My (little bit) Big Girl

Sometimes I look at her and I am amazed at how quickly she is changing and growing up. 

She plays by herself for longer stretches of time - emerging from her craft table with fabulous masterpieces - or appearing in fantastic dress-up attire - or sitting quietly playing her leapster.

She is watching "real movies" - movies with people.  During the week that school was closed for snow she watched The Princess Diaries I and II.  Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune are quickly becoming a favorite part of her evening - she yells letters at the TV and is very pleased if they call that letter next.  Can I watch one more puzzle before bed...

She takes showers instead of baths at night - a huge time saver and so much easier for me.  I squeeze shower gel into the puff and she washes herself and is starting to do a better job of washing her own hair.

After months of being dry at night in a pull-up, she started sleeping in panties last month.  We didn't pressure her to make the switch because she sleeps really well at night and is usually asleep for 11-12 hours.

After almost 2 years of not letting me doing anything but brush her hair in the morning, she is finally letting me style it.  And she was very excited when I bought new barrettes and ponytail holders this week.

When she wakes up in the morning, she brushes her teeth and gets herself dressed before she comes downstairs.

She loves helping in the kitchen for short streches of time - measuring and mixing ingredients

And maybe, she might not be mad at me anymore about Ruslan and Wyatt and the attention that they get from me that used to be entirely reserved for her.  Afterall, she kinda loves being a big sister.

The Dentist

I hate going to the dentist.  Not in the normal way that people just don't like going, it's bigger than that.  I had a bad experience as a child.  And now on the days leading up to a dental check-up I feel sick and dread every moment that takes me closer to that time.  The first time I went to the dentist in Cranberry when I lived in that area, it wasn't good.  When I left, she gave me a prescription for Valium and said that I needed to take it before every appointment.  I did and it helped a little bit.

Given my history I really wanted Juliana's first trip to the dentist to be a positive experience.  I made an appointment at a pediatric dentist recommended by a friend (Dentistry for kids - Monroeville, they have other offices in the area as well).  In advance we talked in general terms about what to expect and explained that everyone would be very nice.

The staff was wonderful.  On the way back to the chair we stopped to visit the fish tank and then she had time to look around the room and watch another little girl having her teeth cleaned.  She hopped up in the chair, picked out sunglasses to wear and payed close attention as each tool was explained to her.  She did great!  At one point she was asked a question and I could see the look in her eyes - how am I supposed to answer you while you have your fingers in my mouth.

She sat perfectly still for the x-rays and even had a fluoride treatment - they had 10 different flavors of the fluoride - she selected cotton candy (after her bubble gum flavored tooth paste).

She left with 4 Princess stickers and lip gloss as a prize for being so good and she excited about going back!