Teeth and Thankful

Ashlyn missed preschool today. We had dentists appointments for both kids, just a regular checkup for Ashlyn and a follow up for Christopher's chipped teeth. The appointments were at 10:30, but we were there for 3 HOURS! (It was an hour before we were seen.) I was most concerned about Christopher, but Ashlyn, it seems, is our dental problem child. Apparently, there were calcification problems when her canine and molars were forming IN THE WOMB. Ashlyn needs 3 root canals, 1 extraction, 1 filling, 5 crowns, and a spacer. That is 7 teeth! One of the root canals and the extraction are from the teeth she had filled last year. One of them has abcessed. I couldn't believe it as I heard the dentist talking about all of the things wrong. I started crying and had to leave the room. She had already asked me if I took any medications or had any kind of complications in my pregnancy. Now, we just have to decide if we went oral sedation or general anesthesia. Ashlyn was awesome about everything. She kept saying beforehand that her teeth didn't hurt, and she already had clean teeth, so she didn't need to be there. The hygenist explained that they were going to make her teeth sparkle like a princess. So, she was totally cooperative.

We were at the dentist so long that Christopher fell asleep in my lap. That 5 minute nap ruined his nap time for the day. We didn't get lunch until nearly 2, and dinner is going to be late. 

Now, Ashlyn has diarrhea. Lovely Wednesday.

Despite my day, or perhaps because of my day, I need to remember to be thankful.

I am thankful for a washing machine in my apartment.

I am thankful for baby teeth first. Hopefully, we will get things right with the second set.

I am thankful for a pediatric dentist who was very kind and, despite being very busy, took the time to explain everything about my children's teeth, to the point of drawing diagrams for me.

I am thankful for the couple in JoAnn's, watching my children climb on the cutting table and cart, and throwing buttons, who told me that it gets easier.

I am thankful for short ribs with polenta for dinner, hopefully they will taste as good as they looked in the picture.
And because there should be photos of cuties, here is snaggletooth

and his dancing sister.