Not a Baby Anymore

Early on Easter morning, Evie appeared at our bedside. It was 6:29 AM. In the soft light of dawn, her little voice sang out "Mommy, I not a baby anymore. I a big girl now!" She had slept the entire night in her bed alone, and therefore earned a new pair of clack clack shoes. As I write this she is wearing her shoes, tapping and clack-clacking them on the kitchen floor.

Evie certainly is a big girl. I am sure I will notice it even more when our new baby arrives. Still, I am reminded so many times each day that she is growing fast. I remember taking her to the grocery store as an infant. I read that you should talk to your baby during your normal activities, but I still felt silly saying "Look at this orange. See its smooth skin?" She couldn't respond, instead she just stared with wonder at the orange.

But last week she talked and talked at the store. I think she even drew a couple of stalkers who were just hanging around to see what she would say next. "Corn! Oh, I love corn!" and "Grapes! Let's get grapes, Mommy!" and "Lightning McQueen soup! Princess Soup! I love it!" and "I so happy! My lucky day!" She begged for Popsicles and ice cream and string cheese. Oh, and gum. She really needed gum, she told me.

Evie chooses her own clothes and asks to "go shopping to mall." When she's in the bath or sprawled out asleep on the sofa, I notice just how long her little body is. She knows the words to songs and belts them out in the car and before her nap. She pretends to write letters. She "cooks" dinner with me in the kitchen, using her Melissa & Doug wooden knives and salt shaker. She sits down quietly by herself with a book or two - books with real pages. She brings me a blanket if she thinks I look cold. She gets out her own Crayons and stickers for art projects. She cleans up her toys. She asks to "play games," especially Don't Break the Ice. She's into Barbie and My Little Pony and all the Disney Princesses. She can turn on the CD player all by herself. She knows where the lollipops are kept. She plays with costume jewelry and she really, really wants to drive the car.

And on nights when the stars align, she sleeps in her own bed. Just like a big girl.