Tales from the Tooth Fairy

*Another find from Drafts.  This was written in March 2017*

After having a tooth loose for well over a month, Big D finally lost his first tooth. The neighboring tooth is also loose, but I have finally learned my lesson and am firmly in the mindset of acknowledging I am a terrible judge of when teeth will be lost. No more guesses, or soons from this lady.

In the Big D's case his replacement tooth grew in and was pushing the baby tooth out. He doesn't play and wiggle them as much as his big brother does. Which of course is vital to decreasing the time spent in the wait it out method. Our household doesn't indulge in pulling teeth.

Bear has been begging for me to pull out one of her teeth, she is feeling left out.  Soon enough little girl, soon enough.

Our ToothFairy leaves fifty cent pieces and a note. Usually the impression of how well the TF thinks the tooth has been cared for, and the obligatory reminder to brush teeth. We are debating having a special tooth bag or pillow. Always trying to help the TF out and make the exchange as smooth as possible. A solid working relationship is key.

We have used an envelope on the kitchen table and a fabric pouch. Though the kids feel that under the pillow is the proper place for the exchange. They also are curious as to what happens if both of them lose teeth on the same day. How will she know who's is who's?

Bear has decided she is going to be a toothfairy when she grows up.  She would really like to stay up late and meet and talk with the Tooth Fairy. Tips of the Trade, insdier info, all that. One cannot be too careful in career choices.

Bear-isms

From the dustbins of the drafts posts back in April.  Bear was a freshly minted 3.  I had forgotten we went through a phase of calling her little sisters Jesus.

Me: Go brush your teeth. 

Bear: No thanks, they not dirty. 

Me: You have to brush your teeth in the morning and before bed. 

Bear: Ok, I pick morning.
----------------------------------
Bear: Mom, you mother? 

Me: Yes, I am your mother. 

Bear: My Dad Father? 

Me: Yes, Daddy is your Father. 

Bear: Oh, babies Jesus? 

Me: No 

Bear: Hmm..just twins?

A Test I Didn't Have to Study For

To settle curiosity once and for all and after recurring moments of guilt for getting my babies momentarily mixed up, I ordered a bucal zygosity test.  This company was the most frequently recommended in MoM Groups (Moms of Multiples).

In my defence, the moments of "Who are you?" all happened either in the middle of the night, after long nights with little sleep, or in crowded places (being around large groups of people makes me anxious and I don't function well).  Also I call my singletons by the wrong name on a somewhat regular basis, so there is also that.

I have a game I like to play mainly with my husband and sister.  I text pictures of the twins and ask them to tell me who is who.  My sister currently has the better record.  In the early days, when I would be holding only Baby B, I sometimes had to look at Baby A to remember who I was holding.  Baby B could look like Baby A, but A always looked like A.  Then suddenly A looked like B and I had to stare at them and figure out who looked the most like B.  In the morning after a solid stretch of sleep I could tell them apart.  Panic subsided...zygosity test still ordered. Since that time I have decided "what a complete waste of money, they look like siblings but no way can they be identical."  To "I am glad I ordered, they are so hard to tell apart today.  If the results show identical I won't have to feel so guilty." Also "How the heck did I get them mixed up? They look nothing alike" To looking at old pictures and desperately trying to remember how I dressed them that day because they are in hats and I have no idea which baby is which.  Today is a "they look nothing alike day".

A little over a week after ordering the test kit arrived. Ignore the donut in the background.

2 test tubes, clearly labeled and 4 cotton swabs for each baby.

A bit unsure about all this.

  The first baby, 2 cotton swabs swirled on each cheek.  

A found everything interesting...and also edible.

 A tried to eat her swabs, which made things slightly more difficult. Overall, still pretty easy.

4 swabs in each test tube and popped in the pre-paid postage mailer.

Now it is just a matter of hurry up and wait.  There is a live tracker online you can see what phase the test process is in.

Order Received - Kit Shipped - Kit Received - Test in Progress - Results Shipped

The website said it typically takes about 3 business  for the company to receive the kit back, then 10 business days for the results.  I ordered the kit on November 9th.  Kit received on the 17th and mailed the 18th. The online tracker shows Test in Progress, December 1st.  Results to be mailed on or before December 14th!  Two more weeks of waiting!

