My Little Girl

When we first found out that we were going to be having a little girl I cried. Not exactly the reaction that you would expect, believe me I know. But all I could think about was that I didn't know how to french braid hair, and I never liked playing with dolls or having tea parties. Not to mention that the thought of her being a cheerleader made my stomach turn. Not that there is anything wrong with cheer leading or playing with dolls, it was just that I knew nothing about those things. Growing up I was the definition of a tomboy. I loved being outside and playing any and every sport. Alli often became annoyed with me that I would rather play fort with my older brother than play "house" with her. Looking back I am pretty sure she was always thinking, "what a waste of a good sister". So when we found out we were pregnant I just assumed that God would only give me boys. It made plenty of sense to me. So when we were told that our Shaun Carter Hays (our boy name) was really our Lillian Anne Hays I was shocked! I made it my goal to embrace pink and everything girl.

Over the past 18 months I have tried hard not to project myself onto Lillian. To allow her to discover the person that she is without steering her in the direction that I am familiar and most comfortable with. So far she seems to have the perfect balance between girlie girl and tomboy. She loves her doll, but can spot a ball from across the room. She is always playing rough with Shaun, but is incredibly nurturing and loving to Eli. The other night when Shaun and I went to check on her, we found our little girl curled up with her doll. It was the sweetest thing, and it made me feel like I might just be a "girl mom" after all. And I am still working on the whole french braiding thing. Hopefully I will have it figured out by the time she is ten.