For some reason, Salem has taken to hanging out with us at the kitchen table during school time. He’s never done this before but it’s been a fun distraction. He doesn’t participate or intrude. Instead, he’ll just stare or sleep.

As a result, I’ve taken to washing the table cloth more frequently.

If we’re Facebook friends, then you might already know that my trip to the dentist yesterday was disastrous. The verdict was that I need three crowns and two cavities filled, plus I need to consult with a periodontist about skin grafting for my receding gums. (Remember? I’m an aggressive brusher.) I nearly cried all over my paper bib. Brushing and flossing twice a day has done nothing for me. NOTHING. And to top things off, I was declined the perfect cocktail of valium and nitrous oxide. (Remember how much I enjoyed that last time?)

He said, “I’m sorry but the State of Tennessee doesn’t allow…”

I heard nothing after that except the cries of my future agony.

Per some advice from Facebook friends, we’ll probably get a second opinion. Chuck supposedly needs a couple of crowns too, which is odd for him. A trip to the orthodontist today for Jeremy confirmed that he does in fact need some baby teeth pulled to allow his adult teeth to come through. And yes, he’ll need braces.

GOOD TIMES.