Lately, Talia's days have been full of letting go of the final vestiges of babyhood. She is transforming into a full-fledged "big girl" in front of our eyes.
Two weeks ago we moved her into a toddler- sized "big girl bed." Using a large trunk that was
serving as our coffee table for a base, Seth fashioned a bed for her which is similar in size to
the one he built for Benjamin about a year ago. She has done very well with the transition, taking the privilege of freedom with a sense of dignified responsibility. (So cute! :) ) When Seth finished construction and brought her new bed in from the porch she said to him, without prompting, "Thank you, Daddy, for my new bed."
Once she got situated in her new bed we could finally
begin something she has been talking about for a couple of months now: potty training.
This past Thursday she and I said bye-bye to her diapers and broke out the princess panties! After only 3 accidents she had her first "success" and had no more accidents for the rest of the day! She is still working on a few of the finer details (like telling us she needs to go), but she is definitely experiencing consistent success and is so proud. Each time she exclaims (with a huge smile), "I WENT!" I still affectionately call her "Baby" on occasion, but lately she has been correcting me, "No, I'm a BIG GIRL." I am so proud of her positive attitude and perseverance. We've been doing lots of celebrating for her accomplishments!
My favorite recent Talia story has to do with the subject of secret-keeping about a certain brother's birthday present. Talia had gone with Seth and they bought a character named "Chick" from the Pixar movie "Cars." One morning I was telling Benjamin, "Only five more days until your birthday!" Talia cocked her little hip and piped in. "Yeah, and I got Chick!" Knowing that Seth had talked with her about this *surprise* I reminded her, "Talia! Shhh!" Raising her eyebrows and craning her neck she repeated in an exaggerated whisper, "I got CHICK."
Talia and I had a fun girl day one recent Saturday.
It began with Seth offering to take Benjamin with him to the seminary to give me a
bit of a break since he was planning to be gone all
day. Benj is typically able to read and play quietly so Seth planned to use a group study room in the library. Knowing Talia could easily become jealous of Benj's special day with Daddy (especially since she, lacking Benj's ability to play *quietly*, will not be enjoying the same privilege anytime soon) I decided to make a big deal out of having a special Girl's Day. We decided to make cookies, something we can't do with Benj because of his wheat allergy. While they were baking I got out a special book we have based on Proverbs 31, "
God's Wisdom for Little Girls." We found a picture of a little girl baking and talked about the accompanying virtue, helpfulness, from Prov. 31:14. Along that theme she later helped me make dinner for the boys and pick up the house in preparation for their return. It was so much fun to begin to instill biblical truths about the unique and beautiful role of women into my little girl.
biggest news, of course, is that he turned 4 years old yesterday. This was the first year that he was really old enough to remember what a birthday is enough to anticipate and be excited about it. He really enjoyed the "royal treatment" as opposed to some past years in which he has been pretty overwhelmed by the whole thing.
church they sang to him in the "big room" (a children's church time for preschoolers) and then
he got to be the helper and pass around the green cup for the offering. (He was pretty pleased with all of this. :) ) After church we got to go to McDonalds (the one with the slides) for lunch. While he was playing he ran over to me several times to tell me breathlessly, "I am having SO much FUN!" When we arrived back home we revealed the Lightning McQueen (from the Pixar movie "Cars") cake I had made him. He loved it! He speared the entire slice with his fork and devoured it in a few big bites!
... after cake he had a great time opening his gifts. Other years this has been a very slow process, sometimes taking some coaxing and prompting. Not this year. He tore into each bag & package with great enthusiasm. He was thrilled to receive many of the Cars characters he didn't have, along with a large play mat with streets & buildings on it (he calls it his "carpet.") He spent the rest of the afternoon happily acting out scenes from the movie and zooming his cars up and down streets.
He has also been excited about some new books and puzzles.
He is also becoming such a great helper and big brother. This afternoon I came into the living room from tucking Talia in for her nap and he was sitting next to Leila, who had previously been crying. He was holding a teething toy for her, which she was happily chewing on while gazing lovingly at her brother. Surrounding her were several other toys which Benjamin had brought to her. I was so amazed at his compassion (he didn't let her cry or call for me to make it stop, he helped her himself) and insight (he knew what to give her). What a mature little man!
Two weeks ago we moved her into a toddler- sized "big girl bed." Using a large trunk that was 
serving as our coffee table for a base, Seth fashioned a bed for her which is similar in size to
the one he built for Benjamin about a year ago. She has done very well with the transition, taking the privilege of freedom with a sense of dignified responsibility. (So cute! :) ) When Seth finished construction and brought her new bed in from the porch she said to him, without prompting, "Thank you, Daddy, for my new bed."
begin something she has been talking about for a couple of months now: potty training. 
This past Thursday she and I said bye-bye to her diapers and broke out the princess panties! After only 3 accidents she had her first "success" and had no more accidents for the rest of the day! She is still working on a few of the finer details (like telling us she needs to go), but she is definitely experiencing consistent success and is so proud. Each time she exclaims (with a huge smile), "I WENT!" I still affectionately call her "Baby" on occasion, but lately she has been correcting me, "No, I'm a BIG GIRL." I am so proud of her positive attitude and perseverance. We've been doing lots of celebrating for her accomplishments!
It began with Seth offering to take Benjamin with him to the seminary to give me a
bit of a break since he was planning to be gone all 
day. Benj is typically able to read and play quietly so Seth planned to use a group study room in the library. Knowing Talia could easily become jealous of Benj's special day with Daddy (especially since she, lacking Benj's ability to play *quietly*, will not be enjoying the same privilege anytime soon) I decided to make a big deal out of having a special Girl's Day. We decided to make cookies, something we can't do with Benj because of his wheat allergy. While they were baking I got out a special book we have based on Proverbs 31, "God's Wisdom for Little Girls." We found a picture of a little girl baking and talked about the accompanying virtue, helpfulness, from Prov. 31:14. Along that theme she later helped me make dinner for the boys and pick up the house in preparation for their return. It was so much fun to begin to instill biblical truths about the unique and beautiful role of women into my little girl.
laugh. We all, especially her brother and sister, continue to adore her.
the other side, and turned 180 degrees! She is also working on some teeth, which have not yet become visible but, if her increased fussiness is any indication, are severely paining her. Even still, she is such a sweet and content little Sunshine. She's still sleeping wonderfully at night, for which we are thankful. In fact, we recently moved her into her "real" crib and she has started sleeping in the kids' room. I am amazed at how well it is going.
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