We’ve got teeth

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Spring Loves

I’ve made no bones about the challenges of a newborn on my blog, but I’m happy to say we’ve now entered a very enjoyable stage!

david 5 mojust shy of 5 months old

David has been an absolute delight. He’s been napping on a consistent schedule, sleeping through the night, and offering up a surplus of smiles during the day. On our evening walks, Justin and I often say to each other, “he’s a completely different baby from a few months ago!”

I wondered if we were on the cusp of teething for a little while, but I just wasn’t sure. He was drooling, yes, but it didn’t seem excessive. And he pretty much had no other symptoms.

Last week I noticed him tugging on his ear a bit and rubbing his face. The drool was a steady stream from sun up to sun down and I thought, “and teething begins. . .”

He had a couple difficult evenings in a row, and then on last Friday morning I peeked into his mouth and saw two faint little white lines popping through in his bottom gums.

Yep. The teething has begun.

I feel so. bad. for the little guy. He’s been a little clingy, and tries to stick everything he can in his mouth to chew. I’ve tried gently pushing a little bit on his gums to offer some counter pressure and that seems to soothe him a bit.

Within about 20 minutes of the inital teeth discovery, I was hit with a brutal reality.

My baby is growing up. Fast.

Everyone told me this. I knew it would happen. But it’s almost too fast for me to even realize.

Pretty soon he’ll have a mouth full of pearly whites and be tearing out of the driveway in my mini-van to go hang with his friends who are way cooler than me.

And I’ll long for the newborn days that I so quickly wished would pass.

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Ashley says · 05.07.14

I know exactly how you feel! My little
guy just turned 6 months (we were actually due around the same time but I have birth 5 weeks early) and I am constantly nostalgic for the days as they happen. My phone is so full of pictures that I can’t take anymore (only 1,045). They are all from the time he was born and even though the pictures are on my computer I can’t bring myself to delete them from my phone. My husband jokes that I’ll be one of the moms on the Old Spice commercials

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Denise says · 05.07.14

I literally laughed out loud at your comment, my hubby says the same about me. I cant bring myself to delete any- he is just too cute! Enjoy it while we can! 🙂

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Lilly says · 05.07.14

So cute pics of baby David! And yes, time flies when you don’t notice and soon they will take off. Hang on the little moments just a bit longer, then let them fly while you smile as they take off, just like the song find your wings with mike Harris, I get tear up every time. By the way, mY babies are 8 now!

Lilly

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Katey says · 05.07.14

my little guy is about a month behind yours and has been chewing on everything and drooling for about two days. yesterday was our first difficult day. its exciting how fast they grow. Is David rolling over yet?

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Jenna says · 05.07.14

Newborns are the hardest!! But, in my experience (I have four kids), your first born newborn is the most difficult. Namely, because you don’t realize just how hard it will be! But it wil be better with your second. You’re more prepared for how difficult it will be, and you know there is an actual light at the end of the tunnel! This really makes having a newborn a lot better and you will enjoy it much more!

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Rachel says · 05.07.14

Our little man didn’t have many traditional teething signs other than wanting something in his mouth at all times. Do you have one of those mesh feeders? When he’s ready for solids, try putting frozen fruit in them (we do apples, usually). That is by far the favorite teething remedy in our house!

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Liz says · 05.07.14

I used the lil mesh feeders, they worked great even just ice is good for them to chew on.

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Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says · 05.07.14

Awww he’s such a cutie! Glad you’re able to enjoy the moments while they’re here!

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Cynthia says · 05.07.14

This phase of babyhood… This 5-months-old to when they start crawling… It’s the best. They still think you’re the best thing in the entire world, they smile at you ALL THE TIME, they’re so happy and they learn how to play with their toys… This phase is why I will always be pregnant. Ha!

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Sherry says · 05.07.14

My little guy wil be 3 months on the 21st and has never napped longer than 30 minutes at a time and – yes- I want to pull my hair out most days. However, I also have a 5 year old and 2.5 year old (boys) and know how fast these baby days fly by and how “this too shall pass” so I let my house get messy and just soak up all those snuggles I’m getting.

