She has done it! Michelle got her ears pierced on Monday. She has asked me for months and I have said, maybe this week for every time she asked. I finally decided that after her ballet class we would go to the mall and just get it done. Not that I was fearful for her or that she wasn't ready had I put it off. My own mother did not let me join this club until well into high school. She apparently thought I was too irresponsible before then. Not sure what changed her mind. Anyway, I was determined not to let my children wait until then to get them done but I also didn't want to do that to my infants. It pains me to think of doing that to my babies! The PKU test on their heal is bad enough!
So, we get to Claire's in the mall and I tell Michelle what we are doing there. All of a sudden she is freaked! She doesn't want to do it. So, I have to take baby steps, first have her just look at the choices for earrings, then once she has those picked out, look at all the choices for later, once they have healed. Then, after she was certain to back out, I offered her a present for being so brave, whatever she wanted in the store, after she got the ears done.
We had to wait for someone else which added to the aprehension. Then she wanted to sit in my lap on the stool. Carolyn is begging to get hers done as well but I'm somewhat realizing why my mom waited with me, Carolyn definitely isn't responsible! Leah starts to get fussy and I'm trying to rock her stroller, watch Carolyn to make sure she doesn't steal anything from the store as she is putting stuff into a bag, and hold Michelle's hands, which she insists on doing.
What am I thinking! I apparently got the idea that I am Super Mom and I can handle all of this with little trouble. The lady says she will count to 3 and then punch the earring. Michelle tightens her grip and the first ear is done. Ten to fifteen minutes later, the 2nd is done. I have never persuaded like I persuaded in those minutes in between piercings. I should have made the lady find someone else to help her out and have them do it at the same time. Michelle was begging for the lady to not do the other one, hiding her ear and crying HUGE tears. We are at the entrance of the store and I look like I am forcing my child. I'm sure that CPS is coming at any moment. Then we remind her of the cool nail polish that she has picked out for her prize and she tells the lady to count to 6. The lady says, 1,2,3 pop! Michelle cries again but only for a minute. FINALLY! It is over. Carolyn is almost falling apart because she wants it to be her turn. I think she could handle the pain but I know she would take the earrings out in a second.
Michelle has been cracking me up ever since. She tells everyone that it didn't really hurt and can't wait to get new earrings. She has been so great about cleaning them several times a day as well as spinning them. I am so proud of her and will always have this great memory!!!
