Amidst the chaos of the trampoline park on a blustery MLK Day, my phone flashes and Dentist appears across the screen. “That can wait,” I think to myself, “Our appointments aren’t until February.”

A few minutes later, a text from the dentist pops up. “We can see all the girls today at 3pm if you’d rather come today.”

“Why not?” I think as I type a reply.

The girls are not as excited about the unexpected trip to the dentist. They’re temporarily distracted by the toy chest in the waiting room when we first arrive. Soon they’re each seated with a book or magazine and for a moment I think, ” I’ve got this.”

Soon Adi has lost interest in the Dr. Seuss book she had been working through. Rose abandons her Highlights magazine and opts for the neat stack of adult magazines on the glass top table. The receptionist walks out and hands me an iPad, to update everyone’s information… this is when things get a little more chaotic.

Adi hops from seat to seat, asking questions about the commentary happening on the tv screen above. Rose wants to climb in my lap. Thankfully, Wren is still reading.

Another patient, also waiting, catches my eye and says, ” you have your hands full.” I’ve heard this plenty of times before. I just smile, a plethora of witty comebacks spring to mind and then I just settle on the fact, that yes, in this moment… my hands are full.

“We’ve been here for ten hours,” Adi whines. “When will it be our turn?”

“Soon,” I reassure her for the fifteenth time.

Finally, a new to us hygienist appears, seemingly prepared for the journey ahead. The girls follow her to her room. Wren volunteers to go first and I take a deep breath, preparing for keeping Rose and Adi under control.

Adi immediately gets to work brushing the teeth of a stuffed alligator that sits on a shelf. Rose settles into my lap. Things are going fine until I notice Adi has lost interest in playing dentist and is sneaking out into the hallway. She is peeking into the room next door, spying on someone else getting their teeth cleaned. I call her back in, letting her know that this isn’t polite. She thinks it’s great and keeps trying to sneak out. Her volume is on high and she seems unaware that her shrill voice is filling the otherwise quiet dental office.

I begin to sweat.

Finally, Wren is done and Rose decides she will go next… but only if I sit with her. I lay in the exam chair only for Rose to refuse to open her mouth. I model as Rose clamps her lips tighter together and Adi disappears into the hallway again.

Rose isn’t budging, so we decide that Adi will go next. Once she is in the chair, I cuddle Rose, who appears to be traumatized from just sitting in the chair. I think that maybe I can relax for a moment.

No such luck. “Get away from me. Get away from me.” Adi is repeating out of nowhere. Her arms are up shielding her eyes and she’s rolled herself into a ball, her back facing the hygienist.

I once again find myself on the dental chair, Adi laying on top of me. I’m holding her down, one arm across her body, one hand on her forehead. She has never had an issue at the dentist… before today.

The cleaning seems to take forever and I feel like I’m getting in my daily workout. Finally, Adi is done… until the hygienist realizes that Adi is due for her first set of dental X-rays. Our lucky day!

Adi settles back in the chair, this time on her own. The weighted jacket is placed over her tiny body, hopefully heavy enough to hold her down.

The hygienist explains the large contraption that needs to fit inside Adi’s mouth. As I look on, I am certain that this won’t be happening. Adi tried harder to get the thing in her mouth with more effort than I anticipated before throwing the jacket off and declaring that she will not be taking any pictures of her teeth today.

The girls select their new toothbrushes and I think we are in the clear… until the hygienist reminds me that the dentist still needs to check the girls’ teeth.

I cry on the inside as I try to engage the girls in a game of I spy… in the nearly all gray room. I am filling pink plastic cups with water, for my thirst stricken daughters when the dentist walks in.

I apologize for all the noise and pray for speed and cooperation.

The rest of the visit goes by without a hitch…

Just one last hurdle, choosing from all of the wonderful prizes in the treasure box on our way out.

Hearts full or hands full?