Tonight I saw Pumpkin’s first molars (yeah!). The teeth, which seem surprisingly big in her tiny mouth, have been making their presence known before I could feel or see them in how they’ve changed our Pumpkin’s behavior.

I was hoping we would escape the teething blues altogether because she didn’t seem to suffer when her incisors came in. Apart from some drooling, we didn’t notice any upset with the arrival of teeth 1 through 8.

But for the past couple of weeks, Pumpkin has been cranky and sensitive, hugging her favorite stuffed animals closer, complaining when we’ve taken something away and in general being a bit needy. She’s also reverted to chewing on her plush toys, a habit she left behind months ago. She’s also been resisting when I brush her teeth, a task she once tolerated and actually seemed to enjoy — she even used to take a turn with the brush. But for the past few weeks, I’ve had to lay her on my bed and hold her mouth open to get at her teeth. And, most disturbingly, the past three nights she’s woken up in the night crying and upset — which is also not typical.

So, tonight, after we washed her face, when I took her into my room for tooth brushing, I reached inside her mouth to feel around to see what might be happening. I was surprised to find three (!) molars coming in — two on the bottom and one on the top. Poor baby! No wonder she’s been fussy.

(It’s interesting that the teething experience has even caused her to regress a bit. She normally enjoys holding my hand or her Grandma’s and walking up the stairs, but lately has been demanding to be carried. She was also crawling around the kitchen today — something she hasn’t done since she mastered walking this fall.)

Pumpkin’s been a late teether all along. I checked out this very handy chart online and saw that the first bottom molars were actually due at 12 months. Her 12-month mark (from her due date) was July 27. The top molars are scheduled to come in at 14 months. I’m wondering whether this means it will be another six months before the next round of bottom molars come in — or whether she will “catch up” and get more teeth sooner. Any other parents of late teethers out there have some insight?

I kept her up a bit later than her usual bedtime tonight in the hope that she will sleep the night through — and we had a pretty vigorous game of ball in the evening that I hope went some way toward exhausting her. (Yes, we play ball in the house!)

I’m wondering if anyone has a suggestion for what might make her feel better? I’ve seen Tylenol recommended, but I’m a bit reluctant to give medicine unless she has an actual illness. Any remedies work particularly well for your kids? Want to share your teething wisdom? (Bad pun intended.)

So tonight we mark another milestone. She’s on the road to childhood. A future of crunchy snacks and steaks awaits. (And, just think, in six or so years, those teeth she’s suffering so to bring into being will be under her pillow waiting for a dollar from the tooth fairy.)