Growing Pains

Your first of many teeth came last week. Not without pain; not without tears; not without clinging neediness accompanying your growing pains. It's a joy to see your buds poke through the gumline.

During those tearful teething hours, there were many painful moments spent chewing, biting, and finding any object to give relief to Ella's gums. Tylenol proved effective, especially to help her sleep and give me some reprieve from already broken sleep. Frozen bananas in a mesh bag with a ring handle helped to soothe her during the evening hours. She seemed to go through her growing pains without some of the uncomfortable symptoms and was free from rashes, fever, and seemingly, headaches. Her rosy cheeks and demeanor were enough for both of us. It always surprises me to know some mothers must go through nastier and more pitiful extremes with their babies.

It's one more event to remark on and record in your baby calendar along with those other "firsts" such as smiling, cooing, rolling over, sitting up, and solid food meal. One day, we can both look back to appreciate those moments again and see how much you've grown.