Kate got braces today...
As I waited (rather impatiently I might add as I was both hungry and separated from my girl) I couldn't help but think about how this was as just a milestone for me as it was for her....and as I thought about that, I may have become the crazy mom who was crying in the orthodontist's office....
The movie in my head started with my being on "tooth watch" -- forever feeling her gums for any sign of a tooth....wondering if that white spot was residual formula or a tooth....I remember feeling the first one and just days later feeling the second one...which were then very quickly followed by numbers three and four....a perfect pair on the bottom and a perfect pair on the top...
I remember the excitement we had over these teeth because with their arrival we welcomed cheerio's, silver dollar pancakes, waffles....And while I was sad to say goodbye to the gummy baby smile, I quickly fell in love with the toothy smile!
And then before we knew it, Kate and I were losing teeth....she was losing them from her mouth and I was literally losing them (she has YET to let me forget how I lost her first tooth....as if I wasn't feeling guilty enough)....I was buying tooth fairy pillows, researching the going rate for teeth, and most importantly ensuring that I always had cash at hand...
I was again adjusted to a new smile...one that had the perfect juxtaposition of adult and baby teeth....for it gave me a glimpse of who she would be and all that she had been....I saw a young woman that would have a contagious laugh and have many fits of laughter with her friends, I saw a young woman that would others would regard as warm because of her smile, I saw a baby whose whole face lit up with her smile....
And now today....braces...moving those adult teeth to their permanent position....I had imagined holding her hand through this transition....she and I doing it together, me being there for her and she for me and yet....when they called her her name and we both stood, they said "Stay here mom....we just need Kate...." My knees buckled, I gave her a reassuring smile of my own and wished my voice had been strong enough to say "Just one more smile before you go...."
It's only been a few hours, but I'm already head over heels for this new smile....I love that she was confident enough to get colored rubber bands, I love that she was so meticulous with the new brushing and flossing routine, I love all that she was and all that she is....isn't that what being a parent is all about?? Falling in love every day??
No comments:
Post a Comment