Mister Thirsty

The boys had their second visit to the pediatric dentist yesterday. Matthew was great! I had explained to him in advance that we were going to the dentist, and what was going to happen when he was there. So he was very well-behaved for his exam. The hygenist was fantastic. She got him a balloon first, and she also explained everything to him as she was going through it. She had some fun toys for him to play with while he was waiting for James. But Mattie also was interested in the dental tools, so she showed them to him (which might help for a future visit when they actually use the polisher, etc. -- right now they just brush, examine, and do a flouride treatment). The dentist tools combined Mattie's two favorite things -- water (the squirter) and a vacuum (the little one they use to suck liquid out of your mouth during a cleaning). The hygenist squirted some water on the table and let Mattie suck it up with the little vacuum. He was thrilled! He was also pretty happy when he got to pick a fire truck out of the toy box at the end.

When I told him it was time to go, he said, "No, I want to stay here!"  (I don't know how often you hear that about a dentist's office!)  I got him out by reminding him that he would get to push the button on the elevator, and he said, "Oh, yeah!" and dashed out the door.  :)

James was a perfect angel in the waiting room, but got a little upset when they actually wanted to look in his mouth.  He eventually let them do it, though.

Mattie's teeth are looking good; Jamesie's gums bled a little when they did the exam, which means we need to do a better job with brushing his teeth (which, frankly, any brushing at all would be an improvement over what we've been doing!  We have fallen down on the job on that one.)  They both have two-year molars coming in. 

The boys both had a great time with their balloons in the evening.  They would let them go and then stand on the stool or a pillow to get the string.  And then they were getting on the couch to get them (and then leaping off the couch, which I'm not totally thrilled about, but they seemed to land okay).