Boopy's 1st Dentist Appointment

Having learned the hard way through our experiences with Big Boy, that it is wise to have a first dentist appointment at a young age, even as early or earlier than 2 years old, we set up an appointment for Boopy on Friday, Sept 12. Big Boy had a small cavity to be filled on one of his top molars so Boopy's appointment was immediately after his. Thankfully having "teacher" Sam helping us out now, this appointment set up was ideal because I could still go back with Big Boy for his treatment and then take Boopy back for her first visit. The dentist understandably wouldn't let Boopy back for Big Boy's treatment as we wouldn't want to scare her from any regular visits.

Anyway, my poor big buy suffered through a very easy procedure to fill his cavity, fighting every step of the way. He went in initially for his new x-rays without a problem but wanted nothing more to do with the dentist after that. Not that I really blame the poor kid. It's just that if he had settled down, it would have been a much faster and easier procedure. I did take a couple pictures of my tough big kid since I'm trying to make up for not having anything but my cell phone at his first actual dental appointment. Oh, don't worry, while it looks like Big Boy is having a smoke after his filling, it's really just some gauze he had to bit on.

The kids had a moment to play together before Boopy's turn.

She was REALLY excited for her turn. She kept saying "My turn! My turn!" Seriously - it's anything that big brother can do, she wants to do regardless of what it is!

When I asked her how she was going to show the dentist her teeth this is what she did!

She was a real trooper for the x-rays. She sat very still on my lap, opened her mouth as asked. She was really really good.

Then we went back to the exam area which is really fun and kid friendly, since it is a pediatric dentist office. Anyway, after A LOT of coaxing, all we could get her to do was to sit on the chair barely by herself. I laid down on it with her, sat her in my lap and put her head on the chair. Nothing would convince her that it was okay to sit back and let the hygienist clean her teeth. Dr. Pacheco would have been thrilled if we had gotten that far but didn't have high expectations as not many two year olds manage to cooperate that far. Considering how good the x-rays went, I had hoped we'd get a bit farther without force. Oh well. We did have a brief exam with Dr. Pacheco where she counted Boopy's teeth and added some fluoride on them. Overall Boopy's teeth are in great shape and we're hoping for a smoother exam in March.

Reading time with Elmo!

So, Monday I had a day off from nearly everything. Off of jury duty (for only a week - we should hopefully finish up next week) and off of work. What I wasn't off duty for was my Mom duties, which I don't mind at all! :) I had scheduled a dentist appointment for Big Boy and Boopy's 2 year check-up with the doctor. While the appointment's went fine, fairly routine and not much to report although there was a bit of fun worth sharing while we were waiting.

When Big Boy was back with the dentist, Boopy and I waited out front. The waiting area is so nicely set up for kids. They have a play bus, big books, magnetic letters and large stuffed animals (Elmo, Tigger & Pooh) to play with. I found a magazine to browse and Boopy latched on to the books. With a Dora book in hand, she spotted Elmo and marched right over to him. She grabbed Elmo's head that was flopped over, looked at him and said, "Elmo, wake up! Elmo, wake up!". She climbed up on the seat and set herself up to read "Dora" to Elmo. Too cute! After a fast read, Elmo got to learn letters. Boopy brought the bucket of magnetic letters over to me to help her tell Elmo about them. I would tell Boopy the name of the letter and she would repeat it to Elmo. The funny thing was that Elmo kept flopping over. Booy wasn't impressed by this and would grab him by the eyes, stare in his face and say sternly, "Elmo, look at me! Look at me Elmo!". Not sure where she picks up this stuff....can't imagine where at all....nope...not a clue! ;)

The doctors visit wasn't quite as entertaining, although the kids did have fun jumping on the colored floor tiles. I was told by the first nurse that Boopy was one of the best/easiest two years olds ever. This was after I left her with the nurse for a moment while I took Big Boy to the bathroom. I'm not sure the nurse saw the right child because the Boopy I know tests my patience every step of the way! Seriously though it is nice to know that Boopy is so good for other adults. She did very well for the doctor too. The picture below is of the kids sitting patiently for me to share their goldfish crackers with them. I love that bribery for good behavior comes so cheaply now, I hope it stays that way!

