Girls Vs. Boys

While I was home for Grandma's funeral, I got to spend some quality time with my nephew. He'll be three in just a few weeks and I am going home again to see him for his birthday. There is no one else on earth that makes me so happy. He's one special little kid. He's SO smart, generally obedient, hilarious, and has a big heart. You can't help but love that cheesey little face.

While home, his mom also announced that the new little one due in the fall is going to be a girl! This is very exciting news. My sister is thrilled. And my mom has been buying little dresses for years. I am also looking forward to it, but I am not going to lie - I am a little worried. I don't know what to do with a little girl.

Sure, I just show up every 6 months or so, supply presents and leave, so why should I worry, right? What kid doesn't love that kind of aunt? The problem is, girls make me nervous. I really don't have to worry about this for another three years or so when the new kid starts acting like a girl, but what then?

I have NEVER been a girly girl. I was 12 when my sister was born. By then, I had already blown past my mother's hopes of being a girly girl. Mom used to make me wear a dress twice a week and I HATED it. HATED IT. I was old enough to decide that I hated things and I decided that I hated girly stuff. Look at this picture of me when I was 7. I am PAINED at wearing this pink outfit. My mom lovingly made it for me, but I was soo pissed. (The goofy kid on the left is now the father of said neice and nephew. Weird, huh?)

Instead, I played He-man and watched Thundercats with my brothers. I tried to play Nintendo (until they wouldn't let me play anymore.) I wasn't super interested in Barbies. In fact, I remember taking off their clothes and making them kiss my Ken doll. That's perhaps another post.

The point is: I wanted a sister, but didn't really know what to do with one and then I moved out when she was 6. Now she's 20.

With my nephew, you can just play and yell and he thinks you're awesome. With a girl, if you play and yell, they cry. (Just ask my sister.) So I need advice. I don't want my new niece to hate me. Words of wisdom?

PS - go to my sister-in-law's new blog, admire the adorableness of my nephew and vote for Reagan as the new baby name. I think that this whole thing will be a lot easier for me if her name were Reagan.