Introducing ZEBRA!

Yesterday we took a special trip to the dentist to claim Jade's prizes for giving up her beloved thumb. To read how this milestone happened, click here.

44 seconds of pre-trip excitement fun (with sister answering the questions on Dora in the background!):

May I pick up my Zebra please?

Thank you! Oh how I've missed you Zebra!

In his rightful owner's arms.

And a new "watch" too!

Let's take him on a walk around the dentist's pond. We need to introduce him to the fresh outdoors after all those months of being exposed to laughing gas!

Hopefully he isn't scared of heights!

Does he need a drink?

Hold on tight, Zebra! You'll be at your new home in no time.

We are so proud of you Jade! And now we're going to enjoy the gorgeous weather by taking a train ride to the zoo.

Zebra will be meeting his captive friends.

Have a great weekend...

But Mommy, I really want to suck my thumb!

Thumb habits. What are the odds that both of our daughters would battle them?

Lily gave hers up so easily right before turning three, that I was sure Jade's habit would not be kicked as easily.

I give props to our amazing dentist who I wish was not limited to pediatrics. I have sung her praises before.

Jade had her first appointment there two weeks ago. Here she is enjoying the tree house/slide in the lobby.


But after we went to the back, she became very timid and ended up shedding many tears during her lap visit with the dentist. I didn't even have to tell the doctor about her thumb habit. It was obvious by the shape/positioning of her teeth. So sad.

She told Jade that sucking her thumb gave her teeth owies and it would ruin them. Ruin her new princess teeth...that the "tickle bubbles" had just given her? That news got Jade's attention. Then she told her a little trick. She said that when her thumb wants to get in her mouth, she needs to lock it up (envision thumb tucked into palm of hand) and put it in its cage (fingers wrapped around thumb). Jade really seemed interested in this and immediately started saying, "No thumb! Lock up in cage!". Precious.

But seriously, I was thinking this wouldn't last for long. She is a serious thumb sucker and has been forever:


But then she also brought in four cute stuffed animals, matching her jungle themed office. She told Jade that if she stopped sucking her thumb, she could come get one of them to take home to live with her. Jade quickly chose the Zebra, gave it many hugs and cuddles, and put it night-night until she could return.

As we left the office, we called all the relatives so they could share in her excitement of locking up her thumb in its cage as well as the impending addition of a striped friend to our family.

Her thumb was only disobedient a few times that day and I was pretty excited about her progress. That night though, Lily had a friend spend the night, and I ended up sleeping in the guest bed with Jade while Lily and Mia took over the bunks.

Oh. my. word.

It was like sleeping next to a nursing calf the whole night.

Slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp. Pause. Slurp, slurp, slurp, slurp. Pause.

And of course when she woke up, she was so proud of the fact that she hadn't sucked her thumb last night.

I gave it a few days and then called the dentist to inquire about how to stop an involuntary nighttime habit. She doesn't use any mouth devices until age 4 or 5, so she just advised us to really talk about it right before bed.

It seemed like Jade really understood. Her sweet response several times was, "But Mommy, I really want to suck my thumb!" Broke my heart.

Since then, Jade has asked about Zebra 35,729 times a day, and has TOTALLY stopped sucking her thumb. I have tip-toed into her room to peer in her bunk by the light of my cell phone countless times...no suckling calf has been found.

The other way I know she really has given it up, is that it is taking her a little longer to fall asleep both at nap time and bedtime. But that doesn't bother me at all!

And tonight, Zebra will be able to keep her company as she drifts to sleep. We are going to pick him up today.

Both thumbs locked in their cages!


I am so proud of you sweet Jade.

Are you sure we don't have to come back for 6 months?

I always loved going to the dentist as a kid. I’ve been going to the same guy for 30 years...only strayed once, and quickly found myself back in his chair. It’s a no frills, just drills, sort of office, but back in the day, that little cardboard treasure chest filled with prizes and the fact that he always put a polaroid shot up of all the kids, made me love his office.

So how much more is Lily going to love the memories of her new pediatric dentist’s office?

I love it just for all of it’s mommy comforts...an espresso bar, a fridge with chilled bottled waters, even a massage chair that will massage you from head to toe while you wait…if your 18 month old will let you sit there long enough.

The jungle themed office has a life size tree house with slide for the kiddos and a dark movie room that seats 10 or 12 people in theater styled seats.
All of these comforts are just in the waiting room. I only got to go back with her on her very first visit, and was shocked at all of the other kid comforts that awaited back where the real work takes place.

They asked her if she liked princesses or barbies, to which she replied that she was a princess. They used pink peppermint scented gloves as they “tickled” her teeth. She then was donned with princess sunglasses as they laid her back in the chair. A movie screen on the ceiling began playing Cinderella as she was examined.

Not only did she get to pick a new toothbrush and a prize, but had a chance to check out the video game room while I talked with the dentist.

Too bad we don’t need to go but every 6 months. We all had a blast.

I’m just wondering if her dentist is accepting new patients…you know, the adult variety?

***These photos were taken 6 months ago...this is Texas, but even we don't wear shorts in January...at least not usually.***