She came bounding off the bus as she does every afternoon after school. But this day was different, because as she approached me, she was beaming to tell me something.
Apparently, during school that day, her first tooth became loose. See this was her first tooth ever to be loose. My girl is almost 7 and will be finishing first grade up in the next three weeks or so.
She has watched many friends her age lose their first tooth and more. So, she has patiently waited for her first tooth to become loose to join her friends in this right of passage.
[Tweet “First loose tooth, milestones and memories, too #momlife”]
I, on the other hand, have hoped we had a bit longer, because losing her first baby tooth means she really is no longer a baby even if in my heart she will always indeed be my baby.
I can still remember the morning after my same girl cut her first tooth at a little over 6 months old and how I counted down each tooth after, as she was not a happy teether by any means.
I can also equally recall an all-nighter I pulled sitting on her bedroom floor with her right after she turned a year old just holding her in my arms trying to calm her from another miserable night of teething, while being a little over 5 months pregnant with her sister.
So, stands to reason that I couldn’t wait for all her baby teeth to be cut and be in as each new tooth she would cut would bring us a few days leading up to this of absolute miserable crankiness and fussiness.
The irony is that as overjoyed as I was that all her baby teeth had come in finally back then, I was in no way ready for when she would begin to loose the same teeth we fought so hard to come in.
But with that first wiggly loose tooth came the end of an era and the beginning of a new one still for all of us. Soon enough she’ll be going to the dentist and really growing up before our eyes.
For behind that loose baby tooth is already the growth of her first ever adult tooth.
So as I look at her smiling and shining face, I know that with the loss of her first baby tooth and this new grown up tooth also having cut her gum, she is most definitely no longer a baby anymore, but a kid growing by leaps and bounds here each and every day now.
But still somewhere in the recesses of my mind, she will always be my baby in my memories.
Kathy Radigan says
I remember the excitement of the first tooth and also the sadness! They just grow up so fast!!!! xo
Janine says
I know, Kathy they really just do!!! xoxo
Meredith says
Our kids are SO close in age (only months apart!) and my son just lost his first tooth too–I get this, all of it! Hugs through all of the bittersweetness! xo
Janine says
I had a feeling you would with your son being so close in age, too. And sending hugs right back at you now xoxo
Seana Turner says
I was sad to lose the teeth we had suffered to get! Plus, the new teeth didn’t always come in as straight and pretty as the baby teeth… hence many years with braces. But I can certainly understand her delight. It feels good to see your body doing what you think it should be. And the tooth fairy is so much fun:)
Janine says
We are anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy now even if I am shedding a few tears as we inch closer and closer to her though.
The NotsoSuperMom says
On the other end of the spectrum, I am THRILLED that my baby will finally be entering kindergarten this year! Of course she is my last, but some days I feel like she can’t grow up fast enough!
Janine says
We just went through that this past fall with our baby also entering kindergarten. While I was thrilled she was growing up, I am was still emotional that this was my last baby to go through that milestone, too.
Dara says
Aw, congrats on the first lost tooth and I know it’s bittersweet!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Dara and couldn’t agree more with you <3
April G says
She’s so cute. No lost teeth for my littles, but boy is she already talking about the tooth fairy.
Janine says
Thanks April and lot of tooth fairy talk here now, too!! 🙂
William Holland says
Oh, you mothers!!!! I’ve got something to tell you, so listen closely….you will never lose your baby!!!!
Happy Monday my friend.
Janine says
Thanks for saying that, Bill and Happy Monday to you too once again!!
Elaine A. says
This is one of those bittersweet things. Because those cute baby teeth are well, SO CUTE! But it will be fun to be the tooth fairy. 🙂
Janine says
Aw, Elaine I am all set to be the tooth fairy and even bought a new tooth fairy pillow from Target, too 😉
Tamara says
Aww.. no loose teeth here and we did visit the dentist with her last week and they found none. I do feel like I’m losing babies in general lately. Des is turning four. Scarlet will turn seven. I’ll turn 26! The dog isn’t very snuggly. The cat.. well that’s a long story.
I need a new baby! Ah, nephews.
