OK, so I decided last year that I wouldn't put up any Christmas decorations this year, because Bob told me I was "ruining Christmas for him" by going overboard. I even went so far as to make signs to post on the curtain to the crawlspace. They are still on my desk, but I have been successful in not putting up any decorations yet. It's been difficult, but I was *somewhat* inspired by this past Sunday's sermon on "downsizing Christmas." I really am missing my trees and other decorations, but I'm taking a stand. I will not put anything up without Bob's help. I am probably going to learn something from this (I already know it's not about material things, but why can't I make Christmas "magical" for my children, as it was for me?), but I'm also hoping that Bob learns that Christmas is a part of me. A part of me is in that crawlspace right now, and will stay there for the time being.
And whether or not he did it to spite me, Bob suggested we have a "Christmas Party." Ouch. OF COURSE I want to have all my decorations displayed, especially since I usually don't get to show them off to anyone but family! I did agree, however. I'll just put my efforts into baking for the party. Well, you all know what a cook I am! We'll just have to see how that goes!
I'll keep you posted on the status of the decorations ... when will they go up?
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Morgan has a job!
Morgan began delivering The Sidney Daily News on Monday. She likes it (well, at least so far!), even though her first day she had to deliver in the cold rain! In fact, it snowed in some parts of the Dayton area, though not in Sidney, luckily. She's really looking forward to the money she will be earning, though. Hopefully, we can teach her to be a good steward.
Dental Ups and Downs
Thursday, October 20th was our final trip to the Pediatric Dental Specialist for the time being. It all started in July, when Aidan complained his tooth hurt. Our Dentist, Dr. Van Treese, was on vacation at the time, so I took him to Dr. Husky, who ended up pulling the tooth that day. Aidan screamed and cried in pain, saying he could feel what they were doing. Apparently, the Novocaine didn't work. What an ordeal to put a four-year-old through?! Afterwards, I knew he needed some love, so I took him down to the depot off of Chestnut Ave. We planned just to walk around, but wouldn't you know, a train came by while we were there! He blew his whistle, and Aidan was enthralled, though still numb. Then, as the Novocaine wore off, I took him to Dairy Queen for some ice cream, hoping that would feel good on his new "hole."
He quickly forgot the pain, but was afraid to go to the follow-up visit with Dr. Van Treese, asking if he was going to pull any more teeth. I comforted him, saying he wouldn't have any teeth pulled this time, that the dentist would just check him. Dr. V. found 7 cavities, with one possibly needing a crown, so he suggested we visit Dr. Ira Kushnir, a Pediatric Dental Specialist in Englewood. Our first visit to Dr. Ira was the crown. Aidan screamed and cried, and even a second dose of Novocaine didn't help. Dr. Ira kept telling me "He's just afraid of the drill," but I didn't believe it. The more I about it thought later, I decided we didn't wait long enough for the Novocaine to take effect - he was completely numb later!
During the second visit, I requested we wait longer for the Novocaine. I even took a stack of magazines to look at while we waited. I told Dr. Ira he could go do someone else, and then come back. He scoffed when I based my judgement of Aidan's numbness on the fact that his smile was normal (it should be crooked if you're numb, right), but agreed, and when he came back, all went well for the one filling he did. Aidan wasn't afraid of the drill, and he didn't cry. Whew!
Based on how the second visit went, I didn't dread the third visit - I even took only a half day off work. This one was two fillings and a fitting for the spacer for the tooth that was pulled. He was given a double dose of Novocaine, but Dr. Ira said we couldn't wait as long because these were upper teeth, and upper works differently than lower. Well, it was a nightmare for both of us. He absolutely screamed, especially when Dr. Ira kept drilling and drilling and drilling ... one filling turned into a second crown. Apparently, Dr. Ira had to keep drilling to get rid of all the cavity, and when he was done, there wasn't enough tooth left to save. Can you imagine that poor, scared little four-year-old? I thought the drilling and screaming would never end. I cried on the way home (not letting him see, of course), and continued off and on for three days. How could I put my child through so much pain?
On Sunday of that week, I saw Dr. V. at church and talked to him (could he tell I had been and was almost again in tears?) He said he would call Dr. Ira on Monday to discuss our options - I had asked about other types of anesthesia. Monday, during my lunch hour, Dr. V. called me at work! He also told me that Aidan was probably just afraid of the drill (NOT!), but we could try oral sedation (a light dose of a muscle relaxer). I said "I will do anything if it helps!" I called Dr. Ira to request Phenergan, and found I had to reschedule the appointment we had already made, since Phenergan takes a little while - that was totally ok with me. They also told me it would be $50, and insurance doesn't pay - I said "Whatever it takes!"