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DeAndrea says · 05.07.14

What a cutie that David is!!! Yes raising a newborn is challenging and so is teething but this to passes. You are definitely in for some pleasurable times! Enjoy each and everyone!!! I am at the stage you mentioned towards the end although my son tears our of our driveway in a truck. Graduation from high school in a couple of weeks and then off to boot camp in Oct (extremely proud but this is my baby, Wah!). Children have a way of growing up way too quickly and the time just slips past before you know it.

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Lauren Tyner says · 05.07.14

It’s amazing how much more enjoyable it gets after those first few months. I think they get happier and then start responding to you more with coos and smiles! They grow so fast and I long for the infant stage (6-9 months the most!). But I never long for the newborn stage. It was so rough on me and he didn’t do much! I used to feel guilt about that but I’ve come to terms with it. Ha! It makes me happy to see you delighting in being a mother!

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Martha says · 05.07.14

My babies are now 21, and 19! I remember these days with such fondness. Enjoy them Kate because you are right…they will fly by too quickly! And even though they did go through a few years when I was not cool enough to hang out with, they now seem to be turning a corner and really appreciate me. Now when we go out to dinner, they pay for me! Love it!

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Maria says · 05.07.14

Yes, my baby is almost 14, and I do miss those days. However, if someone handed me a newborn today, I’d freak at the thought of sleepless nights and diapers. Nobody misses diapers, lol. Guess I’ll have to wait for the next generation to start having babies I can cuddle and give back!

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Jamily says · 05.07.14

I know the feeling all too well. I have a 2 year old and wonder where my baby went on a daily basis. Now I have 10 week old twins and I’m wishing this time would pass quickly. Not because I don’t love this newborn phase but because it’s been very difficult juggling all three in a state where we have no family, very few friends and a husband how travels often. In the same breath I long for them to stay tiny just a little bit longer. There’s a quote I heard and I don’t remember who said it but it’s about being a mom, “the days are long but the months are short”. This couldn’t be more true. Hold your little one close.

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Jessica says · 05.07.14

I have to say I’m jealous. My son doesn’t nap well and even though he’ll be one year old in just a few days he still doesn’t sleep through the night.

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Kristin says · 05.07.14

It’s a tough thing, this motherhood business. I too have found myself wishing various stages would pass, and then I make myself hang on a minute and try to embrace and enjoy each step along the way. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, for sure. My little baby boy just turned six and is finishing up kindergarten this year. I swear, he was just getting teeth yesterday. I cried like a baby his first day of school. My little girl will turn three in a month and be starting preschool in the fall. It is AMAZING how quickly the years go by, once you look back on them.

Enjoy those new chompers!! Table food, here he comes! 😉

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Jill says · 05.07.14

I know where you’re coming from! I’ve been emotional lately and today in the car I cried my eyes out because my “baby” is having his farewell assembly at elementary school in a few weeks. We have so many memories there and it just tears me up to think of him moving on to middle school. On a funnier note, he is learning about puberty and human development in health class. He calls it the “weiner” unit. I love that he comes home and tells me about what he learned. Why does motherhood have to be so bittersweet??

P.S.- could David be any cuter???

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tina says · 05.07.14

he looks like his moma 🙂

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April says · 05.07.14

I have a daughter that is four years old. I remember when she was about 6 months old, I told the pediatrician, I wish I could freeze time and have her stay that size for a lot longer. She told me it only gets better. She was so right!! It is true they grow up so fast but I can tell you it only get better!! Enjoy your cutie!

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Tina says · 05.07.14

He looks soooo much like his momma! He’s absolutely adorable 🙂

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Beth says · 05.07.14

It is scary and amazing how fast they grow and how quickly time flies. Immerse yourself in every second…you will even miss those difficult times because they come paired with moments that make you smile. I am a momma to four–all grown–my oldest will be 35 and my youngest, 25. I now have 7 grandchildren too.

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Jenny says · 05.07.14

My husband and I were talking about the same thing this morning and our opinions differed quiet a bit! While he doesn’t want her to grow up, I want her to grow up and get past the newborn stage. I’m so over whelmed by the newborn phase( I work full time and the primary care giver since he travels a lot for work). I can’t help but feel guilty when I say I want these days to pass.

