Dear Addie,
We'd been waiting and waiting for months for this day to come with great anticipation. Then one day, unexpectedly, it just happened...you lost your first tooth! Yippie! Feels a little weird, doesn't it?
I'd be lying if I didn't say that ever since we realized you had sensory issues with teeth brushing we often wondered what this day would look like? Loosing teeth can be somewhat traumatic for many kids, so we weren't sure exactly what we should expect for you my dear.
We had become accustomed to seeing your shark-like rows of teeth in your beautiful grin. You see my dear, your big girl teeth were already growing in, and fully visible behind your baby teeth that had not fallen out yet. This made it look like you had two rows of teeth - like a shark! Therefore, we would jokingly refer to you as having shark teeth! Cue the theme from jaws...
The dentist assured us that there was plenty of room in your mouth and that the baby teeth would fall out when they were ready, but I'm not gonna lie, when you'd allow mommy or daddy to brush your teeth (maybe a wee bit harder in certain areas by design), we could see how loose the two front bottom teeth were - like really loose. But, they were not quite ready to come out. Shockingly, you weren't really in the mood to "go all in" on trying to get them out. So... gridlock. Shark teeth it is.
We obviously didn't stop trying, using every trick we had, but you were on to us. Any attempt to put fingers in there (just to get our wiggle wiggle on...) would be met with a tight lip - sealed tighter than Fort Knox.
You may not know this Addie, but I have been appointed the Menzo family official tooth puller (just ask Dad...) & I take my job very seriously. Primarily because I can't stand seeing teeth dangle around in ones mouth, especially not two front teeth at the same time. Super especially when the two teeth behind them are all in and just waiting for their time to shine!!!
I could always tell when you were pushing those little teeth around in your mouth. Did you like the feeling? The taste? Not exactly sure, but you did like wiggling them around - on your own!
Recently I noticed you actually tried to get one out yourself! You were trying so desperately to get your little fingers to grasp onto it just right, but your sloppy spitty, drooley mouth was just making the process a big, gross mess. Every time I saw my chance, I would swoop in and try to grab it, but my attempts would fail. Never a big fan of games like this, you would typically retreat to your room and close your door. Hard.
O k e y d o k i e. Not today (I would think.)
Knowing it was just barely hanging on, I started thinking about the "what ifs"... What if you swallowed it? You don't really comprehend the tooth fairy, so it is what it is if it just goes down the hatch. Would you struggle with the feeling of it missing? After all it's part of you. How would you do with that weird feeling we all have right after we loose a tooth? I've seen what happens when something you are strategically lining up gets disrupted...not pretty. How would you react to something you've had in your mouth pretty much your whole life just disappears? Probably not great...
One day, you were playing quietly upstairs, and I decided to check on you. I found you in Gabe's room - messing up all his stuff, just the way he loves you to. I noticed that it looked like you had something in your mouth.
***side note: you love the taste of metal so we have to be very careful with coins, paper clips and push pins...yes, I said push pins! Hands down one of the scariest things I pulled from your mouth!***
Anyway, I asked you to "spit it out" fearing it was something metal and sharp. I put my hand in front of your mouth, you leaned over, and there it was. It plopped out so gentle and sweet. I had a tiny white tooth into my hand!
Wait, what?!?! Did you just do this on your own? No struggle? No tears?
You literally just took out and then spit out your own tooth. Wow, impressive. And then? You went on your merry way!
Well that was easy!
Reaffirming our predictably unpredictable lives.
I've always felt that the official beginning of becoming a big girl is the losing what's left of the "baby" parts of you - your baby teeth being the first to go. My big girl Addie!!!
So although you're turning a page into big girl life, you, just like Clara and Gabe, will always be my baby! Great job Addie!
I love you.
Love,
Mom
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