It's that time again...

Time for a cleaning at the dentist. The kids feeling cool in their shades that the dentist provided.

Kids did great with their cleanings. 

Open wide...

The kids had their routine dental check up today. We go to a family practice where they have a pediatric dentist, Dr. Traci. She's super great with the kids. James' check up went so quick (just brushes his teeth and puts on a fluoride treatment) that I didn't get a chance to take a photo. He fussed a little but did great and was happy to get a token afterwards, he used it to get a bouncy ball out of the machine. Madeline graduated from the children's area and now gets a big girl check up with the hygienist. She had her first teeth polishing today!

She was quite nervous especially to do her x-rays, but she was brave and got through it. She does appear to have a cross bite due to her thumb sucking but Dr. Traci said since she has stopped it shouldn't affect her adult teeth that will come in. Her x-rays showed her adult teeth very close to the top, she'll probably loose her first baby tooth within the year. It also showed that she'll have nice, big teeth! Stephen and I both have average to big sized teeth, so that's no shock. Her lateral incisors up top due appear to be growing in crooked, again no shock mine did the same when I was younger. So Madeline will most likely need braces when she's older like many other kids. But at least her teeth are healthy and strong, no cavities! Yay!

We've had such beautiful weather here in central Texas! The kids and Penny have been playing outside a lot. Not all the big bugs are out quite yet (one thing I dislike about Texas) although I now hear the crickets at night.

The kids love jumping on their trampoline! As you can see in this photo, they've built 2 houses behind our backyard fence which are now somewhat blocking our hill country view. Oh well in that direction they're building a 5 story hospital and shopping center. We still have a really nice view to the left of the houses.

Penny goes crazy underneath the trampoline when the kids are jumping, it's pretty funny!

Stephen took this photo while I was at work...why do kids love to play with boxes and brooms rather than all of their toys!?

The other night I tried out our friend, Chela's homemade Chili recipe...turned out really yummy! The only objection for Stephen was the kidney beans, he doesn't really like beans in his chili...so next time I'll try substituting them for more meat, like smoke sausage. I made some Texas style honey cornbread (came in a package) to go along, and spread on it some butter and honey - yum, the kids loved it!

Thumb Sucker

The kids had a dentist appointment today. Their 2nd cleaning this year. Unfortunately by the time I met Stephen and the kids there, the Dr. was done with their cleaning (they arrived early and were seen early). Stephen handled the appointment just fine. Both kids teeth look great and healthy, no cavities. Madeline has an overbite, which we already knew and could see. Obviously from her thumb sucking. Dr. Traci wasn't as concerned with her overbite, but more so with the bone structure of her mouth. The roof top of her mouth is getting deeper, so the thumb sucking is affecting the bone growth. At their last visit in February Dr. Traci spoke to Madeline about her thumb but told us not to push the issue and pressure her. So since then when we have caught her with thumb in mouth we'd say, "Madeline, you're a big girl now...big girls don't suck their thumbs." She'd giggle and take it out. So I don't think it will be hard to get her to stop during the day time, it's when she's tired or sleeping that it automatically goes in. She's been doing this since 3 months of age (see above photo) until now (she'll be 5 in December). We just had a talk, we're going to get her some special band aids (like Strawberry Shortcake or Hannah Montana ones ;-), put them on her thumb to remind her when she tries to stick it in her mouth that she shouldn't anymore. Wish us luck! Any of you have better suggestions to get them to stop?

Madeline sucking her thumb at 2 years old.

Kid's 1st Dentist Visit - Oma's in town!

Yesterday both Madeline and James had their first trip to the dentist! :-) I found a great family dentist group, a husband and wife, the wife being a pediatric dentist. Madeline had x-rays, she was very brave...got a little intimidated when they brought the machine close to her face to take the x-ray but she did good. Madeline had her teeth cleaned, a flouride treatment and her teeth polished. She got a little overwhelmed and scared, clinged to her blanket (aka Homey). But after it was done she sat up and said, "That tickled (about getting her teeth polished) and it wasn't so bad." Her x-rays showed no cavities, and that her front tooth had no damage from when she hit it last August. We were even able to see her adult teeth right behind her baby ones! I held James on my lap while Dr. Traci cleaned his teeth and gave him a flouride treatment. He fussed, but she was super quick. The kids go back in 6 months.


My mom is in town! Last night we went to Culvers and had a yummy dinner and ice cream for dessert. As you can see, Madeline is enjoying spending time with her Oma!