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Heather says · 05.07.14

I was wondering if you’d share David’s schedule? My son is almost 5 months too and used to only wake once a night and slept through the night a few times but since moving to his crib in his room and learning to roll over he’s waking twice as night. Just curious how late David goes to bed and how often he naps during the day.
Thank you 🙂

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Missy Robinson says · 05.07.14

My firstborn turns ten this week – amazing how quickly it goes and how much more fun it gets the better we know them. Enjoy your boy as I will be mine!

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Denise says · 05.07.14

He is such a cutie, we have a 5 month old as well who isn’t cutting teeth yet but the drool train has arrived. It is so bittersweet seeing him get bigger, such a fun age though!

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Nora Gouma says · 05.07.14

Awwww…..He is such a cutie pie….kisses to him and dear enjoy this time…..xoxoxo….^_^

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Marissa Garvin says · 05.07.14

This morning I thought, it’s David update Wednesday! My little girl Is about a week older than David, and I shared a lot of the newborn struggles that you did. It’s amazingn how they are little people now. I am expecting teeth for McKinley any day now! Good luck mama!

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katie says · 05.07.14

I know how you feel, my son started walking at 9 months and had all his teeth by the time he turned one now he is 4 and about to start Pre-K and starting to learn how to read. Where has all the time gone?! Enjoy it because it does seem to go rather quickly.

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Kelly says · 05.07.14

I just wanted to say thank you for your honesty about being a first time mom! I have a 6 week old baby boy and your posts about the hardships have been so on target with what I have been feeling too. I have enjoyed seeing your posts about David and the good times that are ahead, and this post has reminded me I have to also cherish these days, even if they are difficult, because I will one day miss them!

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JLA says · 05.07.14

I swear by Hyland Teething Tablets if your guy needs some relief. I only use them before I put mine down for the night.

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Cammie says · 05.07.14

The Hyland teething tablets worked great for my son too!

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Allison says · 05.07.14

Yes, Hyland Teething Tablets were the miracle worker in our house.

David is a doll…enjoy those smiles while you can. They will morph into grunts and graons and sighs soon enough.

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BG says · 05.07.14

Just this week, my oldest lost his second baby tooth. I remembered how precious those sweet baby teeth were when they were coming in about five years ago, and now they are gone. *sigh*

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Amber says · 05.07.14

I’m sure you’ve heard the tricks to help a teething baby but these are a few that worked for our kids: Hylands teething tabs, a frozen wash cloth for him to gnaw on, or a mesh baby feeder with crushed ice inside. I also rubbed their gums with a cold finger if needed. Good Luck, he’s so cute!

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ashley @ LeavingTheRut says · 05.07.14

I know the feeling… But my guy has almost all his teeth (18 months old but sitting the sharp ones up from now…) and he is all over the place. I keep thinking bake to when he would just lay on the floor and coo at me. Time really does fly!

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Christy says · 05.07.14

Wow! A tooth at 5 months! That seems way too fast to me too! You’ll be feeding him real people food before long and THAT will be weird. Then he will start asking for food and you’ll be like, “where did you learn the word avocado??”

I taught my boys sign language for certain foods, we used Baby Signing Time, they really liked the music–they have a web site, it’s just great. Sign language really helped during that in-between stage when they can babble but you have no idea what they are trying to say. Now that they are over 2, they can talk more but they use sign language too. It’s like they can speak 2 languages! It’s good for their brains too.

It looks like he is in good hands. Precious baby!

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Tarah says · 05.07.14

He’s so beautiful! I think he looks a lot like you! Teething isn’t fun, I’m counting down the days for my youngest son to get his 2 year molars so we can put all this crying behind us!

They do grow up fast don’t they? It seems like just last week my oldest was just shy of five months like your little guy. Now he’s a sassy three year old. I do love the three year old phase though. His thoughts are totally unedited and free for all of us to hear. I laugh so often at the things that come out of his mouth!

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Adrienne says · 05.07.14

I, too, couldn’t wait for every milestone and now my baby is almost 18. Savor every moment because they truly do grow up too fast. It seems like just yesterday he was a baby. David is beautiful and I enjoy reading about him.

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Constance says · 05.07.14

I feel the same way. My son is 7 months right now and he just won’t stop growing. I swear it felt like he would never hit 3 months and when he did time has just flown. I cherish every moment of it.

