My Daughter Has 'Big Girl Envy'

My two-year-old daughter Belle idolizes her big cousin Sophie, who's eight.

She morphs into Sophie's shadow whenever they get together, mimicking her like Marcel Marceau.

Belle has pictures of Sophie everywhere in our house, and loves to look at them. It's gotten to the point where we point to a picture and ask Belle, "Who's that?"

She'll say, "SOPH-ie!" Then we'll point to her other cousin, Lucas, and say, "Who's that?"

Belle will say, "Not Sophie." Then we'll point to Belle in the picture and say, "Who's that?"

Belle says, "Not Sophie."

Belle and I were at the library the other day and we saw two older girls playing in the kids area. "BIG GIRLS!" Belle exclaimed gleefully. One of them had the same name as Belle. "Hey Belle, that big girl has the same name as you," I said. The big girl smiled at Belle during my informal quasi-introduction. "Her name is Isabella," I said. "What's your name?"

"Fun!" Belle replied. Maybe she thought I was asking for her middle name.

She loves playing with her big girl cousins' Disney dolls, too. Her favorite is the one she calls "Sleeping Booty." Belle is enthralled when her Aunt Jessie comes to town with her sweet-smelling hair products, makeup and chic purses. That's when Belle gets to wear lip gloss and walk around in oversized heels--what could be more fun than that?

Belle also looks up to Aunt Jessie's fiance', David, who for some reason she calls "Max." I say, "No-no, Belle, his name is David."

"Hi MAX!" she deadpans.

I guess the moral is, we all need someone to look up to, especially when your daddy can't afford Prada.

Up Next: How the Miracle Blanket Saved My Marriage

Sincerely,
Chris

Copyright Christopher Hollenback, 2006, all rights reserved.