Tomorrow is the big day! UCLA EC PHP :)

We are set to head to UCLA tomorrow morning. Mike and I will do the intake with the doctors and therapists while Grandma Lona watches over Ian in a classroom. Should be exciting! I'll probably not sleep much tonight. I feel like I'm about to embark on a long exciting trip with surprises behind all kinds of doors along the way. Like Christmas for 10-12 weeks!

I'm trying not to set my expectations too high but it's hard not to after talking to so many people having fabulous experiences with their children. I've been thinking about this program for about 3.5 years. The first time I heard about it was my first meeting of a special needs parents group. A dad was giddy about how it completely transformed his daughter. And since I've spoken to many parents who have had their children go through. Not all were as enthusiastic as that dad but even my most discerning friends were incredibly happy with how it went.

And Ian is ready for a transformation. He's trying to say just about anything. Lila asked him to say something tonight and she pointed out how cute he was (which is something she's often pointing out) when he repeats everything. And he's really becoming independent. A little too much so because he'll just walk out of any door and often won't respond to his name being called. And he's been getting so frustrated quite often and he just yells. I'm really trying to put his ipad in front of him on the page "something is wrong" but most often he'll just get distracted and tap "I'm dizzy" or "I'm shaky" which I put on for when he's got low blood sugar. And then he laughs. So I guess it works to distract but he's not really able to tell me what's wrong.

Today was an emotional one at Step by Step. We had to say goodbye to Hannah, who has been working with him so closely since he's been there. Her schedule will most likely not allow her time to work with him again when he returns next year. She's so wonderful with him, as are all the teachers. I just love his class!

I had a little sensory station going away party and it was the first time Ian really got into one of my parties. Usually many of the other children really get into the activities but he often does not. But this time, he was really into it. So fun!