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Anita Finn says · 05.07.14

I love your blog! I especially love Wednesdays and seeing your sweet smiling boy! He is adorable 🙂

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Heather says · 05.07.14

What a cutie!! Please, please tell me how he’s sleeping thru the night. I have a 4.5 month old who still only gives me 3 hours. Wakes 2-3x a night to nurse. I’m one tired Mama willing to do just about anything.

Love your blog!!

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Shanna says · 05.08.14

Heather,
As a new mama, I had a hard time with my baby sleeping longer stretches through the night too. The best advice I received from other moms was “routines are crucial to newborns.” So we wake up at the same time every morning regardless of how the previous night went. She eats, is awake for a minimum of an hour, and then takes a nap (remember, more awake time during the day = more sleep at night). We repeat this cycle all day in 3 hour increments. Starting in the evenings (4pm), I feed her every 2 hours to make sure she’s really full before bed. I also keep her awake the last 2 hours before bedtime with no nap at all. Literally in the first 2 days of starting this routine she slept from 10:30pm to 7am consistently (she was about 2 months old at the time).

I hope this helps! I know how difficult it can be!!

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Megan says · 05.07.14

I have the same thoughts every time my daughter hits a new milestone. It’s bittersweet watching them grow from a helpless newborn to a busy toddler and beyond…but there’s always another new stage with more exciting milestones just around the corner!

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Traci says · 05.07.14

I have been fighting tears lately with that same brutal reality! My daughter is about to turn one this month and I literally cannot understand how we got here so quickly. It’s such a fun, exhausting, rewarding ride that is going by faster than I ever could have imagined.

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Cynthia says · 05.07.14

He is adorable! Thanks for sharing his pictures. I think he looks like you!

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Tamara says · 05.07.14

My mom always told me not to wish any day away. Good or bad. All too soon they will be over. As tough as some days are, be grateful for the sweet boy that Heavenly Father has blessed your home with. Motherhood is truly a blessing from Father.
Pretty soon holes in walls, or scratches in the wood floors will become treasures and you won’t want to fix them, because they will remind you of the younger years of your child’s life.

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Jen T. says · 05.07.14

Oh how I miss that stage!! Teeth are such funny things. They are one (of many) different elements of childhood that is vastly different for everyone. I remember with my oldest being surprised that he had a tooth at 4 months…..then it when back down. It took three tries before the tooth finally decided to stay up for good. Totally took me by surprise. Who knew that could happen?! With my second, none of her teeth decided to show up until she was about 14 months old. I was starting to worry something was very wrong. Within a space of a month ‘ish she had every single tooth though. When it came time for the kids to loose their baby teeth, they surprised me again. My son’s permanent teeth grew up in his mouth before he lost his baby tooth. Thus he had a double row of teeth for a bit. The baby tooth eventually fell out, however there was no cute “hole” picture spot in his smile. I was assured by a dentist that it was a normal thing and more common than people think. My daughter has waited a long time to loose her 1st baby tooth (I think due to how late she got them) but she had her molars way before big brother (even though she got her teeth later). Like I said, teeth are funny things, and have no real “rules” or guidance about them. Just thought I would share a few things that happened to us that I wish someone would have told me about. Have fun with your sweet happy boy!

P.s. In my opinion….always use the fluoride supplement/vitamin they prescribe for kids (some states have it in their water supply and it’s a non-issue to give them a daily supplement). We didn’t think it was a super big deal and were too lax on doing it everyday. We found out the hard way that it makes a big difference in the long run. Both kids have at least 5 silver crowns on their baby teeth….and we are really very good about dental care in our house (no cavities for me or husband). Our dentist said that this is typical for most kids our area of the country (our city has hard water and they won’t allow any supplements added to the water supply). Still it’s a bit sad that I didn’t do enough of the research to know how important this was for kids in the long run.

Good luck with David’s teeth! Have a great day.

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Angie Huttinga says · 05.07.14

I am so glad to hear you treasure those moments because it is so true. Before you know it, they are all grown up! My babies are 14, 11 and 8 and I just can’t seem to slow things down! Enjoy your little blessing from God…he is a cutie!

