Remember last Friday, when I told you both my kids were getting their wisdom teeth removed? As in, BOTH kids.
AT THE SAME TIME?!
Usually I’m so much smarter than that.
Oh, and let’s not forget we did this while Husband was out of town.
Yeahhhh…
But hey, beings how this here’s a full-service blog, I’ve managed to derive some helpful tips from this situation.
You know. Should you ever find yourself in a similar oral-surgery hell.
You’re welcome.
- If you have two kids needing wisdom teeth removed, space them out a bit.
This seems fairly obvious, I know. But when the oral surgeon says, “I can do them both the same day, no problem! It’ll save you a trip!” you should consider whether a tank of gas is really your biggest concern. 
A fountain in the courtyard and a Scottsdale zip code means $$$ at the billing desk. Get yourself a good dental plan, okay? Never take this step for granted. We’re fortunate ours contracts with skillful dentists and surgeons (even if they do suggest two kids on the same day).- If your kids aren’t supposed to talk after surgery, don’t talk to them.
Again, seems fairly obvious. And yet…
Me: How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Is there something you want?
Son: Ahmflphlfl…
Me: Don’t talk!!! You’re not supposed to talk!!!… So… do you need anything? - Texting, on the other hand, is totally cool.
Like, standing right in front of them, send a text to see if they need a pain pill, glass of water, more gauze in their mouth, whether they want to watch Mad Max or Sleeping Beauty. (It’s a reasonable question.) - Don’t tell your daughter she looks like a chipmunk.
She won’t take it as a compliment.
(Weird, right?) - Dig out all your super-soft food recipes: puddings, smoothies, hot cereal, the works.
Cause baby, you’re gonna need ’em.
Speaking of which, here’s how I make oatmeal. It’s really, really good, with just enough chewy texture to please your most discerning chipmunk.
Creamy, Buttery Oatmeal
When we were visiting friends in Oregon, they made their oatmeal with dried sour cherries. Holy cow, was that good! But dried cherries are $14.99 a pound and dried cranberries are $3.99 a pound. Guess which one I use?
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 cup rolled oats- 1/3 to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk of choice (I use almond milk)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar (or more, if you prefer it sweeter)
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add steel-cut and rolled oats, nuts and coconut (if using). Stir with a fork and cook until lightly toasted, about three or four minutes.
Add remaining ingredients, stir and bring to a boil. Lower heat until oatmeal stays at a steady simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy.
Serve with milk, or better yet, a splash of cream. Mmm.
Note: This keeps really well in the fridge, so if you make it on the weekend, you should have enough tasty goodness for the rest of the week.
Feeding on Folly 
You defused my “Indeed, what were you thinking??” with that luscious recipe! You planned that, didn’t you! You are third on my list of derring-doers. First are those who have cataracts done a week apart and second (actually, it’s a toss-up) are those who have both knees done the same day! I hope you’re all feeling better now, and doing well.
We are recovering nicely, thanks.
So glad to hear the recipe offsets my lack of clarity! 😀
By the way, I work with someone who recently had both knees done, same day. He walks like he’s ridden one too many bunkin’ broncos.
One can hardly imagine that doubled challenge!
Note to self: Scribble a blog post about that day I lost my mind and agreed to have FIVE teeth pulled in one day…
OMG, Brian, seriously?! Yes, you must write this! Pronto!
It sounds delicious but how did you have enough sanity to watch oats bubble for 30 minutes?
Simple, I don’t. 🙂
I let it simmer while I go on about my morning, only occasionally returning to give it a stir. It’s the perfect time for a cup of tea and to catch up on blog reading.
Obvious to me – you were thinking “What can I do to prove I have a great, big masochistic streak?” 🙂
At first I thought you were saying ‘machismo’ streak – which when you think about it, involves the same lack of brain cells. But yeah, masochistic is more like it! 😄