Different

I used to foolishly assume that because my boys are so close in age they would be very alike (in many ways they are). It's always interesting to see how differently they handle identical situations.

I took them to the dentist today. It's a fantastic pediatric dental office, with a wonderful staff wearing Dora and Disney scrubs, and a dentist who speaks like Donald Duck to get the kids relaxed. There's rows of little tvs with video games in the waiting room (just shy of heaven for my boys) and a Disney movie played on a loop on a big tv. The examination area is bright and cheery, one big open room with a rainbow of exam chairs in rows, and treasure chests with goodies to take home.

Here's where my kids are completely different.

Rascal was very stoic today. He bravely climbed right up into the chair and surrendered. He never whined or acted clingy, and even though I could see the fear in his eyes as his little gums were being scraped, he remained calm. He did however pull his little legs up into his chest as they poked and prodded, but that was it. The top half of his body was completely still as his lower half gently rocked back and forth in almost a fetal position. A few minutes later and he was done. About 15 minutes from start to fluoride finish.

Meanwhile in the chair next to him, Domino handled it much differently. It started off bad when he was taken over for the xrays. Can't say I blame him really as the xray film seemed so massive in his little mouth. The technician was wonderful, but Domino was gagging and crying and then completely uncooperative. We called it quits on the xrays after 5 attempts. In the exam room he needed a play by play commentary from the hygienist about each thing she was going to do, each tool she was going to use, each sound it would make, with a quick demonstration on her hand or in the air... and while he was on the chair his entire body was stiff as a board - which was really quite remarkable considering the reclining angle of the chair. Each time she did something in his mouth, he "just needed a quick drink of water" and she politely squirted away and then patiently waited for him to give her the "all clear" signal. Nearly an hour later he was finally finished.

I can't say that I wish Domino handled it more like Rascal. I am so insanely proud of him for keeping it together in his own way. Both boys figured out what they needed to do to survive (get it over with asap vs. learn more about it and make sure it's ok) and both were cavity free.

Now I can relax until summer when Rascal is due for a round of 4 more vaccines...