milestone {life}
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 09:00AM 
So we had a big day around here yesterday. After nearly two years, our boy got his braces off yesterday. Judging by what everyone was saying on my Instagram and Facebook feeds, if you had braces, this day is one you never forget! Our journey was shorter than some really. We started two summers ago and the braces themselves came on that first Christmas. We knew we were nearing the end at our last appointment when our orthodontist gave us a letter that said 80% of the time, kids get their braces off at the next appointment. So while we were hopeful that yesterday would be it, we were also a little scared to get our hopes up!
Cal brushed his teeth really well yesterday morning, and he took his phone with him back to the chair. I could hear everyone laughing and talking and then I heard his orthodontist say, "Well, today's the day!" I shot Callum a quick "??" text, and right away he texted me back.
"Yup."
It took forever but there was a great air of celebration about the place. I'd stocked up on super-chewy bubble gum, but why bother? Turns out the office gives out a goodie bag filled with caramel corn, Dots and gum (and a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, but who's counting!). How wonderful is that? All that forbidden fruit, handed over to you in a celebratory goodie bag! It's hard work to have braces; these guys deserve a reward.
At each visit during school hours, Cal's orthodontist's office will print out a note to excuse him from school, and today when we were checking out, I mentioned that we might swing by Neel's office to show him the new smile. The admin smiled and said, "Well, let me tack on a few extra minutes and say you left at 11 instead of 10:45, how about?"
It was a pretty good day all around. He keeps getting surprised by them. We all do. Look at that gorgeous smile.
You know, while wonderful things were happening for our family yesterday, absolute destruction was being wreaked upon parts of the mid-west of our country, in Oklahoma. It's hard not to keep thinking about it. Two elementary schools, a hospital, countless homes, all destroyed. And yet. Still a little bit of hope. Check out this video. That's the kind of story I want to hang on to. That, and all the teachers and helpers. Holding them all in the light.
Reader Comments (8)
Yippeee!! I don't remember much about getting mine off besides how absolutely slimy and WEIRD my teeth felt afterwards. I felt sure my lips were going to slip and slide all over my mouth if I tried to talk. And I didn't get a goody bag of treats! Jealous! Although now I totally want some Airheads...
Love all the triumphant shots of Mr. C!
My cousin lives in Oklahoma and had to evacuate her home. She was lucky, her home is still standing. I can't even imagine. So much destruction, so quickly. That pup is so resilient and so lucky! I can't even let my mind go to the other pets and families who weren't as lucky. xoxo
Yay! Lots of good things for your boys this week! He is so cute. He just glows sweetness. And now he can get even sweeter by consuming all that gummy candy.
*once again you are my news anchor, i live under a rock of netflix and on-demand, so i didn't know about the tornado. so sad!! xoxo
oh my gosh i just watched that video. what a wonderful moment captured! i hope there is many many more like that - whether they be filmed or not. thanks for finding that and sharing!!
he looks wonderful - and so very happy! my son just got rubber bands for his, so we're in the thick of braces. hooray for the good news! regarding the bad news - thoughts and prayers. our students had watched the news and were talking about it. somehow it seems like schools should be off limits for these things - hospitals and homes, too, of course.
Congratulations, Callum! You have the most beautiful smile. Now you can floss your teeth without having to laboriously thread the floss through your braces. Man, that was a pain! (Wish I had some Dots right now.)
Lauren, where did you find that video? That news correspondent managed to capture such a great moment! I was watching some of the OK coverage this morning and thought: Gosh, there just seems to be one tragedy after another these days. Yes, holding all those people in the light right along with you.
Yay yay yay! I love that second to last picture of Callum. Congrats on the beautiful new smile!
Congratulations on getting the braces off!!! We've been through this process with my daughter and it's so nice to come out the other end with beautiful straight teeth..so worth it! Yes prayers for Oklahoma xx devastating, we need to stay close to the light in these times.
Oh my gosh! Somehow I missed the whole first half of this post! Completely missed the before pictures. My favorite is the second one where he is with Violet and looking straight into the camera. Such a sweetie!
And I did watch the video and you're right. When the lady said "Oh, I know exactly what happened here." it was Grandma Mercedes to a T. And so moving. Thank God for some bright moments in that tragedy.