A study in sass.

And lots of it.

My niece. “The Girl” as I call her. (Disclaimer – now there are 2 nieces and I love them both very much. The first born niece is the subject of this entry).

I should warn you now that my opinions about her are extremely biased. I think that she is the cutest, sweetest, most sassy little girl in the entire world. Or damn close to it.

First of all, we were all praying for a girl. My sister already had 2 boys. I love playing football, baseball, and soccer with them. But there is nothing like having that little girl influence around. I was sick in bed the day my sister found out that she was having a girl. I did a celebration dance before collapsing back under the covers.

My sister had a problematic pregnancy which made the actual day of birth seem like it was taking years and not months. So, as the big day approached, I celebrated by getting sick again. Really, horribly sick. My sister saved my life the day before The Girl was born by pouring liquid Advil down my throat to get my fever to reduce (she’s a nurse, lucky for me).

Well, the next day The Girl was here. I kind of remember hearing my parents talking about it as I was lying on their couch waving in and out of consciousness. I smiled. I was pleased. Everything was fine with her birth and The Girl was ready and waiting to come home. I was ready for her to come home (after taking several antibiotics and tons of Advil) and for my sister to come home.

As they walked in the door, my sister looked as she had when she walked in after her first two were born. Bubs and Zabb. Nicknames, of course. She has amazing children – every single one of them.

When they put the little transporter pod thing down, I glimpsed that Girl for the first time. Oooo. She’s got a fat little face! And long legs. And long arms. And tired little eyes that were shut tight.

She was passed around the immediate family members until it was my turn to hold her. I took her and once she settled down, I looked into her little eyes that had opened up into little slits. I smiled. She closed her eyes. What a bonding experience.

I think that may have been the last time that she stood still. She has grown into such a special little girl. Her birthday is in May and she will be turning 5. She loves to sing and dance. She also loves to speak Spanish just like Dora the Explorer. She has a crush on that Diego character. We’ve spoken about it and we both agreed that they were too young for anything serious. Plus, she really shouldn’t get in the way of his career because he would only wind up resenting her for it. Sigh. Young love.

She has a beautiful way of looking into your eyes. Like she is trying to sneak a little bit of your soul out of you for her to keep with her. She has the sweetest way of talking to you IF you aren’t one of her brothers. If you happen to be one of her brothers she will love you unconditionally and smack you in the mouth if you piss her off. But she is so adorable doing it.

The best example that I can come up with to explain how wonderful The Girl really is has to be this one: At Christmas the kids were opening presents. They hit into the clothing first. The boys were complaining that they weren’t toys. The Girl opened a box with “Big girl” underwear and a pair of Dora the Explorer socks. Everyone looked and waited for her response. After she looked at them for a few seconds, she held them up and said, “They’re beauuuuuuuuutiful!!! Can I try them on?!”

What a Girl!