Milestones

So you have a baby, and it's all about milestones....the first time they smile, first time they coo, first time they laugh, turn over, sit up, get teeth, pull up, take steps, talk, walk.....the whole first year to two years has such an exciting momentum of milestones. Then it kind of slows down. Don't get me wrong, they're still fun and exciting, but as far as milestones go, they are few and far in between. When you do get to another milestone, it seems all that more exciting - and it's not just for you any more, it's even more exciting for the kid!! 

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Last Sunday (July 7th, to be exact) Matthew brought up in conversation, ever so non-chalantly, the fact that he has a wiggly tooth. No big, it happens all the time. Wait, what? How did he even know what a wiggly tooth was? I hadn't really thought to talk to him much about it yet - I mean, he's only 5 - does it happen that young? Turns out the average is 6-7 years. Anyway, when he saw how excited I was, he quickly caught on and showed everyone he could his wiggly tooth. The week went on and not much happened, just a wiggle here, a wiggle there. By Friday, however, every meal was an ordeal - he would cry and complain and his little gums would be bleeding - poor guy :( Sure enough, just after breakfast on Sunday morning, Matthew came running to the kitchen with his tiny tooth in hand, so proud that he'd pulled it out so easily, and that it didn't hurt! Seems so silly, but I was bursting with pride. Or excitement for him. Not sure what emotion I was feeling. Maybe a tinge of sadness that my babies are quickly growing up? I properly documented this latest milestone (think paparazzi style photos, and lots of bribing) and preparation for the Tooth Fairy's arrival that evening....

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He wanted to write a letter to the Tooth Fairy, asking her to bring him a dinosaur. Of course. Who would have guessed, right? With a little spelling help he excitedly wrote his letter....and then went on with his day.

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That night he was asking to go to sleep, he just couldn't wait to place that tooth under his pillow and wake up to a Tooth Fairy surprise. So excited in fact, that he woke up at 3AM - yep 3am, turned the light on in his room and surveyed the gifts the Tooth Fairy had left him. Let me tell you, the Tooth Fairy is not so bright eyed and bushy tailed at 3 in the morning, ha! After some coaxing, we finally convinced (ahem, forced) him to go back to sleep right around 4am. And I'm tired today. But seeing the excitement on his face again this morning was worth it. He loves his new Angry Birds Dinosaur book (featuring some new dinosaurs to memorize) his dollar bill (to buy a treat at the dollar store, he says) and his little eyes lit up as he saw "fairy dust" fall from the letter when he opened it.

While the milestones are definitely fewer and further between, that just makes each milestone that much sweeter. Our "little" boy is more than half my size and has already lost his first tooth.....I just can't believe it. I'm so looking forward to each and every milestone in my kids' futures, God is so GOOD :)