Cried a little today

Ok, so I know that this is a perfectly normal developmental stage, I know that it is a sign of appropriate-ish parenting, I knew this was coming, but it still hurts just a teensy bit, and it totally shocked me. Liv's new and now favorite phrase is, "I do it, PEEEAAASE!" It wasn't like a tornado that rips up some trailer park, where people say, "I didn't even see it coming!" I have seen this coming for a while now. And it still threw me for a loop. She has become more independent lately. Helping grab a diaper when it's time for a change, turning off lights, helping feed the dogs, she even knows which button to push on the debit card swiper at the grocery store. (Don't complain about this later BJ, you taught her how to do it, and shopping is a slippery slope.)

Today while feeding Liv breakfast, one of my favorite times with her, she grabbed her spoon from me, and said, "I do it, PEEEAAASE!" She then proceeded to feed herself and Bella oatmeal. In that brief moment I saw her all grown up and doing things for herself all the time, and although as a parent that is what we hope for, I just wasn't ready to hear it all just yet. Of course a flair for the dramatic runs in the family so don't mind me too much, but it was jarring nonetheless. And I did have to congratulate her on saying PEEEAAASE.



Taken right after the spoon was grabbed, the mess just isn't pretty. I keep telling myself this is something she has to do.



Oatmeal is the gift that keeps giving, Liv loves picking up stray pieces and saving them for later. At least she said PEEEAAASE right? Right?



Bella in the aftermath of the oatmeal incident. This is really what she gets for getting too close in search of munchies. Yes she is licking Liv clean. I firmly believe that Labs were put on this earth to help moms clean up after meals.