Brady the Doctor

I am amazed at how smart my little man is. Last night, after Halle went to sleep, he wanted to play this game of Cranium that he got in his meal at Chick-Fil-A (it was miniature and not as full-featured). I had to modify it since he can’t read quite yet, so many of the tasks had me drawing or acting out things for him to guess. He guessed correctly almost everything I did – from castle and treasure map to hot air balloon and baby. The best part, though, was when he got off the couch and told me it was his turn. He “acted” out a Buzz Lightyear space helmet after telling me, “This a really hard one to do.” He proceeded to use his hands to draw in the air or indicate the shape of things in order for me to guess what he was doing. What most impressed me was his patience. Brady has always gotten frustrated and started crying when someone doesn’t understand what he’s saying to them. Stephanie worked with him a lot in order to get him to explain what he meant or show us what he wanted, and he’s gotten much better with that, but he still has his moments. I was so happy that he understood well enough to know that it was okay for me to guess a bunch of times until I figured out what he was acting out.

Next, he wanted me to play dead so that he could be a doctor and make me feel better. (I was uneasy that he suggested this at first, but I can’t help but hope that this is healthy for him, that he understands playing dead and understands that doctors can make people feel better in most cases.) He showed me how to do it – you have to stick out your tongue from the side of your mouth a little bit – and he ran and got his doctor kit. He knew how to use every last tool, which is a credit to how much Stephanie played with him. Nonetheless, I was impressed by it all. He gave me a couple shots and told me that some people are scared of those. It was so much fun to see him go back and forth from his tools to me and to use them all in order to make me feel better. He even went back to his room one time and came back out with sunglasses on. I’m not sure why he did that, but he was certainly a stylin’ doctor. After I felt better, I got to be the doctor.

There have been many nights over the past couple weeks where I have been completely wiped out at the end of the day. I resent my actions on those nights because I am often not very compassionate towards Brady, especially if he is not falling asleep so I can get some time to myself. Last night was so refreshing, and I’m so thankful to God that I had energy left to play with Brady even though it was late. And I’m so glad for how much fun he was having and that he and I really had some good times together. He really amazes me, and it did me a lot of good to be able to appreciate that.

12 thoughts on “Brady the Doctor”

  1. It has always been so amazing to me when God allows us to connect with our kids on the level you just described. Thank you for sharing and letting us in on your world. I went off reminiscing about those preschool days with my own kids. Sharron used to describe creatures she called 'pingos' (rhymes with bingo) that took showers outside because they were too big to fit in the house and use the shower so they had to wait for God to turn the water on by making it rain.

  2. It has always been so amazing to me when God allows us to connect with our kids on the level you just described. Thank you for sharing and letting us in on your world. I went off reminiscing about those preschool days with my own kids. Sharron used to describe creatures she called 'pingos' (rhymes with bingo) that took showers outside because they were too big to fit in the house and use the shower so they had to wait for God to turn the water on by making it rain.

  3. It has always been so amazing to me when God allows us to connect with our kids on the level you just described. Thank you for sharing and letting us in on your world. I went off reminiscing about those preschool days with my own kids. Sharron used to describe creatures she called 'pingos' (rhymes with bingo) that took showers outside because they were too big to fit in the house and use the shower so they had to wait for God to turn the water on by making it rain.

  4. Brad
    I admire your strenght and honesty. I can not imagine loosing the one you love,let alone loosing the mother of your children.
    I can imagine at the end of the day how exhausted you are. I have a 12 month old son. And he wipes me out. But I wanted to share something with you that my dear Nanny once told me. “Your children love you even when you yell and scream, they may not always obey, and they may test your patience. But your children know your love”
    Your son is dealing with his own loss as you are but don’t ever feel like what you’re giving him not enough.
    I hope you and your family have lots of love surrounding you this holiday season. Merry Christmas to you and your family
    Anne

    1. I really appreciate what you said about him loving me no matter what. It’s good to be reminded of that. I am hoping to control my temper and deal with any disobedience in a controlled manner. I do tell them all the time how much I love them and I have seen how they always know my love, even when I’m in a bad mood. I try to be real and honest with Brady so that he knows when or why I’m in a bad mood and that it’s not because of him that I am. Thanks again for the encouragement. Merry Christmas to you, as well.

  5. Aww, Brady’s such a great kid. He definitely knows how to give and receive love – how could any child of Stephanie’s not be awesome at that?

  6. I agree with Gina, Brady does know how to give and receive love-definitely because of how great Stephanie was with him. She loved him so very much. But,he’s so much his Daddy’s little boy. Being with Brady is like spending time with my little boy once again:). He has your sweetness and empathy for others. I’m sorry you’re having a bad night, sweetie. I’ll be praying for you. Love you.

    1. Thanks, Mom. It has always made me so happy to hear from you or Stephanie how much Brady is like me. What dad wouldn’t want his little boy to be like him? And I love knowing that it’s just like spending time with me again as a little boy. He is so sweet and empathetic. Thank you for praying for me. The night always passes one way or another, thankfully.

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