First it started with an upper front tooth moving ever so slightly from the force of a five-year-old's grip. It was about a month or so ago. She went to school talking with everyone about the possibility of losing this tooth. Kids compared with imaginary stories -- "I already lost 8 and the Tooth Fairy gave me $20!" was just one story from a classmate. :) I vaguely remember being excited about the loss of my first tooth. Really, though, I only remember the dread of losing my teeth. Perhaps the inflated excitement was lost for me, being the fourth kid -- I'm not scarred by it but just don't remember it going to this level . . . or to even a percentage of Vanessa's level. But again, can I expect less?!
Then, a couple weeks ago, Vanessa took a bite of something and jerked from a sensitivity. She touched her bottom tooth and realized that IT was the tooth that was truly loose. She asked me to feel and to my surprise, it was indeed loose! So once again, we entered school that day showing everyone we came in contact with that Vanessa would indeed lose a tooth soon. Every day she would give an update for all who asked, and even to some who didn't. And she changed her dietary habits to cater to her sensitivity and to encourage the tooth to fall out.
So, Vanessa really wanted this tooth to come out. I'd ask her why -- indeed a rite of passage for her. We would assure her that it would and to let it happen on its own time. Every so often she would take a tissue and trying pulling it. She would beg for us to do it but we'd keep reminding her that it is best to wait. Last Friday she commented that it was make a clicking sound and it must mean it's going to come out any moment. On Sunday, while biting into a donut from Dad's special treats, and while Mommy was trying to push herself out of bed and into the shower for church, Vanessa's first tooth popped out. The excitement stormed through the house, . . . to church, . . . through the afternoon, . . . through the evening, . . . into the night, . . . and into the week.
