What Now?

So, I've decided that the dentist is officially making a killing off of Carson this month. FIrst he had his tooth pulled, then he went in for a cleaning, and then they found out he had 2 cavities. Yes, that's right - my 4 year old has cavities. I think we are going to be paying for the dentist's new boat.

We went in today to have Carson's 2 cavities filled - not with pretty white fillings, but the ugly old silver ones. So, now my son has a missing front tooth and silver teeth. Great. My hands were tied with the silver choice (evidently baby teeth can't hold onto the white filling because it just falls out), and hopefully everyone agrees that I really had no choice on the teeth pulling thing. The only thing I've got going for me now is that his permanent teeth will be coming in a few years, so hopefully it will negate all this nonsense. Just in case, though - I have to take some precautions now to hopefully prevent more teeth problems in the future. Carson swears up and down that he will brush his teeth really good every morning and night, and I'll let him - but I'm brushing them first. I've already talked to his pediatrician and got a prescription for fluoride, and I've now outlawed any night-time sweets and eating after brushing teeth at night. Maybe that will work (ha,ha).

Carson was once again a great sport. He thoroughly enjoyed the nitrous oxide (he was cracking up at everything anyone said), didn't mind all the poking and prodding, but did have a problem with the actual spacer - and cried quite a bit. But, despite the pain, he remained fairly still and let the dentist do his work. He really was great, and I was very proud of him. But, both Carson and I agree that that was one experience we don't need to replicate.

Happy Birthday McKinley

McKinley turned 2 on June 11th!!

Sometimes I can't believe that my little baby is already 2 - and then other days it feels like she is already 15. She is a little ball of energy, super independent, talks a ton, loves playing pretend, and is a forever-shadow to her big brother.

We celebrated her birthday on the 13th with the whole family. She had a Disney Princess birthday party, with everything pink and purple. We had grand plans to go swimming, eat a BB-Q outside, and play on the grass. Of course, the weather did not cooperate - I think we had a whopping 30 minutes of clear skies, but it still turned out fun nonetheless.

McKinley was quite social the whole day, she loved opening the presents, reading the birthday cards, and cracked everyone up when she would hold up her new clothes to herself and exclaim: "Ooooh, pretty."

All in all, it was a great day - and I think McKinley loved all the extra attention.

Here Comes the Tooth Fairy

Carson lost his first tooth on May 29th!  

His front tooth simply started getting a little grey a few months ago - not really causing him any grief, just not looking very pretty.  Then, after a few weeks of that, that same tooth started getting loose.  Carson really didn't seem too bothered by it until about a week before when it started hurting every time he moved it. 

I ended up taking him to the dentist, where he had to get a shot and then have it taken out.  He wasn't too thrilled about the shot, and was quite afraid of all the tools, but he stayed still enough to get it out, and never really complained - he was such a trooper.  The dentist and hygienist were both surprised at how well he did, and let him pick out 3 toys for his bravery.  

The most exciting part of the adventure for Carson was being able to put his tooth under his pillow and wake up in the morning to see what the Tooth Fairy brought.  Ben thought the Tooth Fairy was being "cheap" when she put $10 under the pillow (no, I'm not insane - it was his first tooth, and Carson was told repeatedly that it would never be that much again), until I had to remind him how many teeth there actually are in the human mouth, and how quickly that money can add up when they all start falling out.  I mean really, I was lucky if I got a dollar as a kid.  

I think Carson was thoroughly happy with the whole adventure, and is very proud of his now-toothless smile.

So Sorry

Ok, so I have no excuse...well, maybe just 4: I've had a crazy month and a half overrun with work, home, kids, and life.  I feel like I've barely kept my head above the water because of all the above mentioned, and haven't even come close to thinking about posting updates on the blog.  For shame.  So, I am going to make a valiant effort over these next few days to catch everyone up on some of the bigger moments that were so rudely neglected:

On Wednesday, May 20th, Carson graduated from his first year of preschool!  We all had such a great time.  Carson sure did know how to make his mommy proud.  He was unbelievably well behaved, he knew all the words and hand gestures to all the songs, and sang the loudest of all the kids there (that really isn't an exaggeration - if I ever figure out how to post my home videos on here, I'll prove it).  Here are a few photos to commemorate the wonderful day.