Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Brayden's First Trip to the Dentist.

Today I was a proud momma as my big boy had his first dentist appointment. We actually made the appointment 2 months ago-- can you believe that it's that long of a wait to get in to see the DENTIST?! Wowsers.

For the past two weeks I've been talking to Brayden about what the dentist would do. How he would have a pointer to point to all of his teeth, and how he would want to polish all of his teeth with a big special BUZZING toothbrush. Brayden would always kind of stare at me blankly, but whenever I would bring up the dentist again non-chalantly, he'd tell me what they were going to do (he'd even ask if Dr. Daby-- what he calls our pediatrician-- was going to check his heart. I guess he thought since I kept calling it a doctor's office that it was a full body work up... LOL). We even practiced our big open wide AHHH mouths. I was worried that even with all of the peptalk he would freak out a bit, but he did SO good from start to finish.

I didn't bring C along as originally planned. I probably could have on a normal visit, but about 3-4 weeks ago, Brayden pulled the grill on top of himself, and it smacked his face pretty good. Since that time his front four teeth have become increasingly gray. So much so that it had Drew and I really worried they might suggest to pull his teeth, so I wanted to be able to talk to the dentist if we needed to discuss serious treatments. So my dear friend Katie watched C while B and I went along for the appointment. When we pulled up to the actual dental office, there were all kinds of lifelike jungle animal sculptures protruding from the building-- it was like we had arrived at Disney land. Brayden was in awe, and I made sure to make a big deal out of it-- like we were at the coolest place EVER (and indeed, it was PRETTY darn cool!).


IMG_0294
Greeting the Gorilla (complete with a Razorback hat) before we went in.

The inside was the same way-- all kinds of sculptures, video games, movies and a fish tank.


IMG_0297
There was an alligator hanging from the ceiling :)
IMG_0300
the movie theatre
IMG_0301
sitting on the wild chairs
IMG_0299
giving one of the many monkeys a kiss
IMG_0298
this was the middle of the waiting room, and B's favorite part.
IMG_0296
IMG_0295

After he got called back we had to get x-rays. I think I was more nervous than he was. And when the technician said to open up and say "AHH" he did it! SO big!


IMG_0302
checkin' it out...
IMG_0303
"say AHHHHH!"


We went to the back where the chairs are lined up. In the ceiling they have flat screen tv's, and thankfully Toy Story was playing above Brayden's chair-- HEAVEN. He sat still the entire time, doing exactly like the hygienist said, and was even still for the doctor. Here's a video of part of his cleaning:



IMG_0311
this was by his chair when we walked in... so cute!
IMG_0304
IMG_0309
IMG_0306

He didn't even try to get up until they told him he was all done! He gave them a high five, grabbed his goodies (a rubber ducky squirter and a new toothbrush), and walked out the door like he'd been going to the dentist for years. I absolutely loved this office... it's SO kid friendly and our doctor and hygienist were great. And I'm so proud of my super boy, who may be a strong-willed mess, but is SO cooperative at the doctor's office, and so brave with new things! I love you Brayden Thomas!

PS- When I brought up the graying teeth, the hygienist casually mentioned that sometimes children's teeth can discolor from iron, and if that was the case with Brayden, it should come right off with the cleaning. The light bulb went off for me then, because B has been on iron supplements for the past month due to his iron deficiency, but he started them at the same time as the grill incident so I never put the two together! And just like the hygienist said, the discoloration came right off the minute she cleaned his teeth. i asked if there was anything I could do at home (since we already brush his teeth twice a day) and unfortunately there really isn't. I'm just SO grateful that it's nothing serious. Drew and I were having nightmares of them telling us we'd need to pull all 4 teeth. Aside from the vane part of me who wants my child's teeth to look pretty, I was horrified with the bill we might have to face of pulling 4 teeth. Thank you God for an easy fix!

Memorial Day Weekend

(I wrote this post last night, but it took FOREVER to upload all the pictures, so I'm just now finishing it this morning).

As I sit here typing at 9:30pm, I feel as though I may need tooth picks to prop my eyes open. I am POOPED as pooped can be, but have such a full heart, as the past 4 days have been spent with a majority (missed you Ben and Meg!) of my family.

On Thursday evening my mom, dad, sister Laura and her boyfriend Jacob, and my brother Jeff all drove in from Baton Rouge for the weekend. They came a little later than planned, since they had to be re-routed due to flooding in Louisiana. All I can say is that (a) I felt terrible that they had to be in a car for 13 hours and (b) I was incredibly grateful it wasn't ME with TWO BABIES being rerouted across the south. I am pretty sure I would have cried (and I'm pretty sure my mom almost did!). Thankfully they made it in one piece.

Friday Drew had to work half a day, so we spent the morning lounging around allowing Brayden to entertain us. He was SO excited that his "Wah wah" "Jeff" and "Jabob (Jacob)" were here to visit!


IMG_2568
IMG_2575
IMG_2582
IMG_2586
IMG_0257
IMG_0256
what a little cutie!

