Brayden's Halloween

Pumpkin lights adorn his chair, flashing pumpkin necklace and pumpkin sweatshirt...all for Brayden instead of a costume.

And his pumpkin he decorated at school, with a little help!

With his peers

Jeremy and I have been helping with our church's AWANA program.  A program for the kids.  In years past, Jeremy would take Carter and Luke in while he volunteered.  This year, Jeremy and I are both helping thus Brayden has gone to AWANA a few times.

Jeremy and I have been helping with the kindergarten age group (oh the crazy things those little kids say...stories I can only say in person and cannot put in writing here).  After Brayden was with me a couple of times, it all of sudden occurred to me that these were his peers.  He was actually in a room of his peers (a room of 50 excited and loud 5 year olds).

Brayden does not go to his Sunday school class.  He hangs with us during Sunday morning church service.  He has not been to AWANA or VBS or even any 'ol regular class with kids his age, since he was about two years old.

I had to process this picture.  Brayden in his wheelchair, developmentally still a baby but five years old sitting in a room filled with other five year old children, who were all talking, walking and having a great time.

I have had to remove myself from comparing him or thinking about what he would be doing for "normal" development.  I had to let that go a long time ago because it did nothing but hurt.  Today, it is almost to hard to imagine what he would be like as a "normal" five year old, not in a hurtful way, but in a way that Brayden is who he is and I cannot imagine him being anything else.

Well as for AWANA, Brayden is not quite a fan and not sure he will be a regular.  The kids are too loud, it is too late for him and he would rather be at home.  However one night, he made it through the entire program...even the rowdy game time.  He almost seemed to enjoy it.

The kindergarten kids have been very sweet to him.  One little girl stands about one foot from him and just stares with her heard tilted to the side.  She may come to get me if he gets upset but otherwise she just stands and stares, in a very sweet way.

Where is the tooth?

This little sweetness loves to ride in the car with other children.  I had a car of boys headed to a birthday party.  Brayden was sitting quietly, occasionally chewing on his finger.

A few minutes away from the party location, I glance in my rear view mirror and I see blood.  A ring of blood around his mouth.  Blood?!

We arrive at the party.  I quickly jump out of the car and tend to Brayden.  Where is the blood coming from?  Did he chew his finger too much and break skin (that has happened before)?  Is he regurgitating blood?  A bit of panic was setting in.

Then I see inside his mouth.  The top tooth was missing and in place was the bloody gum.  Brayden was fascinated with the new hole.  He tried over and over again to get his finger in to feel it.

I found the source of the blood but where was the tooth?  A front tooth is a pretty big one so I was hoping his did not swallow it.  I looked in his clothes, in the car seat, around the car seat, etc.  I succumbed to the idea that he swallowed the tooth.  I started to clean up the blood, oh how he loves to have his face wiped...right up there with needles.

Brayden was wiggling his tongue around and around.  I assumed he was trying to discover this new sensation in his mouth.  Then I saw it.  The tooth was rolling around his mouth.  I had to go in and fish it out.  He loves something in his mouth just as much as he likes to have his face wiped.  Try to put anything in his mouth and he will clamp it shut, he will bite down to keep every thing out.

I grabbed his jaw, held tight and stuck my finger in trying to stop him from swallowing the tooth.  After several tries...I chicken out a few times and jerked my finger out to avoid a bite...I got the tooth.

Oh and there were still boys in my car, not just my children, so hopefully they were not to traumatized by the tooth incident.  Once I had the tooth, I showed the boys and then...

I dropped it down a crack.  Carter said Brayden could still do the tooth fairy.

Brayden was thrilled with the experience.

Fall outings

Brayden has been handling our fall schedule well.  He is not a fan of anything outside of the home or school (and sometimes he is not a fan of school).  So going to all of the football games, church and other outings has been a challenge with him.  He certainly makes it known he does not want to be out.

This past weekend we did not have a football game on Saturday.  We headed to a local farm with giant corn mazes.  Brayden was bundled up and "ready" to go.

So many things that Carter and Luke wanted to do and thankfully Brayden was happy to go along.
Although he was giving me that look...
That says don't mess with me.

It was a great afternoon.
But of course, we had to get one of my "favorite" comments about Brayden...
I was holding him, he was squinting his eyes since he is sensitive to the sunlight.  Random stranger to me about Brayden, "Oh look who is so tired.  This place can wear out the kids!"  I didn't say much other than (saying nicely), "He's not tired, just really sensitive to the sun."  Why do so many assume he is tired?

