Time Outs, Tantrums, and Terrible Two's

Brady isn't two yet!

But every once in a while, we get a taste of what is to come.

We use time outs from time to time when Brady doesn't listen us. Usually, he warned first. We don't have to use it often, Brady is generally good.

But tonight......that was not the case at all.

We decided to go to dinner at a local Chinese buffet with Erica's sister. Brady started acting up int he restaurant, throwing his cup and his food. He was mad because I wouldn't let him play with my fork (he was banging it loudly and wouldn't stop). Despite our pleas, Brady continued to act up. Erica tried to take him to the bathroom to give him a time out, but there were too many people around. She brought him back to the table hoping he'd be better, but he wasn't. We actually had to get up and leave. That was a first.

On the car ride home, Erica and I kept asking ourselves, was it us? Are we bad parents? We had to keep reminding ourselves that we weren't, but sometimes these things just happen. Ohg well, better luck next time.

Find Your Path, Give Back, Make Good Choices

Dear Brady,

I'd like to share something with you. Although you are probably too young to understand, one day you'll be able to look back at this blog and learn from what I am about to tell you.

One year ago today, I was getting ready to leave Andover High School for the weekend. I stopped by my friend Peter Arthur's classroom. He was busy setting up his new projection system to run his power-point presentations. Peter was always looking for ways to make his history classes interesting. He was known int he school to be one of the best teachers because he was always challenging his students to "find their path, give back, and make good choices." When I walked in, he asked me: "Hey Stackman, how's Brady doing?" "Not bad," I replied. ""He's getting so big, before I know it, he'll be crawling everywhere!" Peter replied, "Just wait until he starts walking. That's when it gets really fun, just ask my wife!" Peter had a little boy of his own, not even two years old. His name was Jeffrey. We talked about how we needed to get together again. This wekeend Peter was going to be busy, but we made some tentative plans for the following weekend. I waved goodbye, and walked out the door.

I didn't know it at the time, but that was the last time I would ever talk to Peter. By 3:00pm the next afternoon, he was gone. Peter had told his wife he was going to go upstairs to finish putting in some grades into his computer. He suffered a heart attack and died instantly. His wife found him an hour later. At 32 years of age and in great health (he was an athlete and a coach), Peter left behind the ones he loved. He also left behind a legacy for the rest of us in Andover to learn from. Later that week, two thousand people attended his funeral mass, which was held in the Collins Center at Andover High School.

On the anniversary of his passing, I'd like to share some of the things I've learned, because you never know when your time will come. Please keep these things in mind as you grow up.

1. Never say "if." Say "when". Set goals for yourself, and stick to them. I always knew I would go to college, become a school administrator, get married, and have a family of my own. I never doubted myself.

2. Don't stop dreaming. I still have dreams. I'd like to get my PhD. I'd like to build my own house. I'd like to travel around the world. When you stop dreaming, you stop living.

3. Make time for the ones you love. Tell them everyday how much they mean to you. You never know when they'll be gone.

4. Find a positive role model to inspire you. I have many. Peter is one of them. He always made time for everyone else.

5. Enjoy giving. Its much more rewarding than receiving.

6. Take chances. I learned early on that you won't get anywhere if you don't take a chance on something.

7. Learn to take everything in stride. Once you get your life going the way you want it too, you'll be able to ride out the highs and the lows without much effort on your part. I could have a very stressful job if I ever let it get to me, but I don't. I always keep an upbeat attitude no matter what comes my way.

8. Find something to be passionate about, and do everything you can to do that "something" for the rest of your life.

9. Keep laughing. You have the best laugh, and it is contageous.

10. Don't ever become a Yankees fam or a BC Eagles fan. They are both part of an "evil empire." Remember, Patriots, Sox, and Terriers forever!

I hope you will keep these things in mind as you grow up Brady. Everyday I look at you, I'm amazed.

Love Always,

Dada

Sixteen Month Check-In, By Brady Stack

Hey guys, its me, Brady! Can you believe that I am sixteen months old today? Time flies! As you can see, I'm getting really big. How do you like my new recliner? There is nothing quite like kicking back with an ice cold cup of milk in your favorite chair and watching soem Wiggles, don't you think?

So, other than that, I have lots of news to report. My tube operation went well, and now I have to wear these bright orange ear plugs everytime I take a shower. Did I mention how much I love to climb now? I drive Mama and Dada crazy because I liek to climb onto the couch, stand-up, and turn the light on and off int he living room. Haha, I could do that for hours!

Mama keeps telling me about my new sibling. Every week, she reads to me about how the baby is growing.

Dada and I have started working on a new project: my new bedroom. We are planning to make it a complete New England Patriots / Boston Red Sox shrine, with a little Boston University Hockey thrown in for fun. Dada even told me he would try to find some BC or some Yankees diaper wipes, just to finish the room off. Yup, I'm going to be moving into the other bedroom pretty soon. Its even going to have a walk-in closet with hardwood floors! I can't wait.

Well, I'll talk to you all soon.

Love,

Brady.

Brady II: The Sequel!

We've had so much fun with Brady, we figured what the hell, let's have another.

And have another we will.

Actually, he/she should be arriving on or near October 2, 2007 (which for those of you that pay attention, is just ten days shy of Brady's second birthday.)

Names? Well, right now we are leaning towards either Megatron or Optimus Prime, but its early yet.

Check back soon for more details...

Terrier Hockey Trip

Friday night, Erica and I made our annual trip to Harry Agganis Arena to watch the mighty Boston University Terriers. BU played U Mass Lowell. The two teams decided to thank us for attending by scoring zero goals. Yep, it ended in a 0-0 draw. Oh well. It was fun to see them play anyways.

My Adventures in Surgery (By Brady Stack)

As most of you know I was going to the hospital today to get tubes in my ears. We had to get to the hospital for 6:30 am. I don't usually even get up until 7:00! Anyways, they took me and mama and dada into a room where I had to put on a gown that opened in the back (it was chilly) They also gave me a pair of pants that were WAY TO BIG! I couldn't walk around because I would trip on them. Then they told Mama that she could come to the operating room with me until I fell asleep. She had to put on a funny white suit and booties and hair net. She walked with me to the operating room then put me on the table. I was not thrilled with this but I was okay. They put a mask on my face and about 5 breaths later mama said my eyes rolled back in my head and they told her she could leave. 20 Minutes later Mama and Dada were told they could come to recovery. At first they couldn't find the room, then they heard me screaming at the top of my lungs. I was scared and shaking, but once mama held me for a little while I was okay and we went home! I loved being home today, I got to run around and play with mama and my toys all day! and you know what I hear alot better. The doc said that my hearing was definately being affected. I hear so much better already! all in all it wasn't too bad and if this stops my ear infections It was all worth it.