Janine says
Tamara, as much as I am mourning and do protest no more babies here and will live through my family and friends, too!!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Aww, yes, they’re always our babies. I think it will hit me hard when my youngest loses her first tooth. Your reminiscing made me teary.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Janine says
I am not even sure how I will be when it is her younger sister and my baby. That is a whole other ball of wax and we may need to commiserate on that too together!! xoxo
Rea says
Awwww, the heart of a mom is full! I always tell Reiko which tooth I think will come off first. LOL. I can imagine him losing one tooth and you’re right, it’s kind of a sign that our babies are no longer babies anymore. I cry!
Janine says
I always wondered, too and now I know which it will be for my oldest, but still wonder for my younger girl though.
Kenya G. Johnson says
Awww your title got me before I even read the post. They are so cute when they have the two missing front teeth for awhile and they are all lispy. I hope you get a little of that but it sounds like her adult teeth might just be pushing out the baby ones. I think we always use that baby reference though. My baby is going to middle school. He’ll still be my baby when he goes to high school 😉
Janine says
Kenya, both girls will still be my babies when they are little old gray haired ladies, too!! 🙂
Bev says
What a milestone! I can understand how this can be a bit heartbreaking for you, though. For every big thing that happens in their lives means they’re growing up!
Janine says
I know and truly is bittersweet though nonetheless, Bev.
Kristen says
Oh girl I feel you! I’m sorry, let yourself feel it. Then smile because now you get to create a tooth fairy tradition!
Janine says
Thanks so much Kristen and and going to try to embrace the tooth fairy tradition still though, too!! 🙂
Nellie says
awww I know this feeling all too well! Can you believe my son has lost 5 teeth already? It’s crazy! I can’t keep up!!
Janine says
Wow, that is a lot and can’t even imagine when we get to that point here.
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I get so emotional every time I hear about kids growing up. The past few years have been so difficult for me trying let my kids grow up. I had several move to college and even go overseas on a European study tour. I miss their daily hugs and talks. I miss them sitting around the dinner table at night. I miss us being a big family and all together every day.
Enjoy every stressful moment. Your babies are growing up and they truly will be gone in a blink of an eye.
Blessings Always,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, thanks again Diane and am going to try to enjoy as much as I can indeed.
Aunt Gloria says
I understand how traumatic it is for you but I know Emma is very excited about this loose tooth! It’s not easy seeing them grow up and move on….even though that’s what your job is all about. And you do it well! Well, the Tooth Fairy job is open so you’re just in time to fill the vacancy! Hope the new teeth are all good and strong and no cavities in the future! Lots of love……xxxxxooooo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Aunt Gloria and I know the tooth fairy job is indeed wide open and will be filling that position it looks like any day now!! xoxoxo <3
Cynthia says
Aww, she’ll always be your baby. Here I am at 37 and my mom STILL tells me that. LOL.
And Happy Belated Birthday! June 1, right? I’m sorry I missed it. It was right before that crazy field trip and end-of-year activities with all our students. Aiyeee!!
Hope you’re well, sending hugs and here’s to more “happy Toothfairy moments.” 😀 xo
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much and you didn’t miss it though as my birthday is on this Friday, June 10th. But still thank you for the wishes and for the kind words always here. Hugs xoxo <3
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Benjamin lost his first two teeth this year at school. He’s also got his 6 year molars coming in in the back. He’s not been to cranky about it, but it might be why he’s not been sleeping as well as usual. I was surprised to learn at Frances’ last dentist appointment that she had lost all the teeth she was going to lose! I guess I wasn’t keeping track!
Janine says
I wouldn’t doubt that cutting those teeth might be interrupting his sleep if nothing else, but still I know the feeling of not keeping track of some things as good as I should here, too!!
Kristi Campbell says
Aw Janine! I so know the feeling about losing our babies as they lose their teeth. Tucker was so excited about losing his too! Me, not so much… sigh. Congratulations to her though and oh tell me how to stop them growing up so dang fast!
