Al Dente

Dearest Lilah -

Today I've mourned a little bit over the loss of a tiny piece of your babyhood: Your toothless grin. Oh how I've loved that little gummy smile of yours! So sweet. So precious. So cute and not like an old woman! I can't even imagine your mouth full of little white teeth but they're coming and the proof is in the sharp little shard of tooth on your bottom gum. Luckily, I didn't find out about your new gem the hard way - through breast feeding. No, I simply noticed as you laughed that there was a small discolored spot on your gum...it was pinker that the rest of your gum. So curious Mommy decided to feel it and lo and behold, it was as sharp as a razor! Oh how that must hurt your tender little thumb when you suck it! No wonder you've taken to putting everything in your mouth. I imagine having anything rub against that tender gum makes it feel some relief for just a moment.

I just can't believe you're going to have a mouth full of teeth soon. You're not even six months old yet? Sure, you will be in 6 days (please don't get me started on how unbelievable this is to me) but teeth? I just feel like your babyhood is slipping away, and I'm missing it...

I love you so very much I can hardly stand it. I never knew I was going to love you so much! I can't believe how incredibly blessed we are to have you in our family. I feel like I've been given such an incredible gift. I really didn't expect this at all. I'm sorry. I am sorry that I expected you to be difficult and a chore. Now I just expect that you'll keep me surprised for many years to come. Thanks for proving me wrong, though. I think your daddy especially likes that :-)

Love,
Mommy