Such a big boy! You may think I am crazy dedicating a random blog entry to LJ losing his first tooth. However, over the course of the last month, something about his loose tooth has stuck with me, so stay with me for a minute.
LJ'S older cousin, Sam, recently lost his first teeth. LJ has been so excited about one day losing one because that means he is a big boy like Sam (Sam is 6). About a month ago, LJ informed me that his front teeth were loose. I thought no way...he is 4! However, when I checked...sure enough, they were wiggling. I kept telling him not to mess with them because in my head it was too soon. A few weeks later, however, his adult teeth started popping through behind the baby teeth! These teeth were on their way out!
Over the past few weeks, he has been working on them, we have tried pulling them, and he just keeps wiggling. Tonight, about an hour after bedtime, I all of a sudden hear over the monitor, "Mommy! Mommy! I need to give you my tooth!" Sure enough, the little squirt got one of the 2 out. I got him out of bed and we rinsed his mouth out, put his tooth under his pillow, looked in the mirror at his new grin, took some pictures, and he is now anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy. I wiped his face off before I let him see because LJ has a habit of being a little anxious. He asked my why I was cleaning him up before he could look. I tried to delicately tell him about a little blood. His response, "Mommy, blood is ok. It means that my body is trying to get better!" Wellll....ok then!
So here is my sentimental mommy moment. As you know, LJ was born at 29 weeks. We had to fight for 50 days to get him home and healthy. He has done amazing, and seeing him today, you would never know where he started. Every ounce of him amazes me. Anyway, at this point, the only lasting effects of his birth story are his teeth. They are horrible. Enamel is one of the last things that forms during gestation and then some of the drugs given to preemies kills their teeth. Dentist appointments are a drag (even though he loves going) because we are always in a battle of time and money discussing fillings and crowns and when they may need to happen.
Anyway, we have always been told that LJ's permanent teeth should be healthy and strong. This, my friends, is the beginning of the end of the last physical effect of LJ's rough beginning. It is the last physical sign of all the pain that came with his early days. So, while I am sad that losing teeth is a sign of growing up, and I could just keep him my little guy forever, it is an amazing that after all he has been through, with each tooth lost, he is one step closer to being my 100% healthy happy boy. Maybe God knew we just needed to close this chapter a little earlier than some. I am ok with that.
And now to save for orthodontics....;)
Edit: LJ went ahead and pulled his second tooth tonight (the night after the first). I asked him all day to get it out, but he told me that he could only pull teeth after bedtime because that is when the tooth fairy comes?! He had been working on it all day. Again, an hour after bedtime, he calls me in and asked for a paper towel so he could get a better grip 😄 I sat there with my eyes covered and his sister watched. He kindly narrated every move. My kid is insane...and pretty awesome. Bonus pics because Kaycie insists she lost one too.
