The last day.

Today was the last day of school. Well, technically yesterday was since today was just an all school puppet show, no class though. Regardless, his very first "school year" is in the books and he absolutely loved it. He loved his teacher, he made new friends and just plain loved school, which in turn, made me happy. Albert and I loved him being there too. The school is so small and faith orientated which, in my opinion was perfect for Antonio.  It has 2 Pre-K classes, 1 preschool and 1 kindergarten class. Small yet it was more of a "school" than some in the sense there were other classes in the hallway, they had to walk down a hallway in line and there different ages at recess. Where I went to preschool there was just my class in 1 building and I know that type of set-up is still common. Hopefully all that will help Antonio transition to an actual school with a lot more kids and classrooms.

I know when next week, or maybe even not until the following week, Antonio will realize school is over. He knows today (yesterday) was his last day of school and said he was sad about that but I wonder just how much he really realizes that. When the puppet show was over, we got up from our seats and just walked out, just like the end of a movie. It was weird; I'm not sure why but it was. There was no grand farewell or anything, we just left, so matter-of-factly. We did see Mrs. Cunningham as we were leaving and Antonio wanted to say goodbye again to her. So sweet. I got choked up leaving. Yes, I know, I tend to get over emotional, wear my heart of my sleeve type but it was kinda sad. Since we don't go to church there (yes, I know we could), we may never go there, or see those people, ever again and that is sad.

We got all of Antonio's school work that he did during the year, including both evaluations from September thad then now, in May. He did so good. Well the educational part, knowing his shapes, colors and numbers he knew in September so there wasn't much "improvement" there. But everything else he did great in; social development, language development, work habits and motor skills. I was/am so proud of him. The one thing he needs to work on: "standing up for his rights". His teachers say "yes" he does that but added "sometimes needs teacher support".  So I guess we need to teach him to stand his ground better without making him "mean".  It seems he is a good, kind, smart boy. I already knew all that but it is so nice to see others outside of family, say the same thing.

Up next is Kindergarten. Antonio seems excited and claims its in two weeks. Obviously we also still need to work on the "time" thing with him. Ha. I keep telling him its 3 months but he insists its 2 weeks. :) I have already decided when we find out when the 1st day of school is I am going to take the day off from work. I will be such a ball of emotion that there is no way I will be able to go to work the same day. In fact, I am sure I will be that Mom that sobs uncontrollably when Antonio climbs on the bus or walks in to school. I am leaving it up to Antonio on if wants to ride the bus to school or have me take him.

Ending this chapter is so bittersweet. My baby boy is growing up; he will be 5, FIVE, in July. It truly is amazing how incredibly fast it goes. No matter how many times people tell you to enjoy it because it flies by, you don't truly understand it until you are in it.  I am so incredibly proud to be his Mama.

Brave boy.

Antonio did great. He got to lay back, put some headphones on, watch a movie and breathe in the "good oxygen". They did the whole thing in a matter of maybe 2 min; I was impressed. The dentist said, " you might feel a little pull but it's ok" and about 15sec later Antonio said, "owe" and that was it. No tears, no fuss, nothing. He was so brave. I was so glad to have it done. They applied gauze to stop the bleeding and then handed him an otter pop. He was content.

I, on the hand, was not. As soon as I saw the blood it was over. I became very dizzy, nauseous, shaky and sweaty. It was awful. They turned the ac up in the room me, we had a private room, and told me we (Antonio and I) could stay as long as needed. Antonio happily, was content with where he was so I could "recover". What am I going to do if he breaks an arm or leg? Or falls and gets cut? Or something worse? I told Albert he is in charge if anything other than Antonio falling and skinning his knee or arm happens. I've now learned I may not do so well.

Maybe having just one kid is good.

For 24hours he was restricted to a "soft" diet. No seeds (strawberries, blackberries, etc), crackers, chips or anything he'd have to "bite" into and no sucking through a straw or sippycup type cup. So he had a bunch of watermelon, 2 banana's, scrambled egg, bread and 2 popsicles the rest of the day. Then the next day, oatmeal, more banana, french toast, scrambled egg, string cheese (cut into bite sized pieces), spinach leaves, more watermelon, blueberries, and apples (cut into bite sized pieces). Today, Rosemary (daycare) wasn't sure what he could or couldn't eat so she planned to have, waffles, applesauce, mac n cheese, yogurt, pudding and another popsicle. He's had the best foods the past few days.

He's got a pretty big lisp right now and I am really hoping as he gets used to talking without 1 front tooth it will gradually lessen. It makes me sad to see him smile with a missing tooth. :/  Today on the way home from swimming he said to me, "my grown-up tooth is taking a really long time to come".  Poor guy. I pray he gets used to it because Dr. Lugo warned it could be a couple years before it grows in. Imagine not having one of your front teeth, and trying to talk and eat like "normal". Thats what he has to deal with for a couple years. My poor sweet boy.  I know its better that it's gone so his "grown-up" tooth can grow in properly and the infection (from when he fell and the tooth was pushed up) is gone but it still makes me sad for him.

