New Things

Felix's abilities to help and understand are really blossoming right now. He feeds the pets every night (I scoop it out, he pours) and can go through all the steps of putting a new garbage bag in the kitchen can and putting it back under the sink. He still loves to rotate the laundry and start the dryer, and loves closing the garage door when we get home. His chest really does puff a little when he's done with each task - he's so darn proud of himself! And I dream of the day that I don't have to do everything myself the second I walk in the door after work.

He also understood some instructions I totally wasn't expecting:
"Let's get a new shirt out of the dryer." (He got down from his chair and walked straight to the dryer.)
"Do you want milk? Get your cup out of the living room." (He waded through all his toys and returned a minute later with the exact cup he'd had earlier in the day.)
"Let's change your diaper first." (He left and came right back with a new diaper.)

He noticed me gathering stray dirty diapers and putting them in a plastic bag, and contributed a couple of dried out baby wipes. It was pretty cool he understood what we were throwing away, when a few months ago he would've been just as likely to hand me a block or shoe.

And our big win of the week has to do with the ride at the grocery store. He used to throw a fit when we walked by (on our way in AND out, even if he'd already ridden it), and when I let him ride it, he'd throw a fit when it was over. But this week when the ride stopped, he reached for the shopping cart and happily got back in! I couldn't believe it.