Two

Maureen turned two over a month ago, but due to some craziness in my life and the holidays, I hadn't written her a birthday letter until now. Here it is. Happy Belated Birthday!
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Dear Maureen,

Can I tell you a secret? Before you were born, I never saw myself as mother to a girl. When I found out I was pregnant, I quickly convinced myself that I was carrying another boy, and when the sonographer announced, "It's a girl!" I was completely shocked.

I think maybe I was afraid to have a girl. I don't consider myself to be a "girly-girl" and the idea of toys like Barbies and tea parties and dollhouses used to make me shudder. Then there is the self esteem issue with raising daughters, and the specter of the social aspect of being female. While boys have their own issues with friends and getting along with others, girls define themselves so much more by their friends than boys do. And having been one, I know that there are few things meaner than an adolescent girl.

As usual, you have proved that what I think I know about myself is sometimes wrong. I'm so thankful to be mother to a girl, and you continue to teach me that what makes someone special is more than being male or female.

In the past year, you learned to walk, feed yourself, jump, climb, and go down a slide by yourself. Your vocabulary continues to grow so quickly, I stopped writing down your new words and sentences six months ago. You have conquered your reservations about the steps, the wading pool and peanut butter. You continue to eat well and sleep well.

You are such a sweet and happy child, everyone who sees you comments on your sunny nature. I love how you smile at everyone, and I love how you spontaneously hug your brother and follow him around, copying everything he does.

As for those girls toys? Not a problem. We have plenty of baby dolls and dress up clothes, but you're no spoiled little princess. One minute, you have on a tutu, the next you are wearing a construction hat. You push your baby dolls in their stroller, then switch to playing John Deere tractor with Johnny. And with a farm-loving brother in the house, is it any wonder one of your first words was "tractor?" Ten years ago, the sight of a pink baby doll would have made me roll my eyes, but when I hear you say, "Oh! Baby is crying!" and then pat her back and soothe her, it makes me smile, because I can see the caring little girl you are becoming.

I'm still nervous about the teenage years, because your world will be much different than my world was when I was that age. But somehow, seeing your perseverance and independence and optimism in everything you do, I think you'll be just fine.

Happy Second Birthday, Baby Girl!

All My Love,
Mommy