Oh, by the way, for those of you interested, Boopy is 27 1/4 lbs and 34 inches tall. She scores just right about 50% on her height and 55% on her weight. All around healthy kid.

First Visit from Toothfairy

Excuse the intermission from the Arkansas trip. I've got so much to blog, I'll be catching up bit by bit. :)

The Tuesday after we got back from our road trip and right after Easter, poor Big Boy had to have a visit to the oral surgeon. After his first dentist appointment to Papa and my dentist we were referred to a pediatric dentist who could better manage the needs of Big Boy's teeth. He has two cavities in his far back bottom molars that have needed attention. At the pediatric dentist office there were able to get a better variety of x-rays. In his front top teeth they were able to see that he had an abscess inside the gum, above his front right top tooth that was pressing up against his permanent tooth. It was explained that this was most likely caused by a fall at some point where he would have banged his tooth. This would have caused the nerve in the tooth to die eventually causing the graying color that we were seeing. Needless to say, the only way to properly protect his permanent tooth from damage from infection was to have the tooth pulled. For tooth extractions such as this, the pediatric dentists refers out to an oral surgeon. Not a happy day to say the least, but the right thing to do.

Big Boy did extremely well having his tooth pulled. He got anxious and we had a few tears as they administered the nitrous oxide to calm him which is understandable. Once he was calm, he was a trooper with no tears even through the shot in his gum to numb the area! He sat like such a big boy holding my hands and doing everything the surgeon told him. I can't tell you how much I hated having to have the loss of his first tooth this way, but I keep telling myself it was for the best.

You'd never know he had a numb mouth! This was just a couple hours after his tooth extraction! Poor little snaggle tooth smile.

Since this was ultimately Big Boy's first tooth to be lost, it could go without a visit from the tooth fairy! After the excitement of putting his tooth under his pillow, which incidentally Boopy had to inspect under her pillow for teeth, I explained that the tooth fairy might bring him something special for his first tooth! Indeed she did! In the morning, Big Boy was excited to find a $1.00 in quarters where his tooth had been AND the DVD "Meet the Robinsons"!

Big Boy's 1st Dentist Appointment!

I am sooooo proud of Big Boy! He's is growing up so much and really becoming such a big boy. He had his first dentist appointment yesterday. We could not believe just how well he did. Having discussed with the dentist prior to the appointment about bringing him in, we had figured if he didn't sit well, wouldn't open his mouth, etc., it wouldn't be that unsual for a little guy and we'd try again in 6 months to a year.

Well, there was no need for worry, because Big Boy did so great! He had no reason to fear going to the dentist, like many of us adults, so for him everything was so cool, new and exciting. He got to sit in a fun chair that moved back and up and down, hold a small vaccum for suctioning in his mouth and wear special glasses! Plus, the dentist office is really nice and high tech, with cool wand like cameras that they are able to take pictures of indivual teeth inside your mouth and put them up on the screen in front of you. He REALLY liked seeing his teeth on the tv. The hygenist, who is wonderful, super easy going, was able to get almost all the x-rays needed. The one she wasn't able to get was only because it wasn't fitting in Big Boy's mouth. He let her try like 3 times! She even polished his teeth, flossed and talked to him about how to use his toothbrush. He did a super, super, super job! I really can't express just how proud of him I am!

Boopy slept through almost all of the appointment (thank goodness!) When she did wake up at the tail end she thought she should have a turn. Instead she got to share in picking out a treasure from the treasure chest. Hopefully though when it really is her turn to see the dentist she'll do just as well.

Since I forgot my camera to document this big event, I was stuck using my camera phone. Although Big Boy almost looks scared in the photo below, he really wasn't. He was just laying patiently holding his new toothbrush and ready for the next step.

As a big reward for such an outstanding visit, Papa Vaughn took the kids to McDonald's for lunch and then they were off to the park to enjoy the beautiful day off. I unfortunately headed back to work.