Halloween 2017

This year for Halloween I wanted to try and make costumes instead of buy costumes.  That almost immediately went out the window when Bear spied an Elsa dress.  I decided that the dress would also serve for several years as an everyday dress up piece and with 2 little sisters it would likely be used until it falls apart.  So I bought her costume and had to listen to her beg to wear it every single day and try to convince me that "It is Halloween today!".  Rookie mistake the cape is coated and covered and dripping glitter. The day after Halloween my house looked like Sugar Plum Fairy had a wild party and ice skated over every surface.  Dress up will have to wait until the basement is finished. Her sweet Aunt did crochet her an awesome and very loved Elsa hat, which should be fun all winter. The hat is the must have accessory of the year, tied in place with a jeweled tiara, and is allowed to be worn whenever she likes.  She wore it for 3 straight days only taking it off for bathing purposes and that my friend took some convincing.

The twinks I decided I wanted to make chickens and even spray painted cardboard red in order to turn their double stroller into a chicken coop.  Snow and wind changed my mind on that point.  I also conducted an informal Facebook poll to help me decide between the chicken possibilities.  Ruffle Romper or Fluffy Ballerina Tutu.  One of each crossed my mind, but the tutu was too easy to wiggle out of.  I traced a baby glove on red felt and hot glued it on last years winter hats, layered the rompers over a long sleeved onsie and yellow leggings.  I forgot the dish gloves to cover feet, but as they were mainly strapped in car seats and only hauled out to see grandmas they weren't really missed.

The Big D couldn't make up his mind.  At one point after discovering his cousin Conman had once dressed up as a lion that was the costume of choice.  Alas, I found it is next to impossible to find brown sweatpants or hoodies for boys.  Toddlers and babies, but no boys.  My sewing skills are next to non-existent so I rely on hot glue and preferable second hand clothes or something that can be used again.  I was practicing sugar skull makeup and he decided he wanted to be a skeleton.  I took an old, almost too small black long sleeve shirt, and a clearance pair of black leggings and cut out white felt bones and hot glued them on.  I also used face paint to make a skull.  He was happy, everything was delightfully off, and I decided it made for homemade charm.

Bug couldn't decided what he wanted to be and most of his ideas were beyond my skill set.  He noticed a scythe when I was browsing ideas and has a love of "death" so I ordered him a grim reaper costume from Amazon. With luck it will be used for future Halloweens as well.

So I ended up with about half homemade, and half purchased costumes.  Glitter aside the purchases should be able to be enjoyed for dress up and future holidays.  I was going to do sugar skull and be a skeleton myself, but Bear said she preferred my "Mommy face" better and the twinks couldn't stop giggling every time they saw me, so I was just the chauffeur.

We tried downtown trunk or treating, grandmas, a few houses around our block and the assisted living home and called it good enough.  The kids did well, I gained 3 pounds from their unguarded candy stash. Happy Halloween.

Snow = Christmas Plots

I am already making Christmas plans. My husband and I have different opinions. He says "it's not even Thanksgiving". I say "I would rather have a plan and spread everything out so it isn't a stressful get ready for the holidays rush."

Bear says Santa is bringing her a doll house, he told her he made one just for her.

The Big D says he is only putting one thing on his list. A combine like dad's with two headers you can really switch depending on the crop. If I only put one thing on my list that is what Santa will bring me.

Bug has similar views but can't seem to narrow down what he reeaaaalllly wants most and is contemplating putting down "everything" as it is only one item.

  

The twinks are toddlers and have no requests. Though I notice that Gracers steals big sister's baby dolls to snuggle, rock, give a bottle, ect. She might get a baby doll or rag doll in her stocking.

Meekers I don't know. I now enter the question  "Do they get the same gift or different?" She will pack around a doll, but she doesnt spend extended time with them like her look-a-like does.  Maybe magnetic blocks or a quiet books with zippers and buttons? She is interested in mayhem and getting into things.

I also want to start a new family tradition of having the siblings draw names and shop for each other with a $ limit. They expressed interest last year and I think it will be educational in financials for them and help them to think of others.

The older kids are also going to help bake goodies and treats to distribute.   So far on the list: Garbage men, Librarians, Post Office, Neighbors, our Priests, Nursing Home and Assisted living home.  I feel like we are forgetting someone.

I am also waiting impatiently for the in-laws drawing and thinking on the annual white elephant gifts. I love shopping for others or making something special. When thinking and planning  dont you spend time thinking about all the wonderful people in your life, how grateful you are for them? I love it. Packing love into tokens.

Are you a one thing at a time person or constant planner?