face you ask? Well its the crusty around a stink pie. If looks could kill Jeff would have been a single parent weeks ago. About a month ago I remember stating "more independence" as a
goal for Brady. Check!

PT update- many of you have been asking about Brady's PT progress. Brady has been doing great. He no longer walks with the walker and takes many steps just holding our hands (see! he does need my help) He even took two independent steps at Grammie Lou's and Grandpa B's. Of course this happens during the 1 hour I am away from him. He cruises all over the furniture and climbs up and down the stairs. His strength improves every single day. His onesies are even tight around his biceps. I caught him cutting the sleeves and neck out of his t's! He said it drives the ladies crazy. I told him the only way a homemade tank is going to drive the ladies is AWAY. Point taken and he pulled back on his polo. That's my boy!