An Extra Hole in Her Head, or Maybe Not (or Maybe Two).

Two weeks ago, on April 14th, Ally finally lost her first tooth. I say finally because the poor girl had been impatiently waiting for this to happen-- ever since the dental hygienist told her over a year ago, "I think this bottom tooth is starting to loosen. It will definitely be out by Christmas!" She was a little overzealous in her enthusiastic prediction.

Last known pic showing all her teeth.

Loosey-Goosey

Although the famed tooth was noticeably loose for about two weeks total, it only spent a day or two in the "just-pull-it-out-already-'cause-it's-only-hanging-on-by-that-last-bit-of-tissue" stage. (I'm very grateful for that. I have a hard time looking at dangling teeth.)




Ally had told me she was ready for me to pull it the night before, at Uncle Paul's wedding reception, but she chickened out during the process. So we stopped. The tooth came out on its own when we got home the following night and were eating dinner. A couple of soft, cheese raviolis did the trick!

Because this was her first tooth, Ally wanted to keep it. She asked us if we thought the tooth fairy would allow such an exemption. Ally told me that, although getting money would be nice, it was more important to her that she keep that tooth. We suggested that she write the tooth fairy a letter with her request and then see what happens.

Always curious, Ally added an important question on the back:

Ally put the tooth and the note in a jar, placed the jar under her pillow, and went to bed.

We weren't prepared with a special pillow or fancy tooth treasure chest, and we didn't want the fairy having any trouble finding the tooth or note. Maybe a tooth jar will be our family tradition by default?




Ally was very happy and surprised the next morning. Not only did the fairy let her keep the tooth, but she left a 2 dollar bill and a personal note, too.

A related story: Ally's 6-year molars came in about a month ago. She had been complaining that something felt "different" in the back of her mouth, describing it like "rough craters" that were hurting. I looked, and three of the four molars and completely erupted through and one was halfway there.

Someone asked her about her missing front tooth the other day. Ally acknowledged that she lost a tooth, but told them that she's not missing any teeth. She went on to explain: "I lost one, but I also grew four new ones, so I actually have three extra and not one missing."

The pumpkin stage begins!

P.S.-- For some reason, this original entry ("An Extra Hole in Her Head, or Maybe Not") didn't post this morning. The computer must have had a premonition that I'd need to add something more.

Ally only had one hole in her gumline when I picked her up from school this afternoon, but she had two by the time she was hopping out of the car at home. All Ally and I can figure is that she must have swallowed her 2nd loose tooth while munching on her Fritos. Now she gets to write another note to the tooth fairy. It's a good thing her fairy knows how to read and seems to be quite accommodating. 

Eating is dangerous.