The "D" word

Warning: LONG post ahead.

London went to the dentist 6 months ago and we had a positive experience. I took her to my dentist (which I love!) and we were cavity free! We went back about 2 weeks ago for a check-up and found out she had 2 cavities. The dentist asked me if I wanted to take care of them that day and I said of course!! We quickly found out that was a bad bad idea. After waiting for 30 more minutes, the doctor came back and was getting everything ready. He leaned her back in the chair, grabbed that huge ugly needle and told London, "Now, it's going to pinch and hurt for just a minute." London jerked up and lunged for me, yelling, "NO!!" Realizing this was not going to work, he referred me to a pediatric dentist and we left.
We visited that pediatric dentist and I loved everything about it. It's super kid friendly. Fish tanks, stuffed animals, TV's, video games, an art table, books, and toys cover this place. I really liked Dr. Aubel. She's new to this Pediatric Practice. She's young, eager, and just a perfect match for London. On that day particular day, London had X-ray's done and that is when I was told she had not 2 cavities but

--drum roll please---

8 cavities. Yes, 8. I just about swallowed my tongue. 8?? Really?? I also found out that she has deep grooves in her teeth and she is very susceptible to cavities. Lovely. 2 cavities can be seen visibly and the other 6 are small and are actually in between her teeth. We brush twice a day and we floss everyday and that just isn't enough--unfortunately. She will be getting some kind of sealant when she gets her permanent teeth.
Anyway, we scheduled the first of many appointments to get her fillings. That appointment was yesterday. I was dreading it. I saw how she acted with my dentist so I was a wreck. But we had been practicing. We talked about the "piggy nose" and how it was going to cover her face. We talked about the gas and how it was going to make her numb. We played dentist like 100 times. I was still super nervous. I had many people praying for that appointment and I truly felt God's peace on the both of us. She walked back to the room with the nurse like a big girl. (I had decided that she would do best alone. She is a people pleaser and me and my nervous energy in the room would have been bad. Real bad). The place is very open, and I was free to go back and spy on her without her even knowing. I walked back once and she had the "piggy nose" on and the gas was flowing. She was completely loopy. She was laughing and talking up a storm. I heard her growling once too. I went back a second time right in time to see the needle plunge into my baby's mouth. The dentist talked her through it and used the right words. She's fabulous. London had two little tears but that was it. It was smooth sailing through the rest of the exam. London was such a big girl. I was so very proud of her. Her mouth was only numb for about 30 minutes after the exam. (They actually have a shot now that takes the numb away so the kids don't hurt their tongues or any part of their mouths--the dentist has come a long way.) Dr. Aubel was great and London responded well to her. God definitely had His hand in this whole situation. I just pray that the rest of the appointments go as smoothly!

2 down--6 more to go....

They let her take home the piggy nose. She chose the bubble gum smell. My stomach turns when I smell that stuff.

Her favorite part...the Woody tattoo!

 Her stickers!

Her surprise out of the toy machine--silly bands!

2 filled!