Brave Boy

So today I had to take Cayden into the dentist for his first filling. I don't typically get nervous about things too much anymore because A. I don't really have time in my day to worry(which is a good thing) B. over the last few years I've learned that no amount of worry is going to help or change the outcome C. I've learned to rely more on God. All these things said...I was in bed reading last night & started to really worry about Cayden's appointment today.

Cayden doesn't typically do very well with change or the unknown. It is always a struggle to get him to try something new & unknown...but once he is used to the routine of it he loves it...it's just getting him over that initial mental hurdle. Same goes for anything medical or dental. Taking him into the dentist is never too much fun. A few weeks ago I took both Cayden & Addyson in for their 6 month cleanings. Cayden went first & had tears streaming down his face when they had to do his x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, & cleaning. He did wonderfully considering the last time he wouldn't even open his mouth for the lady. :) Addyson on the other hand is the complete opposite...she will brave anything out without a single tear or objection. The hygienist told me after her x-rays(which was the first time she's ever had that done) that she is quite a tough little cookie. She was done in 2 minutes with a proud little smile on her face.

Same thing happened when we took all 3 kids in for their flu shots this year. Cayden got up on the table to go first & then started losing it once the shot came out. The nurse gave him 2 choices: to sit still & get the shot in his arm or to get it in his leg. Of course he chose to get it in his arm...but his actions showed otherwise. He was already crying & thrashing all around, and after 3-4 chances finally Eric pulled down his pants, held him down, while the nurse gave him the shot. All the while he's saying "I'm going to scream!!!!". I don't even really think he felt the needle go in...it's just a fear of what's coming for him. Addyson, however, got right up on the table, took the needle in her arm, never shed a tear, and jumped down with a smug little smile. The first thing she said was "Mommy, I was brave, now do I get a prize at Playworld?" Meanwhile Cayden is sitting on a chair still crying. Did I mention that they are complete polar opposite children????

Another not so fun time was about a month ago when we had to take Cayden in for allergy testing. After 90 scratches on his back(poor thing) which he hysterically screamed through every minute of it, 13 needles in one arm, and 6 in the other...we were all mentally drained. I was almost relieved(and not surprised at all) that the testing concluded that he was allergic to just about everything. That way I didn't feel as bad putting him through all the testing. On top of that he also has asthma as well. Poor guy.

Anyways...all these previous reactions led me to believe that today was not going to go too smoothly. I didn't mention a word about going to the dentist until this morning. Already we had tears before he even knew what he was going in for. I finally told him he had to get a cavity filled. I tried talking to him the entire way to the dentist telling him that it's okay to be scared...but that when he's scared he needs to tell Mommy his feelings instead of crying & carrying on. We had to arrive there an hour early so he could take a medicine that makes him sleepy(thank goodness for that stuff!). They brought him back into the room to watch cartoons...and he actually was kind of funny from the medicine. When the dentist came in Cayden's tears started rolling down his cheeks, but he remained calm. I had to go back into the waiting room because being pregnant I couldn't be exposed to the laughing gas they were going to give him. I absolutely hated leaving my boy behind...but I promised that I would be back soon. The nurse & dentist were absolutely wonderful & caring...I'm so thankful for that. The nurse held his hand while the dentist explained everything he was going to do. I read my book in the waiting room for about 20 minutes & before you know it they were completely done. They said he did wonderfully & never even shed a tear!!! Thank you Lord!!! And the dentist said he wasn't even aware that he got a shot in his mouth...amazing!!! He was soo brave. Unfortuneately we have to go through this again because he has another cavity that needs to be filled. But at least I know that this went smoothly. He is super sleepy now so we rented a couple movies to fill up our day.

Great job my brave little boy!!