The Denist

I, like any other rational and normal adult human being, haven't been to the dentist in over 5 years.

However I do have an appointment in a week and half (as does Bryan, who hasn't been in longer) and we found out that our insurance is "incentive" insurance - so going every 6 months increases the amount they pay for services. This means that we may will actually go every 6 months.

Especially since we discovered that the kids (Penelope in particular) just *love* going to the dentist.

Did you think I was being sarcastic? I wasn't. Am I being sarcastic now? Nope, still genuine. I know. I'm shocked too.

Sissy started off her appointment in my lap, but soon decided that she was a big girl and could do it by herself. So she sat in the chair and dutifully obeyed every command the dentist and dental assistant gave her. She kept her mouth open while they counted, scraped, polished, and brushed. She allowed the dental assistant to use that loud liquid sucking contraption. She let the dentist floss her teeth. She didn't bite the dentist.

She sat still for x-rays.

They only took two (of her front teeth - upper and lower) and - you guys - the d@mn x-rays made me CRY. Why? Because you can see, especially on the bottom, just how close her permanent teeth are to the surface. We still have a year or so before she starts to loose teeth... but holycrappeople she just GOT those teeth!

And? AND? The entire dental office was shocked and amazed that she was only 3 1/2. They pegged her for 5 or 6. SIX. How can she be close to six? I JUST GAVE BIRTH TO HER.

*sigh*

And then there was Bubby. Who did well - but was too squirmy for anything other than some teeth counting and a quick fluoride treatment. His 2 year molars are almost finished popping up (thankyousweetbabyZeus), so I'm hoping that soon his sleep will be... better.

The office really was terrific. So if you're ever looking for a family friendly dentist in Salinas, let me know. Dr. Moran is terrific.

She thought we were pretty terrific too - no cavities (I know, they're so young, but it's shocking how many toddlers I see with caps & fillings), no plaque, kids brush 2x a day, and (starting yesterday, after our appointment) we floss daily. She will be less impressed with us after B and I go in. We have good brushing practices, but neither one of us floss regularly and we're both soda drinkers - plus it's been so long since our last visit that I'm sure one or both of us will need a filling or two.

Oh well, at least the kids are off to a good start...

Kicking vs Stretching

Penelope was a stretcher. Sure she'd kick every now and then, but she enjoyed jamming her feet into my ribs and stretching her arms so they hit my cervix at the same time... and then holding the position for awhile. It was uncomfortable.

"&" isn't much of a stretcher so far, but MAN is this baby a kicker. A rather violent kicker (at least compared to Penny) and it is just as uncomfortable as stretching. A different kind of uncomfortable, but still not pleasant.

For all that some ooh and aww over fetal movement, it is (in general) a wholly uncomfortable experience that does not endear me to pregnancy. Of course, not much about being pregnant is pleasant so there you go. Anyone who tries to tell you different is flat out crazy and has post-pregnancy amnesia (which I've decided is an evolutionary trick that gets women to agree to conceive after they've experienced the 9+ months of discomfort pregnancy entails). Between nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, pains, stretching, hormones, mood swings, being beat-up from the inside, waddling around, and labor it's a miracle people still get pregnant. I love my babies, but getting them here isn't my favorite thing in the world.

Anyway. Kicking... the bright side is that I know "&" is doing well. And there's hope he/she will have a soccer career... or maybe a kicker for the NFL. Or something else that requires strong legs and painful accuracy.

Now on to Penelope.

Miss had her first dentist appointment today. That was the biggest waste of an hour I've ever spent. At least it was a free check up, if I would have had to pay for that I would have been annoyed. Everything looks fine (not like the dentist could get much of a look, Penny apparently distrusts anyone in a white lab coat and refused to open her mouth). But we got it done like the American Dental Association recommends and will get her some baby toothpaste (we've just been brushing her teeth with water). I won't take her back until she's closer to 3.

I'm sure there's a lot more I could talk about, but it's bedtime and I'm exhausted (and starving - although it's too late to make poor Bryan go out to get food and I'm pretty sure In & Out is closed). Trying to eat healthier for these last couple months of pregnancy, but it's a losing battle. Being slightly depressed about my seemingly futile job search, plus other various issues makes me crave comfort food - and comfort food isn't exactly organic, low-calorie, or full of vitamins and minerals.

Ok, it's really bedtime. Not like "&" will let me sleep much, but I've at least got to try.

And then....

And then last night I was up all night with a toothache. I even used some of Penelope's teething gel to take enough of the edge off so I could sleep.

Trying to make an emergency dentist appointment this morning.