Snips and snails...

.. and puppy dog tails. That's what boys are made of? There's a hell of a lot more to it than that.

Today, Gavin James Huber turns 8. I had no idea how different this first nephew would be than the two nieces I already had. He is my first little guy, so there was a learning curve. For example, I'm not allowed to hug or kiss him in public. He'd actually prefer I not do it anywhere people might see, including his house. I need to ASK before hugging in case it might mess with his macho image. But when he says yes or hugs and cuddles with me, you know it's magic. It usually only happens when he's tired or when he's in trouble with the parents, but it still makes me feel like a pretty big deal to him ... it also helps me to think of THAT Gavin when he's head butting me. I baby him. I can't help it. It's what the women in my family do with our boys.

I wasn't exactly sure how to handle this boy child. I had two nieces and most of my friends had girl babies, so eight years ago things got interesting. I learned the fundamentals... point it DOWN in the diaper, shield his face from the stream while giving him a bath... shield my face from the stream while giving him a bath.


Gavin was just interested in totally different stuff than his older sisters. We made roads out of jelly beans on my living room floor so we could drive our little matchbox cars around. Or rather, he could drive them because he never seemed to think I got it right. We chased birds. That was one of his things. He'd try to catch birds and then stomp his feet when he couldn't. We'd check under rocks for roly-poly’s. And we'd dig in the dirt for no apparent reason besides there was dirt and it needed to be dug.

Gavin also loved hair when he was little. I could lay him on the floor and tickle his face with my hair and he would go crazy. He particularly liked a good pony tail. He'd get so excited and pull it and squeal. I cut my hair off once when he was about two, and he would just stare at me with such a sad little face and then feel the back of my head for my hair and shrug at me when he couldn't find it.


He is also quite the lady's man. His best and most beloved girlfriend is Ashtan... one of his 15 year old sister's best friends. She usually has a pretty great ponytail.

Gav is one of those kids who just seems naturally good at most things. I know I'm biased, but it's true. He certainly gets none of that from me. He's right handed, but bats right AND left (don't think his dad isn't loving THAT). He's even a left-handed golfer (yes, dad digs that, too). He's pretty tall (again, not Auntie Lisa, more like 6'5" daddy and 5'9" mommy) and naturally agile. The kid can run and throw and hit and dribble. He's also so damn smart that he's easily bored.

And he's disgusting. I honestly think he does things intentionally to shock and gross me out. He's rough and aggressive and competitive. He doesn't want to sit and read a book with me. He doesn't want tea parties like Sydnee does. To be honest, I'm pretty thankful I don't have to change Barbie's dress for him, doing that for the three girls has been plenty.

The poor guy is growing up with 3 sisters and he's crazy protective of them. I pity any dude who thinks he's going to date one of Gav's women. But I really feel sorry for any girls who think she is going to break Gav's heart. Hell hath no fury like Maddy, Delaney and Sydnee when someone messes with their brothers. Nevermind his mom, grandma, and aunts.

Gavin has a huge heart and can't stand for anyone being left out. He worries that I live alone and has offered several times for me to move into his basement. He fights at a maddening rate with Sydnee and then five minutes later is helping her get a glass of milk. He holds and feeds and loves Landon. He'll follow Delaney around, although he won't admit that's what he's doing. He loves just sitting by Maddy on the couch and watching TV or playing a video game. He's an all around good guy with just enough mischievousness to keep him interesting.

He's too big for me to carry... too tall... too smart... too Gavin. Almost perfect with a tiny streak of hell.