Four

 Four.  Baby is four now, and I feel like it was just a couple months ago I was posting about my new three year old.

My four year old is no longer a baby-if I make the mistake of using it as a term of endearment when talking to her she is quick to remind me, “I’m not a baby, I’m a big girl!”

My big girl is full of fire and desire to be independent.  I love encouraging her spirit to be her own person, but relish in the moments she becomes vulnerable and lets me take care of her.  

As a big girl, she has discovered how to manipulate her parents and becomes quite pouty when we don’t let her get away with it.  Sometimes though, those crocodile tears just rip at my heart and I give in, knowing she will only be four for far too short of a time.

My four year old is incredibly receptive and anticipates some of the changes that will occur when her little brother or sister arrives.  She is looking forward to embracing the role of big sister and routinely tells me what specific jobs will be hers (throwing diapers away, making sure #2 has their paci, sharing toys).

Four is when I realize that Baby is right, she isn’t a baby anymore.  She needs me less and less, with the only tasks she asks of me is to get items out of her reach or to explain things she doesn’t understand.  I adore my fierce, self-dependent daughter, but already mourn the passing of her babyhood.

My four year old’s world is going to change beyond comprehension this year.  Four will be a year of experiences new to her and to me.  Four is going to be the year she becomes my sidekick in this journey and I couldn’t imagine having a more perfect girl to be by my side.