No More "Nookie"

Yesterday marked FOUR weeks without your beloved "nookie".  In it's absence, I have been both so proud of my little girl and her growing independence and also a bit sad at the loss of the tiny piece of my baby girl that was left.  Since you were just a day old, we knew you were a girl that was determined and independent.  You wanted milk immediately and when it wasn't coming fast enough you lost all sanity until we tricked you with a single drop of formula to give you the idea that it was coming before you even made a real effort.  The lactation specialist kindly smiled at me after listening to my retelling of your behavior and said, "It sounds to me like you have a little girl that knows what she wants and when she wants it!"  Those words have proved true time and time again over the last three years of your sweet life. 

Keeping up with all the big kids on the block these days!

You don't like to be told how to do something, and even refuse guidance when learning something new.  In moments of struggle, you will call for me to give encouragement and stand by your side, but you like to figure things out for yourself by watching and studying how something is done.  The process of figuring things out is not always without some pretty explosive bursts of frustration (passed down to you from yours truly.  sorry love!), but at the end of the day you try and try again and usually exceed our expectations with ease in no time at all.  Papa and I are both big on encouraging you to try things out to learn what suits you and makes you happy, but we are definitely not into pushing you to do things you aren't comfortable with.  The latter is definitely in our favor as you my dear would not allow it even if we tried to push.  You are independent, but love having us close by which makes me so thankful because I sure love being by your side!

Holding your breath and looking at each other under the water!!  You've encouraged some of the older kids to overcome their fears of putting their heads under the water :)

I asked Papa tonight what word would describe the way you have gone about tackling the big milestones in life so far and he responded immediately with: autonomous.  The definition he was referring to was the capability of existing independently or responding, reacting, or developing independently.  In all the big hurdles of toddlerhood, you have mastered them in your own time and without much guidance or assistance.  You have always had a big capacity for logic and understanding which I believe helped in the "getting it" department when it came time for such things as walking, big girl bed transition, potty training, and the surrender of your beloved "nookie" all accomplished simply by you declaring it was time.  We talk a LOT and explain things while answering your many, many questions, listening to your mind wrap around issues that come up while you process knew things.  It's fascinating to see the little glimpses into your thoughts and fears and joys and struggles, then watching you finally come to a conclusion and just go for it with all you've got.  You are fierce my little love.

On a ride all by yourself, making friends everywhere you go!

Even though the sting of your independence catches me off guard at times and my chest tightens when I hear the simple words, "Mom, can you give me some space please,"  or "Actually Mom I want to go on a ride that you don't have to come with me," I'm so extremely proud that I get to be the one with the front row seat watching you grow and mature and learn.  You make me proud every day, and I feel beyond blessed to be entrusted with you as my little girl.