GOODBYE, ECI :(

Well, the year has come and gone and it's time to say goodbye to ECI. We are very sad that Dara will be gone, Riley loved her so much. Also, Brooke who was such a comfort and big support for me said her goodbyes today. Riles has learned so much this year. Here is a list of things that he has started to do and was not doing at this time last year. I guess it depends on what day that you ask me but I think that he has made lots of progress! YEA!! I would throw him a party but his birthday is in a couple of weeks and he just might get confused.

• He has started to repeat words. YES!!! (Thank you, ABA!)
• He is starting to request items (juice, cookie, outside, go...)
• He will look at me and give me a cheesy smile
• He will say "cheese" for the camera
• He can say "no" instead of scream (not always)
• He throws things away for me.........cute, except throwing away the bathtub stopper is not so cute when Mommy really wants to take a bath!
• He will come and let me know if he has pooped or peed
• He gets in the van, climbs up to his car seat, and is ready to go when I say, "Let's go!"
• He doesn't cry in the van if we go a different route anymore
• He doesn't spin anymore.....I never thought that would end!
• He can take ALL of his clothes off. He struggles with putting his shirt on, but he is getting the hang of dressing himself
• He will sit on the potty without crying
• He will play some games with me and Kylie
• He imitates Kylie and tries to push play on the DVD by standing on top of something and climbing up the armoire to get to it
• He can sit through a whole meal if we go out to eat
• He fills in words to songs we are singing or will sing his own little songs

I could go on but these are things that I am most proud of today. He still can't sit through church without screaming or making a scene during the sermon but we keep trying. I know that he will make so much progress this year and I can look back and see how far he has come. I love you, Riley Roo!

Saying "cheese" with his new haircut!