Our final appointment day came, and I took off the whole day again - I should never have gone back to work last time! I made some time in the morning to be by myself, and prayed for God to take care of my little one in the chair, and to help us both be strong. And, boy, did he come through! The Phenergan was given as soon as we got there. Aidan said he liked it and wished he could have some more! I saw no change in his behavior while we were waiting, though - I was told he would either become tired or hyper (I worried about that one!) As we went to the chair, I wondered what was in store, but I knew this had to be done, and that, even if it was a repeat of the last appointment, this was our last time here. Aidan had some trouble with the two Novocaine shots, moving, arching his back, and fussing as they were given. "Here we go," I thought. We waited a few minutes, then Dr. Ira began working ... no screaming! The drill came along ... no fear! Is this real, I wondered? God certainly was holding us in his hands that day!
He quickly forgot the pain, but was afraid to go to the follow-up visit with Dr. Van Treese, asking if he was going to pull any more teeth. I comforted him, saying he wouldn't have any teeth pulled this time, that the dentist would just check him. Dr. V. found 7 cavities, with one possibly needing a crown, so he suggested we visit Dr. Ira Kushnir, a Pediatric Dental Specialist in Englewood. Our first visit to Dr. Ira was the crown. Aidan screamed and cried, and even a second dose of Novocaine didn't help. Dr. Ira kept telling me "He's just afraid of the drill," but I didn't believe it. The more I about it thought later, I decided we didn't wait long enough for the Novocaine to take effect - he was completely numb later!
During the second visit, I requested we wait longer for the Novocaine. I even took a stack of magazines to look at while we waited. I told Dr. Ira he could go do someone else, and then come back. He scoffed when I based my judgement of Aidan's numbness on the fact that his smile was normal (it should be crooked if you're numb, right), but agreed, and when he came back, all went well for the one filling he did. Aidan wasn't afraid of the drill, and he didn't cry. Whew!
Based on how the second visit went, I didn't dread the third visit - I even took only a half day off work. This one was two fillings and a fitting for the spacer for the tooth that was pulled. He was given a double dose of Novocaine, but Dr. Ira said we couldn't wait as long because these were upper teeth, and upper works differently than lower. Well, it was a nightmare for both of us. He absolutely screamed, especially when Dr. Ira kept drilling and drilling and drilling ... one filling turned into a second crown. Apparently, Dr. Ira had to keep drilling to get rid of all the cavity, and when he was done, there wasn't enough tooth left to save. Can you imagine that poor, scared little four-year-old? I thought the drilling and screaming would never end. I cried on the way home (not letting him see, of course), and continued off and on for three days. How could I put my child through so much pain?
On Sunday of that week, I saw Dr. V. at church and talked to him (could he tell I had been and was almost again in tears?) He said he would call Dr. Ira on Monday to discuss our options - I had asked about other types of anesthesia. Monday, during my lunch hour, Dr. V. called me at work! He also told me that Aidan was probably just afraid of the drill (NOT!), but we could try oral sedation (a light dose of a muscle relaxer). I said "I will do anything if it helps!" I called Dr. Ira to request Phenergan, and found I had to reschedule the appointment we had already made, since Phenergan takes a little while - that was totally ok with me. They also told me it would be $50, and insurance doesn't pay - I said "Whatever it takes!"
Our final appointment day came, and I took off the whole day again - I should never have gone back to work last time! I made some time in the morning to be by myself, and prayed for God to take care of my little one in the chair, and to help us both be strong. And, boy, did he come through! The Phenergan was given as soon as we got there. Aidan said he liked it and wished he could have some more! I saw no change in his behavior while we were waiting, though - I was told he would either become tired or hyper (I worried about that one!) As we went to the chair, I wondered what was in store, but I knew this had to be done, and that, even if it was a repeat of the last appointment, this was our last time here. Aidan had some trouble with the two Novocaine shots, moving, arching his back, and fussing as they were given. "Here we go," I thought. We waited a few minutes, then Dr. Ira began working ... no screaming! The drill came along ... no fear! Is this real, I wondered? God certainly was holding us in his hands that day!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Aidan's Birthday
Today we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for Aidan's birthday lunch. He was in heaven. He got a birthday crown, a balloon, an ice cream bar with a birthday candle & song, and a hug and some tokens from Chuck E. himself! And we weren't even one of the five birthday groups that had reserved a party!
Later this evening, we went to "Boo at the Zoo" at the Akron Zoo. The kids got to wear their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat around the zoo, while seeing many of the animals. It was pretty cool to see all the decorations, and all the people dressed up passing out candy. The weather was wonderful, too - cool enough for a sweatshirt and light jacket, but not too cold. Morgan went as "Miss Teen USA 2005", complete with a tiara and dangly earrings and a sash (we printed the words from the computer, cut the papers in half lengthwise, and taped it into a sash shape!), and Aidan went as a very muscular Spider Man. Too cute! Then we went to Friendly's for dinner.
Aidan playing with his new birthday truck: "Where's the gear sh*t?"
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Aidan is Surprised!
We are visiting Mandie in Akron this weekend. On Thursday night, just before going to bed, Aidan said "I'm so suprised to see Mandie this weekend!" Of course he meant excited!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)