Serious update needed, but for now just this.

Sometimes Brynn looks like this....

 or this happy sweet child, but lately she has looked a lot like THIS

I am trying desperately to get through these tough months with my sanity still intact.

Preschool

Brady started 3 day preschool this week. Drop off the 1st day was rough...a nightmare, really. He had expressed some nervousness about not having any friends, but I thought he would get over it quickly. We arrived with him clinging to my leg. We put his name tag on and hung up his backpack. It was time to find a carpet square and work on puzzles until all the kids arrived. He freaked-threw himself on the floor and begged for me to stay. After realizing I wasn't helping I left feeling awful, shed a few tears and put faith in his new teacher to handle him. Both Dad and I were waiting at pickup to make sure he was ok. Thankfully he came around and has adjusted-day 2 was a little better, and day 3 was great.

He still insists upon bringing a stuffed animal with him to school. I'm not really sure what this is about.  He has never had a "lovie" or "blanket", but I was sure glad he had it those first 2 days.

On a side note, I need to buy him pants without a button and zipper because stupid two handed Mom didn't realize that would be difficult for him. Poor kid walked around with his pants unbuttoned at school because he was too shy to ask anyone to help him after he went potty.

Family Vacation

 

A vacation was desperately needed around here and we were so thankful to have some friends who wanted to go with us! The kids had a blast swimming and playing at the beach.  Our kids even shared a bedroom and slept well. It was relaxing and easy-can't wait to do it again next year!

16 Months

 Brynn has really hit the toddler stage now. She is into everything, climbing (and falling) constantly, and throwing epic tantrums. She can finally go down stairs.  She has become very attached to her blanket and paci. Whenever she needs comfort she marches to her room and grabs her blanket. Then screams until someone gets her a paci from the top of her dresser. Limiting usage has become next to impossible because she is the most sensitive little girl ever.

Words have been coming slowly-she now says Up, Owie, and thank you. She loves songs and will do the hand motions for most of them. Itsy Bitsy Spider is her favorite and it's about the only thing that keeps her still for a diaper change. She can point to 5 body parts. She loves to show off her belly button.

 

 She is starting to love all things girly-Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty and her tiara. She loves trying on shoes and wearing pretty necklaces.

 Sibling squabbles have been at an all time high. My children are incapable of playing together. I am thankful school has started so they can get a little break from each other. Brynn is doing a toddler class with Mom that separates. I am anticipating the separation to be difficult for her. She is also doing an evening class with Dad so they can spend some time alone together.

3.5

I am so far behind on this blog I don't even know where to begin....

Brynn-Our little honey is in a very cute stage right now. Talking isn't happening a lot yet, only "num, num", "Da Da", and something that sounds like "Hey you". She sleep amazingly well still taking 2 naps per day. She has grown a ton since her 12 month checkup. We put her on the scale yesterday and she has gained close to 5 lbs. in 3 months. She waves, blows kisses, and high fives. She loves to hug her dolls. She has been working on a lot of teeth the last few weeks making her slightly intolerable at times. She is a little ankle biter at dinner time making it impossible for me to make anything that requires more than 5 minutes of prep.

Brady is 3 1/2 today. We are working very hard at potty training and I can confidently say we are at a stage where I can't see us going backwards again. He is dressing himself. He has really turned into a big boy. He loves to ask me what is happening next. Every night before he goes to sleep he has to have the rundown for the next day. He is still being incredibly picky about eating, many nights lately he has passed on just about everything offered to him. He loves to swing outside, read books, and wrestle with  Dad.

The kids have been keeping us very busy lately...the sink is full, laundry piling up, and adult time has been at an all time low. We are looking forward to a little vacation later this summer-our 1st family trip since the addition of Brynn!

13.5 Months

                                       Water table                                  Obsessed with the Swing

                                                                      1st family bonfire

Prosthetic #4

We picked up prosthetic #4 a month ago. Brady has been working very hard the last few months with special education teachers and Occupational Therapists. We are seeing progress! Postioning and using a prosthetic is a lot to ask of a 3 year old so we are being very patient. We are concentrating on self-care goals like getting dressed and picking up small objects, but have thrown a few funs ones in there too, like riding a bike. He gets plently on non-prosthetic time too especially now that the weather is warmer.

Sweet One-Brynn

Our sweet little girl is one-how fast time flies....

