Is this 3?

We have several more weeks until Clementine turns three but we have seen another sudden change in her (just as we did about this time a year ago). I am constantly amazed at the person she is evolving into and always on my toes with these new firsts. I want to remember these Clementine-isms forever.

Clementine has started talking up a storm. It's constant chatter around our house. But now, instead of mostly babbling, her chats are mostly interpretable! She also gets stuck on repeat sometimes. Today she asked me "Baby Mumble Movie?" 37 times in less than a minute. She's not looking for a "Yes," response, she wants me to confirm message received by repeating "Baby Mumble Movie."

My FAVORITE Clem-ism is when she wants me to pick her up. At the top of the stairs and in parking lots she wiggles her fingers and says "I'll hold you." There is something so endearing about this phrase that I immediately have to respond yes--and I don't even mind lugging that 40 pound, long-legged girl on my hip. I'm reminded as her shoes dangle dangerously close to my knee-cap that carrying her on my hip won't last much longer.

She also likes to take charge. As soon as she wakes up in the morning she takes roll; "Daddy shower, Jack potty" she'll say, knowing this where our family members are first thing in the morning. She never hesitates to let me know when she's occupied, needing privacy. She sweetly chirps "GO AWAY!" while using the loo. Or "NO SINGING!" while she's playing or reading. "CLOSE YOUR EYES MAMA!" when we play nap--a long standing favorite pretend play.

We have always steered away from Princess paraphernalia with Clementine but last week at her school they studied Fairy Tales. Now dressing up as a faerie has no meaning to her. She declared this was a princess outfit and her whole being transformed as she put on her dress up clothes. She swayed, holding the hem of her faerie dress, put a headband on like a crown and declared herself Princess. She crooned in front of the mirror smiling like a cheese-ball and twirling. Cam and I just stared in slack-jawed amazement. Then we all got a turn wearing Princess crown.

While everyone knows my sister as Sissy, she has only ever been Nolan's Mommy to Clementine. She's called her this for months. Yesterday she saw a picture of Sissy and I on the fridge and said "Thitthy and mama are smilin'!"

I love this almost 3 year old. We can't wait to see what she comes up with next.