At Abby's last dentist appointment the Dentist recommend we see an orthodontist for a consult before we return. Mostly because he noticed Abby's irregular arch in her mouth and she is missing adult teeth on the bottom. So I waited a couple months and then made the appointment. After taking all the pictures and x-rays we visited with the Orthodontist. He basically said Abby's mouth has some pretty severe problems, mostly due to her finger sucking. Her top bones have formed to the shape of her fingers high and narrow instead of short and wide. Because of the severity he said that if it wasn't worked on she would probably have to have surgery later in life.
I really liked him a lot, he laid it all out for Abigail and told her what was going to happen if she didn't stop sucking on her fingers. So we decided to go ahead with the beginning stages of her orthodontic path. She got 6 braces on her top teeth to help bring them down as they currently stick out as well as align them better. Then over the next couple of weeks we go back for an expander which will help reshape he mouth.
She was supposed to be fitted for that already but given the weather it hasn't happened. Abby was a trooper. She did really well and only complained minimally of pain the next few days. We also have a sock and duck tape it to her hand every night to help stop her habit. This has worked the best so far of everything we have tried! I don't know if its because she is older or if its because he told her she would have to have surgery if she didn't stop. Either way its working. If she does it for 30 days straight the Orthodontist will mold her fingers and give her a trophy of them. She is excited about that.
Now with these on she seems so old! Even though its costing a fortune and I hate spending money I know how much this will affect her in the future. Especially since the worst part will probably be over before adolescence. Kids can be cruel and if her teeth continued on their current path she would have some major issues later. I would rather her do it a little at a time starting now rather then have them as a teenager into adulthood as Seth and I both did.
Over the past year or so several people have passed away in my life. Unfortunately last month my Great Uncle Don Pearson passed away. While we knew his health had been in decline and we knew he would be back with Heavenly Father soon, we were a bit taken aback at how soon that ended up being.
In my family my Great Aunts and Uncles on my mothers side are like my grandparents. We spent so much time with them when were young. My Uncle Don was no exception, so really it was like I had 3 grandfathers pass in a years time. We have kept in contact over the years and we were lucky to see him twice this last year before his passing.
We all loved Uncle Don. He and My Aunt Betty were such an iconic couple in my mind. So in love and always serving those around them. He took great care of her, my grandma and my Aunt Gerdy.
It is bitter sweet as I know he was in pain and his body has now found relief. I am again thankful for my testimony of Eternal Families because I know I will see all these significant people again one day. You are missed Uncle Don.
Entering NM
Its so odd how I only lived here a little while as a child but some things are so familiar
My Great Uncle Don-A True Cowboy
The silver lining is that despite all the grief and pain we are able to see a large portion of our family at one time. However little time that may be. Some people I haven't seen in 25 years! My Dad and Cindy now live in Albuquerque and their house made for a good home base. They were awesome in watching the little kids as we took the older kids to the funeral.
At the hotel tuckered out after a long day
One afternoon we took the kids on a walk to stretch their legs
Jen, Briggs, Abby, Lexi, Jamison
We decided to stay over Sunday night to not make our trip too miserable which meant some good eating during the super bowl. We had fun hanging out and watching the kids go crazy.
My sisters and I
The night of the funeral Codee, Cassidee and I went to the house we used to live in with our grandma (its also across the street from my Uncle Dons house) We kinda reenacted a picture from 25 years ago. It so sad to see it in the state it was in. Then we walked across the street and visited with some more family for a bit. We also were able to go out and have a just sisters night which turned out to be some funny times.
Watching a movie
I wish I would have taken more pictures of the luncheon after the funeral. So much family. I thought I had for sure taken pictures of my Grandma, Aunt Betty and Aunt Gerdy but I cant seem to find them. So maddening.
On our walk
Nothing like a kids dance party to liven up the mood
Abigail was due for her regular visit to the eye doctor. Emily had been recommend to see the eye doctor as she failed an eye scan at her well child visit with her pediatrician. Thus appointments were made and off we went. They both had to be dilated which of course is never fun. At least Abby is used to it by now. Emily was not happy about it.
After exam Abby had a slight adjustment to her prescription but other than that she was doing well and as of now we are officially off patching. The doc said it may be needed again in the future but hallelujah for now.
Emily on the other hand had some sad news. Her Eyes are pretty bad, in fact they are worse than Abigail's. When I told those who know about eye stuff they also agreed she was bad. Which makes me so sad. She functions normally so we had no clue.
Sometimes sisters are nice
After we received the prescription the we found out the pediatric eye glasses place that is associated with the doctor doesn't take our insurance. Of course. Then I was then on the hunt. We really wanted her to have glasses that looped behind the ear as this is her first pair and she is a crazy girl. Come to find out not many places carry those.
Trying on glasses
We finally found a place that had exactly one pair of glasses that wrap around the ear. So that is what she got. She was really not happy about getting them. It was a beating for the first few days. It was so sad to see her with them on for the first time. She could barely walk. Literally, she would go so slow and take giant steps. It was heart wrenching to know she couldn't see well.
She throws them when she is mad and "accidently" has them fall off her face but she is making progress. She wears them most of the time now. She is our sweetest cutest little librarian.