Easter 2012

So it's been a little nuts around here. Brady is growing like crazy. Overnight he outgrew his "Cars" prosthetic arm so we are making an emergency trip up to his Doc on Monday to get fit for another one. The last few weeks have been rough for him emotionally too. I can 't figure out what is going on in that 3 year old head. He has been unpredictable-public meltdowns, bad attitude, Ugh.....I now understand why they call them the "Therapy 3's".

Brynn has started walking behind toys. She crawled the stairs for the first time this week-took the whole flight on the first try. She loves to wake up early to snuggle and sleep with Mom before Brady wakes up. She is still shy, but it starting to recognize some people. She is a sweetie and we have loved watching her personality come alive this past month.

10 Months

Brynn spent her 10 month birthday in urgent care getting diagnosed with her first ear infection. She refused to nap sleeping down, but fell asleep immediately in her car seat...in her room. I didn't even have to take her for a car ride. THAT is how you know a child is sick. She finally started crawling over the weekend and loves chasing Brady. She also loves touching the lights on electronics.

It has been a seriously busy month for Brynn. Lots of firsts happening around here...

-Started saying DaDa

-So Big (one armed)

-Waving Hi and Bye

-Can get herself from tummy to sitting

-Cruising furniture

-Taking steps if you hold both her hands

 Can you tell he's the age that isn't amused by the camera? He has completely lost his ability to smile on command. BUT his blue eyes...I couldn't resist snapping a picture of grumpy.

                 Brynn 9 mos/2 weeks                                                                Brady 37 mos.

Helper Arm

I have been meaning to do an update on Brady's prosthetic for quite some time now, but so much has changed in the last few months I didn't even know where to start. Brady started an intro to preschool class 2 days/week in the fall. This was the first time he had ever gone to school by himself for an extended period of time (2 hours). During the first few weeks, we discovered he was having a hard time performing tasks by himself. At home he would ask for help, but at school he would pout. Washing his hand, circle time games, putting his carpet square away can all be sources of frustration in a new environment. We schedule a meeting with the district and after many meetings and standardized tests Brady qualified for help under the physical disabilities category. We are so grateful to have a boy who excelled in every category but fine motor skills.

 A special education teacher accompanies him to class each week. He also gets 20 minutes per week with an Occupational Therapist. We have seen tons of progress, but not after dealing with several weeks of resistance. The first time his OT came to the house he hid under his bed because she asked him to fold a washcloth. Thankfully he warmed up quickly and welcomes the challenges they bring each week. He also joined a special education preschool class one day each week to continue his progress. He gets 2 hours of one on one time with a teacher to focus on self help skills. His sevices will continue throughout preschool in hopes that by the time he reaches kindergarden he will be using the full function of his helper arm.

Brady-3

We celebrated Brady's 3rd birthday over the weekend with a big party. He wanted airplanes, pizza, and cupcakes. All of his favorite people attended and he had a great time. He got lots of fun toys that have been keeping him busy-Chutes & Ladders, helicopter, puzzles, playdoh set, tub toys, firetruck...it felt like Christmas all over again.

We had a much quieter celebration on his actual birthday. We went to school in the morning where he brought donuts and bananas for a treat. His classmates were so excited it was his actual birthday so they made him feel extra special. Then we met Dad for lunch at Taco Bell. He got to watch a movie with Mom during Brynn's nap. We got him a Lightening McQueen digital camera and cupcakes for his play kitchen. We are so proud of the little boy he has become!

Christmas Part 2

So I have been feeling guilty about my lame Christmas post so I am doing a part 2.

 Lunch at Troy's family consisted of good old KFC. Brynn joined us at the table for the first time and loved it.

 We then moved downstairs to open gifts. Our kids gifts were ginormous in size (see pic). Brady got a scooter, Little Tikes Construction Set, auto transporter, and books. Brynn got a Fisher Price Kitchen, clothes, and a stroller for her doll. They also got a very cool sled to share. We hung out all afternoon before heading to church. It was packed and we ended up with both kids on our laps.

 Santa came!

Christmas morning we woke up about 6:30 and headed out to the living room. Brady instantly fell in love with his play kitchen. He didn't even notice any of the other presents under the tree.  Brady also got an airplane, underwear, art supplies, books, step stool, and matchbox car racer. Brynn got Baby Stella doll, Ball Popper, books, and tub toys.

We had a nice morning at home with coffee and monkey bread before getting ready and heading up to my parent's house.

Brady handled day 2 of festivities well, but Brynn was a baby disaster. She wouldn't nap, wouldn't play, which meant we held her ALL DAY. Brady had so much fun playing with his cousins-outside!