During naptime mom, Laura and I went on a little shopping excursion and then we were back before the boys woke up. The day was gorgeous, so we quickly decided to head out on an adventure to a local trail/garden that Drew has long told me about but that we never have gone to as a family. Drew's class during college (he is a Landscape Architect major) helped design portions of the area we went to... it is BEAUTIFUL. If you live in the area I highly recommend Compton Gardens! Of course, I was busy snapping pictures, and I am pretty sure that other people at the trail thought we were a bit crazy stopping along the way to have mini photoshoots :)


IMG_2774
(please note how tan my mom is, and how pasty white I am-- I could not be happier about the fact that we have a pool pass this summer!)
IMG_2778
IMG_2782
IMG_2783
"Hey guys! I'm just sittin' here watchin' all the crazies."

We attempted a family photo...
IMG_2791
TAKE 1
IMG_2788
TAKE 2
IMG_2786
TAKE 3
IMG_2785
TAKE 4

I just gave up after TAKE 4. Hoping that we'll get better by October, when we have a family portrait session FINALLY planned!
IMG_2797
IMG_2796
Dad said he was being an indian. Whatev.
IMG_2799
Missed you Meggie!
IMG_2726
IMG_2809
"What... what is that? A flower? Oh, I think I'll pick it to eat."
IMG_2818
Oh hi Gigi!
(PS-- I should note that he's FINALLY sitting up on his own. He's still wobbly, and will tumble if you don't sit there with him, but he's doing it, and couldn't be happier about it!)
IMG_2618
Laura and her boyfriend Jacob (who B affectionately named "J-Bob"
IMG_2612
This was a fresh spring creek, so Laura and Dad took turns drinking the water. They didn't get sick, but I kept telling them I wasn't cleaning up if they did :)
IMG_2609
Ofcourse, B threw rocks...
IMG_2616
And also fell into the water, so he had to go pantsless for a few minutes while Drew rung out his shorts.
IMG_2598
he found a flower and RAN to show me.
IMG_2600
but before he got to me he stopped to blow on it. I think he confused it with a dandelion.
IMG_2596
IMG_2595
IMG_2594
IMG_2676
IMG_2672
B grabbed this stick and then said "It's a stick... no a gun!" then shot it in the air. BOYS.
IMG_2669
IMG_2662
He rode his Strider a lot of the trail...
IMG_2654
We even met another little boy who was riding a Yellow Strider... Brayden was so excited to see someone else his age on a bike!
IMG_2657
IMG_2647
IMG_2707
IMG_2710
IMG_2706
IMG_2703
IMG_2698
(this was WHY B wanted to sit on the rock)
IMG_2700
IMG_2694
(this picture cracks me up)
IMG_2690
IMG_2687
IMG_2679
(Laura told B this was a grenade launcher)...
IMG_2678
IMG_2681
so then he tried it out...
IMG_2685
can you tell the strain on his face? he was trying so hard to be just like Laura!
IMG_2746
Jeff being Tarzan
IMG_2750
IMG_2743
IMG_2734
not sure why he's making this face. but it's funny!
IMG_2737
about as good as I was able to get. 2 year old pictures are impossible.
IMG_2771
IMG_2824
B climbed up there all on his own!
IMG_2836
the trail head has a splash park also, and Brayden loved it. Well, actually love is a strong word, but he liked splashing in the puddles atleast!
IMG_2838
IMG_2839
I just love this picture of his profile... so sweet!


Saturday my parents went to visit some good friends of theirs, so the kids were left to their own. We decided to make use of our new pool pass, so we all headed to the pool. The water was cold, but we had fun. I totally forgot my camera on that trip so no pics for Saturday.

Sunday we all hung together as a family. My sister, mom and I laid out together during naptime... when I said that we just needed an ocean and a nice margarita, Laura asked Drew to make us some margaritas, and he made them and brought them out to us! So nice! The weather was awesome so after the boys woke up from their naps we headed to the pool. I remembered my camera this time :)



IMG_0280
IMG_0282
He's always a little timid before he goes, and then asks to go again when he finishes.
IMG_0285
{LOVE}
IMG_0288
IMG_0279
IMG_0271
IMG_0268
IMG_0277
IMG_0275


Sunday night we played Apples to Apples... always a good family game to bring lots of laughs.

The fam left town today. I felt like this was the first time Brayden really understood they were leaving. Today he's been asking about everyone, and when we got to the pool today (yes, we went 3 days in a row... pretty sure that will be our life for the next 3 months!) Brayden exclaimed "yay! Poppa and Gigi!" I guess he thought they'd be there to meet us, like they had the day before. It's so sad that my family lives so far away, yet it makes the time we do get to spend with them that much sweeter.

Tomorrow is Brayden's first visit to the dentist. I'm really nervous about the appointment, but not for Brayden's behavior, which always (knock on wood) has been rather stellar at the doc's office). Rather, it's because his top teeth have become increasingly black/grayish since the grill fell and smacked him in the face several weeks ago, and I am afraid that they are either already dead, or dying and that we'll have to get them pulled.

And with that, I'm off to bed. Hope you all have a great week!
 

A Dollop of My Life Copyright © 2007 -- Template created by O Pregador -- Powered by Blogger