Unbreakable Bond...

Gavin and Brian's relationship has taken a sweet turn.

Each morning when he wakes up, Brian wants to run into Gavin's room and help unzip his tent bed.  He says "Good morning, Gavin!  How are you today?  How did you sleep?  Okay?  It's sunny today!"

And then at bedtime, invariably, he wants me to stop reading him a book if he hears Gavin cough or make a sound from his bed.  "Mama, go see if Gavin is okay and then come back."

If I open the basement door, I hear "Mama, close the door.  We don't want Gavin to fall down the stairs!"  And if I am changing Gavin's diaper, he'll often carry over a toy for him.  If I ever had a fear about their relationship - it's slowly being erased.  I know they will always have an unbreakable bond.

The other day at school, Brian's teacher was talking to the class about feelings.  One day, the feeling they focused on was "happy" and they talked about what makes all of them happy.  Each student was given a blank face and they were asked to turn it into their version of a happy face - and to write what or who makes them happy.  This is what Brian did...

I know that Brian will likely have a instinctive draw towards and compassion for people with special needs because of his brother.  I already see it.  There is a little boy with Down Syndrome in his class and he gravitates towards Brian.  This morning when I dropped him off, he took this little boys hand to walk him into school.  I'm so proud of his sweet heart.

Gavin continues to do so well in school!  I have been getting wonderful updates that he's cruising around in his walker and attempting to feed himself and participating in some of the activities.  Everyone is so impressed with him!!  Before he started school, I worked a lot with him in the evening in his walker - I would just let him go and let him figure it out if he got himself into a jam.  I'd like to say this was a brilliant move to foster independence...but it was really out of necessity.  Bending over to hold onto his walker was killing my back!  Check out how well he's doing....and pardon him for his lack of pants.  Ha ha!

In two days (TWO DAYS!!), my little baby will be five years old.  I just can't believe it.  Our plans to go to the beach and boardwalk in New Jersey are up in the air at the moment.  The forecast shows rain two out of the three days...

I'd rather not sit in a room staring at each other while it's raining outside.  We can do that at home!  It's possible we may go down Saturday and come home Sunday...but we'll see.  I'm very excited to test out Gavin's new travel bed!  Granny was generous to buy it for Gavin for his birthday and Christmas present.  A twin mattress fits inside of it - and then the tent straps to the bedframe.  

 If we go to a hotel (where a twin bed is hard to come by!), we can just bring a twin air mattress with us.  We'll no longer have to worry about Gavin falling out of a bed...and we won't have to travel with a full size crib anymore.  I'm so excited - this will open up so many more traveling opportunities.  The bed is called a Nickel Bed Tent by Ready, Set, Bloom!  It was invented out of necessity by a family with an autistic son.  I love supporting other special needs families!!

 Whatever we end up doing for Gavin's birthday, it will be awesome.  His second present (after the tent bed!) rolled in yesterday.  My friend, Julie (who took the photos in my current header!), sent this awesome trucker hat for Gavin.  Is this hilarious, or what???  And so thoughtful!!

And tomorrow, Miss Sara, Gavin and I will be taking a road trip to pick up this bad boy...

(other family not included)

I found it on Craig's List an hour away and it was exactly what I was looking for.  The slide is adjustable to accomodate a child up to age 8!  And there are several ways to climb up onto it - which will be great fun and great practice for Gavin all winter.  All winter?  Why, yes...because I'll be putting this in our living room.  Because a living room is for living.  Living large.  That's how we roll.  Let's face it, it's not like we'll be having the mayor for tea anytime soon.  Or the Queen.  (Or anyone!)  We're going to do some big, fun, living around here from now on.  Jumping in puddles kind of living.