My sweet and amazing little...four eyes!

For those who don't know, Parker was diagnosed with an eye condition called Posterior Staphyloma last year. The easiest way to explain it is that he is extrememly nearsighted. He was born this way. We took him to a pediatric ophthalmologist last year b/c I had a sinking feeling that he needed glasses since he was always pulling things really close to him to see it and he would go really close to the TV. My suspicions were correct and Parker has been wearing glasses since April 2012.

this was last April when he got his glasses for the first time! he looks so little!

doesn't he look so smart and completely adorable in his glasses?

by June he was wearing his glasses pretty regularly. it was tough getting to wear them at first, but i just started to insist he wear them anytime he wanted to play, read, or watch a show. i would have him wear it for a bit then let him take it off. pretty soon he was insisting on wearing his glasses and asking where they were. this was right before we went to see Madagascar 3 at the theater...his first movie in the theater, which he loved and I was thankful he could see clearly!

Parker had an appointment with his ophthalmologist on Wednesday 4/15/13. The last time he went to an eye appointment was a complete fail. He screamed as if we were chopping his arms off when the nurse/tech had to put eye drops in his eyes. Kevin had to literally hold him down so the doctor could look at his eyes and she couldn't even go near him with some of her equipment. I was pretty hopeful about this appointment because Parker is about 6-8 months older and he can comprehend things a lot better. So I started to prep him a few days before and by this I mean:
   1) telling him he was going to see the eye doctor
   2) telling him the eye doctor is going to have a "mask" with a light and he's going to get really close to your face to look at your eyes so you are going to open them nice and big. We would practice this with me putting my hands around my eyes like binoculars and getting close to his face and say random things that I "see" in his eyes like a train or a car.
   3) telling him he would be looking at pictures on a mirror and telling the eye doctor what he saw

looking so serious, but he had just made a grab for that very expensive equipment in front of him w/ all the knobs and buttons. i was just praying he wouldn't break it.

I did choose to omit the whole eye drop thing during our conversation. I figured they would put eye drops in, but I just chose to gloss over it. And I suppose I should confess that the night before his appointment I also bribed told him that I would take him out for ice cream if he does not cry at the appointment. He must have really wanted that ice cream bc he exceeded my expectations! We waited a long time bc Dr. H. got called into surgery. 1.5 hours later we got called back and the thing I love about this practice is that you spend the whole appointment with the specialist. With the other eye specialist Parker went to we spent a majority of ther time with a nurse or a tech who did the eye drops, ther picture test, etc and the doctor was only with us for 10 min. Bad part is the wait time for both doctors is ridiculous, but thats what happens when there's only a few pediatric ophthalmologist in their area.

Parker and Dr. H...he was eying this Buzz Lightyear toy that spins and lights up when you press the button. Crazy kiddo even asked Dr. H if he could take it home. Dr. H politely said he could come back and play with it next time he came back, but that he could play with it during his exam.

He did such an amazing job listening to Dr. H and calling out the pictures. He goofed off a little bit, but Dr. H. called him out in a nice way and Parker straightened up right away...goofy smile still plastered on his face though. He let Dr. H. put drops in his eyes without any fuss and he was poked and prodded. Like I said, he was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! Dr. H. told him how he was very well behaved and Parker replied with: "Yep and I get ice cream after!". Dr. H. laughed and I shrugged my shoulder...hey you gotta do what you gotta do!

he ate that cup of ice cream so fast!!!

mommy ate her ice cream cone so fast!

Here's what we found out:
1. Parker's eyes actually improved. His prescription last year w/ Dr. BH was -8 on the right eye and -11 on the left eye. That was obtained while he was flailing like a fish. When he went under anesthesia around October of last year she was able to do a more thorough exam and said that his left eye was actually -12. I can't remember what is right eye was. I was devestated b/c his eyes were getting worse. So I was relieved to find out his eyes have improved. He is now at -7 for his right and -10 for his left. It's still bad, but it has improved.

2. I asked what the prognosis is for his eyes and was told it is hard to tell. I also asked if it could lead to blindness and was told likely not, but that he is just extremely nearsighted.

3. I asked if it was hereditary and if we should get Avery checked out. We were told it isn't hereditary, but if we have concerns then we shoudl get her tested. I advised that I didn't and she doesn't bring things close to her eyes to see them and yes she goes up to the TV quite a bit, but she also sees Parker and her cousins doing the same thing.

