Lauren's First Dental Visit

My big girl is almost 4, so I thought it was about time she go to the dentist.  I talked to her about it a year ago and she was completely terrified, but all of a sudden, she told me one day, "I'm not afraid to go to the dentist anymore."  See?  This is what lazy parenting gets you, people!  If you wait to do things long enough,  they will come around!

She got to experience all of the usual dental visit routines, including catching up on Will and Kate's US tour...

After watching her brush her teeth, they sat her in the chair and put sunglasses on her (to keep her comfortable with the bright light shining in her eyes).  She had everyone in the palm of her hand in minutes!

The hygienist went to work and Lauren did great!  There was a little boy losing his mind 2 chairs over from her and she asked me, "What is wrong with him?"  Then she said (with a somewhat smug look on her face), "He must be scared."  


The hygienist and the dentist talked to Lauren about getting rid of her pacifier-yes, she STILL uses a paci at night (and in the car, and when she gets home from the babysitter's).  I know, we are the worst parents ever, call 241-KIDS now!  The dentist said to Lauren, "Lauren, we need to talk about something that you like to put in your mouth, what is that?"  She smiled at him and replied, "A TOOTHBRUSH!"  Everyone started laughing, he looked at Mark and I and said, "She's going to be a politician!"  


The truth is, Ben was very easy to break from the paci; he just gave it to the Easter Bunny, asked for it once, done.  Remember that lazy parenting thing?  That has always worked with Ben; if we didn't push, he would eventually do it on his own.  He was off the paci around 2, potty trained around 3-pretty typical but a little slower than others.  Lauren is very different than him.  She has tried to give it to the Easter Bunny, then to Santa Claus, but she falls apart the next night.  I know we should be more stern with her about it, but when I talk to her, she makes me feel horrible!   After telling her she needed to get rid of it one day she said, "Why?  It's my friend."  Today we talked about giving it to the "Paci Fairy" so another baby could have it.  She said, "I like babies, but I like my paci better."  At least she's honest!


So the task is in front of us: to gradually wean her from her paci.  The dentist recommended we start shaving off a sliver of it every night so that she feels that is doesn't work anymore, making it easier for her to give up.  If any of you moms out there have good advice for paci removal, let me know!

End of Summer

Well, Summer 2011 is officially ending, and I couldn't be happier!  I like Summer, but I really love the fall!  I look so forward to the hayrides, pumpkin patches, and all of the family activities that fall brings.  Here's what we've been up to lately:

We spent a lot of time at Kings Island's water park .  Ben was so excited for Aidan to go with us, so we took him the last time we went.  

 My friend Casey went to Mexico with her family, so I was hired to pet-sit for them while they were gone.  All of the animals (5 dogs and 3 cats) are very sweet and I did have fun-besides being woken up at 3:30am to feed them!  Casey warned me of that before she left; I told her it was like having a newborn baby again!

Aiden (with his typical expression of disapproval)

Chester, Nubbs, and Louie (so sweet!)

It was nice to have some time to myself at night.  I would put the kids to bed and drive over in my PJ's to spend the night.  Here's what bedtime looked like:

Yes, there are FOUR dogs in the bed!

When Casey got back, she announced that her and Jimmy were engaged!  I am so excited for them!  I am honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, and am enjoying hearing all of the wedding plans!  The wedding will be on February 4th, 2012.  Here's a look at what my dress will look like (it will be Navy blue)!

Yeah, I'll look like this in it!!

Ben has started 4th grade and is doing well so far.  He likes his teacher(s) and was thrilled that his friend, Will, is in his class.  That is good and bad; that probably means he will get in trouble for talking too much.

First day of school-no cute bus pictures this year (thanks to the school levy failing)

Lauren has become quite the fashionista in the White house.  All of a sudden, she has begun changing into absurd outfits right before we leave to go somewhere.  Here are some of her best:

Chad Johnson jersey, pink tights with hearts, and white dress shoes

Purple shirt w/butterfly, yellow skirt with Hawaiian dancers, my belt (wrapped around twice), and soccer cleats 

This week, she wore snow boots to the babysitter's house every day.  She is so darn proud of herself that I don't have the heart to tell her to go change.  I'm sure I'll have many more opportunities for that when she's a teenager!  So, if you see us out, and Lauren is wearing a bathing suit, socks pulled up to her knees, and a feather boa around her neck, just humor us.

The Ides of March is set to debut on October 7th.  Everyone keeps asking us if Mark knows for sure if he's in it; we won't know until we see it with everyone else!