Tooth, teeth and toothless!

Hi Daddy!

Watching some cartoons

That tastes terrible!

Trying the popsicle.

I'm back

Even a bigger smile!

Aren't I beautiful??

See???

Do you see all seven teeth?

I feel so much better!

Analiese's surgery went very well today! As usual, my sweet little peanut, handled all of it with hardly a wimper! Dr. Thomas removed 9 teeth in all, even the molar that he was hoping to save.

Our morning started a little shaky. I jumped out of bed at 7:10 to the sounds of Analiese running around downstairs. I tore down the steps, yelling, "Analiese are you eating something?" Of course she was--Apple Jacks! I was so distraught! Thank goodness I got there just after she started to eat--she couldn't have eaten more than a dozen--with no milk!

We got to the hospital by 9:15 for her 11:45 surgery. We watched some TV, played some leapster and walked around. Finally it was time for the "goofy medicine" that Analiese just HATES the taste. I promised her that if she took the medicine I would allow her to suck on some bubblegum afterward. Well, the darn nurse stayed in the room with us for about 5 minutes updating the computerized chart after she gave Analiese the medicine. I finally was able to give Analiese her bubblegum. Like a trooper, she only sucked on it for the flavor and gave it back to me!

Analiese didn't seem to get too crazy this time. She called Dave and spoke with him and then watched some TV. The dentist came in and talked with us, explained to Analiese what was going to happen and promised to give her her teeth so she could put them under her pillow. She was just fine with all of it. However, when it was time to go to the OR she started to cry. This has happened twice before and each time my heart just breaks! I know that she really doesn't remember it because of the Versed but I remember!

The procedure took about 30 minutes. The dentist came to speak with me and explained that all went well but he was not able to save the molar. Once he removed the crown it was apparent that the 6 year old molar had come in completely sideways and the only way to save it was to remove the other molar that was on top of it. He also told me that ALL of her teeth had the roots, as none of the adult teeth were trying to push the baby teeth out-of-the-way!

The dentist also said that in 6 weeks we would meet to discuss her new appliance that would have to be put in--to stretch her palate. Sigh, so today was just the very beginning of the orthodontics for our sweet angel.

True to form, the recovery nurse had to bring Analiese to me almost as soon as she woke up! Analiese becomes hysterical when she comes out of the anesthesia and NOTHING, just NOTHING calms her down except being in my arms. It didn't take too long for me to calm her and get her to eat a popsicle. From that point on it just got better and better.

We were discharged from the hospital at 3:00 to go home. And, we were very ready to go!

Analiese looks so adorable without her teeth! If you ask her what she looks like, she says, "BEAUTIFUL". Dave probably is more honest when he says that, because of the swelling of her gums and mouth, Analiese looks like a hockey player who got on the wrong side of the puck!

Right now Analiese loves to smile and look at herself in the mirror. It is funny to see the tooth in her upper palate, where before it was hidden by the other teeth (that were all so full of cavities!) and also to see her newest tooth on the bottom that is not in the right place--yet.

One day, we are going to see the beautiful mouth that Analiese already sees when she looks in the mirror! We are so grateful that we have a fantastic cranio-facial team so close to us and also a wonderful children's hospital that treats our children as if they were their own.

The tooth fairy has her job cut out for her tonight. The poor dentist FORGOT to save Analiese's teeth and when they brought Analiese up from recovery I asked for the teeth. The nurse looked and could not find them. When she went to ask the dentist he told her they were not saved. When she came back to inform me, the look I gave her told her that I was NOT letting them off of the hook. So, the wonderful Dr. Thomas and his intern went trash picking to find the teeth. They were able to find 7 of the 9 that were removed. See how wonderful this team is to Analiese???

We wrote a letter to the tooth-fairy asking for money for all 9 and explained the situation. I'm sure she'll understand--don't you think?

Oh, Analiese did ask me a very sweet question during her recovery.

Analiese: "Mom, do dreams come true?"

Me: "Some do, why do you have a dream you want to come true?"

Analiese: "Yes, I want to see a fairy, a real fairy!"

Me; "Hmmm, maybe you'll get to to see the tooth-fairy tonight."

Stay tuned for some possible "Fairy sighting photos"