 |
| Check out lower left tooth |
When we met Mei, I noticed several big dark spots on her teeth. We were thankful that she didn't have any issues with these while in China. The pediatrician took one look in her mouth last week and said "yikes, you need a dentist". The next day, Mei pointed at a really dark tooth and said "oooh". I immediately called our pediatric dentist and got her an appointment. This morning, Jad and I both talked to her about her tooth. Jad put her on the bathroom counter and had her open wide while looking in the mirror. He pointed at her bad tooth and said "ouch", and told her we were going to get this seen about today. Mei nodded her head, indicating she understood at least part of what was being said. When we reached the dentist office, we were ushered in for x-rays. The dental technician was so good with Mei. She explained everything. While Mei does not understand English, she does know when someone is being kind and gentle with her, and she responds well. Sweet girl. :) Once the x-rays were complete, they took us into one of the exam rooms in "Tooth Town". They gave her a big stuffed monkey with a matching set of chompers, and a big toothbrush to entertain her. She brushed and brushed the monkey's teeth. The dentist came in and said the x-rays looked good - no cavities. What? He explained that for some reason (perhaps diet?), Asians have a lot more issues with severe stains. He examined Mei and found the tooth to be solid. I couldn't believe it! It looks like a crater, but apparently it is worn down from her grinding her teeth and just very badly stained. The dentist said the best thing to do is...nothing! I couldn't believe it! YEAH! I am so thankful she doesn't have to go through any dental work right now!
 |
| Mei wearing her "Hollywoods" |
Back on the home front, Mei and Kailee have been restocked with Slim Jim's meat sticks. Kailee asked for one package to be the spicy version. I think she is hoping Mei won't like those as much (less competition). LOL. The other new staple in the house is instant noodles. These are those cups with noodles and spices. You just add boiling water, wait 3 minutes, and enjoy. I realize the nutritional value is less than desirable (deduct two points from the "nutrition conscience mom" score). I'm hoping they tide her over when she refuses to eat the dinner items presented (like the chili pie I served tonight). She will try anything, but if it doesn't suit her fancy, she wrinkles up her nose and looks for a place to deposit the undesirable food. She is also asking for lots of rice. I try to cook some each day. She likes it for side dishes, snacks, etc. I suppose this is the taste of home cookin' for her. Our big girls like to eat it for breakfast with a dab of butter, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Yum! Mei consistently asks for ice water, then spoons a good portion into her rice bowl. I'm pretty sure her family didn't have ice, so I'm not sure where this ritual is coming from. I suppose I should write down all these things so I can eventually ask her about them.
Out of the blue, Kailee asked this question: "Mom, does Mei think we live in a mansion?". Interesting question. For those that don't know us, we live in a very modest home. Three bedrooms, two baths. Definitely nothing fancy or elaborate. But I suppose this is a mansion for her. Her foster family took very good care of her, but I expect their means were minimal, and thus their home. Does she think she hit the jackpot? Does she think this is the high life? I'll add that to the list of questions to ask her one day.
 |
| The cheap "Bubby" immitation |
Mei loves the dogs. One of them loves her. This is Candy. She is our pointer mix, adopted from Paws in Prison. Mei feeds her continually (sneaks in kitchen and feeds her ten times a day), and Candy thinks this is just grand! Our other dog, Buddy, would rather be invisible. Mei calls him "Bubby". He's an old chocolate brown chihuahua that showed up at the end of our driveway a couple years ago. He grumped at Mei when she first started showed up on the scene. Mei just ignores him and inflicts her version of "lovin'". She isn't harming him in the least, but he is always glad when the big girls get out of school and rescue him. The picture to the right is our feeble attempt to find a "replacement" for Bubby. But unless Daddy brings the stuffed version to life 24x7, this is futile. Bubby is doomed to many years of forced lovin' to come.
When we met Mei, I noticed several big dark spots on her teeth. We were thankful that she didn't have any issues with these while in China. The pediatrician took one look in her mouth last week and said "yikes, you need a dentist". The next day, Mei pointed at a really dark tooth and said "oooh". I immediately called our pediatric dentist and got her an appointment. This morning, Jad and I both talked to her about her tooth. Jad put her on the bathroom counter and had her open wide while looking in the mirror. He pointed at her bad tooth and said "ouch", and told her we were going to get this seen about today. Mei nodded her head, indicating she understood at least part of what was being said. When we reached the dentist office, we were ushered in for x-rays. The dental technician was so good with Mei. She explained everything. While Mei does not understand English, she does know when someone is being kind and gentle with her, and she responds well. Sweet girl. :) Once the x-rays were complete, they took us into one of the exam rooms in "Tooth Town". They gave her a big stuffed monkey with a matching set of chompers, and a big toothbrush to entertain her. She brushed and brushed the monkey's teeth. The dentist came in and said the x-rays looked good - no cavities. What? He explained that for some reason (perhaps diet?), Asians have a lot more issues with severe stains. He examined Mei and found the tooth to be solid. I couldn't believe it! It looks like a crater, but apparently it is worn down from her grinding her teeth and just very badly stained. The dentist said the best thing to do is...nothing! I couldn't believe it! YEAH! I am so thankful she doesn't have to go through any dental work right now!
No comments:
Post a Comment