Little People's Dentist

When I was growing up I had horrible teeth. A dentist was a HUGE part of our back to school preparations. The dentist we had growing up was wonderful and he is still my mom and dad's dentist. I was never afraid of the dentist and yet, still always had cavities.

When Tyler FINALLY got teeth a few of them grew in rotten and missing parts of them. It was horrible. We quickly found a dentist in Arizona and worked to get his teeth fixed. It was not fun. He screamed, cried and in the end we ended up under anesthesia.

When we moved back to Utah it was not top priority. He wasn't in any pain and we brushed his teeth. Last well child visit we were reminded that he needed to go to the dentist. ( Gently reminded.... See, Marisa I listen!)

So, on Tuesday we made the trek and we went on in to the dentist. We had an appointment at The Little People's dentistry. The office is officially a Special Needs Hub. They have become certified in taking care with the extra special kids and are able to give them the dental hygiene that they need.

The office staff is SOOO amazing. The front desk girl is so nice. She knew our name and directed her talking to Tyler. He loved that.

The waiting room is perfect for kids. There is places for the parents but the slides and the play place for the kids made Tyler right at ease. He wasn't even shy and timid.

He was called back to the back and they took him on a tour of the office. Showed him the rooms, offered him a toothbrush ( Super Sleuths Winnie the Pooh) and let him take his time to walk around before our appointment started.

The exam I wasn't too worried about. I was more worried about the dentist. Dr. Stewart was GREAT. He came in and talked to me and Tyler and got some information regarding his past history. He gave me a lot of information in ways that we could help out Ty's future dental health. We knew he was at high risk because of his NICU start. But I now have better information to help the next set of teeth. He was really really good.

The exam. YIKeS! Tyler did pretty good. He did cry and had some major freak outs at the beginning. He wasn't a fan of getting his teeth "counted"but Dr. Stewart was very good. Tyler calmed down when something familiar ( brushing his teeth) but the flossing was pretty crazy!

( Dr. Stewart does do lap exams and does teach them to go on the chair. He does discuss the options as to what is best for YOU and your child!)

As soon as the cleaning was over Ty was back to his happy self. He proudly walked himself out and got a prize and headed back out to play on the slide in the waiting room. He was a good sport and we will definitely be going back!!

The staff at Dr. Stewart's were amazing and very understanding of Tyler and his issues. They were friendly and went out of their way to help him have a good appointment. I would recommend his office and staff to anyone. We have our appointment set up to return!!

P.S They humored Tyler and brushed, flossed and fluoridated Mickey Mouse. Tyler and Mickey were given a teeth healthy bill of health!

To make it even better, anyone who goes to Little People's Dental and mentions Tyler, this blog or Thru the tulips will get $25 off their first visit.

Another HUGE bonus. There is SO much teeth healthy information on their webpage. Stuff you can refer to after you get all the information at the office!

So.. go, get your teeth cleaned, get all the information to keep your kids healthy and happy and smile perfect teeth!

* Dr. Stewart has rights to PCMC and also surgical centers around the valley. *

The Preemie Primer- A book Review and GIVE AWAY!!!!

Almost 5 years ago I embarked on the journey of a lifetime. A trip that I didn't plan on and a ride we can't get to stop. While the shove into parenthood was scary enough we added the extra stress of the NICU. Nothing can prepare you for the sights, sounds and terms.

As I was getting overwhelmed with words and diagnosis' I turned to the worst place on EARTH!

GOOGLE

You see, google has the worst of the worst. I needed simple yet understandable terms where I could figure out the worst of the worst but still have hope.

I didn't have that place.

Recently a new book came out called The Preemie Primer and was written by Dr. Jennifer Gunter. She is an OBGYN and a preemie mom. She understands the feelings of being a mom in the scariest place on earth. ( Both professionally and as a mother!)

She starts out the book describing her own story. Her own fear. Facing her own reality. She makes me feel like as a OB she knew all the answers but as a mother felt like the rest of us did. She was full of anxiety and scared.

She address the very basic of prematurity and health. She delivers it in a very plain and yet educational way. It is a VERY easy read. She also gives you facts and numbers. Things I needed to see.

Because the book spans the VAST picture of preemie hood it has some things that didn't apply to me and my situation. But the information was packed in there.

