This is a fun mirror at the dentist office. Cool, huh???
The dentist inspected Joy’s teeth, gave me info for things to watch for in the next month in case the teeth bruise or have other issues (if you have a moment, please say a small prayer or send good energy to Joy’s teeth, please). They smoothed Joy’s teeth, and gave me some very good general brushing tips which I am implementing and prioritizing.
In 2 months, Joy goes back for a follow-up, and a full new patient appointment and cleaning. At that time, we will discuss the possibility of doing cosmetic work done to make her teeth look better.
I was very impressed with this dentist’s office!!! Not only did they have a super-cool kids waiting room with a fun mirror, but they were all very kind, professional and good at what they do! They specialize in kids and adolescents, and they were so good with Joy, she didn’t mind them prodding around in her mouth. She even started opening her mouth voluntarily for them! She did fuss during the smoothing, but probably because we were holding her really still. They said they had never seen a child her age do so well their first time! Yay, Joy!
Once our dance was done, we hurried inside and I bundled Joy up in blankets and towels. This was almost as much fun as dancing in the rain!
A few days ago, Joy fell down two steps and landed on her head on the concrete. It was horrifying. I had accidently left a child size chair close to the stairs, and she was climbing it. I, very regretfully, wasn’t paying attention because I was looking for my keys. I saw the whole thing happen in slow motion as I tried to save her, but she fell, tangled in the chair. She cried very hard for two minutes, then squirmed away from me to continue playing. Her two top front teeth were chipped pretty badly.
Because I still couldn’t get into the van, and I wanted to take her to the ER, we rode in an ambulance. The EMT’s assessed her quickly, and within minutes said she was not injured at all. Neither Joy or I have been in an ambulance before, and it was actually king of fun, once the EMT’s declared she was just fine. They were really nice, as was the hospital staff. Not, surprisingly, everyone fell in love with Joy!!! She was cute and bubbly, not fussing once.
The ER staff asessed her quickly and also declared her just fine. The doc chose not to do x-rays because she showed no sign of injury, and the radiation is a lot for a baby brain. He gave me a dentist referral, and sent us home.
I was, and am, so relieved she is okay! It was terrifying, and I still am reeling that it even happened. Joy is over it, but it’ll take me a little while.
This pic was taken the next day, at the scene of the accident. I imagine she’s contemplating the incident or even admiring her (pretty!) toenails. She’s actually getting ready to stand up.
Today, while talking to Grandma Paris on speakerphone, Joy said hi! In fact she just kept on saying it over and over! It was so sweet!!
Maybe a week or two ago, Joy said “bye” to Grannie Val right after we hung up from talking to her. Mom and I have agreed from now on to give her a little time to say goodbye at the end of our conversations.
These are the first times Joy has actually said words over the phone. Normally, she’s silent or just makes noises. I think one reason is because many of the words she knows are context-specific (she sees a dog and says dog), or relate to a specific need (up, down, ice, etc), so these aren’t so likely to come up in conversation on the phone. Hi and Bye are both conversational standards, and it makes sense they’d be her first phone words.
So exciting!