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!

Christmas 2011

I was super excited for Christmas this year. Brady is finally old enough to understand Santa and all the hoopla that goes along with it. An Elf was delivered to our house on Thanksgiving and was named "Pedro". We made ornaments, decorated a gingerbread house, watched Christmas movies and decorated cookies. We spent Christmas Eve day with Troy's family followed by church. Both kids were exhausted and fell asleep on the way home at 7:00. We quickly moved them to bed and got to enjoy some much needed time together before going up to my family's on Christmas Day. 

 Christmas Eve

 Brynn's Christmas Dress

Opening Gifts Christmas Morning

Brynn-7 months

She has successfully tried all her 1st fruits and vegetables and has moved on to finger foods like   puffs, dried fruit bits, crackers, etc. She wants to eat ALL THE TIME.

She's a squealer. She squeals when she is happy, whiny, tired, and hungry.

No crawling yet

No talking yet

She is still taking 3 naps a day-9, 1 & 5-making it virtually impossible to go anywhere.

She loves Brady and is generally content as long as he is playing close to her.

She smiles a ton for the lucky few she likes. You really have to win this girl over.

She sleeps on her tummy now and wakes up with the cutest little pink cheek.

A much needed update and pics not taken on my phone to come after Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Taking a little break on the boppy pillow

 Playing with Brady

 Trying to move, but not getting anywhere.

Waiting for Brady to get done with school

Brady and I had our first heart to heart talk about his arm last night. He understood so much more than I ever imagined a 33 month old could.

He was making fingerprints on the countertop with his greasy hand and said "Look Mom, paw prints".

Me: "Do you have hands or paws?" B: "Hand-I only have one hand". I no have other hand."

Me: "That's right, but you have a helper arm, don't you?"

B:"When I get big I get other hand."

Me: "No Honey, you will never have another hand like Mommy. You are special and don't need another hand. You are perfect and strong just the way you are."

B: " Please."

Me: "I know it's hard Buddy and I'm sorry. Someday you will learn to use your helper arm to do all kinds of things. That's why you have beeen meeting those nice ladies at school."

It pains me that at such a young age he is already so aware of his differences. We have been meeting with Occupational Therapists to evaluate where he is in comparison to his age group and to help him with adaptive tools. He is resisting a bit now, but our hope is that he will come around and start to utilize the grapsing tool his arm provides.