Admit it: Wearing makeup can be fun!

Miss Dub is helping me love my gender.

It's not that I haven't always been proud to be a woman, it's just that I grew up in a generation where it wasn't cool to admit you liked being a girl. It had nothing to do with sexism or an inferiority complex - by the 80s, we were struttin' our equality with little opposition. But for some reason, at least among my various social circles, you had to hate "girlie girls" - otherwise known as "high maintenance chicks" or "oysters," as Mr. Dub inexplicably calls them. Whatever the term, you lived your life in fear of being considered one of them or having any of their characteristics. Which is why for years I lied about getting ready in 15 minutes when it actually took me 25 - all because I didn't want to lose my position as an easygoing gal.

Here was a common exchange among girls at my high school: "Girls are so ___________" (insert phrase from following: caddy, spineless, clueless, superficial, rude, ignorant, obnoxious).

Mrs. Jay and I were particularly fond of the phrase, "Girls would sell each other out for a 7-11 hot dog."

And, well, there is some truth to it. Sadly, a lot of girls would back stab each other for the slightest chance with the high school hottie. (And, yes, I do hate that word.) There is a lot of gossiping and superficiality, especially in those woeful teenage years. But boys aren't that much better at the same age. Yet, among most of my friends (pre-motherhood) it was the norm to insist that you wanted ALL boys. Which is fine if that's the genetic card you're dealt, but the theory was girls are nothing but a bundle of hormones and uncontrollable hair flipping, and that's just not true.

Girls are great. Girls are sensitive and sweet. Girls are smart and competent.

Boys are pretty awesome, too. Dare I say, equally so.

And while I hope Miss Dub doesn't pursue a shallow existence, I won't mock her if she sometimes squeals in girlie delight over a favorite movie star. And I won't tell her she's dumb if she insists on getting her hair just right before heading out. I won't tell her that her inherent feminine qualities are any less or more than her male counterparts.

I'll tell her I love her.

I'll tell her it's great to be a girl.



Feeling all girlie and gooey inside? Go here for more along these lines ...

HTT - Baby Boy Edition

There are several reasons I'm glad that my Miss Dub is a girl. (And, no, I'm not sexist, it's just that I think all mothers are partial to whatever gender they get first. Now, get back in the kitchen, Mr. Dub!)

First, I loOove little girl clothes. So much so that I'm seriously hoping our next one is another girl so that I can call Miss Dub's extensive wardrobe an investment. Little boy stuff is improving, but can you beat a pink dress, matching cardigan and Mary Janes?

Second, I am a girl. I have girl parts. I do not know how to care for boy parts. Changing a boy diaper makes me a little nervous because I'm a little unsure of the proper wiping method for something I don't have myself.

Which brings me to our Hot Topic: Circumcision.

I'm not going to go into details here, people. Even though I am generally inappropriate, upfront and in-ya-face, I don't really want to give a lecture on foreskin. I think you all get the gist. In essence: To snip or not to snip?

I kind of always assumed we would if we have a boy, since our families did with their sons and since it seems to be a cultural norm among Americans - 60 percent opt for it, and that figure is even higher in the demographics we belong to.

But it's not medically necessary, though there are some benefits, like less likelihood of developing a urinary tracts infection and making said parts easier to clean. But the risk of a UTI for any male, circumcised or not, is less than one percent, and cleaning under the hood works just as well. So the perks are minimal.

Plus, it's kind of a painful experience, not to mention a pricey one. Lots of insurance companies don't cover the procedure any more, and most doctors don't encourage it, at least around here.

So I can't say what I'll ultimately decide if I ever produce male offspring. (And I hope I do, though did I mention how great little girls are?)

But what are your thoughts?

If you have boys, are they circumcised? How did you make that decision?

If you don't, how cute are little girl's clothes?

Like, totally, huh?