4. I asked if he needed to wear an eye patch b/c Dr. BH had advised he needed to wear one over his right eye for 70-80% of the day to strengthen his left eye. I advised that Parker has refused to wear his patch since before Christmas b/c it irritates his skin. Dr. H said 70-80% seemed a bit excessive, but if he will tolerate it for 2 hours a day then that should be fine. He also said that if he will wear for longer then that's fine too. He advised that this may help strengthen his left eye, but that it may not do anything at all. We have a follow up in September to see how his eye has improved.

at a carnival at his old preschool...he wore his glasses and eye patch every Tues and Thur when he went to school. he wore the patch without too much fussing, but we took a break from wearing it around Christmas time b/c he got sick...and it was hard to get him to wear it again. 

We haven't exactly started putting an eye patch over his right eye yet. I'm just trying to put off the inevitable screaming and crying. Last year when he was still wearing his eye patch, I explained to him that he had an eye boo boo and that's why he had to wear a pirate patch. I've tried prepping him for wearing an eye patch and telling him he has an eye boo boo and each time it results in him grabbing his eye, moaning, and starting to cry. He keeps insisting he doesn't have an eye boo boo. I think we will have to resort to bribing him with a couple of chocolate chips or something.

parker was a pirate his 2nd halloween, but i couldn't resist dressing him as a pirate again w/ his built in "pirate patch". he normally just uses plain blue patches, but i was saving this pirate one for halloween. doesn't he make a cute pirate?

Cross your fingers, toes, and eyes that all goes well b/c we HAVE to do this!

A Letter to Our Two Year Old...Round #2

I posted this already last night, but somehow it got deleted so here goes round #2...

Dear Avery,

How is it that our baby girl is already TWO years old?!? I say this all the time, but time has really flown by and I don't like how fast it has gone by. It seems just like yesterday that I was waking Daddy up at 1 am and telling him I thought it was time to go to the hospital...so again, why is my little bunny two years old?!? I can still remember very clearly when at 5:47 am on May 6, 2011 I was handed a very pink, chubby cheeked, pouty lipped TINY baby. Now I sit next to you while you watch Alvin and the Chipmunk's Chipwrecked, which you watch in full concentration and only turning to me to laugh occasionally or comment about the movie. You continue to be my sweet and sassy little girl!

You absolutely LOVED it when we sang Happy Birthday to you! You had the biggest smile on your face and I'm so bummed that the auto focus on my camera focused on the cake instead of your pretty smile! And yes we recycled your cake from your party b/c we had lots leftover and yes Lola there are 3 candles b/c 1 is for good luck. All the pretend play we did singing Happy Birthday and blowing out pretend candles ensured you knew what to do when we were done singing and you blew out your candles right on cue!

You love to make people laugh and your sweet little laugh is so infectious. I LOVE how you squish your nose and eyes when  you are really laughing. You are talking A LOT!!! I'm not sure how many words are in your vocabulary...I've stopped keeping track b/c it seems like you are saying a new word every day. You love to read books and your current favorite is Goodnight Moon, which I am thrilled about b/c it is my absolute favorite bedtime book. I've tried reading this to you at bedtime before, but it hasn't worked out b/c you've always wanted to go to bed after about 30 seconds of cuddling. I started to settle for reading it at other times and I think I got you hooked. I use the book to get you to go to your room when you don't want to go to bed. You run straight for your shelf, grab the book, and climb up on your recliner. Then  you demand: "Mommy, sit down!". You are such a bossy little girl! We start out with me reading the whole book while you sit on my lap then you take a turn reading the book a couple of times. You actually have the beginning of the book memorized and you'll recite the first half of it even though you're not on the right page: "Gwee woo, phone and red bah-woo. Cow jump moon. Three beh, sit cheh. Two kittens, pair mittens. House and mouse. Mush. Shhh.". Translation: In the great green room, there was a telephone and a red balloon and a picture of...the cow jumping over the moon. And there were three little bears sitting on chairs and two little kittens and a pair of mittens. And a little toy house and a young mouse. And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush and a quiet old lady whispering hush. You do a pretty good job!

Your absolute favorite person to play with is Parker. In fact the first question you asked this morning was: "Where Bubba?" b/c he didn't come to greet you like he normally does since you slept past 9 am and he was already in school. Sometimes you cry after we drop him off at school and yell: "Bye, Bubba!" as you sob. It breaks my heart! He is also the one person that can drive you nuts b/c he likes to pick on you and tackle you. It usually makes you laugh, but sometimes you just want to be left alone. But then again, you also like to bug him when he is playing quietly by himself. You love to play with cars with Bubba, play with  your baby dolls, play pretend (you throw anything over your shoulder and pretend it's a purse and that you are leaving and yell out "Bye! See you! I go see Shamu!" You get the pretending to go see Shamu from Parker - both of you love to pretend to go to Sea World), you love to sing and your favorite song besides Twinkle Twinkle and Happy Birthday is We Are Young by FUN. I've got the cutest video of you singing it in the car...I'll have to figure out a way to upload it! Your Bubba loves you so much and he doesn't like it when you're sad and crying. Any time you are upset he tries to comfort you either by patting your head or saying "shhh. shhh" or singing your favorite Twinkle Twinkle. It usually works and you stop crying...even for just a bit.

