Okay – so it was cute when Oliver lost two bottom teeth…if only because you can’t really see the difference until he opens his mouth to show you. But I thought we had at least another year before he lost his TWO FRONT TEETH!
I recently noticed that it looked like they were starting to overlap a bit and on a hunch, asked him to wiggle one for me. Sure enough – it’s loose.
My five year old (FIVE!) is too young to have visible gaps. True – he will be six in a month, but I know seven year olds who are only just starting to lose teeth. Honestly – he’s taking this growing up fast thing too far.
He’s already HUGE for his age and now he’s growing adult teeth like it’s some kind of race or something. What’s next? SHAVING?
Seriously though – I’m feeling a little sad. I love Oliver’s smile. It’s sweet and perfect and there is nothing early or late about it. People look at him and say “BIG BOY.” Then they hear him and think, “huh – that’s not what I expected.” But no one, and I mean NO ONE could ever catch sight of that beautiful smile and not gush about what a good looking kid he is. And it’s not that he’s so handsome (although he is), it’s just that he lights up a room with that smile.
It’s hard on him sometimes – looking so much older and feeling so much younger. And this recent early bloomer development is not going to help. At one time his little guy face (with that smile) helped others understand that no, he’s not eight. Not seven. NO – he’s five. FIVE. And he has some delays. So stop asking him questions about his favorite chapter books already. Now he’s going to look even older.
But that’s not what makes me want to cry. I’m not worried about the expectations that people will continue to have of him. I’m mourning the loss of my baby. Regardless of his size, he’s always been my little boy, and I’ll miss that little boy smile of his. The one he’s been working on for five years.
I know that he’ll still have a joyous and contagious smile – but it won’t be the same. And we all know how much I embrace change…
Oliver will be six at the end of March. I’m so proud of him for growing up. For catching up. For confidently doing everything at the pace best suited to him.
But some of that growing up is happening just a little too fast for me. I’m the one who needs time to catch up. My own pace is reluctant and dragging. I’ve never been a natural runner.
I don’t like sprinting – chasing my children through their all too short babyhood. It leaves me winded and dizzy. And sad.
Every change is bittersweet. But in the end, pride wins. I never mourn for long. I’m too dazzled by who they’re becoming. Baby teeth or big teeth…little and cuddly or grownup and independent. They’ll always be perfect to me. Past, present and future.
It's true, he is an adorable little guy! I've probably mentioned this but my devopmentally delayed child was the size of a four year old when he was two. I remember praying that if my expectant child was a boy (I wanted a girl, long story) could he at least be a little boy who could wear cute baby clothes for a while. No. Not. He was wearing toddler clothes by the time he was six months. It does make it harder, it really does. So sorry! The mourning is a process. Here a little, there a little.
I know so well what you're feeling. For every new step they take you cry a little inside. One day you realize they're not talking baby-talk anymore and for all that you are proud, it makes you sad a bit. When I look at the childhood pictures of you and Matt, I get those feelings. You were so little and cute and round and huggable. But I'm also so proud of you and all your accomplishments now. After all, who else could be creating our on-line store?
Oh my gosh, I'm so depressed now! It's true, they grow SO FAST, TOO FAST! I hate it. I hate thinking 'Did I really cherish every single baby second?' I worried too much… Sigh.
Anyway, my FIVE year old has already lost FOUR teeth! Bottom two teeth, gone. His adult bottom two teeth are almost ALL grown in! And then last week (or the week before….) he lost his top two teeth within days of eachother. SIGH! He looks so cute, though. It's just… really? How did this happen?
Aargh! Such a cutie I can hardly stand it.
Aw, that was beautiful, Kate. Oliver is such a cutie and I am sure the tooth fairy is going broke these days! Have a great weekend! xo
He is just so freakin' adorable.
Ben is five and has lost anything remotely baby about him. He's all arms and legs and it makes me a little sad. I'm with you.
Beautiful post.
OMG, Kate…He is SUCH a doll! I feel like the dude is gonna be that size in no time…Le sigh.