There are so many terms and conditions that are in the world of prematurity that covering every single one would be almost impossible but it seems Dr. Gunter has done an amazing job.

I would like an author somewhere to touch on the emotional impact AFTER the birth for the mother. Dr. Gunter did do that but I think it deserves much more time and a MILLION pages. I think more resources to send the parents in this situation. ( such as A Internet group, list of blogs, parents who are open to being contacted) I know when I was in the middle of the bad stuff it would have been nice to have someone. I met a few through the above mentioned ways but to have someone DIRECT me there would have been amazing.

The most important part that I felt was touched on was the traveling through the health system. There is so many things that could either make or break what you are hoping to get. Financially it is extremely exhausting. Follow the advice given. She does a great job explaining what to ask for.

After living the preemie world for almost 5 years ( 5 years!) I can say that I have passed that toddler hood and survived. If you are just getting started in your journey, PICK up this book. GET a copy. Read it and store the information that you need. You can and will get through the NICU.

SO... to help a lucky NICU mom or an OLD NICU mom get to experience the Preemie Primer we are giving away a COPY!!!!!!

So to win a copy of this book a few things need to be done in order to be entered.

1. You must have a address in the United States. ( if you are in Canada email me)
2. Leave a comment telling us why you would like this book.
3. extra entries: blog about it, link this blog ( worth 3 points.....)
4. Become a follower either on here ( google reader or your own reader) but tell me which one you are doing,
5. Follow us on Facebook
6. Follow @miraclepreemie and @DrJenGunter on twitter and @ me so I know you are here!!!

You have 6 ways to win. A separate comment must be made for each of the things you do in order for it to be counted as a entry.... SO if you do all 6 there should be SIX comments by you!!!!!!!

Entries must be received before thursday at midnight PST. Twitter will be FULL of #nicu posts and links. Link back during that time to see who the winner is.

READY....... GO!

Voice4u

I was recently given the opportunity to try out the new application for the iphone/itouch/ipad called Voice4u.

I was really excited to try this App. Last week the communication device we tried in speech left Tyler crying and screaming. This seems to be the trend with every device that we have tried. We have tried switches, PECS, nothing, devices that talk, devices that light up. EVERYTHING.

PECS was the most successful. Which is why I was excited for this App.

So upon Downloading the application I went through and tried the pictures all out. I was excited to see the amount of PEC like picture.

The PEC pictures were simple and easy for me to see. However, just being on an iphone the pictures are "small" for a visually impaired kiddo. Which is why I am excited for the Ipad to see how large the photos will be. So not a total negative.

Positives of the program:

• Ty thinks that anything on the Iphone or Touch is fair game for him and he enjoys being on the Iphone so he will try it.
• The amount of pictures and choices are great
• The ability to upload and record a familiar voice is nice even when a "computerized" voice is available. That helps with sensory kids A LOT.
• The ability to control the volume. Most communication devices have one volume. Loud.
• In theory Tyler would be able to use this.

Negatives:

• I was a little disappointed that simple words like Mom and Dad were not pre programmed in. We would have to do those our self. Which is fine but would like to have had them on their originally. *reasoning for me: He isn't following our voice sound for some words so having DAD in there with another voice might be a better option than our own*
• I would like the ability to make my own lists. Ty isn't going to be able to browse quickly enough to do what he needs. But if I had a list or folder for afternoon activities and have 4 or five items in it he could use that folder to tell me what he wants.

Overall I really liked the program and plan to take it with me to his next speech at Shriner's to see if it is something that she thinks we could use with him. I am also looking forward to showing my nephew who is non verbal and see how he likes the program. Ty is one that has to be worked on slowly. I am excited to see how he progresses with it.

Biggest feature change for me is the category or the need for simpler folders or the ability to make and label and change mine around so it is easier for him to use. Maybe as he gets older and can understand more the need for the categories won't be there.

But great Application.

Cost: In comparison to an actual communicative device the price of $29.99 is rather cheap. I think that as technology continues in the new trend of touch screens and communication pads that this app has awesome potential to help so many people.

Voice4u- Awesome job. I am impressed and will recommend this on the boards I am on. I plan to keep trying with Tyler and it will be one we try on the Ipad. Then a awesome update will be added.

* This was a sponsored post. I was compensated for my time and given the application for free for the review*