Dadda and I have been marveling tonight over what a happy kiddo you always were. Even when you seemed to want to cry or be unhappy, it just didn't stick. Even the ONE time to you tried to force out a single, solitary, giant crocodile tear, you couldn't stop your musical laugh from escaping. My funny little 'Nut.
This got Momma thinking about a daily event that other parents seem to find intolerable. For us, it was never an issue...it was actually a lot of fun. The morning tooth brushing routine. Peanut, let's face it. You had a LOT of teeth very early, so brushing had to become part of our schedule. We had some false starts with Momma choosing a toothbrush that was too big, or the wrong toothpaste. But, once I found the perfect little Winnie the Pooh toothbrush, and the Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Infant toothpaste, we were rockin' and rolling.
I placed your tiny, yellow toothbrush in my old-fashioned, Momma-style toothbrush holder. And your toothpaste was part of Momma's arsenal of personal care products. Often, I would brush my own teeth in front of you, just to help you get the hang of it. Apparently, Momma's toothbrushing faces are hi-lar-i-ous. So, it should have been no surprise to me that you would mimic my funny faces when we started brushing your teeth.
Peanut, you were always so eager for me to start on your teeth. I would sit you on the bathroom counter, and I'd give you a giant, toothy smile. You would always reciprocate - in spades - and we'd be off to the toothbrushing races! Whatever I needed you to do, I just had to do first. If I needed you to open your mouth, I just opened mine. Ta-da! Laughter, hand-claps, and clean teeth were always the end result. Joy!
The smiles, the laughter, produced during those simple morning routines...that's a big part of what I miss the most. Peanut, you provided laughter in even the most basic, everyday moments. Your zest for life is what I hold close to my heart. It's why we are trying to celebrate the upcoming holidays, and to not give in to depression and grief. To make you proud. To make you smile. To produce that giant, Peanut toothbrush smile. Cheese!
I love you, sweet boy. Please know you are with us in every moment of every day. To the moon - and back!
- Momma
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