You started going to daycare in February when I went back to work full time. You had a tough time at first and hated it when I dropped you off in the mornings and would always cry, but Ms. Debbie always said that you were fine after I left. It took a while, but after about 2 months you started to walk up the driveway to the front door by yourself instead of insisting I carry you and you rarely cry anymore. You talk about your school friends Hammond, Abby, and Logan and of course Ms. Debbie. In fact you like to pretend you are on the phone with Hammond.

You had your 2 year check up today. Dr. Kathy, who is my fave pediatrician at the office, came in and your chin just started to quiver. But you just sat on the table brave as can be and let her listen to your heart and lungs. You let her look in your ears, nose, and throat. You looked as if you might cry at any moment, but you let her do her thing. Then she asked you to lay down, which you did, but you started to cry. You weren't screaming and thrashing around or trying to get up, but just crying an 'I'm scared kind of cry'. You let Dr. Kathy check out your belly, hips, legs, etc while Daddy tried to soothe you and patted your face and I rubbed your leg. Once Dr. Kathy was done, I hugged you tight, but you reached for Daddy. Sadly for me this has been  happening a lot recently. You've been favoring Daddy over me when you're not feeling good. It's ok - I know he gives good hugs. Dr. Kathy also said that your upper left 2 year molar was starting to peek through. I figured it was b/c earlier last week you were being extra dramatic and cried out that your tongue hurt, but you shoved your finger all the way to the back of your mouth instead of the spot where you had bitten your tongue earlier in the week. She said no other molars are attempting to come out right now...knowing you it will take until you are almost 3 for all 4 of them to come out!

So here are your stats:
Weight: 30 lbs (85th percentile)
Height: 35.5" (90th percentile)

If you continue on this growth trend you will be 5'11"! Dr. Kathy did say that some kids grow fast in their early years and then slow down quite a bit (this was Mommy...I stopped growing when I was around 11 yrs old - once the tallest I started to become the shortest), but that you will likely outgrow me - an easy feat since I'm only 5'1" and apparently that is only in the 10th percentile! She said that she doubts you will be as short as me since you've never been below average height wise (or weight for that matter). At 18 months your stats were: height 34.25" (>97%); weight 25.4 lbs (70%). Your projected height then was: 5'8.5". I guess only time will tell!

We love you a whole bunch, baby girl!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy
(and Bubba too)


More to come later: lots of photos of Avery's bday party...

Bite Your Tongue

We had a crazy time at our house a couple of weeks ago. Do you remember this post about Avery? Well Parker wasn't about to be outdone by his little sister! And boy did he top her black eye injury with a big whopper!

Parker had his last dentist appointment Wed April 10th to get his 3 other cavities filled on the left side. If you remember, he previously had the right side done. I was going to be going out of town for my cousin's wedding the next day and I had already re-scheduled the appointment a couple of times and early morning appointments book months in advance so I had to keep this appointment. Thankfully, my mom was already in town b/c we were flying to NC together the next day. I figured I'd stay with Parker and my mom until they took him to the back. So we hung out in the small room while we waited for the anesthesia to kick in. About 45 minutes later, the called Parker to the back, I said goodbye, and dropped Avery off at daycare. Kevin picked my mom and Parker up about 45 min later. Everything had gone well according to the nurse who called me after the procedure was finished.

My mom called me around 11:30 asking if we had cotton balls. When I asked why, she said for Parker to bite down on. I didn't think much of it since he had a hard time keeping the gauze in his mouth the last time and I figured the gauze probably fell on the floor. She also mentioned that Parker was acting a bit crazy and running around. I told her to try and keep him still and to put a movie on. Then I get a somewhat frantic call from Kevin around 12:30 saying that Parker had basically torn his tongue apart. I heard hysterical crying in the background. I frantically gathered my stuff, drove home, called and left a couple messages for the dentist to call back. When I got home, I saw Parker's practically mutilated tongue and waited anxiously for the dentist to get back from lunch. I didn't wait for them to call back...at exactly 1:30, I called the office. After explaining what happened, they agreed to see us right away. Dr. W said there wasn't much to be done and to continue giving him Motrin for pain and they would prescribe antibiotics to ward off any possible infection. He also advised that his tongue would swell and look a lot worse than it actually was. I was a little relieved when we left the office, but felt so horrible for Parker.

