Take a Bite Out of...No Not Your Friends!

Remember a few days when I wrote about how adorable and loving my daughter is these days? Well she's still all of those things...especially to me and my husband...and usually to her teachers and friends at school. But this week we've encountered a fun new challenge. First I should preface it by saying she's teething big time. I mean there are red, swollen gums, lots of drool, moments of trying to put her whole fist in her mouth and lots and lots of Tylenol dosings. And along with those fun symptoms, Miss B has discovered the power of her new chompers and decided to put them to use by biting two friends at school on both Monday and Tuesday. Wonderful! Just last week she got bit and I was pissed. I made a point of seeking out the center's director and saying, "B got bit today?" in a tone that was saying, "What the hell, my daughter got bit today? What's the deal?" And now the tables have so quickly turned. Of course I must wonder if she hadn't been bit last week would she have realized the power of that act? When I arrived to pick her up on Monday, the school's director met me near the office and said, "B had a little incident today. She actually bit twice." I was mortified. "Don't worry," she said. "It's very common at this age, and she's obviously teething and miserable. I'm sure it's a stage that will pass." The next day we had a plan of action, hit her with Tylenol when she wakes up from her nap, make sure teething rings are handy...nope, that didn't work out. The biter struck again...twice more! She's showing her red-haired feisty side. When someone tries to take her toy, or isn't moving fast enough through the tunnel she just nips 'em! Yesterday one of the teachers was assigned as "B's shadow" to keep an eye on her especially when lots of toys were in play. I pulled up nervous, hoping more "naughty slips" weren't waiting for me to sign. "We're okay," the director said when I opened the door. "There was an 'attempt' but we thwarted it." Thank goodness, I thought. Today is yet another new day and she was happy when I dropped her off and with any luck she'll be happy this afternoon...and so will all of her friends.