Janine says
Aw, congrats to Tucker, too and if I had the answer to that I think you know would totally share with you my sweet friend!!! <3
Katy says
Visiting from #happynowlinkup. You perfectly captured a bittersweet moment for moms and dads! And, yes, she will always be your baby, even without her baby teeth. 🙂
Janine says
Thank you so much Katy and you are so right, she will most definitely always still be my baby in my heart. 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
Awwww, I remember those days well and t is a sign that they’re growing up besides the obvious such as height etc. I have a few years before Madison loses her first tooth and while I’m looking forward to it, I’m not looking forward to her growing up and leaving me. 🙂
Janine says
I know not looking forward to that either with both my girls, too! 🙁
Dana says
Don’t tell anyone, but I still have all of my kids’ baby teeth. I was sad when they lost their last ones – almost sadder than when they lost their first!
Janine says
Aw, I think my mom actually did that with both my brother and I when we were kids. Now I am so going to have to ask her!! 😉
Jen says
Aw why do they have to grow up so fast? It was just yesterday when my oldest lost her first tooth and now she is going to be starting High School. Those dang teeth should just stay put and we should get a few extra years with our babies 🙂
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more, Jen with you!! 😉
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
Awww….Janine, she will always be your baby no matter how old she gets. It’s just degrees. I totally understand how you feel though. Every milestone is like that in a way. I’m in the stage of “they will all be off to college soon” and it makes me just a little sad, because it’s that much sooner that they will all really be out of the house and then I won’t see them every day anymore. I just can’t think about that yet.
Janine says
Aw, Michelle, what can I say, but hugs to you, too and you are so right they will always be our babies no matter what stage in their lives or age they are.
Kristen says
I loved this post, made me go read mypost on the tears of the first tooth. Hang in there mama!
Janine says
Thanks Kristen and so many hugs!!! <3
Debbie says
Hi Janine, I can’t remember being too saddened by the loss of my children’s first teeth as I was so excited to introduce them to the magic that is the Tooth Fairy. I love all that magical side of childhood.
xx
Janine says
I know I do too and am typing this is my little one is singing turkey songs to me right now 🙂
Ann says
Oh my gosh – it goes by so fast. I cling to it. They will absolutely always be our babies! 🙂
Janine says
It totally does and you are also right they still will always be our babies though, too.
Leslie says
Awwww. T has lost several teeth over the last couple years, and we often joke that she’s still ‘toothless’. That said, the whole tooth-losing process makes me squeamish, but kids just get SO excited about it! So, now it’s time to start figuring out what the Tooth Fairy rate will be in your household!
Janine says
I know and still trying to decide that rate even as I type this 😉
catherine gacad says
janine, this totally resonated with me. even though my franco is 2 years old and he’s a big boy now, i keep saying he will always be mommy’s baby!
Janine says
Aw, Catherine, he always will be!! 😉
Katherines Corner says
I smiled when I read this. I felt the same way 33 years ago when my daughter lost her two front teeth ( before any others) Its hard to see them grow and be independent and well, it hurts a little. But they will always be your babies xo
Janine says
Totally agree and as much as my heart breaks as they are growing by leaps and bounds, I do know in my heart and hey will indeed always be my babies xoxo
Melanie Chisnall says
Those pics are so sweet Janine! I can’t believe how grown up your girls are – it’s as though they were little babies the other day!! Awww, I think all moms feel this way (I imagine they do). You still have a good few years before they hit those ‘wonderful’ teen years though, so enjoy! Hehe. Hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂
Janine says
Thank you so much, Melanie and I truly love that you have seen my girls grow up here and hope that you see more, as well for years to come. Hope you also had a wonderful weekend, too!! 🙂
sheila qualls says
What a sweet story (and pics). Motherhood is bittersweet. We wait and wait and wait then we want everything to stop. LOL! I still remember when my oldest lost her first tooth. I can still see her standing in her pink footie pajamas with that crooked grin. She’s 22 and she still makes the same faces and has the same expressions that she did as a baby. I look into her eyes and see that same little girl. They will always be your babies. Love this story!
Janine says
Aw, Sheila you are so right and no matter what I still see my babies in both my girls. Hugs and thank you!! 😉