The Furlong Family: Emma Gets Her Ears Pierced!

I have had so many people ask what we decided to do for ear piercing and how it went that I decided to write a blog post about it. I'm already SO behind in blogging and missed about 500 events since I haven't blogged in a couple months, but I'm going to go ahead and skip to today before I forget every detail.

A few weeks ago, Emma asked me about my earrings and told me she wanted some like mine. I very bluntly told her that she could absolutely get her ears pierced when she was ready, but that they will need to poke holes in her ears using a needle. I also told her yes it would hurt for a second, just like when she gets "pokes" at the doctor. Emma responded with a horrified look on her face that maybe she would do this when she was older. A few hours later, she told me she had decided that she would get her "ears poked in July." I laughed and shrugged it off thinking that she didn't realize that July was only a week or two away. (Four year olds don't know their months right?)

Fast forward a week or two and we were at Small Pockets Story time. (I blogged about that a few months ago if you want to read more about that here.) They were doing a a little fourth of July story and craft and the sweet lady reading the story asked the children if they knew what month it was. A little girl responded "July" and Emma immediately sat up and announced to the group, "I'm getting my ears poked in July!" Now I was the one with the horrified look (well more shocked,) I guess she DOES know her months.

At this point, Brian and I talked and I started researching (you know by posting on Facebook) where the best place to go to get your ears pierced was. I read conflicting reviews about pretty much everywhere. At first I was set on having it done both ears at the same time because my own piercing as a child was a bit traumatizing. The lady (using a gun) pierced one ear and then I was all, "nope. We are done. I'll just have one ear pierced." Of course my mom made me get the other one pierced so don't worry, I do in fact have both ears pierced. However, my research implied that needles are better to use than the gun for several reasons. Here is a little article about why that is. (For the record, a gun was used on my ears and mine have always been fine so don't stress if that's what your family used.)

We decided to go ahead with it while Emma was ready and before she chickened out. Brian had the morning off (well the day, but he golfed in the afternoon #golfwidow.) So we headed to LaLobe in Dallas. This place had mostly great reviews, they used a needle, and most importantly a numbing spray. Emma woke up VERY excited and was giddy all morning. We walked in (without an appointment) and they were a little short with me telling me first that I needed an appointment (even though it says online walk ins welcome,) then they told me I could come back at 1:30 (it was about 11:30) and then finally 12:55 after I begged and pleaded. (It was my fault that I didn't make an appointment, but it was sort of a last minute decision to go this morning.) We took the kids to lunch and returned promptly at 12:55. We chose our earrings (several people have asked about the earring choice- they did not have a ton of options, but I feel like the ones they had were good quality. They are all listed online as well as prices. They aren't inexpensive, but as I said before I do feel like they are good quality and will hopefully be best for her sweet little ears.) The earrings have a long post in the back with the earring back being the kind that doesn't push all the way on. This way the earrings have room to move around to decrease the chance of infection. Emma sat in my lap, the lady clipped her hair back, showed me how to hold her and went ahead with the piercing. At this point Emma began complaining and whining a little. This was probably my biggest complaint- I felt as if the lady was judging me as if I were forcing it on Emma. Don't tell me she is the first child who has complained (insert eye roll.) She even said several times, "If she isn't ready, you should come back another day." OK, I understand but Emma WAS ready, she was just scared. Also, Emma can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster soooo (I don't know where she gets that.) I even asked Emma several times, "Do you really want to do this today?" Emma would respond "yes." (Lady- don't judge me, judge the lady after me who brought her infant in mmmkay?) #imjustsayin

For the most part, Emma did well. She said, "ow" when it happened, but I think it just scared her because she felt it, as opposed to it actually being painful. Afterwards, when I was trying to pay, Emma starting crying big fat tears and saying she changed her mind. #toolatesistah See what I mean about emotional? Anyway, we left and the tears disappeared just as fast as they came and she was all smiles and loves her new earrings. :)

Meanwhile, Luke started whining and saying he wanted his ears pierced. I told him he could when he was "almost 5" and he said, "ok" and that was the end of that. ;)

My recommendation for La Lobe is mediocre. I didn't love the the people working, but they did a good job and were very clear with instructions and so forth. OH, while Emma was getting her ears pierced someone came in without an appointment and they said, "No problem, it's about a 15-20 minute wait." Brian and I were both giving the lady the stink eye at this point… then they had trouble with my card but it finally worked and we jetted out quick because Brian had a tee time. #golfwidow