Bru-tal-it-tee

Holly and Ella decided today was the big ear piercing day. Jilly did it weeks ago, and they have been "thinking" it through since then. We went with our neighbors, and fellow triplets, Madeline, Ava, and Cole. Madeline had her ears done the day after Jilly, but Ava has been waiting for BFF Ella to admit that it is time. Being that she is the oldest, Ava was reluctantly willing to go first. Holly put her out of her misery, however, by volunteering in her stead.



Two blue butterflies, an "Ouch!! that hurts", a few grimaces, and a giant smile later, Holly was two holes richer, and Ella was white as a ghost, ready to run.

Ava weathered her turn without too much fanfare. She was okay with the process, all except for when Ella felt a little too close to the action, and bailed on her hand-holding. Luckily, Madeline stepped in and served as official pain guard. Ava did the second ear as well as the first.

Then came the realization that we were out of other people to go next, and the tears. No hysterics, just the pitiful, sad tears that make a mother want to say, "although I have already paid for this, and you will be really bummed later today when everyone else has her earrings, and you don't, you can walk away" I held firm. I calmly gave her a choice between Mom and Ava as hand-holder. I pointed out that not only was Holly still alive, but positively beaming less than 3 minutes after her piercing. Monica took the other 5 kids away (who takes 7 kids to an ear piercing?) while Ava and I stood on either side while the clerk guiltily cleaned, marked, and after what felt like about 20 yrs of waiting, pierced Ella's ears. I am happy to report that even she has to admit there is not any pain, and she is happy to have the earrings.



My girl is a thinker though. She has been obsessed with cleaning the ears, and not touching, or letting anything touch her ears. She has asked me how we get old earrings out, and new ones in. She has inquired about whether or not she really ever needs to change them. I think Holly and Jilly are tired of the angst. One of them told her tonight that she needs to remember that it is over, and she never has to do it again. Me neither, at least until Haldey joins the ranks.