Bad Mother

Confession #1: I have been testing Brady out in front of the T.V. every few days to see if he was interested (he hasn't been) just so that I might have 5 minutes to get some things done while he is awake during the day. I'm not saying that I would plant him in front of there for hours (we all know he wouldn't sit for more than 5 minutes...can you tell I have a guilty conscience?), but I didn't think that having him watch for a few minutes would be bad.

Confession #2: While leaving a certain children's station on (I won't name name's but it rhymes with Mayflouse Bisney) Brady finally showed interested in a show. The show had all of the makings of a great children's show...real people, songs, educational aspects...and it made me want to kill myself after 2 minutes. OK, so I'm exaggerating, but OH MY GOSH! If he wasn't shaking his little fanny to the music with delight, I think I might have thrown the T.V. out the window.

Conclusion: Fate has spoken, and I will stop being selfish, and keep the T.V. off until Brady is old enough to watch Law and Order with me.

Paging Doctor Cai...

These boys seem to be learning so much every day! Cai picked up the stethoscope at our house, not ever having seen one before, and within minutes, he was "listening" to Brady's heartbeat! Brady is still content to hear what is sounds like to chew on the other end, but I'm sure he'll learn. With all of these future doctors around, we are going to be covered in our old age!

Apology and Correction!!!!

I would like to make a correction and apologize to my friend KERRY REES, who I so unkindly referred to as "the other mother" in my last update. She is not simply another mother, she is a great friend, and mother to one of Brady's best buddies, Cai. I AM SORRY!!!! (Happy now?...just kidding!)

Quick Update!

We will be coming home in a few weeks, but Brady has changed so much since we have been home last, that I thought I might fill everyone in so that they recognize him! First of all, he has a head full of hair, not visible in most pictures. NOT! (Does anyone say that anymore?) But really, Brady seems to be learning faster than I can keep up with him. The other night, he overheard another mother asking her son to find his nose, and Brady pointed to his own nose. I didn't even know that he knew that...you know?! He also knows the signs for more, please, thank you, milk, and want. I hadn't intended to teach him signs, but when he learned the first one basically on his own, I decided that I would be a better mother if I made an effort. He is saying some words, but unreliably...he is usually a chatterbox in the bathtub, then won't repeat what he has said later. He has said truck, duck, train, turtle, and otherwise he has babbled the same number of syllables of the word that I asked him to say (doggy=doh uh). Physically, Brady is all over the place. He is becoming very hard to keep up with, and is headstrong (where does he get that from?). When he wants to go outside, he will stand by the door and point to the knob. If I won't open it, he stamps his feet, then throws himself on the floor, and tries to cry (no tears, just a very pouty face). He looks so cute when he does it that I have to laugh...does that make me a bad mother? Well, that's enough bragging on my part. If you can't brag to your family and friends about your only child, who CAN you brag to?! The rest, everyone will have to see for themselves. You are all in for such a treat!

An Afternoon in the Park

While at the park this afternoon, Brady and his buddy, Elizabeth, seemed to only be able to think about one thing...FOOD! What else?! In between eating, they chased ducks, and Brady made a few fast breaks for the lake (to no avail). They had a great time, and it seemed to make Brady tired enough to have a great night's sleep, hopefully. Ahh, to be young again!

Brady's First Trip to the Beach

...And what a trip it was! Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon on the beach in the bleak cold, somewhat rainy, at times beautiful, at times severely windy, at times over-cast, but at times sunny Belgian coast? Brady didn't notice anything, and treated the sand as his own personal playground. He dug, climbed, splashed in puddles, attempted to walk (but fell every 2 steps), and, of course, ate sand. Even though the weather was less than ideal, Brady's experience at the beach was everything a first experience should be without the bathing suit (including a sandy poo the next day)! I definitely see a sunny beach trip coming this summer, and I hope you all can be there with us! I just hope that someone can keep up with him...Nonni and I certainly had a hard time trying!!!

What?!

What was this face all about? Well, I could just kiss it all day anyway!

Amsterdam...beautiful, but not for children!

We just returned from a wonderful little vacation to Amsterdam, where we met up with my mom and had a great time. I mean, what about damp, rainy weather doesn't make you want to splash in a fountain?! That's what Brady had fun doing. Amsterdam was actually a very pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did (no offense, Amsterdam!). The buildings were lovely, the food was good (bagels!), and there was a lot to see. But with the waterways everywhere (not blocked by fences), the Red Light District, the "coffee houses" wafting the interesting smells in our direction, and the very reverend memories in the Anne Frank House, I would suggest making Amsterdam a trip to take without the kids! At any rate, Brady really enjoyed himself, as did we. And, it was such an easy drive, we will gladly go back with anyone who wants to visit!