We tired to get a family photo but they cut out Brayden for some reason.

By the end of the day he was actually tired.

A little adrenaline rush

And not the good kind.  I used to get daily doses of adrenaline rushes from Brayden.

We have settled into a routine with Brayden, we can even handle the "routine" seizures and not be too frazzled by them.  Last night was one of those hear pounding, adrenaline rush moments while watching him go through a seizure.

My oldest had a football game.  Brayden already had a long day of doctor appointment, school and then (much to his dismay) a weeknight football for his brother.  Brayden settled in nicely at the game but as the evening went on he became more upset.

By the time the game was over, Brayden was screaming mad.  My father-in-law pushes Brayden around most of the games and this was another night Brayden was working his grandpa for some constant pushing in his jogger stroller.  As it came time to load Brayden in the car, I realized that he was not just crying he was seizing.

It was the awful ugly seizure where he screams and cries like he is trapped.  A cry that is like a high squeal, a sound that Brayden only makes during these seizures.  He then started pounding his head against the car seat.  Screaming and crying with the pounding...my heart was pounding.

The majority of Brayden's seizures do not upset him in anyway.  But this seizure...he sounds terrified.  And it upsets me to see him go through it.

I drove home with Brayden and his other brother, Luke.  Brayden screamed/cried and continued to pound and thrash his head.  All of sudden the screaming stopped and not in a good way.  I started shouting to Luke, "Turn on the light!  Is Brayden still breathing!"  Just as I said it, Brayden started screaming and crying again.  Then he went silent again.  I asked, in a not-so-calm manner, for Luke to check Brayden again.  He seemed to be breathing but he looked as though he was trying to fight his way out of the seizure.

We arrived home and scooped him out of the car and went straight to his bed.  He continued to seize but then stopped.  He was wiped out.  I did not give him any extra medication.

He slept great (and I checked on him many times).  I could not get myself to calm down.  I feel so helpless when he is seizing like that...and I am planning in my head how to handle a trip to the ER, thankfully he did not need it this time.

This morning he started again with seizure activity; some of his daily seizures with a dash of these "disappearing" seizures, where his face gets stuck...no moving, no blinking, he just disappears.

He was stuck in this look for several minutes, no matter what I did to him (which includes loud clapping, squeezing and kissing his checks, sitting him up, etc.)

He came out of the seizure and then went on to have a great day...even at school.  As for me, I called his teacher to warn her of his seizure activity.  I hovered around Leesburg today anticipating a call from his school (and did not get one, he was fine).

No need for this kind of adrenaline rush...I am content with riding an actual roller coaster for that and not watching Brayden go through these seizures.

Seeing Him

Brayden is blind.  This was devastating news for me when he was just a tiny baby.  Amongst all of the other diagnoses that Brayden has been given over the years, being blind seemed to upset me in a different way.  The medical things were all upsetting and scared me but being blind too...

I worried that I would not be able to connect with him.  Looking into my boys' eyes is something special...looks and connections that only moms have can with their children, without saying a word.

Many times over the years, I wondered if Brayden had a connection to me, as his mother.  Yes, he knew I could comfort him, take care of him but could he feel my love?....which was hard for me to know since he cannot reciprocate love in a typical obvious way.

I love him deeply.  But this past few months it has become even deeper.  I am seeing him more.  Seeing his personality, seeing and feeling his connection to me.  His love for his brothers and daddy (although he has always loved to cuddle with his daddy).  I can finally say that I feel connected with him.

He has really matured the past few months.  With this maturing, I have been able to connect with him more.  I miss him terribly when he is at school, whereas the school time in the past was a nice respite for me.  And he has been doing really well at school this year so for once I am not worrying the entire time he is at school that he is miserable.

He is more content these days; spending less time being upset.  He is not as miserable, not as disrupted constantly by seizures, not recovering from ER trip or hospital stay.  He is able to just be himself more.  I can see his personality more and more, beyond him showing us his dislikes (which seemed like everything for a while, other than his bed).

