I just checked out your MySpace profile and see that you enjoy singing. Congratulations on making the All-State choir in high school! That is a big goal of mine.
My choir was invited to perform at the TMEA convention for this year and we are being forced to really step it up if we want to stay in the top choir. I would hate to have my soon-to-be braces to prevent me from singing my best. How have your braces affected your singing?
MommaDucky: update pg. 13 - nearly 6 mos!
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Milk n Cereal
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MommaDucky
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replies
Tim: thanks a bunch - I'm incredibly pleased with the amount of progress I've been seeing in such a short time.
M&C: All-State choir was the most fabulous experience of my life. It was incredible to be a part of such an amazing group of musicians, and I'm so glad I got to do it twice! Since I've had the braces, I haven't really had a problem with singing, but when I first got them on I did have to get used to them, and I had to compensate a little bit with how my lips and mouth were moving differently with the brackets. I imagine that singing would be affected much more if you ended up with an expander...
KK: I hope you're right about the surgery! I will be requesting a different doctor this time, too. There's no guarantee that will make any difference, but I'm hoping for the best.
M&C: All-State choir was the most fabulous experience of my life. It was incredible to be a part of such an amazing group of musicians, and I'm so glad I got to do it twice! Since I've had the braces, I haven't really had a problem with singing, but when I first got them on I did have to get used to them, and I had to compensate a little bit with how my lips and mouth were moving differently with the brackets. I imagine that singing would be affected much more if you ended up with an expander...
KK: I hope you're right about the surgery! I will be requesting a different doctor this time, too. There's no guarantee that will make any difference, but I'm hoping for the best.
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Laurie
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I shamelessly stick my hand up in the air to be counted as a Potter fan! WOOHOO! The seventh book was wonderful. Although there were a few things I wanted to know that weren't in the book. Happily though I've found the answers in interviews she's given since the book's release.
I hope your oral surgery is better this time around. Although given it's at the same place at least you'll know what is to be expected this time.
My husband is the same way. Every so often he has me smile for him and he's just so excited for me. It makes me feel really good about the whole thing.
I hope your oral surgery is better this time around. Although given it's at the same place at least you'll know what is to be expected this time.
My husband is the same way. Every so often he has me smile for him and he's just so excited for me. It makes me feel really good about the whole thing.
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MommaDucky
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surgery!!!
DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.......
So, it's scheduled. I'm doomed.
I have my third adjustment on August 6th, and I will of course take photos and post them here as usual to update my progress thus far. Then, I've got a mere ten days to recover and get ready...
Oral surgery is taking place at 1:30 PM on August 16th. All four (still impacted!) wisdoms are coming out, as well as the first premolar on the upper right side. All the other first premolars are out, so I need to get the remaining one removed to ensure I'm not lopsided.
I will be under general anesthetic, thank goodness, for this surgery. I was knocked out the first time I had oral surgery as well, even though I was having what the OS called 'simple extractions'. I just figured I would be grossed out if I was awake to see and feel them tugging at my head... ick.
So anyway, I remember not really being nervous at all for my last surgery, but I'm finding more and more as the 16th looms nearer that I am much more scared about this one. I can't imagine having stitches in my mouth all over the place - it's going to SUCK!
I've also decided, with a heavy heart, that now is the time to stop nursing my 7 month old son. What with the idea of taking narcotics post-surgery and knowing that I'll be totally out of it, and also that I've been sensing that he is ready to move on from breastfeeding, I think this surgery is going to be the demise of that special part of my relationship with him. I'm pretty bummed about it, I know I will miss it very much. I just have to keep telling myself that I will have more kids and will have an opportunity to have that experience again! I'm still sad about it though...
In any case, when I scheduled the surgery this time, I requested to see a different doctor. I hope that helps. I hope they are much nicer to me this time because I am quite anxious about it.
I have to cut this short for now -- I'm actually at my cabin for the weekend, and we stopped in town to get some things to repair a couple screens, and I'm taking advantage of the free wi-fi at the general store here in Orr, Minnesota. (And enjoying some cookie dough ice cream!)
Hope all is well with you guys.
Advice for impacted wisdom extractions? Ugh.... At least this will be all for the surgeries.
So, it's scheduled. I'm doomed.
I have my third adjustment on August 6th, and I will of course take photos and post them here as usual to update my progress thus far. Then, I've got a mere ten days to recover and get ready...
Oral surgery is taking place at 1:30 PM on August 16th. All four (still impacted!) wisdoms are coming out, as well as the first premolar on the upper right side. All the other first premolars are out, so I need to get the remaining one removed to ensure I'm not lopsided.
