Lessons from Bradley

Although I love Bradley just as much as I love Rachel, he teaches me much different lessons than she does. He is so curious, so adventurous, so impulsive, so loving, so sweet, so demanding, so Bradley!

A few weeks ago, I had been doing laundry. (The mounds never seem to get any smaller!) I also have a terrible system...I wash and wash and wash, but seldom fold and put away. I think in our next house, I don't want dressers or drawers, I just want HUGE closets, a HUGE laundry room and lots of laundry baskets. That way the clothes will be where they're supposed to be! Anyway, I had been in the laundry room getting clean clothes out of the dryer, and took a load into the den to (never be) folded. I think I started another load in the washer and then was just picking up toys or something. I saw Rachel playing, but didn't see Bradley. I could hear him so I thought he must be in his room or Rachel's. I checked both places and he wasn't there. So, I peeked in our tiny laundry room and didn't see him. Then, the dryer door popped open and there was Bradley...IN the dryer!!! Thankfully, it was cool because I hadn't done a load in the dryer for a few hours. I thought it was funny, but I was also alarmed because who knows what trouble he could get into in there. He hadn't been able to close the door, but still, I don't think that's the best place to play. So, the little explorer has taught me to ALWAYS keep the dryer door closed!

He has also taught me many times that he's interested in his diapers and what's in them. You would think that I would have learned my lesson by now. Well, yesterday we were just playing after lunch. Rachel had to go potty...#2 and as I was helping her wipe, I noticed some poo on her shirt. I thought, how on earth did that happen? But, I just took her shirt off and told her to get a new one. Anyway, I was on the phone and noticed that Bradley was messing with the tv...changing settings so the program went blank. I walked over to him and accidentally said the inappropriate "s-word" that was all over his legs. So, I guess he had pooped a little earlier and decided to put his hands in it and rub it on his legs...how nasty!!!! He must have also gotten it onto Rachel! I was horrified and grabbed him and put him in the tub...with his clothes on. Thankfully Rachel was my big helper! She went and got me the soap and a towel since we were in the hall bathtub, which has none of our bathing supplies. I also instructed her to go watch tv in my room since I wasn't sure where all the poop was. YUCK!!! I cleaned up Bradley, who wasn't in the least bothered by any of this disgusting mess. Then, I began inspecting for poop. I'm not going to tell you where I found a couple of smudges because I know I'm already going to have fewer and fewer people who willingly come over, and I don't want you to have to think about exact locations. Thankfully, I only found 2 smudges in the whole house. So, I think I caught him before he did too much damage. Lessons here: watch Bradley EVERY second, change him immediately after a poop, go up a diaper size. I think he may be ready for the size 5's in diapers now. We've noticed a little pee leaking out during the night...so that may also explain the poop, maybe there's just not enough room in there. And, I really do change his poop very quickly after it happens, but I guess I don't want to let him know it's there and have a chance to "explore". Also, I may need to introduce him to the potty! As for watching him every second, I do the best I can, but apparently he requires a little more.

Anyway, sorry for the disgusting details and for making you wary of visiting! This is just our crazy life that I love...poop and all!

Thank you Bradley, for reminding me to be on my toes, never assume you're not into something, and for being so precious, curious, loving and embracing every part of your life...even the crappy parts! :)