brace face

We had Britton's expander follow up appointment this evening.  They measured her expansion (11.5 mm!)  and were impressed with her progress.  So impressed, in fact, that the orthodontist decided to put some braces on Britton.  Say what?!?!  I knew braces could be part of the deal, but since no one mentioned braces at this appointment I figured braces were off the menu.  Not so fast!

We're moving in about five weeks, so we knew we were hustling on the timeline for Britton's expander.  What most kids do in 6 months Britton will finish in just over 2 months.  So the expansion is complete, but expanding moves the front teeth far apart.  In order to get them back together, Britton needs some braces on her front teeth.  Her biggest worry about this news?  Which colors to choose for her bracket rubber bands (she chose light pink and bright orange).

Britton is in love with her braces! She can't wait to show her friends at school tomorrow, especially since no one knows she was even getting braces.  Unfortunately, Britton will only have braces for about a month.  By then her front teeth will be back together, and in a long appointment she will have her frenulum removed (tissue between the front teeth) by laser, a wire glued behind her front teeth to keep them together, and her braces and expander removed.   Then three days later she will get her retainer, which will help keep the expander results until she's ready for braces again between 11 and 12 years old.

barrett is 3!

Barrett is 3!  He turned 3 yesterday, but last night the hubs and I were on a plane to Houston, so I didn't get to update until now.  Barrett spent all of yesterday telling us all, "It's my birthday!"  He is such a joyful child, more likely to be smiling than throwing those famous three-year-old tantrums.  He's easy-going, preferring to roll trucks in the mud than sit in front of the television.  But when he is cuddling on the couch, he loves "Shaun the Sheep" and "Peppa Pig," so it became an easy decision to choose Peppa Pig as the theme for his birthday.

Some stats - Barrett is in 5T clothes, size 11 shoes, wearing size 6 diapers, though he's recently become very interested in sitting on the potty, wiping, and flushing.  We're not rushing him because any progress will inevitably get reversed when we uproot Barrett's routine with the move to Texas.

Remember Barrett's love of Peppa Pig?  We put together a special lunch of Barrett's favorite things, and of course included Peppa!  We had hamburgers (ok, not his favorite but everyone else's), corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and french fries.  Barrett was so excited!

Barrett's cake - he loved the figurines more than the cake!

Barrett blew out the candles, though he's not telling what he wished for....

Then it was present time!  This is probably the first gift occasion where Barrett got excited about opening his presents.  He got John Deere tractors, construction equipment, a train, Peppa bus, and books.  He loved every present he got and would ask us to get them out of the boxes as soon as he opened them.

Happy birthday, my beautiful (not a baby anymore) Barrett.  I love seeing you grow and learn every day, embracing life with the kind of exuberance it deserves.  You let me make up a song and sing it to you every night, and snuggle into my chest and let me forget the world for a moment.  Your hugs are all encompassing, your enthusiasm sometimes overwhelming, and you remind me daily how choosing happiness and love is the better choice.  We love you so much.

81 months old

Poor Britton has been under the weather, ever since she got her expander in.  She's had a double ear infection, and even after 3 different antibiotics, her left ear is still infected.  Plus, she's had a hacking cough that won't go away.  Her pediatrician had the same experience when her son got an expander, and she's seen it before to know it's not just a coincidence.  So, we're heading to the ENT doctor and crossing our fingers this expander comes out soon!

Luckily she hasn't been too sick to go on a fun trip with Memaw!  Memaw and Britton went to visit Aunt Judy (Memaw's sister) and got to experience life on the farm.  She hung out with her cousins Dylan, Kenady (who is about a year and half older than Britton) and her brother Aison.  They are the children of the hubs' cousin Carrie, who is Judy's daughter - did you follow that? :)

Britton got to feed the bottle calves, ride in the tractor (Judy's husband even let Britton drive!), run around and play and in general wear herself out daily.  It was a nice break for Britton and Memaw, before the chores and work of moving at the end of June.  Sunshine, family time, and farm entertainment - a relaxing vacation for both Memaw and Britton.