Doctoring

We’ve had three various medical appointments within the last couple of weeks, which is quite unusual for our household.  First up was just a routine teeth cleaning at the dentist’s office about a week and a half ago.  The older boys both got their teeth cleaned and examined while I had a cleaning at the same time.  It’s nice to get it mostly all done in one trip.

Jude and I were cavity-free.  Jett was not.  Ooops.  Actually, he had one cavity and another that was borderline that they thought probably should be filled.  Yesterday morning we went back to get both cavities filled, which were both on the top back teeth, opposite sides.

Jett loves going to the dentist.  Actually, I told both kids about going to the dentist for check-ups the day of because I knew they would be so excited.  And sure enough, when I spilled the beans that morning, they were jumping up and down, high-fiving each other, saying, “Woo hoo!  We get to go to the dentist!!”

*Rolls eyes*

But, interestingly enough, Jett was not looking forward to getting his cavity filled yesterday, although I gave him no indication of what that might entail (partially, because even I didn’t know what to expect).  He arrived at the office in good spirits, instead of stating his name to the receptionist as he so often likes to do (“My name is Jett!  I love bears and teddy bears!  I LOVE EVERYONE!”), he opted instead for a stirring rendition of a solar system song which he recently picked up from watching tv.  The receptionist was so impressed.  No really, she was delighted and asked him to sing it again.  Thanks for the encouragement, lady. 

He ran back to the exam room when he was called back and then proceeded to keep his mouth defiantly closed for 20 minutes.  Yep!  Wouldn’t even let them swab the topical numbing gel on his gums – nothing.  The first small victory was when we talked him into wearing the gas mask.  His daddy LOVES the gas, so I was hoping it would work on Jett and he would become a little more… compliant.  It wasn’t that he was freaking out or crying, he was just not going to open his mouth.  We did a lot of reasoning and bargaining with him and finally he agreed to open his mouth, under two conditions:  1) that he could see himself in the mirror with the cool mask on and 2) that he could wear the dentist’s glasses with the built-in magnifiers.  The dentist was quick to take him up on those terms.

Jett opened his mouth widely and didn’t even flinch when they gave him the shot (and were very careful to hide the needle from him so he didn’t even know he was getting a shot – I loved that).  We decided that we’d come back on another date for the second filling since it took so long to do the first and also so he didn’t have to experience both sides of his mouth being numb.  Hopefully he will be more comfortable next time.  Considering everything, he really did a great job.  I was thankful to get out of there without any tears or traumatization. 

We visited Josh at work when we were done so that he could pick out a treat from the vending machine (which was part of the bargaining that took place previously).  Jett tolerated his funny-feeling mouth well.  When we got home, he wanted to address the valentines we got for his preschool class and did so with staggering efficiency: write, tear apart, tape candy, seal with sticker in groups of 4 at a time.  I don’t know where that organization comes from, but I’m glad to see it!

This morning we had an unexpected appointment.  Jace had trouble sleeping last night.  He felt a little warm to me, not that I could take his temperature; the older boys broke the thermometer while punching holes through Jace’s dismantled diaper box, because, why wouldn’t they need to take Jace’s diaper box apart and poke holes in it with a rectal thermometer that had just been used?  Yeah…. so…

Jace started showing some cold symptoms yesterday morning.  First, just a runny nose.  Then he developed a cough that sounded kind of painful.  Finally, with him having trouble sleeping and touching his ears occasionally, I took him in first thing this morning.

Turns out he had quite a nasty looking (according to the doctor) double ear infection and a very red throat.  Combine  that with the congestion and 4 teeth coming through, and I’m sure he’s not feeling well, and no wonder he couldn’t sleep.  Poor little boy.

He started 10 days of an antibiotic today so hopefully this junk clears up soon.  He’s amazingly still in a good mood being playful and even giggling during his exam!  So, I’m guessing the ear infection was the source of his temperature and subsequent seizure last Friday.  It seemed odd to me that he didn’t show any other symptoms and his fever went away for 3 days, but nonetheless, I’m glad the mystery is solved now.

Here are a few pictures of Jace taken by big brother Jett yesterday:

Politely refusing the squash I baked for him (or mostly me).

I’m including this picture that Jett took just so I could experiment with editing out my blemishes.  I have the skin of a 14 year old. Interestingly, my skin is the clearest when I’m pregnant… but Proactiv is cheaper.