He was pretty clingy and didn't want to let me out of his sight. I decided to take him to McDonald's to get a frozen yogurt to help with his tongue and since the only thing he had eaten/drank since dinner the night before was the drinkable yogurt I told my mom to give him. He gobbled up his ice cream and said he was still hungry. I'm a selfish Mommy and decided to get myself some fries, which I hid behind my purse, but of course Parker saw them and wanted some. I was deathly afraid to give him any...or rather afraid of his reaction when the salty fries hit his tongue so convinced him that the fries would hurt his tongue. Thankfully he accepted my reason and I ended up throwing away half my fries. I deserved to starve after eating them in front of my starving child! I convinced him to not eat when we got home and finally got him to nap.

Parker ended up running a fever after his nap...just 101 degrees, which according to the paperwork the dentist sent home with my mom, this was normal. If it didn't respond to fever reducing meds or went above 101 then we were to call the dentist. Thankfully his fever went down
He went back to school the next day (I figured the fevers weren't due to an illness and the dentist said it was normal after having aprocedure). My mom and I left for NC and Kevin was left to fend for himself. Umm...yeah if I had known how this would have all gone down I would have cancelled my flight!!! Parker was miserable the whole weekend and threw tantrums left and right. Poor Kevin had to do everything by himself.

It took Parker's tongue about a week to heal. During that time he barely ate. I'm already a bit very OCD about making sure the kids eat enough healthy foods so this was a really tough time for me. Kevin made Parker tons of smoothies (made w/ strawberries, bananas, kale, quinoa, protein powder, yogurt, and milk), which he thinks of as special treats and LOVES them. But after having it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a couple of days he was over them. Kevin switched to chocolate milk just to get some calories in him. Weird thing was on Thursday Kevin got a call to pick Parker up from preschool b/c he has a 101.5 temp. Parker asked for chips...umm salt + HUGE sores on tongue = not a good idea. Kevin delayed this but getting him to take a nap, but the first thing out of his mouth when he woke up was chips. Kevin said he ate a huge helping of sour cream and onion chips without any complaints. Yet on Sunday he couldn't even eat cake at his cousin's bday party! Hmm...

Anyway, when I got home from my trip on Sunday we switched him to PediaSure to make sure he gets calories. At $10 per 6 small bottles, they weren't cheap, but that was pretty much all he was "eating". I also mixed his nasty tasting antibiotics in with the PediaSure to help mask the taste. It had been a fight to get Parker to take his meds every morning and night, but this way Parker just thought yucky medicine was all gone. Sneaky, sneaky! It was a tough week, but we all made it alive...barely!

WARNING!!! Graphic pics below...you've been warned...they are quite gross looking pics of Parker's tongue! If you look and end up throwing up don't blame me...you've been warned!!!

Parker's tongue the day it happened...see the chocolate milk mustache?

This was on Friday...Dr. W warned us that lots of white stuff would be on his tongue and that it would look a lot worse than it actually was, but I was not prepared to get this text from Kevin!

On Saturday...looked much better

On Sunday...looked a whole lot better.

It's been 2 weeks and Parker's tongue is healed for the most part. There are still a couple of small spots that have tiny sores, but he hasn't complained about them and he is eating normal.

Cavities Filled: Round 1

You may remember this post where I mentioned Parker had 6 cavities! I know...and he's only 3! I'm still trying to get over that shock. Parker's appointment was originally for 9:30...did I mention that he is not allowed to eat or drink ANYTHING after midnight? Or that one of the first things he says in the morning is that he's hungry. So I was relieved when the office called and said they had an opening at 7:30. Perfect I thought since Parker would likely already be up and we can get it over with early so he can eat. Plus I was hoping Kevin would be able to stay home with Avery for about an hour and a half while I take Parker to his appointment.

Yesterday was not a good day b/c:
1. I found out that Kevin couldn't stay with Avery after he told me on Monday that he could - darn work meetings!
2. The dentist office still hadn't gotten the "predetermination letters" from our insurance company so that I can get an idea of how much I'm actually going to be spending. The office lady, Brandy, who called me to tell me this said she called our insurance company and said it would take another 24-48 hours and that was "rushed". Well I was having none of it. They've known about this procedure for a month! So I called and asked (very nicely) why the dentist office hadn't received the predetermination letter yet when it was forwarded to them a month ago. The lady on the other end was very nice and apologized. She said she couldn't give me exact figures, but could give me estimates. It was better than nothing! I called Brandy back and told her I got in touch with the insurance company. She told me that they wouldn't even give her estimates! Nuts!

