Train Adventure

We had a fun adventurous outing this morning with 19 of our littlest buddies on the Cal Train. We rode the train from the Menlo Park station up to the Burlingame station where we got a treat.

Nervous and excited for his first ride on a real train. Looking for some time tunnels to take us back to the Cretaceous Time Period (he still loves the Dinosaur Train show)

 Sharing a seat with his buddy Clara

 Mom and Cosette ride too. Coco still has a black eye from a spill she took last week, poor Baby!

Chaos at the donut shop. Yep, they're all with us.

  Cosette wants that donut! I over road Jackson's request for coconut and went with the safer bet - chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.

She wants her own seat

We also got to romp at the park for a few minutes before catching the train home. Cosette chased a dog and lost her shoe, but Jack was very well mannered. It is so fun to be able to get out into the world with these two more and more. 

Playing on the platform and running in the sun

Both times we got off the train Jackson almost threw a fit because he didn't want to get off. He did hold it together long enough to get off at the right stops. It's hard waving goodbye to the train when you'd rather ride it all day!

1,000 Dental Appointments

It only feels like that many this month, but I guess it's closer to 8. I am in the midst of getting a front tooth replaced and am blogging about it to focus on the amusing side and not to fall into self-pity and self-consciousness about it or try to hide it since a messed up front tooth is not something you can hide.

I've known since I was 12 that this tooth (#10 as I now know it) needed to be replaced someday since the root was disintegrating, and it turns out now is the time. See the root absorption below over the last 2 years is dramatic. All the other teeth have roots and poor #10 has nothing to hold on to.

 I like our current plan to take it out and replace it better than the former plan, which was to wait until I got knocked in the face or bit something hard and it fell out into my lap. The new plan takes 9 months to get this tooth replaced and only requires being toothless for a few hours at a time.

I've been through many oral surgeries, dental procedures, and lots of painful orthodontia, so I wasn't too worried about the procedures (not shaking in my boots like I get before having blood drawn! I'm very squeamish about veins).

On the way to the periodontist. Good-bye fare #10, you've done the best you can, under the circumstances.

But when it comes to having someone rip your tooth out while you are awake, even though you are numb, it is just incredibly unnatural and unnerving. I was so tense it made me identify vaguely with a torture victim, even though it wasn't going to hurt. I was ready to give up the intel and sell out my friends if it were a real situation. How quickly I crumble! That brief moment of dread and fear made me so thankful for what Jesus did on the cross, undergoing the worst torture for hour after hour so I don't have to. I couldn't cope with 5 minutes of fake torture, the sound of cracking enamel and ripping tissue.

Afterwards, driving from the periodontist to the dentist to have my tooth shaped and glued back into place as a temporary placeholder until the implant is placed in 6 weeks. My sister said I look like a stroke victim - thanks for that! And the tooth itself in transit. Not quiet as official as an organ transplant. They let you carry it in your purse.

 

After it's all glued back together. They did a great job making it look ok. Still a little puffy, but relieved to be done for this week. Got to return home to the tots being crazy with Daddy. So wonderful to get a hug and kiss from Jack: "Are you all better Mommy?" I'm getting there Buddy Bear!

Lil' Captain Jack

Jackson discovered pirates recently and even got this pirate set as a gift today. That sword has seen some major action already. I don't advise swords for 2 year olds. The Mickey Mouse box said 3 and up but that doesn't seem accurate either.

"It's not working!"

Well, we've hit a new low today. Jackson is a very particular boy who seems destine to make himself completely miserable over any possible obstacle. Today for instance, he screamed bloody murder and when I dropped the blow dryer and came running from the bathroom it turned out that he had not incurred a life threatening injury, but was in fact, low on milk. My heart was racing for nothing yet again, and I thank God it has always been nothing.

This afternoon was our low when we had full on weeping over candy eating difficulties. Jackson got a nice package from Grammie with a lollipop and sweethearts, but couldn't seem to bite any of the candies in the way he wanted to. It was as if  he was undergoing the worst torture as he yelled out that the candy doesn't work and spit it out. The problems continued since he really wanted the candy and kept eating and spitting out the same pieces endlessly. We finally came to a solution by smashing the candy into small pieces that could be chewed easily. The drama coming from this sweet little boy never ends!

Mischief

It was her idea and he butted in as usual. Not sure the table was designed for this ruckus.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Our Little Coco turned 1 on January 12th. It is so so true that time flies with the second child so much faster than the first. She is a full blown toddler now, eating solids, drinking from cups, saying words, running and climbing constantly. Our Lady has become a feisty little one over the last 2 months. She is extremely active and physical, a capable climber and a tough cookie when she falls or gets knocked around by her brother. When we change her diaper or clothing she freaks out almost every time, flopping around on the table to get away. She also shrieks at the top of her lungs when you prevent her from walking or climbing somewhere she wants to go. She's also very happy and funny and runs into our arms, hangs on our legs, snuggles her face into our shoulders and loves a big affection.

Playgroup cupcakes

 Singing with friends. She gets a little taste of the chocolate and likes it! It's nice to have a baby who will eat things.

 Jackson and friend Charlotte enjoying the frosting.

 Loves it!

We also celebrated with family at a pizza place. Cosette loved hugging Grandma and stomping around and not listening to anyone.

 Jackson and cousin Evan needed their own presents. They are battling their new dinos.

 

 Balloons are the best gift of all.

 

 She's great at smiling with those goofy little teeth. What a happy birthday girl.

 Glow in the dark princess wand. The kids fight over that thing all of the time.

 

 Another round of cupcakes. Yup, she still likes them.

 Cosette, we love you and couldn't imagine life without your spunky little fire.

 

Bath Buddies

They are peaceful for the moment. Our latest problem is that Cosette loves to splash and gets Jack going along with her. He knows better but she lures him into her mischief.