One tooth down. . .

Have you ever heard a big thump followed by a blood-curdling scream? Never a good sign! Poor Eliza was. . . .well, I'm not exactly sure what she was doing, probably climbing the counter. The result was a fall broken only, it seems, by her mouth. When I picked her up she was bloodier than I like a kid to be and her two front teeth were not where they should be--not out of her mouth, but back very far!

We rushed her to the dentist (our dentist was out of the office, so we went to Dr. Johnson who happens to be our neighbor and he kindly took care of her!). With the help of some laughing gas and a shot, he pulled one tooth. We are hoping the other will be able to stay, but it may not.

This was her expression the first day and a half. No smile, no happiness! Just drool running down her chin because she couldn't swallow. Poor girl.

After a day and a half, however, she figured out how to swallow carefully, got some food in her body, and began to feel a little better! Now she can smile and talk again. I didn't realize how much I could miss her smile until it was gone for a while. It is precious!

The tooth fairy is not usually so generous at our house--usually just a few coins per tooth, but she takes extra pity when trauma is involved and gives a greater price for those pearly whites! Now hopefully the rest of those teeth will stay put for at least another year or two!