I mentioned to Parker last week that he was going to have to go to the dentist again b/c he has boo boos in his teeth that the dentist needs to fix. He seemed to accept it ok. I mentioned it again last night and he was a bit resistant. I explained again about his boo boos and he was fine with it. This morning was crazy! I kept pressing snooze so I woke up later than I wanted to so I was rushed getting ready. I poked Kevin awake (ok, I may still have been a little annoyed that he can't stay home with Avery) and told him to help me with the kids. He woke Avery up and as I was finishing getting dressed, Parker came out of his room. He was fine, but said he didn't want to go to school a few times. I reminded him he was going to the dentist and he just kept saying "I no want go to school!". Then he finally accepted going to the dentist, but kept saying he doesn't have any boo boos in his teeth and opening his mouth. Then all hell broke loose when I told him to go pee so he can go get dressed - he was laying on Avery's rug at this point and just flat out refused. I'm running around like crazy at this point b/c it was 7:10 and we had to leave at 7:20 and I still had to get Avery's breakfast ready (in secret so she won't ask for it b/c she will be eating it at the dentist's office to occupy her), gather extra snacks just in case I need it, get her drink ready, make my coffee, buckle the kids in their seats....you get my point). After throwing a tantrum, we finally got Parker to pee and dressed. Kevin buckled both kids in while I zipped around the kitchen, ran to the car...and forgot my coffee! UGH!!!

nervous???

The dentist office is pretty good - they called us back within a couple of minutes even though the waiting room was already filled! We were led to a tiny waiting room that was just for us where they had a small TV (SpongeBob was on, which I don't let the kids watch, but it kept Parker entertained). I was asked questions about Parker's allergies (none), if he had a cold (runny nose, but I think it's allergies and he was just crying), no he hasn't eaten or drank anything since midnight. Then a nurse came in and took Parker so he could drink "juice" and a little bit of water. I was later told it's Demerol (anesthesia) and something else to make his mouth dry up a little bit. Parker came back about 10-15 min later and he was whimpering and his shirt was a little wet on one side. The nurse explained that he didn't want to drink the "juice" and another nurse would be back in 45 min to 1 hour and he should sit and relax. WAIT!!! Back up a minute...did you just say wait for 45 min to 1 hour??? I thought we would only be here for that long...total including getting the cavities filled. I glanced around that tiny room and my crazy 20 month old who was already getting into everything, standing on the couch/chairs, banging on the french doors, opening the door, squealing....and I said a prayer (literally!!!) for that time to fly by. It went by faster than I thought it would. I explained to Parker that he has to be brave when he goes back to see the dentist. He whimpered a little bit, but said ok. I said this a couple more times and said that he was my brave little boy and that I was proud of him for being brave drinking the yucky juice.

Parker's watching Sponge Bob while Avery peruses a magazine.

Parker sat around for the most part, got up a few times to look around. I felt so bad when he asked for milk and waffles. I felt even worse when I gave Avery her water and waffles. I had to give her food - she would have been screaming the whole place down. Thankfully Parker accepted my explanation that he can't eat until after the dentist looks at his teeth. He asked for food again and I gave him the same explanation, which he accepted. Poor kiddo! Finally a nurse came back (crazy boy opened his mouth and asked her to look at his boo boos. lol) and it really broke my heart when he stood up to go with the nurse and he held his hand out to me and sweetly said: "Come on, Ma!". That's his new thing the past couple of months...he calls me "Ma" once in a while. It cracks me up and think it's so cute! I explained he had to go back by himself so that the dentist can fix his boo boo and reminded him to be brave. I thought for sure he would flip out, but he just said ok, took the nurse's hand and left. 

I was told it would take about 45 min. What the heck was I gonna do with Miss Sassy?!? We walked back out to the big waiting area and this was the hard part...waiting with a 20 month old who just wants to go, go, go! We looked at the salt water fish tank for a bit, played video games, watch TV, read books, played with the iTouch, ate a banana, walked back and forth between the play room and the front of the office about a gazillion and one times. She must have said hi to every person in that room at least 10x. I'm sure people were getting annoyed, but they just smiled. Then, embarrassingly, she ran to this lady and reached for her COACH purse. I gotta hand it to Avery, she's got great taste in purses! But, I was mortified! I apologized, scooped her up and ran back to the playroom....only to have to chase her again 30 sec later.

Anyway, a little over 45 min later I was called back to pay and to talk to the dentist. He said that Parker did wonderfully. He didn't cry at all - just sat back! Whether it's the meds they gave him or he just doesn't mind going to the dentist, I'm not sure. But I'm glad for 2 good dentist experiences. I was worried that this experience would make him hate going after he had such a good experience last time. Let's hope next Wednesday when he gets the other side done that it will be a good experience too! Cross your fingers and say a little prayer for us!

