the tooth fairy finds herself on a bloggy bunny trail

it was so amazing reading through your comments on the last post. 

seriously. 

i never know what to say about comments. it's the most awkward part about blogging i think. 

there have been moments when i have genuinely considered quitting or going 'invisible' because of the heart skip i feel when my finger, yet again, finds the comment tab and there is a new little note from one of you. 

i have never wanted this to become about what other people think, like, want etc. 

ultimately i just want to write about the real life that unfolds around me every day. 

but i'm weak and love happy notes. 

i have come to realize though.. that it isn't about the volume or the ego stroking or anything else creepy/quit worthy. 

i simply love being a part of something bigger. a resounding yes that wells up inside of people's hearts and says.. yes. i feel that too.

 i never used to be a commenter on other people's blogs.

 i think i felt like a thief skulking around in their personal stories and it seemed a little awkward leaving a note.. 

"hey i looked through your underwear drawer. i like black too. buh bye."

jami changed that though. she pushed her readers to leave comments on the blogs they read. to be an encouragement to the ladies that encourage them. at first i felt so weird. i don't know these people. aren't they going to be thinking who's this creeper reading my life story??  i even asked her to teach me the blogging etiquette rules. she said nobody hates a nice comment. 

duh.

seriously.. duh.

how had i not thought about that? 

i never think that. when somebody i don't know comments i immediately cyber run to their blog and read all about their life story.. and NOW i try to leave a comment and tell them that i like black underwear too. :)

because who doesn't right??

now i try to comment on any blog post that i either learned something from, was moved by, encouraged by.. etc. i think of my comment as my thank you. i don't have time to do it absolutely every time but really it only takes a couple of minutes. 

so you should comment. not necessarily here.. although i wouldn't hate it. ;) but wherever you are reading. tell someone that you left with a smile.. an idea.. a peace that you are called to this great adventure of life and today will be a good day. tell them their kids are cute, their food looks good and their crafts are amazing. anything, just.. tell them. 

wow.. so i really had zero intention of talking about that. bloggy bunny trail.

what i am going to share is our big news of the last week...

i am now the mother of a big kid....

this girl.....

now looks like this...

it all started with our first dentist trip... everything looked perfect but they told her she needed to wiggle that little loose tooth every day since the big one was getting anxious and moving in behind it.

so we wiggled and wiggled. unfortunately a few days into it she showed me how she was wiggling and she had been working on the wrong tooth. how that happens i am not sure... ;) but we refocused our efforts and what you can now see is the culmination of many days of hard, dedicated work. :) 
did i videotape my first baby losing their first tooth?? um .. you betcha. :)





so thankfully i had finished up her tooth pillow that day. i made it with scraps that i had plus the pink poms for a total of $1.18. daddy likes that. :) the white chenille is a scrap from their bedspreads i made... is it weird how losing a tooth kind of makes me get all sentimental?? 
it's so-- transitional.  
when she had all her teeth i could kind of pretend she was still little. but every time i see that gappy smile she is reminding me that she is growing up. 
like sand through an hourglass so are the days of our lives... cue instrumental music.

proudly carrying the dollar the tooth fairy brought her, we went down to the cute little used bookstore downtown. she was enthralled with the thought she could buy two chapter books for one dollar. dude-- that is actually a really good deal. plus the cutest old man on the planet owns it. he is semi grumpy, wears a hat every day and loves books. i adore him.

ummm.. is anyone else seeing nate's future 40 years from now? the hat, the glasses, the coffee, the books.. i think i have a type. ;) 


she is losing teeth.. we are starting 1st grade homeschool tomorrow.. she is growing up.


when she first told me her tooth was loose i had to force a cry of delighted congratulations. i never want her to feel like her growing up is a disappointment to me. so we ooohed and aaahhed and hugged and then i teared up and sniffled in the bathroom. 


considering the fact that no one yet has figured out how to freeze time and keep these little ones little... i am so happy i get to watch them grow up. 
i get to watch those pudgy legs stretch long and lean. sounds that once only i could interpret, become stories i overhear between them and their friends. where once there were all questions, there are now conversations. 


it is my privilege to be their witness.
my lap will be outgrown.. but my heart is big enough to hold every year that passes.
although i have a feeling it is not my last 'time goes too fast' cry fest in the bathroom. :)