the dentist

On Monday (Feb. 14), I took Eden for her first dentist visit. We started role playing a week or so prior to the vist - Ashley or I acting like the dentist, and Eden would lay back with her mouth open and let us inspect and use our fingers to simulate the tools. Then, she'd do the same to us.

When we arrived, Eden walked up to the counter and said, "I'm here for my appointment." Then, the receptionist gave her a new stuffed puppy since it was Valentines Day. She grabbed the puppy, hugged it, let out a shrill of excitement, then proceeded to roll around on the ground with it.

After their romp-around, I was handed some paperwork and started to fill it out. The hygenist, Jamie, came and introduced herself, and Eden did not waste any time. She was off to the back with her like a shot. When I caught up, Eden was already in the chair getting her "bar-b-que napkin" on.

She did everything Jamie asked, and never once cried, yelled, or tried to get away...seriously, it was like she was in a trance. I asked her a few times if it hurt ... she looked at me and said, "No."

Jaime scraped, brushed, sucked, sprayed, and looked around for 15 or so minutes ... with a stock-still 3 year old.

The dentist and hygentist said the same thing - all is well ... and no more teeth to come in (the last molar was peering through the gumline and is now showing). A good first checkup indeed!

What was most amazing was that there was no television or coaxing (other than the puppy dog that she held onto the entire time). Needless to say, we are still gleaming with pride.