Well that was as close to a day off as I've ever had. I left while the kids were napping and got home not too long after Mike had left with them for his parents house. They got home around 6. Unfortunately, me having a day off means that Spencer didn't get actual meals because no one else seems to think this is an issue, and Rachel was down a bottle for the day because Mike didn't think to feed her before they left.

When they got home, Mike left pretty much immediately to go get some beer. He only allows himself beer on the Sundays that he takes the kids to his parents. I think that's a decent compromise, cause if there's a day we can guarantee he's going to need a beer, this is it. So, he leaves and I ask Spencer if he's hungry. He flaps his arms up and down, which I now realize is him signing yes. Side to side is 'all done', up and down is 'yes'. Apparently I was correct when I thought that he was trying to shake his head without actually moving his neck (why???) and once I recognized it for what it was, it immediately became a smaller gesture. A new sign though, none the less, and one that he made up, so to speak. So I said go to your chair, which he did very quickly and I started assembling the dinner of champions: cut up hot dog, frozen peas and grapes. It's fast and since he's not a huge fan of hot dog I know he'll feast on the grapes and peas, so it's a win/win. Mr. Patient is yelling every few seconds as I'm preparing this even (I think it took all of 1 minute and 30 seconds, literally). Obviously he's hungry. He dug into the grapes, even asking for more (by pointing at the bottom of the empty dish and then using the sign when I demonstrated for him). I feed Rachel some applesauce and give her a bottle. She's obviously hungry too, but not to the point of crying yet. A mom just knows.

Here's the really good stuff. First, Rachel didn't want all of her bottle so I put it in front of her and let her practice grabbing it and picking it up. She's in heaven. Spencer seeing that his sister can do this decides to drink from my cup of water without the straw (yes, I prefer to drink with a straw) and does so without spilling a single drop!!!!!! Then he gives her his juice and takes it back about 10 times. I moved her high chair closer to his spot at the table because they both seem to be enjoying the exchange. Just about then Mike went to the bathroom to start the bath. As soon as the water starts running, Spencer goes "bath time" (close enough that there's not doubt in my mind what he was saying), and starts feverishly doing the all done sign. I got him down and he went racing off to the bathroom. I was dying laughing. It was so cute.

So tonight was their first bath together. She, as usual, stared in fascination at him. And he, as usual, noted her presence and continued life as usual. He did splash at her a bit and pour a cup of water on her shoulder. Presumably because one of his favorite parts of the bath is when we pour the cup of water of his head to rinse the shampoo. If he likes it, she will too, right? Luckily, she didn't mind. We got some good pics, too.

Another notable thing. When Mike left this morning to go to Starbucks and get some work done, I told Spencer to say bye-bye daddy, and he did. The daddy wasn't the classic da-da, but it was recognizable to me anyway. He also went to the door and said bye again when Mike closed it.

My meds must be kicking in because I was away from Spencer for 6+ hours and I had already slept in and I didn't have an anxiety attack or freak out when I saw the word autism. I'd like to say it's because I'm doing better, but most likely it's the drugs :o(. Whatever works...