Pulling the First Tooth

A major life event happened for our oldest daughter three weeks ago, and Mom did not document it!

I was reminded of this when we went to my aunt's pool yesterday after I got off work. Three Sundays prior we were at her pool swimming, when Adria was proudly sharing her big announcement with everyone...

"I lost a tooth!"

Happy girls swimming at Aunt Bon's pool yesterday.
I love that they can swim on their own with a vest and Puddle Jumper now!

Of course, I don't want to forget when Adria lost her first tooth. You have to admit, that's a big deal in the life phases of a child. It almost signifies the ending of the sacred (and challenging) pre-school years...sniff, sniff.

It happened on Sunday, June 22 on our way home from church. We heard a disturbed statement from the backseat, "Mom, my tooth is wiggly."

Adria marching around after church just before the tooth came out.

Her last photo with a full mouth of baby teeth! SOB...
It's okay, I know they have to grow up...

I looked back to see Adria's tiny bottom tooth being flapped out by her tongue. Gross. Yes, this stuff makes me squeamish...it's quite tragic that I am so easily nauseated.

Fortunately, we've got Daddy around. A few minutes later we were home, and he was calling his mother for advice on his first go 'round with extracting his child's tooth.

Here is the simple advice from his mother, a woman who has helped eight children remove baby teeth!

1. Use a tissue because it provides better grip for gently freeing a tooth that is ready.
2. The tissue comes in handy for soaking up any blood once the tooth is removed...you don't want the child gagging on that!
3. Mix together warm water and a heaping spoon of salt for a salt water rinse in the mouth. It helps speed the healing process of the now empty space, but don't let the child swallow it!

And that's how it was done...by Daddy.

Daddy takes the tough job of gently removing the loose tooth at home.
(so thankful I did not have to!) 

It's such a teeny, tiny little tooth.

At first, Adria was quite disturbed about her tooth coming out, but she acted very brave as Daddy very gently eased the tooth out and cared for her.

Then came Mommy's role. I acted so proud of her and excited for this "achievement" that she let go of her worries and was excited to tell everyone about it.

I asked her what happens when a child loses a tooth.

Adria thought for a minute, then it dawned on her, "Oh, we have to put it under my pillow so the Tooth Fairy can come and give me a teddy bear or something!"

This is different from the Pony or Unicorn that she had requested when we had our first conversation about the Tooth Fairy a few months ago. Though the loose tooth came earlier than I had thought, it happened as I had hoped where Daddy could do the dirty work, and Mommy could be the "Delaware Tooth Fairy"(of course Adria does not know this).

Proudly sporting her new smile that afternoon 

That afternoon we got to visit Adria's cousins who were in town from Vermont and enjoying Aunt Bon's pool. Adria proudly showed off her new smile with a gap in it.

I soon learned that her cousin Sophie, who is nine months older, has not yet lost a tooth and became rather jealous of Adria.... oh the trials of youth. Hahaha!

Enjoying Aunt Bon's hot tub that Sunday 3 weeks ago.
Adria on left with Sophie holding Johanna on the right and my cousins in between.

To be honest, we were out so late that night that we FORGOT to put the tooth under her pillow. It's okay though, we made sure to put the little tooth in a tiny toy backpack under her pillow the following night...the Tooth Fairy was totally fine with this.

In the morning, the tiny backpack "magically" held a shiny quarter instead of a tooth. And Adria was thrilled! These simple joys are so fun to experience.

I've heard that there are much more elaborate Tooth Fairies who get all dressed up, write special notes to the child, and leave a bunch of special treasures. This Delaware Fairy likes to keep it sweet and simple :)

After all, the greatest moments in life are often the sweet, simple ones that are only later recognized for their greatness. Like the day she lost her first tooth.