Well, I tried my best to find a way to save Asher’s tooth from being pulled. But it had to go. It was abscessed and in case your child ever has an abscessed tooth, they pull ‘em no matter what. For an adult, a dentist would try a root canal and other procedures to save your tooth. But for a child who will lose said tooth in a few years, and who wouldn’t possibly be able to go through a root canal even if you would want to spend that money on a tooth that is eventually doomed anyway- they pull ‘em.
We had to be there at 7:50 this morning. It was a mad dash to get us all dressed, fed, and out the door by 7:30 (kindergarten is going to be a rough adjustment in the fall.) We got there and after having all weekend to gather my nerves I had come to the conclusion that I would go in with him no matter how horrible it was. I would rather be with him than sitting in the waiting room listening to him scream. But the hygenist looked at my pregnant belly and said, “I think it might actually be better if his daddy comes back so he can hold him down.” So I waited in the waiting room with Amai.
By God’s grace, she had to go to the bathroom right about the time he would probably start screaming. And she took forever, so all I could do was pray for my “baby” who was surely enduring hell in the dentist’s chair. I thanked Him the whole time I was waiting for Amai to finish that I wasn’t sitting in the waiting room, listening helplessly to Asher scream.
We came out of the bathroom and had not even gotten back into our seats in the waiting room when I heard them open the door and bring my crying son out. I rushed to him, but he looked furious and wouldn’t let me hold him. His upper lip was swolen from the shot and I could see just a little blood on his lower lip, but mainly I saw that he wasn’t sad- he was throwing a temper tantrum. “This is strange” I thought.
Then I looked at the dentist and hygenist. The hygenist said, “That was just amazing. He didn’t cry once during the whole procedure. He let me put the numbing ointment on his gums without even moving. Then he let the dentist give him two shots without crying or fighting. And the tooth pulling was the same- no tears.”
“Well, what made him cry?” I asked.
“We took the toy that we let him hold away from him after it was all over.”
Figures. I’m so relieved it’s over. So sad to see that hole in his mouth. But so glad he wasn’t in pain. Just for the record- I cried when we got in the car anyway. I’m pregnant, I can’t help it!
I’ll post a picture later if I can get him to smile for me. Who knew that the tooth fairy would visit our second child first?
Had a somewhat late night last night wrapping and sorting gifts for the toy drive through MOPS at church. It was awesome to see how God provided- there were over 400 gifts! A special thank you to my sister-in-law Caroline, and one of Chris’s co-workers, Jean who both gave very generously to help us bring Christmas to those who have nothing. And of course to Amy and Kimberly who organized this whole event. It is awesome to think of the delight that these gifts will bring to so many families.
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This last weekend we finally put up our Christmas tree. It was a week later than usual, due to the two little people with stomach viruses that lasted a total of 2 weeks!! Anyhow- here’s a pic or two- the kids really did all the work and loved every minute of it. They did a great job.
Chris, trying to get the tree to stand up straight. So funny, but you had to be there.
A little sibling wrestle.
Lighting is horrible in this one, but she was so cute, and so focussed.
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That’s all for now! Hope you’re all enjoying this holiday season. I’ll eventually post a picture of the tree, finished.
Lately I have been thinking of someone I’ve never met. His name is Clayton and a friend of mine passed along his url and I haven’t been able to go a day without visiting his website. He needs a boat load of prayers and so I thought the least I could do was to mention his name and url here so you can go and pray for him each day too.
You see, his son died unexpectedly at 21 months of age without explanation. They still don’t know what caused his death, not that that really matters. The enormity of that kind of loss isn’t really helped or lessened at all by knowing medically what happened. This happened within the last couple of months and so for Clayton and his wife- this season of joy is filled with much suffering and deep pain. Please pray for them. And you can visit their site here if you’d like, to find out about this sweet boy and pray for Clayton and his wife.
I’ve never met or had any kind of contact with these people, but their story has just deeply touched me. As a mom I shudder to think of this happening. I pray for it not to. But I can’t help visit this site and just pray for these dear people as they are suffering through something unimaginable. Am I a glutten for pain? No, I don’t think so. In light of all the suffering in the world I still believe that God is good, loves me and wants good things for my life. Sometimes I think God places people in our lives just so that we can stand in the gap for them, so this is what I do.
Pray for Clayton and his wife. Their son’s second birthday was supposed to be this December.
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