A First Time For Everything

Last week Ellie had two big "firsts."

On Wednesday I left Ellie with a "babysitter" for the first time - she went and played with Jamison and his mama Hailey (my awesome friend who, conveniently, also happens to be our neighbor). Ellie did fantastically - no tears - while I was at the dermatologist getting moles cut off... lots of fun. I think that leaving her for an hour and a half was much more difficult for me than it was for her. I was on edge the whole time, waiting for the cell phone to ring with wailing in the background... but Ellie never seemed to miss me. Sad for Mama, but good for Little One.

The next day Ellie went to the dentist for the first time. She had a fantastic time, looking at the fish tank, playing with toys, picking out a toothbrush, etc. However she didn't seem to understand why anyone would make her lay down on a table and look in her mouth, while a big light loomed above her. At that point the screaming began and it didn't stop until we were riding the elevator back down. The conversation with the dentist was a series of shouts over her tears:

• "OH, SO EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD?"
• "NO, SHE DOESN'T SCREAM AT HOME WHEN WE BRUSH HER TEETH!"
• "WE COME BACK IN SIX MONTHS?"
• "GREAT, IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU TOO!"

I was proud of her though. She did a really good job for her first visit in a strange place, with a strange man poking at her mouth. He pointed out that she is cutting no less than FOUR teeth on top right now (first molars on both sides and canines on both sides) and has both first molars on the bottom moving up. She has very tender gums...

How have your kiddos done at the dentist? How old were they when you took them for the first time?