Love/Hate

I have the worst love/hate relationship with the dentist. Probably because I have never loved my teeth (nothing major wrong but things I notice) and I DESPISE having work done. The numb feeling in your mouth and face, the headache afterwards, and the taste. Yuck! However, the feel of your teeth after a good cleaning, the relief of finish appointments and no cavities... these are all things I LOVE. This is the struggle.

Yesterday I took Reagan to the dentist for her first appointment. We have been preparing for this for the last six months. We have read books and talked about how cool the dentist is (does that count as lying?). Her appointment went great and she was reported as a no-cavity child. The new toothbrush and toothpaste made it all worth it for her. She was thrilled.

Then came the fun.

"We had a cancellation and since you are here we were wondering if you would take the appointment today?" asks the receptionist. Don't forget that I have a 3 year old and a 15 month old with me. "Do you think it will work?" I lamely ask. They tell me they are willing to give it a try and I can either set Ainsley in the corner to play (first clue that I miss - when was the last time that any 15 month old kid sat in a corner for any extended amount of time?) or I can hold her on my lap (this is my second clue but I never had a chance - we have been in school for 2 years so it has been more than that since I have been to the dentist and I am clueless on how far back the chair reclines). It is decided... we will try x-rays, oral exam, and cleaning.

As you can imagine things went south quickly. For a while the nurses and receptionist took turns watching Ainsley (corner idea lasted about 3 seconds) and Reagan played quietly in the waiting room. After about 10 minutes Ainsley was done with strangers and wanted mom. So on the lap she went. When they lower me in the chair again I cannot even see my child. She is holding on tight and trying to get on all fours on my stomach. Did I mention I am pregnant and 25 lb child on my tummy is not comfortable, AT ALL. The hygienist said to Ainsley, "sweetheart, you are hurting mommy." Apparently I was flinching.

In the end we skipped the cleaning. After 20 minutes of juggling 2 small children WHILE in the dentist chair I was done. As I relayed my morning to Marcus during our lunchtime car swap he was cracking up. How in the world did this happen? Who puts a pregnant lady in a dental chair with a 15 month old on her lap and a 3 year old in the corner?

Have I mentioned that I despise going to the dentist? I do.