Baby Love

Ella loves her baby. The other day, I even heard her say to Baby, “Wuv you, Baby. Wuv you, Baby.” Baby is like our second child. (Third, if you count Katy.) She goes everywhere with us. (Which is more than I can say for Katy.) And Baby is even now part of the naptime and bedtime routine. As well as Baby’s pillow and Baby’s taggie. How could Baby sleep without them?

I wonder how much nature vs. nurture factors in to Ella's love of baby. Many of the boys her age are obsessed with cars, trucks and trains -- anything with wheels. Don’t get me wrong, Ella likes her school bus and the few cars she does have, but could take them or leave them. And the car usually isn’t the sole object of play, she’s filling it up with people and animals.

On the other hand, I notice that the things I point out to her on walks and in daily life tend to be pretty flowers, cute dogs and yes, babies in strollers. I realize that if she were a boy, I’d probably be focusing more on cars, trucks and planes. So, I try to make a conscious effort to interest her in a variety of objects, and not just the “girly” ones. But if she grows up to be a gardener, dog owner and mother, I wouldn’t complain.