[yossarian]

You can't think of any terms of endearment that aren't related to size or gender?

In this case I doubt the words themselves are what will affect your child, but rather what the choice of word says about your internal attitude.

Ask yourself why you chose those words.. how do you really see your son? The answer to this question is far more important than your actual choice of words. I think your choice of words can be indicative of your own mental concepts which will be transmitted to your child no matter what you do.

Realize that you can't hide who you really are from your child - I mean that in the sense that it is literally impossible no matter how hard you try. Children are instinctually programmed to be able to read their parents like a book. Children are also programmed to automatically absorb every action, mannerism, word, and attitude that you have. Your choice of words is far less important than who you are as a core person.

This includes him absorbing your true opinion and view of him. So if you think of your son as a "little man" he will know it regardless of the words you use.

Personally I think it's wrong to imprint some sort of gender identity on him by using adjective nicknames. Most humans prefer to be called by their own unique name and not by a generic nickname.