Progeny androgyny.

I know you're wondering why there are two Daphne-with-Santa-Claus photos up right now, especially 'cause we all know that this is Daphne's first Christmas.  Well, the first one is Daphne's boyfriend who just happens to look a lot like her and the second one is Daphne.  You see, Daphne's boyfriend is with her quite often.  He hangs around our apartment in blue or green sleepers.  He's often with her on runs to the grocery store sporting a pair of blue jeans and a baggy sweater.  Pretty much he's with her whenever Daphne's not in a super girly outfit.  You know why?  Because he IS Daphne -- he's the Daphne that everyone loves to compliment when we're out and about. "Oh, what a cute boy.  How old is he?" "Now isn't he just precious!"  "Is he your first?"  It doesn't matter that she has pink stroller toys, or that the blanket covering her is pink.  They see the outfit, they see that she's not in a dress and they've convinced themselves that my little angel is a boy.  Dave and I are used to it now, we actually go out of our way to see how many people will comment on our little guy.

Well, fast-forward to November when I started thinking of Daphne's first picture with Santa.  I started looking online for ideas on what to dress her up in.  I found this amazing red and black plaid dress with white sweater combo, white tights and shiny black shoes; it was the perfect Christmas outfit.  Of course, it was already sold out and only available online (now I know for next year.)  So I moved on to my next idea.  We bought a super cute fair isle sweater from Joe Fresh.  It was cream with reindeer on it and red accents.  We put it on with a pair of blue jeans and a red toque.

We made our way to the mall all excited about one more 'baby's first' to check off our list.  So we get in line.  In front of us was this darling little 8 month old girl.  She's in a little dress/sweater combo with a headband.  She was obviously a girl.  So then I start talking to her parents when one of them peeks into our stroller to see our little baby.  "And how old is he?" "SHE is 6 months old," I reply.  "Oh...sorry."  Then behind us comes another baby (this time a boy) and his grandmother looks at Daphne, "Oh, isn't he cute!"  "Yeah, thanks."  Then they spot the little girl in front of Daphne who's now sitting on Santa's lap, "Bob, look at that little girl!  Isn't she just the cutest little girl you've ever seen!"


So then we take Daphne up, sit her on Santa's lap (actually Dave did, which is why you'll notice that the toque is resting on top of her head, giving the illusion that our little peach has the world's biggest noggin.)  The photographer (if you can call the 16 year old girl taking the pictures a photographer) starts taking pictures while another teenager asks us what package we'd like.  It's so typical -- they ask you to pick your package before you get to see the picture so that they can get as much money out of you as possible.  Being first-time parents we get one of the most expensive packages (the one that includes the CD so that you can print off a million copies for friends and family.)  Then you pay and finally they give you the package.  So I take the photo out, take one good look at it and give Dave the look.  The Eve's-having-buyer's-remorse look.  The same look I give him when we go out for dinner and I see that what he ordered looks better than what I ordered.  That look.  Before I can even take a breath he says "No, Eve.  We're not taking another picture.  It's a mall Santa picture, it's supposed to look bad."  "But it's Daphne's first picture with Santa and it has to be perfect.  Everyone else's Santa pictures are going to be awesome and ours is going to suck." Now Dave knows better than to argue with someone who can't be reasoned with, hence the second (obviously girly) Santa picture.  Happy holidays!