Her bottom tooth had been getting increasingly wiggly over the last few months. During rest time, the girls decided it would be fun to "play dentist." Once the experienced tooth-puller Noelle had a chance to feel the loose tooth, she assured Lucy that she could lose the tooth during rest time if she wanted to. Lucy was game, so the door to their room closed and the process began.
Noelle coached her little patient all the way through the experience. She told her to scream when it hurt, and she'd apply pressure this way and that way, twisting and tugging. When Lucy screamed, Noelle would stop. Eventually, the coaching became, "Okay, Lucy. Now push past the scream." At this point, I was invited into the room and I was giddy! This sweet little thing has waited much longer to loose her first tooth than other kiddos. She's 6 1/2! The scene was so very reminiscent of childbirth, it was hilarious. Noelle played the part of calm, reassuring, trusted midwife. Lucy, of course, the excited yet terrified mother ready to birth a baby. Me, the grandmother taking pictures and Isaiah, the uncle (?) peeking in and out from the hallway, eager for news.
Eventually, Noelle could tell it was just about out. She pulled her hand back and told Lucy she ought to be the one to get her own first tooth out. Lucy agreed and gave one final push back on the tooth and it popped right down onto her tongue. She gave a teary squeal and we all rejoiced that a little tooth had been born!
I was so very happy for Lucy to enter the "lost tooth club" and also to get over the fears of what loosing a tooth would be like. And I was so very impressed with Noelle! She was very impressive. So calm, reassuring and patient. I really could imagine her in a medical role - midwife or physical therapist or something which requires steady, confident, patient, loving care!
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