Dr. W. advised that I should start Parker back up on clear liquids and do soft foods after an hour or two and he should be able to eat regular food tonight. Well, the moment I had him buckled in his seat he started asking for food. Hmm...well I gave him water when we got home. Of course that wasn't enough. It broke my heart seeing him so hungry and I couldn't give Avery a snack and not him too (she was already asking for food). So I gave Avery the rest of her banana and gave Parker one too. I figured it was soft! I told him to chew slowly and carefully so he doesn't bite his tongue and cheek. He gulped that down then spied Avery's left over waffle that I had pulled out of her backpack. He grabbed it, eyes wide, and looked at me pleadingly if he could eat it. I considered it...it was kinda soft. I gave him the ok. Then he wanted more food: I gave both cinnamon raisin bread - it's soft too and Parker's not complaining about biting his tongue or cheek. Hopefully he didn't. I'll have to check his mouth later to make sure! Then while I was putting soup together in the crockpot for dinner, Parker asked for some of the ham I was cutting up. I gave him a piece to see if he could chew it. I gave him more when he did fine - made sure to chop it somewhat small so not a lot of chewing is involved. Soon he was asking for lunch - kiddo was STARVING!!!

Although our morning was a bit rough, we took it easy once we got home! We had strict instructions to lay low today so we watched a movie. Parker's choice: Rio. We just sat on the couch and cuddled. We drew trains and cars. We decorated Avery's cakes and sang Happy Birthday.

Parker also helped me with "potty training". We aren't really training her, but she does tell me "poop" either after she's done or when she feels like she has to go so I sit her on the potty. If she hasn't gone in her diaper yet, she will sit on the potty and then cry when she really feels like she has to go and then sign "all done" and say "done". 5-10 min later I'll catch her pooping in her diaper. I've tried keeping her on the potty, but she won't go and she cries and I don't want her to   think negatively about the potty and of training. I'll probably try potty training in a couple of months. 

cavi....whaaa?!?

Ok, I debated whether to write this post or not b/c I'm embarassed mortified although it's mostly family and close friends who read it and you probably already know. Besides, this blog is like my journal... Ok so, Parker had his first dentist appointment on Monday. He's 3 years, 3 months (almost). I have been preparing him for a few months now. I'd tell him that he will be going to the dentist (we had a separate convo where I explained a dentist is a doctor who looks at teeth), he will sit then lay down in a big chair, there will be a bright light, the dentist will count and tickle his teeth with a brush. I didn't tell him this every night, but I'd tell him maybe once or twice a week...if I remembered. Then on Sunday night as I was shopping for Xmas gifts, I had a moment of panic when I remembered his dentist appointment was the next morning. I wanted to prep him myself (call me OCD). I couldn't make it back home before bed time so I texted Kevin and told him to really clean his teeth, to prep him and gave him detailed instructions on what to tell Parker about what will happen at the dentist. Kevin probably rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, but after being married for almost 5 years (wait, what?!? already?!?) and together for over 8 years, he knows my quirks and likely just gave Parker the abbreviated version. lol

right outside of the dentist office - we got there early so that I could take pics

Anyway, when Parker woke up yesterday, I hyped up going to the dentist and sitting on the big chair with the lights and having the dentist count and tickle his teeth. His reply: "Oh yeah, I go dentist" then continued to watch cartoons while he ate his breakfast. Before we left the house he told me a couple of times: "I not feel better. I go see dentist". I think he thought that we were going to see his regular doctor and he knows we go see the doctor when we're not feeling good. I told him that he's not sick, they're just going to look at your teeth. I reminded him again of what was going to happen during the short car ride.

The staff at the office was amazing! They entertained Avery while I filled out paperwork and a questionnaire on the computer. Parker loved the playroom, which had a huge fish tank, a big tv and a few video game consoles with their own tv. Avery even made friends with a 7-8 year old girl who had Avery sitting on her lap on a bean bag and watching TV. When we got called back, our hygienist told Parker she was going to show him all of her cool tools and he was going to sit in her chair. He hopped right up on the chair, but stayed sitting upright when the seat started reclining.

After she comforted him and told him to lay down, she put sunglasses on him. At first he didn't want to put them on, but she told him the light would be bright so he took his glasses off and put the sunglasses on.

