[This post is dedicated to Benjamin's first two front teeth.]

You might remember when Benjamin lost his front tooth on Christmas Day. After he took a big fall, the tooth cracked. Eventually the dentist had to pull it out (there were straps, it was horrible). Lately I’ve noticed his second front tooth greying … fading away almost.

A quick Google search for “discolored toddler tooth” tells me there’s no hope – the tooth’s roots are damaged and it will eventually fall out

Here are my words: “It will be fine, he’ll just have a gaping hole where his two front teeth are supposed to be for two-four more years. No big deal.”

Here is my brain: “F**K!!!!!! NOT AGAIN!”

It must have been the bad fall he had a few weeks ago at day care (my kid has no fear and is 100% boy. His falls are frequent and mighty – the day care is not to blame … believe me).

It sucks though. Seriously. They might have to pull this one out too. And what if he has speech issues? Or can’t bite into steak? And then, there will be the inevitable, “You’re a lousy mom” glares from mean parents.

Saturday night, it was too hot upstairs so I brought Benjamin to my bed. We were both asleep when he reached out for my head and pulled me into his chest. I’m not sure if he was comforting me or if it was the other way around, but in that moment I realized a few things:

1. Benjamin is about to become really protective of his mama.

2. He is the best thing that has and ever will happen to me.

3. And, teeth or no teeth – at least he has everything else, including his sweet, sweet little heart.

We’ll be visiting the dentist on Thursday. Keep you posted…

[Photo: Benjamin this weekend – notice the one missing front tooth…but, he’s still THE cutest little guy on the planet.}

If you liked this post, you might like, “Rock a Bye Baby – I want to kill the Barnes and Noble Lady.”

UPDATE:

The dentist says the rotten tooth can say, it doesn’t need to be pulled out at all. It will just stay there and won’t even get darker. But I do have to keep my eye out for a possible infection.

Related posts:

1. On sharing a child.
2. Can men feel empathy?
3. Do day care bugs ever end?