Little things his does makes me laugh and warms my heart.  Seeing the tiny accomplishments he makes, like his hands and arms being more active and intentional.  Even his facial expression are great!  He just cracks me up because he can act like such a grouchy old man.
This day, I opened the blinds in his room so he would start waking up a bit (light does bother him a bit).  Well, apparently he was going back to sleep and he figured out how to make it happen...

The little stinker got his arm up and over his eyes to block out the light from the windows.  I have NEVER seen him do this.  I had NO idea he could do this.  Oh I just wanted to squeeze this cuteness!

Then there is football, he is not a football fan (a post about that later).  This day, he was exhausted after the football games, he passed out asleep after a big stretch and apparently too tired to complete the stretch and he left his arms extended.

I think he was trying to make a point that football was too much for him...

Lift in the rain

I believe the lift moves slower in the rain.

I feel terrible for Brayden to ride the lift when the rain is pouring down on him and there is nothing we can do it help...other than cover him with a giant poncho (learned to use poncho because we do not want his wheelchair wet too since he sits in it all day).

Oh how he loves the poncho...not really, he is not pleased with having it around his face and he lets it be known.

Even the little parts of his day can be difficult...riding a lift in the rain.

What they know

We have always talked to Carter and Luke about Brayden.  They have been to hospitals more times than they can count.  I often wondered what impact it has on their lives or how much they understand.

Well here are some comments from this past week:

I was telling the boys the schedule for the week, which included Brayden's botox at the hospital.
From Luke (7 yrs old, our talker):  "For his botox, will he go to sleep by mask or by needle this time?"
Me (wondering how did he know he could go under by mask or needle):  "By mask and he will fall right asleep."  Maybe Luke has it in him to be a doctor...

Later in the week, I had Brayden, Carter and his friend in the car.  There was a discussion about a boy playing football with braces.
Friend:  "His is the boy with braces."
Carter (9 yrs old, our thinker):  "Really, what kind of braces!?"
Friends: "You know, braces."
Carter:  "But where are his braces?"
Friends:  "Braces on his teeth!"
I am driving listening to this conversation.  Braces in our house, mean AFOs, back braces, etc.  Carter has seen a lot those kind of braces.  Carter was trying to picture a boy playing football was some leg brace on...not at all thinking the more common orthodontia braces.

20 minutes for Botox

At the hospital for over 6 hours on Thursday.
For a twenty minute procedure of Botox.

Thankfully Brayden was quite happy all day.  I was hungry waiting in pre-op for so long so I was sneaking snacks (note to self,  pack snacks that are quiet, no loud packaging or crunching).

Shots of Botox up and down both legs.  His legs have been very tight and his hip positions are looking troublesome.  Praying the botox helps with his comfort and position.
The orthopedic surgeon signs all the areas for where he will have botox then I sign the areas as well...not signing on paper but all over his legs, front and back.

The procedure is very quick; about 20 minutes, including anesthesia (just to sleep by mask).  But they treat it like surgery so food was stopped at 4:00 a.m. in the morning.  By the time he was wheeled back it was 2:30 p.m. and he was sucking/smacking his lips (something he seems to do when off food for too long).

He was in the PACU and not wanting to wake up.  He was holding tight to my hand...my precious boy.

He did wake up when they started removing the monitor stickers, etc.  And he was made so he went into a screaming fit when he holds his breath and turns blue.  The boys does this often but oh how I wish he would not do it in the PACU.  The nurses were getting concerned and called the anesthesilogist, put him back on oxygen...while Brayden would scream, hold his breath and then do it all over again.  I continued to reassure him that he does this and is just fine once he calms down.

Well, he did calm down but then starting seizing.  I was saying "Oh, he is fine, this is just his normal seizure.  We can home go."  The nurse was cautious but filled out our discharge papers.  By the time the anesthesilogist came Brayden was fine and we wheeled out.

The botox seems to have helped a little already.  It also helps dressing him.  Now that cooler weather is here, putting pants on a child with tight legs is a tedious task for all involved.  And praying to avoid any major hip problems for a long while.

40

40 is the magic number.
No I am not turning 40.

Brayden almost weighs 40 pounds.  He weighed in last week at 39.4 pounds.
What is the big deal about 40 pounds?

When Brayden weighs 40 pounds he can no longer be lifted/carried by his nurse.  That is the policy...at 40 pounds Brayden needs to be lifted by two people...the nurse and me.

