Her own person

My Bean is growing up so quickly. I cannot believe I'm about to have a two-year old. It's a bit mind-blowing. Mostly, it's exciting. The Bean is exciting. Lately, she's taken her language skills to a whole new level, easily expressing her own needs, wants, and ideas. (Example from this morning, when I threatened offered to clean her precious stuffed "kitty": "No momma. No washer. No kitty washer. Kitty dirty. No washer." She clung tightly to her beloved and stood firm.)

Bean is also making friends. Friends who are all her own. She'll share stories and secrets with them, laughs and playtimes. She will have adventures with them that I will only know about through the tales she chooses to tell me.

She shows concern for them when they're sick. Joy for them when they accomplish new things. Watching Bean with her friends gives me cause to marvel at the person she is becoming. And I am so glad that she will have her friends' hands to hold as she takes the journey.