Teething Bites

Go ahead. Ask me the question I get asked by family, friends and complete strangers at least a couple times a month….

“Are you going to have another baby?”

My answer today: Nope! Two is plenty.

Shocked? Puzzled by my lack of hesitation? Don’t understand how I couldn’t possible want to bring a third child into this world?

I’ll give you my reason in one word: TEETHING.

Yuck. Yuck. Triple Yuck.

There is nothing fun about it. And how quickly we parents forget what an awful time it is. Sure, there are those lucky few who barely know what hit their child who one day was giving that gorgeous gummy grin and the next flashing a mouthful of teeth.

I have to admit, I thought I WAS one of those lucky ones. I don’t remember Ella having a difficult time of it…maybe a handful of rough nights…a few runny diapers... but nothing to bat an eye at. Or is that just because my brain doesn’t let me go there? You know, kind of like what happens with child birth? After a year or so, we foolishly say, “Eh, it wasn’t so bad.” And then comes baby #2, and we say, “What the heck was I thinking—2 am feedings are SO not cool!”

Why don’t we accurately remember these trying events?

Well, this time, I’m not forgetting. No foggy recollections or sugar-coating reality. I’m going to remember exactly what it was like at this exact moment if and when I get that itch.

Here’s the story. Jaisa is not having an easy time of this teething business, and hence, neither are Matt and I. In fact, the past few weeks have been a nightmare, as a whole crop of teeth have been popping up in Jaisa’s mouth all at once. Poor thing. We’ve tried everything to ease her pain—Orajel®, ibuprofen, chilled teething rings, cold meals—but when it comes to teething, there’s only so much a parent can do, and then you’re left to let it run its course.

Unfortunately, the worst is always at night. We’ve reentered the infant stage, awakened by shrieks and hollers at least a couple times a night. Against my better judgment, I’ve been reduced to rocking Jaisa back to sleep, which I’m pretty sure I’ll be paying the price for once the teeth come in. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. This mama needs some sleep!

On top of the sleepless nights, the poops are on the loose and the bottom is red. Can you blame me for not wanting to go through this all over again?

Yes, teething bites. Thankfully, that adorable little smile is coming in quite nicely, and Jaisa sure loves showing it off. But if that “million-dollar question” comes up six months from now and I pause to consider the idea, please send me to this blog post to refresh my memory.