'Brady Boy'

My little guy Brady goes by lots of names...Brady Robert (his given name), Bubba, Buddy, little Pumpkin and Brady Boy.  The last, I just heard for the first time this week when I visited Brady's classroom.  Brady goes by many names because he is an exceptional little boy.  I have learned, through my love of pop culture, that extraordinary individuals go by many names, and for some-just one name (Madonna, Oprah, Cher, Beyonce and Brady...just to name a few).

I figure if people want to understand my journey with a special needs child, they have to first get to know the inspiration behind this journey. It is hard to describe your child in a few short sentences, but here I go.....

Brady is almost 3 and a half years old.  He has a mom and dad who love him more than he will ever know and a big sister who looks out for every step he takes.  He is a little guy with white blonde hair and smile that takes over his face when he giggles.  He has amazing blue eyes that shine so brightly, I don't need words to tell me what he is thinking.  He is a sweet boy.  He gives his dad kisses by opening his mouth very wide and sticking out his tongue-but we know what he means.  He laughs so hard, his belly shakes.  His sister says he walks like a monster-think Frankenstein, but cute.  Brady is mischevious.  He knows that pushing the end table around the living room, will get you in trouble, but he looks up at you and does it anyway.  He loves attention-from his grandparents, his cousins, his aunts and uncles, his neighbors...anyone who will give it to him, as long as he is comfortable with them.  He loves running the water to brush his teeth, but does not like to sit still in a bath tub and usually soaks whoever gets the chore of bath time.  He loves those who love him.

Brady sounds like most 3 year old...except he is not.  He sleeps in a crib with 2 pacifiers.  He can't tell you when he wants to get out.  He can't climb out.  He has obsessions.  But his obsessions are not with a favorite toy or book-they are with things like shoe laces, blinds and peering over the fence.  He doesn't watch tv or movies-none.  I always worried that my daughter, Molly, watched a little too much tv-but I would give anything to see Brady sit down on the floor and watch the Wiggles for even 10 minutes. Brady doesn't know how to play with toys-at all.  He throws everything on the ground and carries toys around, but he does not know how to "play" with a toy.  But as hard as it is to watch your son fixate on odd obsessions or watch him throw every single toy on the ground instead of sitting down and playing cars or blocks, I am trying to enjoy the progress we see.  It is slow.  Very slow.  But it is coming.  Today, Brady spent a good whole 5 minutes putting play food into the play oven.  That was a big accomplishment in our house.

On Tuesday, Brady had his first off site learning experience for his ECSE class.  For those of you who do not know the lingo...it means we went on a field trip.  Brady and I met his class in the classroom.  When we walked in, one of Brady's classmates said "Hi Brady Boy!"  Brady's teacher explained to me that is just what they started calling him...Brady Boy...the little boys in his class call him this and his teachers.  It was an odd feeling, knowing that he was starting to form his own identity.   He is becoming our "Brady Boy".

As much as I would love for my little 3 year old to crawl up on the couch, cuddle up next to me and watch Calliou, I know that is not going to happen for my Brady Boy...at least not today!