If the Shoe fits

So I guess I’ve been in a bit of denial for quite some time. Is it still considered denial if you don’t know about it? 

Anyway, just about two years ago, I went with Heather to her second ultrasound. This was the one where they were going to tell us if our baby was a he or a she. I have to admit, I was hoping for a girl. I’m pretty sure Heather was, too. So when the technician confirmed there was no stem on the apple, we were pretty excited.

And for the past 18 months, I’ve been doing pretty well being the daddy of a girl. But to be fair, I don’t think there really is that much difference, at this point. Seriously. When we go out, she gets her hair in pony tails and wears the occasional dress. But for the most part, the only difference in her pajamas and daily wear is that the hue tends to lean toward pink.

All the development – the speaking, the walking, the learning – is not at all gender-based; a book is a book, not a girl’s book. And for the most part, even her toys are pretty generic. Sure, she has a doll or two, but she really doesn’t play with them any more or less than any other toy. Unlike the current political scene, you wouldn’t be able to point out sexism at our house. And I guess that’s why I was in my unknown shell of denial.

The role of being the Daddy of a girl hasn’t actually set in, yet. And this has nothing to do with “the talk” that will be completely handled by Heather. I’m really not sure when it is supposed to set in. I’m not sure when the whole thing will click and I can say to myself, “Yep, she’s a girl.” But one thing is for certain, Heather is trying to make that happen faster than I would like.

I suppose that makes sense, though. She’s probably the polar opposite of me. She’s probably thinking “Let’s go. Let’s get the girl-thang going!” And she’s been working on it since that little fuzzy picture gave us the news.

She can’t go into Target without coming out with some sort of pink or flowered-covered top, pants, pajamas, socks and/or shoes. She’ll tell me what a screaming deal it was and I just nod. Of course most of these items are for 6 months to a year down the road. She’s buying ahead, you see… But at the rate she’s going, she’ll have picked out Finley’s high school graduation dress by next spring.

And yes, everything is adorable. And yes, she looks adorable in it. But if you were to ask Finley – and if she were able to answer you so you could understand – she’d say, “Forget the clothes, I’m all about the shoes!”

That’s right. Finley is a shoe freak. I’m prone to say it’s all about accessibility; she likes the fact she has the power to put them on and take them off. Heather will say it’s a girl thing. Either way, we can barely go ten minutes without Finley fiddling with the shoes she currently has on or diving head-first into the basket of shoes near the front door.

And I’m here to tell you… the kid has more shoes than I do. Not quite as many as Heather, but it’s pretty much the Imelda Marcos starter kit.

WHY does she have so many shoes? It’s all about buying ahead. She may not fit into all her shoes… yet. But she will. Or should I say, she better? Needless to say, I think we pretty much have her second birthday outfit planned out… complete with shoes.

Which makes me think… Maybe I can start buying things ahead. I KNOW I’ll probably lose a box or two of golf balls between now and next summer. Check. Oh, and the clubs I’m using will wear out in a few years, I’m sure. But we all know the truth. I’ll be snorkeling the nearest driving range pond and playing with rusty sticks before Heather lets me get in the way of the Finley shoe cartel.

So, I’ll be sitting here, in my own little Foot Locker, helping the Little Miss put on and take off all her shoes. I guess if that’s all I have to deal with – for now – for having a daughter, then I’m okay with a ballet shoe in one hand and Finley’s foot in the other.