Another milestone

This may be an uh oh one but K has been sleeping in a toddler bed for about 3 weeks now -since Labor day. At first she didn't know she could get out, then she would get out and pound or cry by the door. Lately she learned how to open doors but like all new skills she has been working on perfecting it. So this morning I get woken up to the dog barking like hell that the construction guys are here - they are early but I'll take early over late any day for this project. So I am getting ready and K crys on and off which is her custom waking up in the morning - if you go in too early you are met with a cranky child she needs that time to wake up on her own. So I am eating some cereal and I hear a noise back by her room- She saunters out of her room as happy and proud of herself as anyone can be. I can't help but smile even though I know in my heart this will be the start of a new challenge btw us- keeping her in bed, I just can't help being happy that she is so big and independent. We get dressed and she happily puts her diaper in the garbage for me. I think a lot of her as an infant now with this new baby getting closer and closer to comming out and the difference is so startling. How did someone so helpless turn into such an independent, smart, and perfect little girl. I see less and less toddler everyday and more and more little kid, the baby she was is just a wonderful precious memory.