Box Bus

We got a big box in the mail. We had a bus driver and 2 passengers. They didn't get too far though. 

The Orthodontics Journey Begins

Nathan has gone to the orthodontist for the last four weeks in a row. 

He has a severe underbite and a crossbite. Our dentist told us he'd have to have some early orthodontic work done. Apparently, those things cannot be left alone or it will end up leading to teeth grinding (on permanent teeth) and eventual jaw surgery. 

When we went to the orthodontist for an opinion, they told us the same thing! It's best to fix underbites and crossbites at an early age when the roof of the mouth is still not completely fused together. 

Well, it may be the best thing to do, but it's certainly not easy or fun for Nathan or us. 

1. Week one they put rubber bands around Nathan's back teeth in preparation for putting in a permanent  expander on the top of his mouth. 

2. Week two was trying to get impressions done, but his teeth are shaped a funny way and they couldn't do it. So, they put rubber bands on different teeth. 

3. Week three was getting the impressions done. 

4. Week four (yesterday) was having the expander glued to his teeth. 

The expander fits around all of his top teeth. It is permanent. I have a special "key" I get to turn at night that helps move his upper teeth slowly forward. 

The problem with the expander is it is making it impossible for Nathan to talk normally or eat normally. For the past two days, he's mostly just eaten soft foods. Food gets terribly stuck up in the appliance. He's been crying and crying and saying he just can't eat. It is also making it so he can't talk normally. He always sounds like he's sucking spit. I'm told the spit sound will go away, but until this thing is removed (in 6-9 months) he will not be able to talk normally. I'm hoping he will get more used to eating and will figure out a way to use his tongue to get food out of the way. I bought him a Water Pik so we'll see how that goes. 

ALSO, along with the expander that's permanently in his mouth, he gets to wear this fun headgear to bed every night! Rubber bands hook onto the expander and then this device helps pull his upper teeth slowly forward. He will also have to wear this thing to bed every night for 6-9 months to move his jaw to the proper place. 

The first night, he would not wear it to bed. He went to sleep and came out an hour later crying and saying it hurt too much. 

Tonight, he wore it to bed and seemed to be happier about it. He's been in bed 2 hours now and hasn't come out so we're hoping he won't come out. Poor guy! Who would want to have to do this? 

Update: When I got up this morning, his headgear was on the counter. He said he woke up around midnight and it hurt too much so he took it off. Well, he made it 4 hours. Better then 1 hour! Maybe he can go longer tonight. 

*At this point, Elizabeth's bite is fine! So hopefully she will not have to go through this. 

January 16

It snowed just enough wet snow last night for the kids to spend all morning outside making snowmen. 

Elizabeth made herself. 

Nathan made Nearly Headless Nick. 

It warmed up though and the snow melted. 

The kids announced it was time for the spring mud pits that they adore. They both got out their shovels and started making rivers, lakes, and oceans. 

It's 2:00 and they've already had baths today....

Harry Potter Outfit

We've started reading Harry Potter to the kids since they are our favorite children's books! The kids are obsessed with playing "Harry Potter" all day. Jeremy just finished reading them the first book. 

Today, they watched the first movie with Jeremy. They thought it was pretty neat watching the story on TV! 

Elizabeth decided to make her own Harry Potter outfit. She made a robe out of brown paper. She also made a wand and a wizard's hat. It was cute and creative!

All the neighbor kids love to read Harry Potter too, so when the neighborhood kids play, they have been playing Harry Potter. 

Adventures in Law Enforcement

I'm expecting the Seahawks to call soon. Jeremy is apparently very good at tackling! 

Yesterday, he was aware that a guy on bicycle was trying to make a getaway from the police. Jeremy happened to be in the right area. He saw the other police car coming and a guy biking in front of them. Jeremy jumped out of his car, ran and then tackled the guy on the bike. 

He scraped up his leg pretty good and ripped his pants. He said his hand and another part of his leg hurts, but he said he'll get over it. 

I always get nervous when he sends me pictures of his injuries from the hospital. It seems to happen every year or so. 

Luckily, he got to come home safe and sound. The guy on the bike is now in jail. 

Jeremy said he has seen this tackling move on COPS. He had always wanted the opportunity to tackle a guy on a bike. It finally happened. 

2 Pippas

Elizabeth tried to pose just like Pippa! They're about the same size too! 

Sleeping like Pippa. I should have had her lay on my feet!

Last Day of Sledding at Papa and Grams

I took a few last photos of the kids sledding at Papa and Gram's last week. It was such a beautiful day with the blue sky and white snow! 

As I type this on the 3rd, it's snowing yet again here at home in Tri-Cities. We're tired of winter already! There's probably about 2 inches out there now...time to get the shovel! The kids think it's great! They don't have to shovel or drive though.