Earlobes and Belly Buttons

 This is my baby girl. Getting her ears pierced for the very first time. She was so excited to get it done. I told her she was a big girl now and that alone was enough to make her smile for hours. We took her to the shop, let her pick the earrings, and put an eye mask on her. We told her they were going to glue the earrings in.

All done. That wasn't so bad was it? She said it hurt. I told her the girl probably pinched her ears too hard when she pressed the earrings onto her ear. There were some teenagers there waiting in line... They congratulated her on being so brave. They proceeded to show her their multiple earrings.... and belly button rings. She gave me a look like "you're not going to make me do that are you?"

Happy girl. Lollipop. Pierced ears. Done and Done. How about some ice cream? Sure. How about going out to lunch? OK! How about a family trip to the movies? Fantastic!  What a big girl you are! She was so happy about her new earrings. She was so happy to have pretty sparkly earrings like mom. She was so loving, and cuddly, and happy. She loved them! I felt so happy. Worlds best Mom!! My first daughter, her first ear piercing. It was a magical day.

Until night came. 

She accidentally banged her ear on the door jamb. Guess what happened? Her earring came out. I tried to get it back in but it was already closing up. I yelled at her (oops) and told her to sit still while I tried to stab her ear again (FAIL).
I possibly traumatized her for life (again).

Finally Super Dad stepped in. "Lisa- there is a better way to handle this".   We sat her down and listened to her side of the story. It went something like this:
(remember, she turns 5 on friday)

"Mom, Dad. I'm not a big girl. I'm just a little girl. I can't have earrings until I'm a grown girl like mommy.  I'm too little right now. I can't have it. I'm not big. But one day, I'll be a big girl, and I can get sparkles for my ears..... and my belly button"

I SHIT YOU NOT.