I absolutely understand that this protects Brayden and the nurse from injury.  Carrying a 40 pound boy, who offers no help, is hard.  But now I have to be there every time Brayden needs to be moved.  This time of year is not that big of a deal; Brayden is at school Mon-Fri where there are plenty of people to help move Brayden.

But what happens when he is not in school?  He spends the entire day in bed because the nurse cannot move him?  I really do not leave home for hours and hours, leaving Brayden and the nurse at home.  But now I have to be there to move him in to the shower, out of the shower, into the bean bag, into his wheelchair, into his stroller, into his tomato chair...and back out of all of it.

My biggest battle the past year has been about his bed.  I do NOT want him to be a "bed" kid, a child who is basically bedridden.  Brayden is happy in his bed but it is not good for him to be in bed all of the time.  He is a five year old boy who needs to be up participating in life.

It just seems like I finally have a taste of freedom, being able to leave the house for more than a couple of hours at a time, and now those windows of freedom are getting smaller once again.  What do other families do?

It is great that Brayden almost weighs 40 pounds, we have fought for him to gain weight, for him to be healthy and is his doing great.  Moving him is not going to get any easier...

Beauty in the Mail

Many months ago I was reacquainted with a fabulous gal that I had known when Jeremy and I were first married.  Those years ago she and I traveled (with the church) to Romania to work with orphaned children, way up in the Transylvania mountains, where she returned to live and work for a while.  Over the years we lost touch.

Flash back to today, she is a mother, as am I, living in NoVA.  Her heart has only gotten bigger over the years.  We have had very brief conversations here and there, passing by each other at church.  A couple of emails here and there.   Just from those small interactions, she did something wonderful for me.

Yesterday, Brayden and I headed downtown for the Children's ketogenic clinic.  I love to drive in Washington DC, looking at all of the buildings and people.  As we head to Children's, we always pass the National Postal Museum.  I sit on North Capital every time and look at this building.  I have yet to enter this building but I am fascinated with it for one simple reason.

Above the entrance is this beautiful quote.  A quote about the written letter...which is becoming a lost art.  How a simple letter can have a bigger impact on lives.

Reading this yesterday reminded me of of my friend...the compassion and love that she showed me in such a simple way by mail.

Seeing words written in a card or letter is so lovely.  How exciting it is to get an actual letter in the mail!  Some one taking the time to send a letter, finding the right stationary, thinking of you, seeing their handwriting, their own words...it is to be cherished.

You see, over a year ago, I started receiving these hand made cards in the mail....from complete strangers.  My friend organized women, most of whom I do not know, to send me notes.  Cards filled with notes of love and encouragement.  Cards that seemed hand delivered from God, knowing my needs at that moment, right into my mailbox.

Being a mother to a child with many medical needs, can be very isolating.  Most of the effort, compassion and love is focused on Brayden...as it should be.  However as the mom, you very quickly become last priority.  You know you have support, but the majority of the time you have it in the way of practical things (ie watching the boys, meals, etc.) which is what most people know how to do.  Emotional support can be harder to come by and frankly hard to ask for and understand the right time for it.

But these cards, these precious cards, came in my mail over a period of months.  Something simple but something so thoughtful and cherished.  I have kept them in a couple of places so that I can take them out and read their sweet words.  Women that I have never met, praying for me, loving me, consoling me...enlarging my (not-so) common life.

Not a cup of sugar

I have a handful of really great girl friends that are moms to a special need children.  Last week was one of those weeks when we realize how great it is to have each other.

Many phone calls, emails and texts flying around last week...

One mom was heading home from the hospital.  Coming home from the hospital is like coming home from vacation but a million times worse (you were not on vacation but in the hospital) because getting all of the gear situated, translating all of the hospital things into home use, etc.  It is quite a transition.  My friend called me, they needed a special attachment to give medication through the g-j tube.  It was already the evening and they did not have a way to give the meds and could maybe get something the following day.  Did I have anything of Brayden's they could use?  Brayden no longer has a g-j tube but separate g-tube and a j-tube (see above photo).  But I did save some of the hard-to-come-by medical things, including the attachment, that I stored away.  She lives about 1 mile from us so she came over and I handed over a bag full of "goodies".  I have definitely used some of her medical supplies the past.

We do not call each other to get a cup of sugar, we call to swing by for medical supplies.  How great to have someone right down the road.

