Just Wow!

We spent the weekend with my Dad, we wanted to let our Madison see her Grandpa for her 11th birthday coming up in but a few hours.  I've spent the weekend awash in the flow of nostalgia that has occupied my mind.  I have been humbled and have thought longingly of those that I just miss having around me, the ones that make me feel better about me, the ones that accept my flaws and love me anyway.  I know that life is going to continue to move people in and out of my life as necessary, but that doesn't ease the moments of farewell...so many of those happen when you don't realize it and no real goodbyes are said, just distance followed by silence with a sad regret that somehow that's just how life happens.  There is not one person the same that held my three children on the day they were born except for Eric and I, although Madison comes close, I mean she was there the first time and then held each sibling as they came along on the days they were born.  Small club.

Exclusive club actually.  Now the four of us: Eric, Madison, Sydney and I are the ones that are here for Bradley.  The first day he peed in the potty, we crowded the bathroom and cheered.  When he started loving "The Wiggles," the girls danced until he danced and we all stood in a circle around him as he learned to sign "Rock-a-bye Your Bear."  And we cheered.  Last night, a complete stranger revealed one of those moments you hold your breath for, one you don't know you've been waiting on.  We had dinner at the Chili's in Encinitas for Madison's birthday.  At the end, Brooke the manager stopped by to ask how we enjoyed our meal.  Bradley waved to her, he signed "thank you."  Ms. Brooke is a special Ed teacher and in return she started signing back to him.  He was out of the high chair by now and between Eric and I, at her signing "are you happy tonight". Bradley jumped to his feet and was signing back to her.  He told her he was "happy" he said thank you.  His face glowed with delight and joy, someone other than Dad and I knew how to talk to him and understand him.  I told her of our difficulty trying to keep up with his number of signs, she told me to come by anytime, I wish we were in San Diego now.    I managed not to cry, but barely, it just felt that good - it was that important a moment for Bradley.

We got home this afternoon, after the long drive Bradley was mellow and quiet.  His diet changed drastically a month ago, quiet is a step up from the constant crying, the frustrations, and the therapy sessions that have melted into nothing but tears for him.   We have struggled long and hard through this past month, though sleeping better at night, Bradley's brain is developing quickly - often faster than he has the ability to handle.  Bradley knows the colors: red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange,  black and white and  he can sign those first six for you.  I've been able to do this with him; last night he rewarded me at the restaurant by pointing to then signing for the red crayon and then blue and orange.  He can sign "happy" and he is closer to telling me he doesn't like or want something without throwing cups or food every time...still does, but 2 out of 10 times we get lucky.  He is Mr. Amazing with his IPad.  He can drag puzzle pieces and he can follow directions better.  Bradley will note the difference between cow, sheep and pig...in his favorite book he will make the animal perform and then turn off the light and hit the arrow to leave the screen.  Oh and watch what you do with your hands, he wants to copy everything you do.

Through all this, his tummy is fighting him, his health has been a myriad of the unknown thing that is giving him a hard time...but he is determined to amaze.  So when we got home he was quiet, then ate little.  So we headed to a bath,he hates them now but likes to tease us with a minimum two second sit on the potty...usual max of five seconds.  Until tonight...  Tonight I took a gamble and got lucky.  Diaper free he suddenly showed signs of action, so I popped him on the potty and was excited to see a few drops of pee...followed by a suspicious odor.  Bradley did two things at once...he pooped for the first time in the potty ever, and for the first time in a month he didn't cry during the process.  Sydney was walking by, so I hailed her down to go find Daddy, Bradley gave her a quick peek, so she took off like a shot...he came running, Madison came running, and Sydney was of course back.  Yet again, we four camped out around Bradley and we cheered, we gave high fives and knuckles, a few times, told him how amazing he was.  I signed to him how "good" and he smiled huge and tried to sign it back.  The he rewarded us by peeing some more...and there was great rejoicing in our bathroom again.  :-).   He was so pleased with himself he showed off on his IPad as he settled for bed.  He likes to remind us what he knows how to do.  :-). So Bradley had an awesome day. Tomorrow, he'll try to sign Happy Birthday to Madison, he'll get happy out, the rest is meant for surprising I think...Bradley will let us know. Wednesday the girls will start volleyball again and he'll be the one with mom, both of us cheering for our two favorite volleyball stars, and Bradley is an excellent fan. He claps then signs "Go, Madison" and "Go, Sydney" and he claps some more. It would be hard to top tonight if my beautiful daughter weren't turning 11 tomorrow. I guess Bradley just set up this week to be awesome!