Even before being a mom was truly on my radar, I was #BoyMom through and through. When we found out we were pregnant, I was hoping for a boy. Again, the second time, I thought, “Please be a boy!” Turns out I got my wish both times. After a few years as a boy mom and finding out we were pregnant a third time, my tune changed and I thought, “Pleaaaase can I have a girl now. I have two boys; I am good with #BoyMom now!” Once again, I got lucky and my wish was granted. So now as my daughter begins her second year of life, I got to thinking: in my experience, boys and girls could not be more different! So here are the lessons my sweet, easy going, opinionated, spit fire of a daughter has taught me. 

What My Daughter Has Taught This #Boymom

1. Girls mean business. Sister girl knows what she wants, and has from day one. Thirteen months into parenting a girl, and this continues to surprise me. She had the “no head shake” down by 11 months. Started to point to things and tell you a story by seven months. She knows what she wants and she does not waver. It just depends on how long it takes us to pin down her request as to how sassy she gets.
2. Girls hit a new pitch of loud. All my kids are loud, but my daughter lets you have it at a decibel level I’d never heard before. 
3. Such a Mama’s girl. It was touch and go in those first six months on if she actually liked her daddy. Even to this day, “ma” is her go-to lady. I love it, I really do, but sometimes I sure wish she’d ask her daddy to “Up. Up. UP!“
4. Sister is tough. Not much phases her physically. She hops up and keeps on keeping on. 
5. But on the flip side, Sister takes things personally. She is physically tough, but she gets her feelings hurt very easily. I’ve seen her cry harder from my husband telling her not to get in the dog food than when she falls off a stool. 
6. Girls are girly. I know this seems silly. But I continue to be surprised at how drawn she is to babies and purses and hats and necklaces. Things that my boys rarely looked at twice. And she is so proud of herself for carrying them around. I cannot wait to see where this maternal nature takes her! 

Girls are fun! I can already see so much fun that will be had between us two, and I am so thankful for this little girl who made me a girl mama! I can’t wait for pedicure dates, stories and friends, crushes, and all the fun in between. I know that we will hit those years where I am her least favorite person, but I also know on the other side we will come out best friends forever. I know that she knows she can call me any time for anything and mommy is always there. No matter how old you are, you always need your mom. Baby girl: I’ll always be there to dust you off when you fall, wipe your little tears when you’re sad; I’ll jump up and down with you and act a fool when you’re excited. You, little girl, have taught me so much in your first year of life. I just know I will end up wiser for knowing and loving you.