My Really Super Big Boy

I had read somewhere (I don't remember where) that as a "good" parent, I should take my child to see the dentist at around the age of three. I had also read something about taking my kid to get his eyes checked around 6 months. Since I had completely missed the eye thing, I decided to put in some effort and get Brandon to the dentist before his third birthday.
Honestly, I sort of dreaded the idea. I imagined my child - who barely tolerates getting his teeth brushed - running around the dentist chair, refusing to sit and yelling something like "No Mommy! No!" The kind receptionist at our dental office informed me that most children don't in fact cooperate and often the first visit is just a count of the teeth. A polish if we're really lucky.
I felt like I needed backup (or moral support?) so I made Jamie come with us. We arrived early to fill out some paperwork and right away Brandon was impressed by the cool fish tank and "Star Trek" like doors at the dental office. The only prep I gave him was that he was going to meet my friend, Dr. Mustafa Esmail, and that Mustafa would give him a ride in a cool chair and count his teeth.
I'm happy to report that all my worry was for nothing. Brandon was an absolute star! Not only did he let them count his teeth, he let them polish AND scale them. Unheard of for a little one. After about 15 minutes in the chair, Brandon was all done and he was off to the treat box to pick his prize. As for me, I was told to start flossing his teeth (yah right. Seriously, that's not going to happen).

Feeling emboldened from our stellar dental visit, I decided to take Brandon to an eye exam all by myself. Once again Brandon was a star. He loved telling the Dr. the pictures he saw in the mirror and once she was done flashing the light in his eyes, he got to flash the light in hers :-) He didn't get any treats but he had a really good time. He laughed pretty much through the whole exam. On an interesting note, the doctor told me his vision is where she expected it to be for his age - he's far sighted.

After these two experiences Jamie and I were commenting on how lucky we are to have a boy who's not afraid of loud noises, strange situations or even skittish around strangers. He's very confident, social and - most of the time - really easy-going. He's just my really super big boy :-)