Gratitude and Pride

I'm guessing...Anders at 2? Probably not more than 2 and a half.

This picture is notable for two things. The first being the ever present Binky, or in our family speak, KIKI. Second is the cars. The two things that 1). we NEVER left the house with out and 2). where the items of comfort in any given situation, church, grocery store, school, home...never without them. This being said...

Anders has given up the KIKI! All on his own. About 4 weeks ago he just gave them to Brian, completely unprompted and out of the blue, and stated his intentions of becoming a big boy. And he never looked back. If you ask him about it you receive his beautiful shy smile and the little mumble about being a big boy and not needing to have his Kiki anymore. I am so proud of him. He made it through the first couple of night with only a tiny, two minute suck to calm his brain down, then he would hand it to us and we would walk away. I am utterly amazed by the progress our little boy has made in his life! He is an amazing testament to hard work, (on his end), to overcome some huge challenges. I am thankful for the many hours of therapies, and the therapists, that have given him the tools he needs to function. What a blessing they are and what a blessing he is. I'm thankful to have had the huge support system we have, and to know that God sent this boy to us because WE needed the education, and because he trusted us to learn AND grow by helping him to learn and grow.

SO...on to the next thing. Whatever that may be. But, I'm happy to say that it's probably not going to be Anders' struggle, he is a big boy now.

I do have to mention for posterity's' sake, the fiery temper tantrums that have come with no "off" button... but those are making their way out as well.