3 years {Selah}

This little girl claims she is a "big girl" now. She refused to swing in a baby swing at the playground because she isn't a baby anymore. Then a few minutes later she saw how much fun Lincoln was having and decided to join him. :)

In many ways she does seem so big. She can hold her own in conversation. She's always spoken more mature than her age. Lately she has been using the terms "probably", "actually", and adding "-ish" to words like "it's a little blue-ish.

She is officially potty trained. (Something I never thought was going to happen!) She loves to be independent and do things in her own timing (like potty training, eating food, getting shoes on, taking a bath, you name it :) )

Selah thinks she is bigger than she is too. She loves to pick up and hold this little man (who doesn't like it - ever) She will squeeze and squeeze and squeeze. She gives the term "tough love" a whole new meaning. But she really does love him. She just wants to do what everyone else does.

This was the excitement they had over sharing an ice cream for her birthday :) I love the joy in simple things.

And this was Selah's birthday face all week. It was her "I'm 3" happy dance.

She wants to help do everything. From cooking (her favorite!), to cleaning, to dishes, to sweeping. She is so confident in her abilities that I feel like I have to tell her no a lot. But she does love to help. Which is ironic because she generally is the one who refuses to pick up toys. Hm...did I mention she likes to do things in her own time? :)

But really, she is my little buddy all. day. long. I call her my shadow. She follows me wherever and would rather just tag along with me then go play with others.

Sometimes we like to call her our crazy wombat. For some reason it just seems fitting.

She loves, loves, loves to snuggle. She wants me to carry her all the time "like a baby". She is our early riser. (It used to be Evangeline at this age but now she sleeps in-maybe there is hope that some day we can sleep past 7)

She is hilarious. Shy. Loves to make people laugh. Gets overwhelmed in groups of people, even if it's family. Likes to push the boundaries and even cross them just to see us fume. :)

With Ari being in school the dynamics at home has changed a lot. It has been neat to see Selah and Evangeline bond. Selah is mostly a "loner" so I really cherish the moments I hear them playing house and Selah is calling for "mommy" and it's not for me :) Selah wants to wear a dress everyday (just like her sister), loves to have her nails painted (except that she has started biting them--eek!), and accessorize with sunglasses.

We have been stretched in many ways -- many new ways -- in parenting her. But it's the little victories that we hold on to. Looking back over the year we have seen her grow and mature in so many ways. And honestly...we have too. It's a blessing to look at her and think that God has put her in our life. She is so special to us.