He tried to pick a tropical fruit teeth scrubber (like how technical I am?!?), but I vetoed and said watermelon - something he was more familiar with! She asked if I flossed his teeth and I guiltily looked at her and said only a few times a week. After she fluoridated his teeth she asked if I would be ok with getting X-rays done. I said sure. Parker calmly walked away with her and came back all happy and just wanting to play with the Legos that Avery had been playing with. I had expected complete chaos - similar to how his eye doctor appointments go. He proved me wrong and did great FANTASTIC!!! No crying, no screaming. He tried to sit up a few times, but would lean back each time he was asked - I think he just wanted to play b/c Avery was playing.

 

showing Parker the brush she will use to tickle his teeth - I love that she also said she was going to tickle his teeth b/c that's what he "knows" and understands - he def does a lot better when you explain things first. Maybe that's what she always says or maybe it's b/c she overheard me telling Parker.

water and suction - the scary tool sometimes freaks me out when it starts sucking my tongue or cheek. I'm surprised Parker didn't get scared.

the ever curious little sister...

she always wants to copy her Bubba!

of course she had to wear the sunglasses too! lol

Then the dentist came, chatted with Parker and Avery, counted Parker's teeth...

and dropped the bombshell: Parker has SIX cavities!!!! WHAAAAAT?!? I don't understand...SIX?!? I almost started crying in the office.

I think I must have given a similar expression after hearing the news.

They probably thought I fed my kid juice and candy all day and never brushed his teeth. In truth, I've only ever bought a few bottles of juice for Parker - I just prefer my kids to drink either milk or water. They eat plenty of fruit and veggies. He does drink juice at school, but that's only on Tues and Thur mornings and they do half water, half juice. Their snacks are not sugary - usually pretzels, crackers, unsweetened applesauce, etc. Parker only really gets juice and/or sweets (candy, chocolate, cookies, etc) during special occasions like birthday parties. If he does have a special treat at home, it's maybe once a week - that's a rare maybe and possibly twice a week if he's really lucky. I can't even remember the last time I gave him a "special treat" at home! He doesn't go to bed with milk/juice. In fact we only give him water if he asks for something to drink after he has brushed his teeth. He has never gone to bed with milk/juice, even as a baby, and he was weaned from his bottle at 12 months. He doesn't eat all day long (unless he is going through a growth spurt and is hungry all the time) so it's not like he's getting all the bacteria worked up in his mouth by eating all day. We used to drink bottled water only, but we switched to tap water about 6 months ago when Avery was weaned from the bottle. But our county doesn't fluoridate the water supply. I remember reading about it months ago - they said it cost too much money.

But here's where the bad mommy award comes into play. I usually only brush his teeth at night (I know you are rolling your eyes). Why you ask? Tues and Thur mornings are crazy enough trying to get him to finish eating and he is usually still eating as we walk out the door to go to school. The other days, I just forget as we get on with our day - lame excuse I know! We just switched to fluoridated toothpaste about 6 months ago. I thought they couldn't have fluoridated toothpaste until they were older b/c the baby toothpaste we have says for 2 and under so I figured he wasn't allowed to use "real" toothpaste yet. And call me dumb, but I didn't know I was supposed to be flossing his teeth. Duh! I went to college and I consider myself fairly intelligent so why did I never think to floss my kid's teeth?!? We started this around the same time as the new toothpaste. Ok, so you're probably thinking that's why he has cavities! But really...six?!? I was still am torn up about this! My husband says "bad teeth" runs in his family. I'm not throwing him or his family under the bus, but I think quite a few of them have had root canals and other major work done and I think their dental hygiene is good. Kevin brushes his teeth twice a day, flosses and uses mouthwash daily and I think he had a cavity last year and had to get some major work done a couple of years ago.

One of my sorority sisters who is a dentist looked at Parker's X-rays that I emailed to her - she confirmed the cavities (I was hoping praying that the dentist was just trying to sucker me out of money). She suggested giving him water between meals b/c sometimes I give him milk (only b/c sometimes he can't even finish a small 11 oz cup of milk in 1 day and he needs calcium, right?!?). My brother in law (who used to work for a dental lab) also confirmed the cavities. Sigh! BAD MOMMY!!!

So our new plan of action is: 

1) brush teeth 2x a day

2) floss teeth every night

3. buy fluoridated water (Babies R Us sells them - I bought them a few times when the kids were drinking formula)

4. milk only for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and water in between meals.

In the meantime, I'll be over $700 poorer to pay for the fillings...and yes that is with insurance. I'm just hoping that the experience of getting his cavities filled won't make him fear going to the dentist!



He did so great and I was so proud of him, but at the same time I wanted to cry.



18 months

On Tuesday Avery turned 18 months old (I'm one of those weirdos that still goes by months and likely will until she turns 2 - that's when I stopped with Parker). She is becoming such a 'big girl'!

