Growing Pains Chapter 2

Didn't I just post about how much it hurts to watch your kids grow up and move on in life?? Did I not make it clear enough that I can only handle so much of it at one time??? Apparently, the Jenn VooDoo Doll gods are at it again, poking me and prodding me!

My Little Princess has been diligently working at getting her first tooth to come loose. My little girl is brave and strong. I know that about her and had no doubt that this adventure would be as painless as possible. For those that know me and my past history with teeth pulling in this family - referring to the oldest here - you know that Princess's attitude to tooth pulling is a far cry from what I'm used to. Yes, my oldest is a little afraid of pain. Luckily, his first tooth fell out when he was brushing his teeth so I got away with something at that point. Of course, I didn't realize that at the time. Each subsequent tooth was an act of horror and death. Let's go over the facts - he's been paid to have someone pull his tooth that was literally hanging from a thread, he's been talked through pain therapy with my sisters and myself looking on and believe it or not, he's been locked in a room by himself until the deed has been done. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some sort of pain mongral trying to make my kid strong, making him do these things on his own. He is so afraid of the pain, that he can't think of anything else. I have always been there to comfort him and walk him through it but at some point, he's got to deal with it on his own. We've been successful, they've all come out in time and he hasn't been damaged in the process.

So, you have to imagine with my second child coming up on tooth pulling years, I'm just a little nervous. And like I said, she views pain differently. I knew her tooth had been loose for a while and have been encouraging her to wiggle it and so forth. She's allowed me to help her in the wiggling and twisting process (the twisting is the key here to those first time parents). Tonite when I picked her up from gymnastics, she informed me that she could bend her tooth all the way back with her tongue. At that point, I knew it was time. I was a little nervous, probably more nervous than she. She wiggled and wiggled and wiggled. Her little fingers twisted and twisted and twisted. But those little twiggy muscles just couldn't pull it out. So, the big guns had to come in and pull it out. It took one twist and VOILA, it was out! No bribery, no pay offs, no pain therapy, no locking her in her room. 'Just take a deep breath and it will be over in a sec!' And now my little Princess is toothless.

"Do you think the Tooth Fairy will bring me $50?"

"I don't know dear."

"Well, if she can't, $40 will be fine."

That's my Princess.

I could never understand the piece of advice that was given to me when Jake was just a toddler, "Don't blink, my dear.", an elderly woman had said to me. And now, all I want to do is curse those Blink gods and beg for more time. Gabi graduating from Cubbies, Princy loosing her first tooth, Jake . . what's next for you?? College??

The bloody mess

All cleaned up and very proud!