String Cheese got braces today. We didn't think she would for several years yet but we took her in for a free consultation and they told us that we could either wait and do it all when she's about 13 (she's got quite an overbite and that will be the best time to work on her jaw) or we could do the first phase now. They said it was optional but that a lot of parents do it to avoid self-esteem issues. I kind of felt in a quandary. On the one hand, I am always trying to teach my children that it is what's on the inside that counts and that we don't have to fit a certain mold to be beautiful. On the other hand, SC is so confident right now and it breaks my heart to think of people teasing her because of her crooked teeth and possibly giving her a complex so that she's not comfortable flashing her beautiful smile. When I discussed it with Chancho, he was all for doing whatever we can to make her life easier. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof". You can't take away everything as a parent, nor should you, but if you can do something pretty simple to fix crooked teeth and avoid that...well...why not? Besides, she was begging for braces and has been reveling in the attention all evening.
As I sat on a little bench next to the chair SC was lying on in the orthodontist office, I surprised myself by feeling my eyes well up a bit. With her braces on she looks so much older. She's already so tall for her age and with braces, she almost looks like a little teenager. I love this first daughter of mine fiercely!!!
Here she is on the way to the appointment sans braces:
Here she is this evening before bed. First acting embarrassed and then giving in:
One more thing I should mention about SC is that she is turning into an amazing little writer. The stories themselves are a little crazy, but she's got a great imagination and I want to foster that. Also, I often find writing to be very therapeutic, so I'm glad she's enjoying it so much. More than the stories themselves, though, I'm absolutely amazed at her writing voice and maturity of the dialogue. I'll have to post some tidbits from one of her stories soon.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Li'l Teenager
Posted by Perla at 10:20 PM
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10 comments:
You're awesome to do it Shan! Maddie's little friend just got her her 1st pahse taken off and she's not quite 10, so.... She'll have beautiful teeth to match that beautiful spirit of hers!
They looked so cute and grown up on her. All my kids were wanting them when we left. Until Daisy told Abe he couldn't drink soda pop that is . . .
O my goodness. I kind of want to cry too. She is so so perfect and I love her fierce face when she is sassy. But yes those braces make her look so gown up. ANd you aren't kidding she is supposed to be Connor's twin sister. Tell her I think she is the cutest thing ever with her braces!!!
O my goodness. I kind of want to cry too. She is so so perfect and I love her fierce face when she is sassy. But yes those braces make her look so gown up. ANd you aren't kidding she is supposed to be Connor's twin sister. Tell her I think she is the cutest thing ever with her braces!!!
She's a beautiful gal! Wonder where she gets the writing talent from? :)
Grace, we love your braces. You are so beautiful inside and out. We are so glad that are our friend.
She does look like a little teenager! A very very cute one at that! I'm glad you got her braces while she was young and wanted them, I always wanted them at about that age, but then my parents finally decided to get mine on as I finished high school and started college, not a good time. By then I wasn't exactly excited about them, as to just get them off! And yes I think you should post some of her stories! I would love to hear them!
ok, she's so cute - and the braces just make her cuter! :)
How old is she Shan? I'm betting my oldest will need them. She's turning 8 this fall.
I do the same thing with my kids - looking at their growth at certain moments - and just want to cry. We keep telling them to, "Stop growing" but they don't listen, darn it.
It's happening so fast and some days I feel like I'm missing it.
hey marz, thanks for the comments. she turned 8 in december.
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