Wow. It's been a LONG time since I've been on here. I'm sorry guys for the late update. I can say this much - I've never been happier with my toothies. They are moving along so well. So well that I can't seem to capture them on camera. Apparently my new camera just doesn't want to capture the braces. Oh poohey.
So September 10, I went in thinking I was going to get my expander off, but NOooooo.... The doctor said that my teeth need to be in-line a little more. Other than that, they look great. I realized after while that he was right about leaving it in. I'm so use to it, it's like I was born with this expander. However, I'm DEFINITELY ready to let go.
So, I got my icky powerchain off and they gave me a new thicker wire. Hooray for my first adjustment! No powerchains this time! My teeth were sore for about a day, but everything has been great since then.
On another positive note, I have a set date for my lower braces! The ortho said he'll for-sure take out my expander AND put my lower braces on, on November 5. So, October 30, I go in for a mold of my lower teeth. Whoo Hoo!
So here's an old picture taken September 10. I will be posting a new picture in the next couple of days when I can get ahold of my nifty camera phone (better picture, crappy quality).
So enjoy. (By the way, the wire is much straighter now than in this picture.)
Thanks everyone for the comments. I'm really happy with it all.
Oh and MommaDucky, we do share similar old smiles. lol That's crazy, but it makes me feel good that somebody has experienced that same problem.

I don't feel so alone