Things she is afraid of

Mathilda is not brave.  And she is not a country mouse. She is afraid of: my mom's dog (who isn't, really?), actually all dogs within 3 feet, chirping birds, the vacuum*, grass, crawling through things (tunnels, playground structures, etc), loud noises that are not preceded by the phrase- "ok Tilly, loud noise!"^, masks, and her small plastic pig that oinks, to name a few. It seems that our little girl is very friendly, social, talkative, but not physically adventurous...sound like anyone you know? (I still get palpitations thinking of flipping over the slide at the playground or jumping off of the high-dive).

Recently, Mathilda has surprised me in the small ways she is overcoming these fears.

2 cases with photographic evidence:

1. Dogs

not sure about Wheeler, my lovely step sister's very lovable dog. Sorry about the lighting- it was really bright.

she reeeeeeally wanted to pet his nose but this was as close as she was getting

laying down like Wheeler

 2. Tunnels

going

going

gone! Hooray Tilly!

*this is something she especially does not encounter in her daily life
^ must be said before grinding coffee or making AM smoothie to avoid child's screeching and running to hide behind mama's legs.