Days with the Dorans

I took the day off so I could be the one to take Joey to his ortho appointment. We were told it'd be the day he got his braces off but Joe didn't really believe them. They had told them that before. I already had a little speech put together in my head if he came out with those braces still on his teeth but thankfully I didn't need it! The receptionist actually said, "Big day today!" and I looked and Joe and said, "See?" He said, "I'll believe it when I see it." He really didn't think they were coming off. I was working on addressing Christmas cards and I felt like I was getting through quite a bit which was a good sign! When he came out and I said, "Smile!" and THEY WERE GONE!! He had a bag of chewy candy in his hand and a retainer in his mouth. I had always wanted one of those... I remember pulling apart a paper-clip to see what it would look like. I don't think Joe is as excited as I would have been but he w...

Joe and I went to the orthodontist today.  Joey was under the impression that his braces were coming off (since that is what they told him and Jeff last time).   When he came out (not too long after he went in), Joe was quiet and I could tell something was wrong.  I looked at him and asked if he was OK and he showed me his teeth.  Blue rubber-bands... braces still there.  I could tell he was so disappointed and trying hard not to cry. I asked about it and the lady said next appointment he will be there for 40 minutes and he'll get them off and impressions for his retainer.  Gosh I hope they're sure this time... We had talked prior to the appointment about getting lots of taffy and gum for him but that will now have to wait.  I did my best to cheer him up.  I suggested lunch, asked him if he wanted a special dinner (pizza would be fine, I guess....).  Nothing seemed to help cheer him up.  I even asked if he wanted to hit th...

Last week, Joey got his braces.  I was excited to get him from school and take him to his appointment.  Joey wasn't scared about getting braces (if he was, he didn't show it) and was looking forward to getting out of school a little early.  There was a bit of excitement when I picked him up (he'll remember the story and so will I) with another student and some police and Joe was pretty funny.  When he left his room to come to the office, he was asked by his principal to not watch what was going on and go back to his room (I don't think the principal knew he was being picked up).  Joey said, "But I knew you were here mom and my braces were important so I just closed my eyes and didn't look.  I counted to ten and they were gone so I knew I could come to the office.  Sorry I am a few minutes late." Thankfully we made it to the appointment on time.  The office is heaven to a kid.  There are video games, soft-serve ice cream machines and a...

 So at Joey's last teeth cleaning (or perhaps it was two cleanings ago), Dr. S. told us that perhaps we should talk to an orthodontist about Joe's teeth.  Long story VERY short.  We did.  The plan is for him to have an expander, braces and then a retainer.  On December 30, Jeff took Joe to get his expander. When they got home, Jeff handed me a bag with some instructions and some weird looking thing that was a "key" (but it didn't look like a key).  He told me that I would have to be the one to turn the key because he could NEVER turn it for Joey.  He said, "I had an expander and it was the WORST PAIN EVER!  I could NEVER do that to my son." And yes... he said this in front of Joe.  Joe talked a little funny at first, but got used to it rather quickly and thankfully didn't prove to be as big a baby as his dad! So Yes, I was the one to turn the key.  I googled it though and watched YouTube videos a few times just t...