She also went in for her 18 month check up. Her stats:

Weight: 25 lbs, 4 oz (70th percentile)

Height: 34.25" (>97th percentile)

diapers: size 4

clothes: 18 months - 2T

shoes: 7
hair: hair is getting longer after getting 2 trims and can now go in pigtails (YAY!!!)

Loves: to sit on my lap and read books; to put shoes on (whether it's her Crocs, which she is obsessed with, my flip flops, or Parker's sneakers); play with Bubba's choo choos and cars; too stand and jump on Bubba's bed as well as Mommy and Daddy's even though she's already bounced off of ours once; push her PBK Anywhere chair to the dining room bench to use it as a stool to climb up (our dining table is tall); pickup my decorative pumpkins and throw them around; wagon rides; cuddles (she can't be laying down like a baby though - it has to be chest to chest with her feet around my waist); playing outside; being tickled; singing songs (especially Itsy Bitsy Spider); dancing (she will usually stop whatever she's doing when she hear's music)

bad habits: hitting when she doesn't get her way (she usually gets sent to time out and we tell her it's not nice and it hurts - she usually looks down then tries to be cute to make you smile); closing her eyes when you tell her no or you're telling her something she doesn't want to hear as if she can't hear you so she can continue doing whatever she wants; her new thing is to half chew food then spit it out as if she changed her mind mid chew and doesn't want it anymore - she does this too when she is offered something she thinks is tastier

words that she consistently says: dah-yee (daddy); mah-mah and occasionally mah-may (mommy); Baba (Bubba/Parker); sissy (she says this when Parker is calling her); Lala (Lola - my mom; Lolo - my dad also sounds like this; so does cousin Lila); nana (banana and Nana - Kevin's mom); Papa (Kevin's dad) no; nack (snack); moh (more); see (sit); shoe on; shoe oh (shoe off); bye bye, see you; hi; nite nite; beh time (bed time); nah time (nap time); bah time (bath time); pah-yee (potty); beh-pee (pinkie); side (outside); boo (as in peek a boo); wah-teh (water); buh (book); choo choo; can (car); meeh (milk); teh you (thank you); peas (please); sigh (sorry); peh pee (pee); pooh pooh (poop); whaz da (what's that); wha dis (what's this); oht (hot); gen-tuh (gentle); hep (help)

signs: more, hungry, sorry, and milk

She understands 2 step instructions like: pick up your toys and put them in the basket; take your snack and sit on your chair; go get your cup and give it to me; let's go to your room and change your diaper

She's usually a good eater and eats whatever I give her. I don't make separate meals for the kids - if they don't eat what is given to them, then they don't eat. Sounds harsh, but I don't want them to start refusing the meals I cook b/c they think they will get chicken nuggets or hot dogs if they fuss a little.

*** As you can see from this pic she's not exactly malnourished ***

Twice yesterday she came up to me and said "pooh pooh". The first time, I could smell her and changed her. The second time, I felt her diaper and didn't feel anything - it was a little wet, but I had just changed her. So I asked, "you poo poo?". She repeated it and turned to walk away to go to her room, but she saw that I hadn't moved from the couch and I swear she said "leh go!". So I got my lazy butt up and sure enough she had a tiny bit of poop! Maybe it's time to start potty training soon. I remember when Parker was about 21 months (I was on maternity leave with Avery) he would start telling me when he pooped too. Slacker mom that I was, I didn't train him until he was 31 months! I just wasn't ready to deal with a newborn and potty training. Then I went back to work. I did it when I started staying home with him - he was 31 months old.

Avery's height and weight is crazy...in other words, she's a big girl! Our pediatrician that we usually see (there are 4 in the practice) always comments on how tall she is every time we go in and asks where she gets her height from (b/c obviously at 5'1" she didn't get it from me). Before I can answer her, she always remembers Kevin and asks how tall he is (6'3"). She looked at a chart of some sort and said that if Avery continues to grow like she is right now that she will be about 5'8" - 5'9". They say that at 2 years old you can double their height and estimate how tall they will be so I'm assuming this is where she's getting her calculations from. Parker and Avery have been pretty much neck and neck with their height and weight at each check-up at the same age. Parker at 18 months weighed 25 lbs, 13 oz (50%) and height: 34 3/4" (97%).

She also got 1 vaccine. She screamed bloody murder (just like I expected) and let out an occasional whimper during the 5 minute drive home.

LOVE this fake cry/shriek...this was right after I took her clothes off and the Dr. Kathy hadn't even come in yet and def no shots yet!

Before we left for school - we had a little photo session

touching their shoes/floor?!? not sure why?!?

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!