Big

"The summer Olivia grew up" is how Daniel coined the big changes around here about two weeks ago.

She is now sleeping in a beautiful, "big girl" bed, and her room has been redesigned to accommodate the "upgrade" suitable for our big girl.  The crib and rocker have been moved into the other room, awaiting the next little Elgan, as well as toys she once played with and clothes that she's too big now for (in the event the next little Elgan is a girl).

She's acquired her first big (okay little) pet that she is responsible for feeding: a goldfish named Pumpkin (his name was "Mr. Pee-Pee" at first, but we thought we'd change that before it became a big mistake!).  Pumpkin was a big "prize" she had wanted and earned; we set off to the Petco fish department two Saturdays ago once she completed placing stickers on her "potty chart" for going pee-pee in the big toilet.  Like a big girl.

She is able to do just about anything us big people do, and gets a kick out of dressing up like a big, big girl in click-clacks (heels) with a purse over her shoulder and a cell phone in her hand.  She helps me cook big meals, she enjoys watching musicals on the big tv, is fond of reading big old books, pedals her little bicycle with ease on the big sidewalk, brushes her teeth with her big toothbrush, and loves to have her nails painted in big, bold colors.

She's growing up.  She's growing up too fast.  Into a big girl.

She'll begin preschool in August.  If everything goes according to plan, she'll be a big sister within the next year or two.

As I watched her nap today in that big girl bed of hers, I was brimming with pride over the fact that she is my daughter.  My growing up, big girl of a daughter with big possibilities awaiting her.

In her sweet little eyes, big wonder.

In her captivating smile, big joy.

In her dainty little fingers, big curiosity.

In her quick little feet, big adventure.

In her precious little words, big knowledge.

In my heart, big love.