A pulled tooth

When Antonio was still a baby (he still is in my mind but back when he was 1ish) he would put his blankie in his mouth, managed to get one of the strings that was also looped, all of them were, around his front tooth and pull on it. He did it all the time, I guess it was an alternative to sucking his thumb. Once all his teeth were in, I noticed that one of his front teeth was out further than the other. No big deal but I brought it up every time we went to the dentist, it bothered me. I was always worried that it meant when it fell out, the permeant tooth would grow in crooked. The dentist, Dr. Lugo, always said not to worry because the permeant one most likely would grow in fine. Then we got his X-rays done once he was old enough and sure enough, it looked like it was growing in the right spot, phew.

A couple weeks ago Antonio slipped on some sand that was on the floor of his classroom and fell. They said he fell and bit his lip, they gave him ice and he claimed he didn't cry. Well of course that was a Wednesday and Albert picked him up took him to daycare and I didn't see him until much later and well, he looked fine when I saw him. He had a little bump/red spot on his lip but that was all; I wasn't worried. Well last week he complained because his lip was hurting, turned out he had a nasty canker sore between his bottom lip and gums. That went away yet he was still complaining of pain on top of his mouth. He pointed to the roof of his mouth behind where his left tooth was. I looked and saw nothing. I assumed he was just making it up. :(  He kept complaining about it every time we brushed his teeth so last Thursday I looked closer and saw this:

It looks more like a long lump on his gums. Not so much round as it looks here. He said it hurt when I touched it and yet still pointed to the roof of his mouth behind the tooth. Then he started mentioning certain foods hurt to eat but never ever really complained about it. I had to cut up apples into bite size pieces because biting big ones hurt. He had his regularly scheduled cleaning next month so I was just going to wait until then.  I didn't think to much of it until I showed my Mom Saturday evening when she was over for Mothers day dinner. She calmly, yet sternly, you should call his dentist about it. She mentioned it looked like the permanent tooth was maybe growing in over it. 

ACK!

That kinda freaked me out. I definitely don't want that to happen. So I told Antonio I would call Dr. Lugo Monday. I did and got him in this afternoon. They took an x-ray and asked if he had had any trauma to it. I said no, then remembered the fall at school. Dr. Lugo said that was probably it. The tooth bit his lip and was pushed up into his mouth just far enough to cause movement. They could also see a small infection starting which was why it was hurting him so much. Dr. Lugo said they would have to pull the tooth, top right (Antonio's top left). That way the other could grow in right and to get rid of the infection/pain. He said he couldn't do his regular cleaning because of the infection so sooner than later. We decided for tomorrow instead of waiting two weeks (after school is out). He suggested tomorrow so we could get it out before the infection got any worse and began to really bother Antonio. :( 

Once the tooth is out he will have a hole there; for maybe 2 or 3 years.  The other tooth should grow in like normal but now be delayed a bit more than normal because it will have to grow through bone instead of the hole of the baby one. The "hole" of the baby one will be long closed. Dr. Lugo did say it looks like Antonio has (hopefully now, had) a slight under bite, his lower jar is out farther than his upper one. However, the blankie thing when he was younger may have corrected that with the other tooth. Yay!? I think. So maybe, just maybe, both upper permanent teeth will come in perfectly after all this! *Fingers crossed*

Antonio will miss school tomorrow but seems ok with it because Dr. Lugo will "fix" his tooth. ;) An hour before we go in I will give him a very small about of liquid valium to relax him. I asked if I could have some too or at least have some laughing gas during the appointment but sadly I was turned down.  Anyways. Once there, we will go in and have the tooth pulled in about 5 mins. Apparently the actual pulling out of the tooth is super fast and easy. Antonio might feel a little discomfort or pressure but thats it. 

Side note: Thats also what they told me I would feel when they pulled Antonio out of me during my c-section. The only little that was involved was Antonio and we all know he was not little. :/ So I'm a bit nervous for him.

Moving forward. They said that he should be fine afterwards, maybe a little drowsy from the valium but fine. In fact they said he would be able to go to swimming later in the day with no problems. Crazy. I imagine a little sore from it too but they didn't think much if any. We will play it by ear and hope thats true. I'm kinda freaking out about it. I know its just a tooth that wouldn't have fallen out in a year or two anyways but still. There will be valium and pulling involved...on my baby boy. 

Yes, I am grateful and thankful that this is the worst that has happened to him in his little life so far. My cousin's youngest just got his cast off after falling off his brothers bed (while playing calmly on it) and breaking his arm. We're lucky its just a tooth but for a year or two there will be a hole in his smile. :(  He's never been big on smiling good in pictures anyways but still...  Please pray for him tomorrow (Tuesday) morning around 10:30. Pray it is fast and painless and that there is no "recovery" needed! :) Also pray that I don't pass out. Lol. I'll be sure to update FB once we are done and home. 

Here are a couple last min full of teeth pictures from this afternoon! Tomorrow's smile will be a little different...