Grace's World (10th entry)

There are milestones that you come to in a childs life, that to others might seem trivial or small. But as a parent, they bring emotions that you did not know you had in yourself. Grace has been saying for the past couple months that she had "wackel Zaehne" (loose teeth). However we would always check and they would be as solid as Gibraltar. About a week ago she came to us and said that there was something silver behind her tooth. I took a look and it was her adult tooth coming in behind her baby tooth. The baby tooth was a little loose, but not nearly enough for how far the new tooth had come in. Finally we took her to the dentist only to find out that the tooth needed to come out. I decided that it would be best for me to go with Grace to the dentist instead of Stephanie, since I would not show nearly as much panic on my face as Stephanie. Grace was such a big girl, she sat in the chair as if she was a 15 year old instead of a 5 year old. As they pricked her with the shot of novocain, she did not flinch an inch, I think that I probably show more pain on my face then what she did. As they showed her the tool that they would use to take the tooth out, she smiled. With a short yank, the tooth was out and there was a grin on our little girls face that went from ear to ear. On daddy's face you probably could have seen a little watering in the eyes. Grace's expression was one of "I am officially growing up, I am a big girl" she was so ecstatic and proud. Daddy had the exact same thoughts as Grace, only with different emotions behind them, realizing she really is growing up and I can do nothing to stop it. I too had the feeling of pride of my little girl, at how she handled herself.

There are times that I know look at Grace and then look at Hanna and wonder where the heck the years have gone. It is hard to see that baby girl that I held in my arms five years ago, but as she crawls up on my lap and snuggles in my arms (although it is a tight fit) I look into her eyes and remember those times of not so long ago. Yes there is the sense of sadness there, but on the other hand I love the conversations that I am now able to have with her, the thought provoking questions that she has, and how she tries so hard to learn how to read and write. I love the jokes that she makes and how she knows exactly how to make me laugh "I am a R-O-B-O-T". The way she helps her brother out and the way she takes care of her baby sister as if she was her mother. There is so much love in this little girl it overflows to others. She is beautiful in every way that God has made and formed her. I am so thankful to God for the gift that He has given me in her and how He shows me His love through her.

Picture Descriptions:

1) Grace the morning after "Papa Tooth Fairy" came to visit

2) Grace showing daddy (Papa) what she has learned during her ballet classes