Growing pains

Maybe I'm PMSing, maybe she's matured a ton in a week or maybe I've just really observant the last couple days...but this last week I have really been noticing what a big kid Belle is becoming.  It's just the little things that show me.  It started with me dropping her off at my parents house for an hour so I could run some errands.  She wouldnn't even let me get out of the car!  She asked if I could "just drop me off"! 

Then last night we were helping Bran put my new patio set together.  She could actually help us (and not just stupid jobs like holding the flashlight)...she put the bolt covers on and hammered them into place!!  While we were putting the set together she asked me if she could have some ice cream.  I told her to wait until we were done putting it together and then she could eat it on the new table.  We were almost done and she asked for ice cream again.  I told her to wait a minute.  Next thing I know, I can't find her.  I look in the kitchen window and she is standing on a chair at the counter, scooping some ice cream into a bowl!  I went inside and said "Wow, you don't need my help huh?"  She said, "All I need to know is where you keep the chocolate syrup"!  Wow!!!

Then this morning, I am bringing her to daycare and she asks me "Do you really have to get out of the car and walk me in?"  I tell her yes, Lisa wants us walking them in to her house.  She then asks "Can you just come into the porch then!"  I didn't even get to go fully in the house!

My baby is no longer a baby!  Wow...what mixed emotions that brings!  I love her independence, but I kind of miss her needing me a bit.

And this is why I need another baby...