Just kidding, I promise not to write a list with 8 million points.
But I could, if I wanted to, about my daughter.
Up until the moment, at 34 years of age, that I decided that yes, I would like to have a baby – I never really thought that I would have a baby.
Becoming a parent wasn’t really on my agenda up until that point, I hadn’t carefully planned the process and like many of us mums, learned how to be a parent on the fly.
When I first got pregnant and had my son, I read every single book, article, watched every TV show and listened to every parenting slot on the radio – I needed to learn what to do, and fast!
By the time I got pregnant for the second time, and gave birth to a little girl – I already knew how to become a parent but then with two small kids in tow – I learned how to become a MUM.
Here are all the things I absolutely love about being mum to baby Eva:
1. She’s a Bad Ass
Despite the fact that she was exactly the same weight as her brother when she was born, she just seemed a little bit tougher from Day 1. She had a pretty serious look in her eye that day and now at almost age 2, she seriously does not take any shit from anyone (especially not her brother).
2. She’s a Dancer
At a particular time every day – just before dinner – Eva will point to the radio and stand strong in the middle of the room until she gets what she’s looking for: MUSIC. In Grandad’s house, she wants Jack L; in our house, it’s Bob Marley. Great taste in music and a GREAT dancer to boot.
3. I Get To Teach Her About Being A Woman
Being responsible for raising a girl in this world is both terrifying and thrilling. I hope to really teach her about self-love, preservation and perseverance, and to aspire to great, great heights if that’s what her heart desires. The journey ahead is so exciting.
4. She Knows The Housework Is Bullshit
Eva may only be two but she somehow seems to get that I need to take a load off from time to time. I can be sweeping the floor or washing the dishes and she will come, take my hand and lead me to a chair to ‘Sit, mammy’. I can’t wait until she invents magical, invisible house cleaning fairies – it’s gonna happen.
5. She Makes Her Brother So Happy
I may have been slightly unsure about having one child but I was REALLY unsure about having two! A very good friend said when she was born, ‘You’ve given Jacob the best present you ever could – a sibling!’ – and she was right. The love he has for his little sister is inherent and a joy to behold.
6. Her Dad Melts Around Her
Something changed in my other half when Eva was born – he softened a little bit. There is nothing like a little girl to grasp her daddy’s attention (heartstrings AND wallet) and hold on fast. He is doomed – DOOMED!
7. She’s Not Into Dress-up
For now, my little one is slightly allergic to dresses and hair bobbins or clips. We’ve gently introduced them to her and she has (not so) politely told us to shove them. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me because A) I don’t have to wrestle with hairstyles and gúnas and braids yet, and B) she clearly is very determined in what she likes and doesn’t like. My little legend.
8. She Gives Zero F*cks
Maybe this is a second child ‘thing’, but she is not interested in my instruction, requests or attempts at being the one in charge. If ever I give out to Jacob, he is pretty devastated straight away – Eva? Not so much. In fact, she just laughs at me outright.
Baby: 1
Mammy: Nil
What do you love about your little girls? Tell us in the comments on Facebook.
