Nine Months: Nature or Nuture?

Green Polo shirt and fancy sunglasses. Picard or Dior?

Vrooom. Vrooom. Go faster Momma!

Can I sneak in a 9 month post nine days before Alexa turns 10 months old? Oh good. I've been mulling on this one for awhile and feel a need to write it down before moving on to other subjects. This past month has really made me ponder the age old question of how much nature impacts a child's development versus the developmental impact of how a child is nurtured by her parents. I suppose it's natural to look at your child and see your own personality traits reflected back at you, but adoption adds a weird twist to that formula. Genetically, we got nothing. But I tell you, it's uncanny how much I see Picard and myself in Alexa's caramel-hazel eyes.

Yeah Mom. Daddy's watching me.

Alexa has many nicknames, but one of my favorites is Al jr. She is most definitely a Daddy's girl in training. God could have pulled the core of Alexa's personality straight from the same mold he used to make Picard. She is so easy going, laid back and friendly. She loves to deconstruct things. I've heard folklore that Picard was known to dismantle a toy or two when he was younger. The girl can bang a computer keyboard like nobody's business. Future IT nerd, anybody? She just loves books. I've lost count of how many times I've heard that Picard could read at 3 years old. Finally, just to drive my point home, one of her favorite toys is a dollar bill from her pretty learning purse. My favorite Picard fable is the story of Momma Pat telling Al she would be staying home with him and his brother, rather than working. Picard's response? "What, only one income!?!?!?!" Yep, I said when Alexa was only a few days old, she's got her mind on her money and her money on her mind.

Hair that matches my dress? Sweet!

At the same time that she's Daddy's girl, she's got some personality traits that are wholly and completely Dior. Alexa has no fear. NO fear. She's a world class risk taker. (Momma Sharp, feel free to elaborate on how many times I almost killed myself as a kid with my reckless risk taking.) She now bathes in the big girl tub. She insists on wading on her tummy and repeatedly dunks her face in the water. She comes up coughing, shakes her head, laughs and does it again. I really think we could throw her in a pool and she'd swim. Y'all know that did not come from Picard. Standard peek-a-boo is not her fare. You have to yell BOO really loud at a level that would send most kids straight to tears. Not to mention her absolute love of bright colors and sparkle. I know. I know. You're probably thinking all kids like color, Miss Dior. But Alexa will practically break out of her stroller if you show her brightly colored clothes or sparkly shoes. Finally, Alexa loves to study people and is a world class mimic. I'm not so good at the sound making, but I like to think my ability to read and assess people's personalities is one of my natural gifts.

Either way. Nature. Nurture. We're just love watching Alexa grow and her personality blossom. I choose to believe that Alexa is our baby and God sent her through someone else to be a part of our family. It's kind of a controversial concept if you think about it. I can't help what my heart knows is true, even if my mind says it's just a pretty idea.

Maybe I think YOU have an attitude! You're just jealous of my fanciness!

This is art? Ok. I yike it!
(Alexa has a babble phrase that she uses daily that sounds just like, "I yike it.")