Own Self!

I'd like you to meet her. Own Self.

Own Self does everything from putting her big sister's underwear on over her jammies as pictured, to climbing in and out of the car. Own Self eats. Own Self brushes her teeth. Own Self carries her things. Own Self put her pants on this morning. All by her own self. Own Self spends a lot of time trying to do other things, before allowing Keelyn to ask for help.

Own Self is loud. Own Self gets grumpy if you get in her way. Own Self is extremely determined. Own Self gives praise to Keelyn...such as, "Yay! Did it!" and, "Dere you go!" and my personal favorite, "Yo wehcome."

Oh, and I can't forget to share this gem. If Own Self is "comin'" these days...like down the stairs...she's "comin'...to town!"

Own Self is pretty darn cute. Own Self puts a glimmer in Keelyn's eyes I had never seen before...as she runs to me to tell me she did it! Her mouth wide with a smile only accomplishment can create, her eyes twinkling with pride. Her little feet can't run to me fast enough. Her hands can't clap loud enough.

Own Self first emerged at the Little Gym, where Keelyn and I go once a week to act like monkeys. Keelyn was having a hard time swinging from bars and flipping upside-down lots of days. Keelyn was a little nervous about those things, especially as she began to learn to navigate the world without her big sister around all the time this fall. But Own Self has saved her. Own Self taught her to do those things at the gym, and also helps her apply at home. Such as yesterday, when she built a walkway of stools onto a couch covered in pillows, from which she slid to the floor, repeatedly. Own Self also taught Keelyn to arrange furniture so that she can retrieve her sleep-time-only paci's during non-sleep-time hours. Own Self insists on climbing on the potty to sit and pretend to go pee-pee over and over all day long...which is really just an excuse for Own Self to tear off toilet paper squares without being told not to. Own Self pulled an entire basket of books onto Keelyn this morning from a dresser top well above her head.

Own Self needs extra time to do things. Own Self is persistent. Own Self does not deal well with being told that Keelyn must sit down so that I can tie her shoes or we will be late and Own Self will have to be placed in the car seat like we used to do, way back a whole entire week ago when Keelyn was in charge and agreeable.

Own Self is wearing me out.