Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Oh Baby, Baby

Ready or not, here comes the next Bosscher baby! People have asked how our conversation went regarding having another baby. Well, something like this:

Me: So Nate, if it were up to you alone, which of course it's not, how long would you wait to have another baby?

Nate: Oh, I don't know, maybe two or three years?

Me: Uhhh, what? (shocked, because I thought he'd say "whenever you're ready!) No thank you. If we're going to do this, let's do it now.

And that was that. At the end of May, we found out that life could be (will be) quite challenging for a while. I only say that because I'm trying to over prepare myself for having three young children at home. I was totally over prepared for Louisa because everyone said how hard it was....how life changing...how babies just cry all the time. But then Lou was pretty darn easy. So while pregnant with Cora, I settled into this false hope that she would also be easy and that everything I learned about caring for a baby the first time around would make my second "go" easier than the first. Not so much. Eventually I'll be able to describe what I felt/feel, but for now, let's just say that I miss the days of putting ONE child down for a nap, knowing they're going to sleep for two hours. Occasionally Louisa and Cora are asleep at the same time, but those moments feel so fragile and unexpected that I can't accomplish anything because I know one is due to wake soon.

So little 13 week old peach, it would be so awesome if you were easy-going, but I won't hold my breath. I guess even if you're easy going, it's not easy to take care of a 4 year-old, 2 year-old and a newborn. We'll love you and care for you no matter what. God helping us.

(Here is Louisa's surprising (non) reaction to the news. We told her at about 7 weeks.)

Friday, July 18, 2014

Dentist Saga

In early June, Nate said he thought we should take Louisa to the dentist because of some dark spots in her teeth. I knew that when it comes to dentist appointments for kids, the earlier the better, but I still felt like yearly visits starting at age two were overkill. After all, she got a healthy report at her visit at 22 months.

So after I got over the shock of Nate suggesting that anyone go to the dentist (he hates going himself), I promptly compared our in-network options to Yelp reviews and scheduled a Saturday appointment with a pediatric dentist. Nate and Louisa went together and they returned home with stickers, prizes from the treasure chest and corn dogs and french fries from Wienerschnitzel. Louisa was perfectly happy, but Nate whispered, with wide eyes, she has six cavities. SIX CAVITIES? I must have shouted. I was instantly so ashamed, nervous, extra-sick-to-my-stomach. But I'm a dietitian, I thought. My kids aren't supposed to have cavities!

Once the shock wore off and Nate reassured me that it likely didn't relate to candy, juice or poor brushing habits (they simply blamed "deep pockets"), I contacted the dentist for the treatment plan:


Yes, lots of details, but my stomach really flipped when I saw the work "SEDATION" and the total patient portion of $585.00. Really? I thought we had good insurance! This paired with the fact that Nate said the dentist was not at all patient with Louisa made me want a second opinion. Generally I'm a fairly trusting person; I don't know that I've ever sought a second opinion for myself or my kids, but I had to go with my instincts on this one.

Result? Amazing! I took Lou to my dentist (family, but not specifically pediatric) and they were incredible with her. They only found two cavities, made Louisa LOVE the dentist, and already filled one cavity without sedatives or tears. She'll have the other cavity filled next week and I can't wait to write a Yelp review.

Ah, I'm so glad we're on this side of this one.

p.s. I was nervous about agreeing to silver filings (cheeper, faster, better…), but the first one is hardly noticeable, and Louisa is proud of her new "star" in her mouth.

See Where Our Pictures Were Taken