Little Things That Mean A Lot

Nik and I have been having lots of moments lately when we look at each other and say or think: "Wow! This wouldn't have happened a year ago!" When I think about each little thing individually they don't seem that remarkable, but taken altogether they make my heart sing. So I hope you won't mind if I do a little boastful blogging and share some of those little successes with you, my friends who get why the little things mean so very much.

1. As reported in my last post: We now have fork and spoon success!
2. Some of you may remember my pleas last year for alternative winter coat ideas. The boy would NOT wear anything that zippered, buttoned or snapped. We spent a lot of time indoors. This year it has been a total non-issue. In fact, when he knows we are going out he hunts around, finds his coat and puts it on himself!
   
3. Shoes and socks also get put on and stay on. Mostly. And they always have to be Crocs.
   
4. Oliver no longer has the need to ride in the carts when we go shopping and, in fact, prefers to walk along with me and explore the environment.
5. We can now drive past my mothers street and house without stopping, without issue.
6. Oliver is no longer afraid of the sound of the shower and even enjoys taking them!
7. When we visit the children's museum in our town, Oliver now explores the exhibits instead of spending all of his time fixated on the Thomas the Train face on the train table.
8. When we leave the house, Oliver holds the door open for me and for Sami (as opposed to letting it slam in our faces).
9. When we get in the car Oliver automatically puts his seat belt on and does not remove it until we get where we are going.
10. Oliver will now sit contentedly and look at a book. He will even prolong storytime by bringing me book after book.
11. Oliver has conquered his fear of the local public swimming pool (actually his fear was of the bubble that houses it in the winter time) and now he can hardly be persuaded to come home.

And the biggest and best -- the one I appreciate the most:

12. For the past month, whenever he has awakened during the night he simply turns the light on and goes back to sleep on his own! We've only had to give him Benadryl one time in four weeks!!