This morning I rose at six and went downstairs to sit in the quiet living room reading a book and drinking coffee. I had the baby monitor tuned to listen to Audrey sleeping, and Brian was working in his office. At about quarter past seven, I heard the bedroom door upstairs opening, and assumed it was Brian getting the baby up so that I could shower.

There was a soft little voice on the monitor, then silence. Hmmm. Then I heard Freya’s little bare feet padding down the hallway. She appeared, smiling, and said good morning. I wondered where the heck Brian was.

“I said good morning to my sister,” Freya said. I asked a few questions, and pieced together the following: She got up, removed her overnight diaper, then put her pajama pants back on. After that, she walked to our bedroom and went to whisper good morning to sleeping Audrey. Then, she turned and came downstairs by herself.

I praised her independence proudly. Later, after breakfast, Freya went back upstairs by herself and brushed her teeth and her hair, then went to her room and chose an outfit from her dresser. Only then did she knock on Brian’s door to ask for help getting dressed.

These are all such big milestones for our little (almost) three and a half year old. I guess that’s why I wanted to note it here to be remembered.