Small events qualify as marvelous around here.

This morning, Husband and I helped Claire get her shirt on. Before we got her pants on, she said, “I need peepee, I need peepee,” and wandered off to the bathroom. I followed and asked if she wanted to sit on her potty. I took her diaper off (this was the first time without a diaper) and she sat on the potty; I squatted in front of her with a book. I said “Take your time sweetie,” and then she proceeded to pee!

Wow! She initiated, and she did it. She wanted to touch it (after all, she made it), but I distracted her by helping her wipe. Then Husband came to put her diaper back on, and we finished dressing. We praised her for doing this big girl thing, but we didn’t make a huge deal of cheering over it.

Claire has made a few other notable small achievements.

• She can tell you her Mommy’s and Daddy’s first names (but still calls us Mommy and Daddy)
• She has wooden letters in her room that spell her name; she says goodnight to the letters every night and nap, and now she spells her name.
• She can tell you her last name is Harper.
• She started asking to use a fork and has managed to spear a few items and get the food into her mouth.

Claire used to answer “yes” to questions when she agreed. Lately she has switched to an enthusiastic “Oh, yes!” She also has gotten curious about a musical angel doll that her Gramma gave her when she was born. She’s fascinated with the wings and the pull cord that makes the music box play.

We took a short walk to the mailbox a few minutes ago, and I spotted a ladybug. I showed her, picked it up, and we examined it several moments. I guided the bug into her hand. Claire was fascinated. She kissed the ladybug, and I cautioned her to blow a kiss instead. She came in and immediately went to her father and announced that she saw a ladybug and held it in her hand. It’s been the highlight of her day so far.