Another mom was rushing her son to the hospital.  It was late night and early morning of texts, whispering phone calls (whispering from her since her son was finally sleeping), lots of praying, etc.  Some how she and I can always find something to laugh about...many strange/interesting/bizarre things happen at the hospital and it is nice to have someone understand and find some humor in it all too.

One mom was heading to the hospital for her daughter's first g-tube.  We talked about the surgery, equipment, formula, etc.  Some how coordinating the surgeon, GI doctor and nutritionist seems to be a task...we know.  Trying to find the best option and feeding schedule for your child.  The parents wanted to see want the g-tube, Mic-Key button actually looked like (not just the pictures online), so I texted a picture of Brayden's buttons.  Cute belly, right!?

Then over the weekend she and I headed out for the evening to see the King and I, at Wolf Trap.  We both prepared the daddies with supplies and bedtime routines, then headed out...with our phones in our laps all evening.  I am happy to report there was not a major crisis (just some vomiting).

Just to balance it out, I did have a friend come by to get some eggs, another dropped by her fabulous spaghetti sauce,...sometimes things are actually a little normal for me.

My new favorite t-shirt

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times a week Brayden gets stares from complete strangers...how many times complete strangers engage me in conversation, asking about Brayden.

Best way I can relate the experience to other mothers - it is a similar experience to when you are pregnant.  Complete strangers touching your belly, asking when you are due, what you are having, names...even saying that dreaded line "You look like you could have that baby any day!"...when you are only 6 months along.  Many offering unsolicited advice or comments.

Many of the conversations about Brayden are harmless and I truly do not mind talking to people.  Complete strangers have touched Brayden, asked his diagnosis, his name, age...I even had people ask me about how long he is expected to live.  And some offering unsolicited advice or comments..."maybe he is tired and needs to go home".

A lot of the time children stare; their stares are very innocent and taking in the world around them.  But then the mothers shew the child away, for reasons I am not sure of.  I often do not know how to handle the stares of adults.  Sometimes the look is with knowing eyes...it seems to me they know someone who also has special needs or just compassion.  Sometimes the look is curiosity.  Other times the look is, well...not so nice; staring at Brayden with harsh eyes and not even glancing up at me.


So I found the best t-shirt at Old Navy (I am a sucker for message tees for Brayden but this one takes the cake!).

Brayden may wear it until it is shreds of fabric.





His nurse reminded me of this verse the day Brayden wore this shirt.
Am I now trying to win human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.    -Galatians 1:10

Mr. Personality

Brayden made it through a week of school.  His first time going Mon-Fri.  He first time going to school 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  First time bus pick ups are at 10:00 a.m. and drop off after 3:00 p.m.

It is a long day for him.  It was a long week for him.

Mon - First day, he did really well
Tues - He made a two day streak of doing really well
Wed - He realized that the school things was not a fluke and he was really going all the time.  He was not a happy camper this day.
Thurs - He surrendered to the idea of school and did pretty well.  But still protested in his own way.
Giving such a look (during his PT time).  Such a look that they snapped a picture and sent it to me.

What a stinker!

Fri - A great day...actually fantastic from beginning to end.  He seems so grown up this week.

I think Mon-Fri will work for him.

First Day of School 2012

You would think Brayden may sleep in since he did not have to catch the bus until 10:00 a.m., unlike his previous years of being ready before 7:00 a.m.  He was up this morning, awake with all of the action/noise of Carter and Luke.  Maybe he was excited for his first day of school?

We let him relax all morning until it was time to get ready for school.  Loaded him in his wheelchair about 9:45 a.m. and the bus came shortly after.  All the while, I was anticipating his not-so-favorable reaction to all things school but he was very content all morning.  Although he would not open his eyes for pictures.

Once he was on the bus, he seemed to know where he was...and he was not upset.

In fact, he did great all day.  Report from school said he had a fantastic day.  He arrived home on the bus around 3:00 p.m. still in a good mood.

It was a great start to the school year (unlike last year).

Oh how I missed him today.  He will be at school Mon-Fri, I cannot believe it!

School Open House

It is almost time for school.  Brayden had his open house.

Same school, same room, same teacher.  He is continuing preschool special ed.

The big difference this year...he will be going 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m, considered to be afternoon.  Last year (and years past) he was in the morning 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This year the bus comes at 10:00 a.m.
Last year the came at 7:00 a.m. (earlier in the years before).

