top of page
Writer's pictureLeanne Menzo

Crack

Dear Addie,


When I became a mom, I had no idea just how many hats I would own. I know what you’re thinking, that’s weird, because I truly only own like two baseball hats, but that’s not what I’m talking about. These hats are random skills that come into play periodically or “at the drop of a hat!”


See what I did there?! I had to.


I think it’s pretty fair to say that I have a solid collection thus far. Now for starters, I will always have my mama hat, but I’m fortunate enough to have acquired some other cool styles along the way. For example, a chef’s (or should I say a short-order cook’s) hat rather? I can basically make tacos and mac ‘n cheese at lightning speed - dare I say even in my sleep at a moment’s notice. A plumber’s hat - the amount of plunging and snaking of toilets I have done due to the untimely demise for some of your Fischer Price little people is really quite extreme. A nurse’s hat – shhhhhhh, it’s a secret but all mommy and daddy’s hold a bit of magic to make almost all boo-boos feel better – true story! And probably one of my favorites and always a crowd pleaser in this home, my Sherlock Holmes hat – I can basically find anything that has been lost around here.

You may be wondering where this is all going, but here’s the thing baby girl, when you own so many hats you never know just when or where a situation may arise that a quick change may be in play, which brings me to this week.


It started off like every other Monday as we were off to Occupational Therapy…

It’s always the same, creature of habit as we head to use the restroom before you begin your session. Everything was going as usual until we went to exit the restroom and that’s when it all happened – a hat change was about to take place.


You grabbed my hand and immediately shoved it in your mouth. From previous experience of you getting popcorn in your teeth, I felt confident you weren’t just hungry and savagely trying to eat my hand. I pulled my hand away and tried to ask if something was stuck in your tooth, again not uncommon…


No reply.


You once again just grabbed my hand and shoved it back into your mouth. Standing in the restroom doorway now Ms. Brigid, your OT, had come over to see what was going on. I opened your mouth a bit wider and noticed a tooth was coming down and you seemed rather annoyed, not showing signs of pain at all just straight up annoyance for the little tooth below it. Ok then, dentist hat on… and go!


With a lack of grip on your drooly tiny tooth, I grabbed a paper towel to get a dryer grip. I tried to wiggle it the best I could and it barely wobbled. Not exactly a tooth I’d coin ready to come out. After trying to explain to you it’s not ready and you repeatedly shoving my hand back in your mouth, I decided you really wanted this out!


With a couple of deep breaths and getting a fresh grip, I pulled back and heard the first crack, I pulled my hand out and reiterated it wasn’t quite ready. Grabbing my hand again and inserting it back in your mouth I thought “ok I guess you really want this out” and are all in on making this happen. I reclaimed my grasp and pulled back again - crack!


Honestly, I don’t get queasy at much but I was extra tired from insomnia the night before and these cracks were nauseatingly loud. I pulled back one more time - crack! And it was out. You reached down to my hand to see the tiny tooth finally out, stuck your tongue up where it used to reside, and then happily bounced on your way like nothing happened. Brigid and I looked at each other like “well, that just happened.”



I’m not gonna lie Ad, the dentist hat isn’t my favorite look on me, but I’m glad it’s part of my wardrobe when needed.


So yeah, that happened.


Love,

Mom

140 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page