Impressed!

OK, so I'm way behind again...long story.  I'm ready to start catching up on the long story and all else that's gone on, but I'll start with something that happened today.
I've been noticing a big difference between Ellie and John and Eve.  John and Eve have always been excessively independent.  We've worked so hard on getting them to say "help please" rather than pitching a fit because they can't do something (not so much John anymore, but we're still in the throws with Eve).  They just want to learn and do everything on their own, which is great, except when they clearly need help and won't allow it.  Ellie, on the other hand, has always had someone to help her.  I still think it's why she didn't roll over for so long.  Why bother when someone will always bring you what you need, right?
I started to notice that Ellie always says, "help please", and doesn't often try things on her own.  I'm not good at comparing ages (thankfully), but I'm pretty sure John and Eve had both climbed out of the crib by this point, and were probably at least undressing themselves if not working on dressing themselves.  Ellie has just started putting very loose shoes on herself, but doesn't even take her socks or pants off, and hasn't (to my knowledge) ever tried to climb out of the crib.  While these things don't worry my, and it's certainly easier with her not taking off her pants and removing her diaper to smear mess all over the wall, I was thinking we should start encouraging some independence.  My first try was to help her undress herself before bath time.  I was talking her through it, helping her grasp the back of her pants, etc., and of course John came up behind her and lended a hand.  So sweet, but a little counter to my purpose.  So anyway, the goal now is to try to get her to attempt some things before asking for help.
Today, though, I was impressed.  Eve was playing a game where she put a magnet as high as she could on the refrigerator.  It was really fun until she put it higher than she could reach.  Being independant, and quite the drama queen, she started pitching a fit because she couldn't reach it.  Being the great mom I am, I ignored her.  Surprising me, though, I heard Ellie banging around in the bathroom.  A few minutes later she emerged with the bathroom stool and brought it to Eve.  She may not be able to undress herself, but she sure is a problem solver!