Allegra,
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We had a great day at your Grandma and Grandpap's house, even though Luke overturned an entire family-sized bowl of cranberry sauce on their carpet. You got to meet Will, your newest little cousin, and you were as gentle as can be. Soft and quiet and all grown up. I was very proud.
Lately you have these moments when you are just big. We went to dinner at preschool with you a few days ago, and you went to the bathroom all by yourself! Just walked away, took care of business, and came back with clean, dry hands. And I have still been doing the pants pulling up and down for you at home sometimes! I just sat there, surprised at how self-sufficient you can be when you want to be.
But. You definitely don't always want to be.
I just thought I'd mention that even adults feel that way a lot. We are all very good at being grown up in some situations. But everybody has times when they feel like they are still three years old. And...yes, everybody has times when they act that way, too. Sometimes it's pretty silly. And sometimes, you don't even know you're doing it until later. It's ok. It's hard to grow up, even when you ARE grown up.
You ask me to "hold you like a baby" sometimes, and I do. But you're not a baby any more, little one. You are doing all kinds of independent things, and there are already places where you don't need me at all. I love that. Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep on being just as brave and kind as you were created to be. These qualities will stay with you, even when you feel very small and baby-like.
Love, Mom.
