Today Soccer Dad, aka local blogger David Gerstman, is back as Guest Dad, with a post on the passage of his youngest from baby to little girl. Here's his post:

"When our baby was born two years ago, I decided that I wanted to remember her different stages. So for the past two years, I've been noting her development month by month.

"But as I prepared my two years post, I noticed something. She was no longer a 'toothless wonder.' Teeth were popping up (a bit late) and she no longer had that brilliant gummy smile. It struck me that an era is ending. It's not just the toothlessness that's gone, something else is going. She's approaching the stage when she's no longer a baby and becomes a little girl. But what developments would mark that transition?

1) The most obvious, I suppose, is toilet training. I don't think she's that far from that. She is very good about letting us know when she's 'gusting, ' and I suspect that she may even know when she has to go.

2) She talks very well. But when will she reach the stage that a conversation consists of more than a single exchange?

3) When the majority of her sentences no longer start with 'I want...'

4) When she goes a whole day without crying.

5) When she starts walking with a more even gait and not looking like she's bouncing with every step.

As I think about these upcoming changes, it makes me a little sad. I'll miss the baby a lot."

When do you notice your baby was turning into a little boy or girl?

(Photo courtesy of David Gerstman)