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It's funny to think back now, to our pre-children days and the plans that we made. Because we were  so sure back then that we had a future full of boys. I liked the idea of a daughter, but just didn't see it in our future really, and both Rich and I pictured a life full of boisterous play, football training and cute little boys becoming handsome young men.

As I said, I liked the idea of a daughter, someone to share girlier moments with (although we don't really do girly-girly in this house), someone who Rich may get to walk down the aisle some day, someone who I may get to help through those days as a mother herself... but I just didn't think that was going to be us. It wasn't that I didn't want it, I just didn't expect it, and I was happy with the prospect of being the girl in a house full of boys.


So when our beautiful girl came into the world, I was beyond surprised. Thrilled, but a little shocked. A girl...? Were they sure? For us...? 

I felt like being a girl mummy was going to be a steep learning curve, for someone who felt born to be a boy-mama. And Rich had grown up surrounded by boys, with a little brother, all male cousins and going to boys' school. Were we up to the job of raising a little lady? It felt like a big responsibility too, because there seems to be so much pressure on girls these days, and how was I supposed to navigate that? Boys are simpler creatures and on the whole, all my experience teaching little boys had shown me that what you see is what you get with boys. And girls just seemed so much more complicated... Like little women from day one.


And honestly...? I was right! Girls are more complex, and boys are more simplistic. While our beautiful boy has a very black and white view of things, is eager to please, and friends with everyone he meets; his little sister sees all those colours inbetween, is a total free spirit dancing to her own tune, and is discerning about who she likes and who she doesn't.

And as much as I always expected to be the boy-mummy, felt like that was going to be 'my thing'; two and a half years in I can say with my hand on my heart, that I wouldn't have missed out on being this girl's mummy for anything in the universe.


We were blessed with the absolute perfect package of girl for our family; she's loud, she's messy, she's stubborn and so strong-willed, she's independent and brave, but also shy at times. She can play the fairy and the ballerina one minute, then throw herself into a muddy puddle with a grubby face and scarecrow hair the next minute. 

In truth she's a wild thing, not really ours, but her own... and I love, love, love that about her. 

My inner hippy runs free in this little one, unedited and untamed. My creative flair runs deep in her too. And my stubborn streak. And so does her daddy's rebellious nature and cheeky way of getting away with murder. 


And I hope that crazy spirit that lives in her so loudly is never quietened, because while she can push all our buttons some days; she knows what she wants and she isn't afraid of that, she won't be walked over and she lives for the moment. And I would like a little more of that myself if I'm honest. 

This little lady just brings us all so much joy that it seems crazy that we didn't really see her in our futures. She's cute and hilarious, such a true mixture of her daddy and her mummy, that she enchants both sides of the family and has Rich and I cringing/smiling/despairing in recognition. She is a  contrast to her big brother; one that challenges him and hero worships him in equal measure. And we can't wait to see her in her new role as big sister, because we just know it will be another chance for her to shine... because she's just going to rock it, just because she is her.


13 comments

  1. What a gorgeous little bundle! It's great watching them grow up and have traits from both of you. x

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  2. Oh Lucy this post almost made me cry and what beautiful words you have wrote for your gorgeous little girl. I am grateful to say I know her, she is truly amazing. She will love reading this when she is older. Just lovely hunny.

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  3. Oh Lucy, this is absolutely beautiful. She's going to treasure this one day.

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  4. She is gorgeous! Girls are definitely more complex than boys though LOL! x

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  5. Lovely post. Totally understand what you mean about expecting to be a 'boy mum' - I can't ever imagine anything else right now!

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  6. I love this post. How beautiful. You've written this so well and she is an amazing little girl. I love that you day she is her own.... moments like that are what I live for as a Mama, that they are destined for greatness and we're just privileged to be a part in the story. Stunning photos xxx may you never change Beautiful Girl xx

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  7. This is beautiful. And I get what you mean about being a 'boy mum', although sort of from a different angle in that I didn't imagine myself with two boys. I always saw myself with a boy and a girl or two girls. I love being a boy mum now though xx

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  8. Hahah. I feel like such a girl mum. So Parker is my learning curve! Gorgeous picture. BG is looking so pretty and grown up x

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  9. Beautiful beautiful words, I could have written most of this this week.
    When I had Grayson I could not imagine ever having girls, wanting boys and lots of them was my dream, but without my little girl life would have been missing a large chunk.
    She is me, she is my best friend, the only female in the world who will always hold her Daddys heart, we will make so many happy memories together, there is something so special about our little girls xx

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  10. I'm so glad you've written this, Lucy, because so much of it resonates with me... My girls drive me insane sometimes, yet there are times too when I look at their raw, untamed personalities and wish I was a little more like them. I love being a Mama to girls... Yes, it's crazy, yes, ts an emotional rollercoaster, but oh boy is it worth every second. Gorgeous pictures of your little hippy chick!

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  11. AWWW this is just lovely. What a wonderful girl you have and I love the free spiritied inner hippy description, girls really are so complicated. My Z is always happy go lucky and will accept anything and is friends with everyone. My niece is so much more complex in her character. I grew up with two brothers and no sisters and find looking after boys a lot simpler. I'm not quite sure what I'd do if I had a girl :)

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  12. We have two girls and one boy, and I have to agree that the boy is a lot "easier." I always thoughts it was a myth, but it's so clear to me (through my own children, nieces / nephew's, and friend's children) how boys and girls are just innately different all the way to their very cores. You have a beautiful, beautiful little girl here. :)

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  13. Aww she's absolutely adorable and she's going to be the perfect big sister as a great counterpoint to her big brother - lucky new baby will always have someone who gets them!

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