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suzanne tornvall-sager says · 05.07.14

My oldest, now 21, also got her first teeth at 5 months. My “baby” is 13 1/2 and we recently had a long discussion about the emotional part of sex. The days can be long, but the years fly by. I remember it like it was yesterday. Now my teen daughters call me the “baby stalker”, because I always point out babies…just lovem’! I tell the girls that God knew what he was doing starting them as babies….I still love them through the teen garbage. Enjoy every second of it.

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hometechplumber says · 05.08.14

Saratoga Re-pipeHome Tech Plumbing provides repair and maintenance services for plumbing and heating systems across Bay Area.Offers commercial plumbing and drainage services twenty-four hours a day.

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BRIDESMAID DRESSES says · 05.08.14

So cute pics of baby

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Jennie says · 05.08.14

Two words: amber necklace. I swear by them for my babies! Poor baby David….feel better!

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Lesley says · 05.08.14

Hi,

Not sure if you have heard about Baltic Amber Necklaces for teething. I have a friend who swears by it for her son. Suppose to ease the pain & end the drooling. Check it out!!

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Holly Perez says · 05.08.14

He is precious! The teething stage is so hard, I have three so I’ve been-there-done-that! I swear by amber teething necklaces. My youngest wore one and she had minimal teething issues, and it helped in a few other ways as well. Maybe it’s something you could look into?

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Rosie D says · 05.08.14

Please, please, please pick up (or order) a Baltic amber teething necklace from Inspired by Finn. They are a teething game changer, I PROMISE! You can find them on amazon if you search Inspired by Finn.

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Trisha says · 05.08.14

Have you tried the amber teething rings? My dental hygentist swears by the things… http://www.amber-teething-necklace.com/ You should check it out and let us know how it works!

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Shilpa Gandotra says · 05.09.14

he is so adorable, enjoy every moment and keep sharing as many pictures as you wish 😀

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Medux @ Cute Short Dress says · 05.09.14

Aww he’s so cute. Congrats.

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Diane says · 05.09.14

I know exactly how you feel. . . my little boy will be 5 month on Sunday ( no teeth yet so far) but drooling like crazy. The first 3 month were hard but I finally feel like i can breath a little again:) They do grow up so fast, everyone tells you that but suddenly one day you look at them and cant believe how big they are!
Enjoy every moment!!

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kathy says · 05.09.14

You are way ahead of the game in that you are already appreciating every moment! My oldest child is now 23 and it does go so quickly.

I haven’t been receiving your feeds through my email. I have been missing reading your blog. I will have to remind myself to type it in each day. I look forward to your blog!

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Libby says · 05.12.14

edon’t know if I am repeating myself here, but I remember feeling sad about my first one growing up too fast and longing to push a pause button on his babyhood. A seasoned mom told me not to feel sad about children growing up, but to appreciate every stage they are in and to look back on past stages with fondness. This bit of wisdom has really helped me now that my 1st baby has entered kindergarten and my 2nd baby is well into her terrible twos. Yes they may no longer be sweet little infants, but they have done so many neat things all of which happened because they grew. Watching them change from crawling, to walking, to babbling to talking, to making jokes or forming their own thoughts is such a special thing to witness. I also know there is so much more to anticipate as they get bigger. That same wise mother told me her favorite age for her kids is the one they ate in now. That is so true as I am finding out I love where my kids are at now more than I did when they were younger. The other beautiful thing about babies growing up is that you never have to go back to the icky things once they have out grown, like colic, teething, temper tantrums. That isn’t to say there will be a time when they will be without challenges but it’s such an accomplishment when a kid outgrows a difficult time.

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Sony says · 05.13.14

I bought amber teething necklace, I hope it help for my little baby

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Lara Dickerson says · 05.16.14

He’s adorable! Teething can be tough…try freezing wet wash clothes and letting him chew them, try ice cubes in the munchkin mesh feeding bag-things (get them at target)! These were my life savers for both my daughter and son. Hang in there mama!

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Amber says · 09.19.14

You can try amber teething necklace 🙂 Here is information about this http://www.babyamberteething.com/products/necklace

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amberbuddy says · 06.09.15

Amber Buddy is a family owned business with a rich legacy in creating amber jewelry. We have the widest range of baltic amber necklaces and bracelets at the best prices for everyone.http://www.amberbuddy.com.au/

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