"I Zachy"

About a month ago, I was home unexpectedly with Zachary in the middle of the week. We made a Target run, after a doctor's visit and it was a normal Target run, until... Someone made eye contact with Zachary and smiled at him.

For the first time ever, he said to the woman "I Zachy," with a huge smile. I heard him say it, but I almost couldn't believe it! So, he said it again to the next friendly stranger also shopping, "I Zachy." Clear as day, he probably said it 10 times in half an hour. I started to translate for him, because these people probably didn't realize he was talking to them or that this was something new. I was so incredibly proud of our son as he proudly announced and introduced himself to people acknowledged him, while running their errand.

That morning at breakfast, he also said the first four-word phrase I had heard from him. Pointing into a dark closet, I heard, "It's dark in there." Then he pointed to the family/play room, where the lights had not yet been turned on, and repeated and pointed out, "it's dark in there." A third time, he pointed outside, where we could not yet see that the sun had started to rise, "it's dark in there."

Since then, we have heard him say Zach, Zachy and Zachary countless times and in conjunction with other words (Zach book, Zach block, etc.) helping us understand what he'd like to do or play with next. This has been huge and so much fun to see develop in his speech!

There are words he uses regularly that I'm still trying to discern the meaning of, which can be frustrating for both of us, but we continue to persevere because we know he has so much to say and want to understand him. He has also started to say "help" and "up" again, which has been a huge help as well. I know it may be a long journey as he works on developing speech and the ability to say new words, but I'm so encouraged every time we hear a new one and see him continue forward.

Go Zachy!! :)