Why didn’t someone tell me?

Yeah. Long post, with silly story, and not very many pictures. Proceed with caution.

This little girl thing, is all new to me. (still).

With Lorelei’s first birthday approaching, I knew we needed to do some serious shopping for her very first baby doll.

I had no.idea.it.was.going.to.be.so.difficult.

Apparently I had years of walking past the little baby girl doll section anxiety.

And when we finally went down, I was a tad bit overwhelmed with joy. I was so excited to finally be buying all this baby doll pink goodness! And apparently I was feeling a little bit of pressure. And apparently (I realized this later) I wanted to find the perfect little doll, for my sweet little girl to love and cherish the rest of her life. (No high expectations here!) I had talked to friends and family, I was finally ready to make this big purchase, I had been looking forward to since becoming a parent.

We walked up and down, taking dolls off of shelves, looking at their faces, trying to find one you could put a bottle in the mouth (a big requirement for me) but whose face was not a funny puckered mouth, I wanted one that was beautiful looking, with soft body, and I am embarrassed to admit, the list goes on. After a few minutes of examining them, I chose out a few that I thought she was going to love.

I’d seen her previously interact with a few dolls at friends and families houses, and she always lit right up. But as I was introducing these perfect dolls to her, there was a baby belle doll on the shelf behind, and to the right of me. When we first came down the aisle, she saw it and reached out for it. But I had a list, and quickly dismissed that doll, as unacceptable, it didn’t meet enough of ‘my criteria’. But now, seeing her desires I reluctantly added this baby doll to the selection. And there was NO CONTEST. She LOVED that doll from the sight of it. She grabbed it immediately, and started to love it and squeal.

And later as I reflected, I yet again, realized how easy it is as a parent to let my feelings, thoughts, and emotions, overpower what my child wants and needs. It was a powerful (and a little bit silly) reminder.

And now, I am happy to say, I love the doll too…but not nearly as much as I love my sweet little daughter..