Ladies and gentlemen, we have tooth!

Yesterday morning, Ezra had no teeth. I know this because he loves to grab my hand and chomp on the knuckle of my curled index finger, and he had no teeth during his morning chew-fest. When I go to pick up the babe from my mom's house, she asked, "When did Ezra cut that tooth?"

Excuse me?

Cue me running to wash and sanitize my dirty hands that I've been denying Ezra's oral fixation. I glide my finger along his bottom gum and promptly get stabbed by the teeny, tiny tooth that pushed through sometime during the day.

Cue me crying tears of joy, then laughing at my ridiculousness.

To celebrate, my parents, Bo and I go to eat like fat kids at Hard Knox Cafe (can anyone say OXTAILS?!). Growing teeth must be hard work because Ezra slept the whole time. I was worried that he would be up all night from such a late nap, but he slept well yet again. I actually had to wake him from his sweet, precious baby slumber this morning to get him ready to go to my mom's house. And he was pissed. I made my fussy little man a bottle, and the little (and I say this lovingly) brat snatched the bottle out of my hands as if to say, "Gosh, mom. I can do it myself *rolls eyes* " ...

Really? A tooth and holding his own bottle? All within a 24-hour period? I guess this is why my parents kept commenting on the speed at which my sister and I grew. It's so bittersweet; I want Ezra to grow and develop without hinderances (and am so proud that he has done so thus far), but I also want my baby to stay a baby (I'm a selfish, selfish person). I'll be okay, of course. When I asked Ezra if he still needed his Mommy, he grinned and cooed.

Cue me melting with a cliche "awwwwwwwwwww".

Note to Ezra: Slow down, baby. Our fast-paced world will have you trying to grow up faster than you should have to. But just know that even when you don't need me, I will be here for you. Love you, Monkey.