Another First

Today I took Lily to the dentist for the first time. She is 3 and while most of my friends took their kids when they were around two, I knew what was in store for me and was putting it off as long as I could. When we got there she was just as calm as could be. She played and made small talk with the other children in the waiting area. I thought, hey, maybe she will do fine. Wrong. As soon as the hygienist came to the door and called Lily's name, she melted to the floor, screaming, I don't want to have my teeth cleaned! I could have died. No amount of reasoning,begging, or negotiating calmed her. I had to hold her while she had her x-rays (while she screamed), she laid on top of me while they cleaned her teeth (and screamed) and while the dentist looked in her mouth. As soon as it was over, she sat up, smiled and said, that wasn't bad at all. I in the mean time am a disheveled mess. I was sweating, literally. She immediately went into the Lily we all know and love. Telling jokes, smiling, saying thank you to everyone. I wanted to EAT MY YOUNG! As I am staggering to the door (with visions of margaritas dancing in my head) she says, thanks so much for taking me to the dentist and loving me mommy. And that my friends, is what it's all about. Being a mom can be one of the most trying jobs on earth and often with little or no praise, but when we have special moments like that, it makes the world stop and you feel so very, very blessed and not near as tired as you thought.