$1 more, 1 baby tooth less

Yes, Jamie lost his first baby tooth on Saturday. It had been loose for quite some time and the permanent tooth, about twice the size, was already well up behind it. Jamie was a little ambivalent about the whole business. On the one hand, with so many of his friends losing teeth, he has the distinct impression that this is a big kid thing to do, so that's good. Also, he has learned of the tooth fairy and is interested in the acquisition of wealth so that he can buy Star Wars legos or Bakugans without being subjected to the whims and vagaries of his undependable parents. On the other hand, he was a little disquieted by the feeling of looseness in his mouth and genuinely apprehensive about whether it would hurt when it came out. By Friday night it was very loose indeed and he couldn't stop messing with it, but the more he did so the more upset he became. He wanted me to pull it out but recoiled every time I got near.

Unfortunately, we never actually saw the tooth come out and it was lost. We assured him that the tooth fairy knew the deal and didn't need the actual tooth. He was clearly doing some thinking about the nature of the tooth fairy and his beliefs that night, though he did not say so exactly. Just before bed he asked me if I believed in Santa Claus. Yes, I said quickly, aware that I meant this metaphorically, but that even so I was lying a bit.

Anyway, he was very pleased about the $1 so alls well that ends well. Except that this is only the beginning. Parenthood is a process of perpetual inexperience as we seem to be unready for each new phase. We actually had to borrow a dollar bill to avoid a highly awkward situation and even so very nearly forgot to put it under his pillow.