"Saw-wee"

Sweetness.

I was speaking to a dear friend in Florida today, trying to summarize my life as it is and as it's been since we last talked (which was months ago). It's really very thought-provoking to have to do this. The biggest change I could think of, the most significant way our family is different than it was just 7 months ago in Florida . . . is Livia.

I must say that it is MY attitude that has probably changed the most- and thankfully! I was the one most perplexed and flummoxed and exasperated and challenged by her. And the little girl she is now seems so far removed from that trying infant/toddler! I suspected all along (or hoped, at least!) that one day I would be able to say these things:

She's sweet! Now that she can do most of the things that the boys can do she has relaxed some. It was as if she was chomping at the bit to get her turn and she was just irritated at LIFE because it wasn't fair that she couldn't do all her brothers could. Now she can sit in a big chair, drink from a big cup, use the potty, put her own shoes on, open doors, speak her mind, and much more. She's pleased with this! And it makes her so much more pleasant for me to be around. For a season, it seems our battle of wills has ebbed.

Livia is the first to say "Saw-wee" when anyone gets hurt- whether it was her fault or not. This is endearing to me. . . for who couldn't be melted by a 1 year old coming over to comfort you with sweet rubs on your back? Although I realized tonight that she's a bit extreme in this: I was reading nursery rhymes to her (another amazing thing because she has resisted sitting still for books for SO long!) and we read "Humpty Dumpty." She pointed to the pictures and said, "Fall. Fall."

"You're right," I said. "Humpty Dumpty fell down."

"Saw-wee." she said compassionately, rubbing the picture of Humpty and then giving him a kiss.