Jacob had his 6 month check-up with the dentist this morning. I have to say that I wasn't particularly looking forward to it. This was his 3rd appointment and the first 2 didn't go real well. Back in March, right after he turned 3, they tried to take X-rays of his mouth and clean his teeth. He would have nothing to do with any of it. The dentist was barely able to look in his mouth to examine his teeth. I tried to prepare him for the appointment by just vaguely telling him the dentist wanted to see how pretty his teeth were and to tell him to keep doing a good job brushing every morning and night. Well, Jacob is going through a phase where he asks me why or what about everything...and I mean everything. So, the vague description of the upcoming trip to the dentist wasn't good enough. Fortunately, he didn't pressure me too much to answer the "why's".
Well, much to my surprise, he did much better this time. In the waiting room, there is a little room with toys, stuffed animals, a couple portholes, and a TV. They call it The Mouse Hole. He was playing in there when he hygienist came out and called his name. At first he refused to leave the Mouse Hole. He wanted to play and watch the TV. I thought I was going to have to crawl in there and drag him out, which I might add would be quite a sight at 7 months pregnant. Luckily, it didn't come down to that. I am sure the other parents in the waiting room were quite thankful. Then the hygienist started to take him back. Of course, I began to follow. She informed me that she wanted me to wait in the waiting room. I gasped as visions of Jacob crying hysterically for me as they tried every trick imaginable to get him to open his mouth. I started to tell her that he didn't do real well last visit, and she told me she had read it in his chart and she would come get me if she needed me. I said okay and hesitantly sat down to wait. 10 minutes went by. Then another 10 minutes went by. Finally after about 30 minutes, she came out to get me. She brought me to the consult room and said he'd be right out. I asked how he did, and she said he did great. He let her take the X-rays, and he let her clean and polish his teeth. I was shocked. I breathed a sigh of relief and felt a big smile come over my face. Then the dentist came into the room with Jacob. Pretty much the first thing he said was, "Jacob's favorite color is green, isn't it?" I had to laugh...Jacob and green. He had a little bag with some stickers, a new green dinosaur toothbrush, toothpaste, and some dental floss, and he had a green balloon tied to his wrist. The dentist said he did great and his teeth looked great. Jacob was happy and began asking questions about his loot. I was so relieved and so proud of my baby. The almost daily fight to brush his teeth is paying off...his teeth checked out great and he didn't need me to hold his hand. It is bittersweet, though. He is growing up and my efforts to be a good mommy seem to be paying off. But, he is growing up. Every mother out there understands what I mean. You want your children to grow up and be happy and healthy. Yet, part of you is sad when you see proof that they are growing up. You realize they don't quite need you as much as they used to.
I am sooooo proud of my baby boy!!
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