The open house.  Brayden was not thrilled to be back in the building.  Moments after arriving, he started fussing and would only fuss more if anyone from the school talked to him.  He was not pleased he was back at school.  But he will adjust and hopefully enjoy it more this year.

The other change this year...he will be going Mon-Fri.  That's right, he will be going everyday.  In the past he started Mon, Tues, Thurs.  Then progressed to Mon-Thurs.  This year, everyday.

Could Brayden be a Spy?

We headed into DC for the International Spy Museum.

Brayden was thrilled, not really, he slept through most of the museum.  Even got a picture with him (had to take him out of his wheelchair with his nurse) and did not wake him up.

Then we headed to Sprinkles cupcake in Georgetown.  Brayden was fussing, perhaps from his bumpy ride on the brick and/or cobble stone walks.

But I cheered him up with a little taste of frosting (smacking his lips from tasting it).

School Shoes

Brayden is ready to head back to school (although we have not convinced him of that yet).

We had to find shoes that would actually fit him.  And this is a task.  We have traumatized a few ladies at Stride Rite and Nordstrom over the years, who try so hard get his very round, very fat feet into a shoe...not to mention making it fit with his AFO braces on.

The Shoe Train in Potomac, Maryland seems to be the only place in the DC Metro area that can custom fit shoes.  So we loaded the car to head over the river for Shoe Train.

Shoe Train is one hot spot.  The place was full of people and kids running all around.  I neglected to realize that it was back-to-school shopping time and this week happened to be tax-free week in Maryland...needless to say the shoe store was busy.  A two-hour wait busy.

The owner approached us with Brayden asking if we wanted to come back over the weekend before the store opened so it would be better for Brayden.  Very thoughtful but impossible for us.  It was this day or no day, so we waited it out.  Did I mention I had Carter and Luke with me as well?

We ate lunch, some pizza and subs.  Played in a toy store (taking kids into a toy store is torture, they want everything and I do not plan to buy anything; but we did buy a couple of small games they could play while they waited).

Finally, shoe time.  Brayden needed a pair with his AFOs on and a pair without his AFOs on.

His feet measured about a size 8.  The shoes for the AFOs are a size 11, double extra-wide, insole taken out and they cut parts of the shoe to make it fit.  

Brayden was pretty patient trying on the shoes.  We did get two pairs as well as a pair for Carter and Luke. Getting shoes for Brayden has proven to not be a simple (or cheap) task.

Benefits that come with Brayden

Like Handicap parking, small thing for having Brayden in the car.

But sometimes there are greater benefits, without even knowing what is happening.
Take this past weekend for example.  We headed to Baltimore to visit my brother and sister-in-law for an Orioles game.

My brother arranged for the tickets in the main section.  Good seats and a great place to park Brayden.  It did end up being a bit hot but Brayden was covered (too many times that he was looking pasty) with sunscreen, had his fan and an umbrella. As the afternoon went on, our seats were in the shade.

Brayden enjoyed being outside and having all of the family around him.  Although he screamed on the way to Baltimore, feel asleep, and cried for too long when we unloaded him from the car but he finally settled down.  I did worry that he may not be cut out for a baseball game, which could have made a disastrous family outing.

We had planned to stay after game because it was a night the children could run the bases.  I inquired about wheeling Brayden around the bases.  Close to the end of the game we headed to the location for children waiting to run the bases.  The line was long and seemed to wrap around the outside of the stadium.  We were told to find an Orioles attendant that could help us with Brayden.  After going through a sea of people, we were told to head to a little room with a desk.  This desk was for the family and friends of the baseball players.  Everyone was getting passes to head down to the locker room area/family waiting area.

An attendant was there waiting for us and told us to the follow.  We loaded an elevator, down we went and into the halls of the baseball stadium.  Parts of the stadium that looked too official for us to be there.  We passed the press room, locker room and family waiting room.  Apparently we passed some players too (I had no idea who they were because they were not in their uniform).  The Orioles attendant opened the door and we were right behind home plate.  We waited there briefly and then they called us onto the field.  Carter and Luke (cousins too) were the first to run the bases.  Brayden wheels were not allowed in the finely manicured field so he watched from the side.

We finished running the bases and watched some players come out to the field with their friends and family and then we were ushered off the field (I did try to get pictures but there was not enough time).

Oh the life of Brayden.