My Good Doggie

One of the first things people who know my family ask is how the dog is adjusting to the baby.  Here is an illustration of just how good F can be.  V has a bassinette that she lays in.  It's pretty close to the floor, and designed so that when she moves it rocks.  She will frequently lay in it for naps during the day.  Earlier this week during one of these naps F's chewy bone found its way underneath her.  He tried to get it first from the side, but when his head bumped her butt he backed up.  He went around to the other side, and still no luck.  Finally he army belly crawled underneath from the far end so that he wouldn't disturb the baby, grabbed it with the edge of a tooth and backed out.  See, I told you F was a good doggie, if not the very best doggie.

 

Pyogenic Granuloma

As some of you are aware, I had a wound on my finger that wouldn't go away - and today the doctor announced it was probably a "Pyogenic Granuloma."  To give a history, here's how it presented.  First I just had a blood blister, that did pop and become exposed.  When this tried to heal it wouldn't ever form a proper scab.  Any sort of bump would cause it to start bleeding again.  And when it would bleed it would bleed profusely.  After a while it grew into a bump, and it kinda looked like a  mushroom with a stem and a flatish balloon on top.  At this point I wondered if it could possibly be some type of wart.  Finally my finger was swollen, and the area around it obviously infected so I went to the Dr. and got the news.  Treatment - he shot numbing stuff in it, and cut it out.  To staunch the bleeding he cauterized and then put in three stitches.  To be sure that his diagnosis is correct he sent it for a biopsy, but from the descriptions I have read online I think that it was spot on.  Just thought I would share in case anyone has a similar experience.

Homemade Tooth Powder

We made our very own homemade toothpaste for the first time today!  It was super easy, and means that we will never have to throw away another toothpaste tube ever again.  Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try in your own household.

2 T Salt
5 T Baking Soda

I put the above together in a blender to mix them well.  It costs pennies, and it lasts forever - or about 8 months for 1 user.  Just dip in your damp toothbrush and away you go!  I would probably recommend separate containers for different people, unless they are people you are okay swapping germs with them.  You can even flavor your powder if you wish.  Once the garden has a good supply of mint in it I intend to blend some in, you could even blend in a bit of Cinnamon or Clove if desired.  For those who are concerned with such things, according to the all knowing interwebs this is less abrasive than most commercial toothpastes.  I'll let you know if my dentist has any comments for us after we've been using it for a while.

**UPDATE**
So this week we had our dentist appointments.  Remember when dentist appointments used to mean sunglasses, and posters on the ceiling?  Now kids get TV's up there!  After gathering our courage we sat in the chair of torture and got the verdict.  No new cavities.  Hooray!  Spencer felt that there was less "scraping" then last time.  And I received the comment that my teeth had a surprisingly small amount of tarter build-up on them.  So I think that this recipe is a keeper!!
My Hygienist even asked me if I used an electric toothbush she was so impressed! 
As far as the recipe goes I did give some of the additional spices a try.  I added a bit of Cinnamon and Clove.  These make it look kinda gross when you spit - and fail to add any flavor whatsoever, but supposedly there are some antibacterial benefits or something.  To be honest I didn't find it worthwhile, and I probably wont be adding it in the future.

I wonder . . . should I try a Homemade Mouthwash next?