I will be under general anesthetic, thank goodness, for this surgery. I was knocked out the first time I had oral surgery as well, even though I was having what the OS called 'simple extractions'. I just figured I would be grossed out if I was awake to see and feel them tugging at my head... ick.
So anyway, I remember not really being nervous at all for my last surgery, but I'm finding more and more as the 16th looms nearer that I am much more scared about this one. I can't imagine having stitches in my mouth all over the place - it's going to SUCK!
I've also decided, with a heavy heart, that now is the time to stop nursing my 7 month old son. What with the idea of taking narcotics post-surgery and knowing that I'll be totally out of it, and also that I've been sensing that he is ready to move on from breastfeeding, I think this surgery is going to be the demise of that special part of my relationship with him. I'm pretty bummed about it, I know I will miss it very much. I just have to keep telling myself that I will have more kids and will have an opportunity to have that experience again! I'm still sad about it though...
In any case, when I scheduled the surgery this time, I requested to see a different doctor. I hope that helps. I hope they are much nicer to me this time because I am quite anxious about it.
I have to cut this short for now -- I'm actually at my cabin for the weekend, and we stopped in town to get some things to repair a couple screens, and I'm taking advantage of the free wi-fi at the general store here in Orr, Minnesota. (And enjoying some cookie dough ice cream!)
Hope all is well with you guys.
Advice for impacted wisdom extractions? Ugh.... At least this will be all for the surgeries.
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MommaDucky
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third adjustment
First and foremost, replies. Sorry I've not been around lately ~ things are so hectic, 
and I've been trying to get up to my cabin this summer at least a few times!
Seriously, Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely be eating mushy food. I look forward to it - any excuse to eat a ton of mashed potatoes is fine by me.
With regard to the baby toothbrush - I have an electric toothbrush that has a small circular head - d'you think that would suffice? And what are the jaw wraps you refer to?
And I'm so glad you liked the book! I definitely loved it, but it is sad the series is done.
I plan on reading all seven books again sometime, but I really need to catch up on the rest of my "to read" list! Letters From the Earth is my next one...
Laurie: I truly am ready for this surgery - I want to get it done and out of the way. And you're right - Felix is growing up, and I knew that someday I'd have to stop nursing. The first seven months of his life have gone by so fast; it seems like he was just born a month ago, and now he's getting teeth and saying 'mama' and giving high fives! Where does that time go???
jt2lang: Thank you for sorting out the mystery that was your screen name! With regard to weaning my son - I will do it slowly of course, and he's been eating solids since 4 months of age and is doing really well with them. He takes a bottle just fine and everything, so I will gradually stop the nursing. I know he'll be fine. I've just got to hang in there and not get too bent out of shape about it. (
) I feel fortunate that I was able to nurse him this long - I know some moms aren't able to breastfeed at all, and so I'm thankful to have had the experience. And if getting wisdoms out is comparable to simple extractions, then I'm all for it. It's the healing time and stitches that I'm most concerned about.
KK: I had a great time at the cabin, thank you! I'm not really dwelling on the surgery at all, so that's good I guess. Overall I'm not really scared about it, I suppose I'm just worried about how out of it will I be, how long will I be taking the pain meds, will I even need narcotics over Tylenol, etc.
My husband is going to bring me to and from surgery, and I'm going to have my father-in-law come over for a few hours post-surgery to help watch my son while I'm coming out of my drugged-up state. I have a wonderful and very supportive family - and that helps a bunch! 
Random bit of exciting news that's completely unrelated to braces.... I got an iPhone! I love it!
..........That's all.
SO...
I had my third adjustment on August 6th, and for the first time ever I got colored ligatures! I think I'll stick with clear on top, because otherwise I feel like I've wasted the decision to get the ceramic brackets...
I got into the chair and my ortho took a quick peek at my mouth. He seemed to have gotten what he was looking for, because he put a new wire on my lower arch. I no longer have to wear partial power chains on the lower back teeth! I had been wearing the PC's to move my lower canines back, thus in turn giving the rest of my lower front teeth some wiggle room. I've been wearing the PC's for about 6 weeks, and now there are some sizable gaps between the lower canines and the lateral incisors next to them. That's a good thing - because my lower teeth were quite crowded! My new wire is quite a bit more stiff, and I think it's square, but I'm not really sure.
I won't make this long, I'll just post some before and after pictures! Notice my lovely lavender ligatures! (Nice alliteration there, huh?!)
I cannot express how pleased I am with the amount of progress being made. It's been less than two and a half months! I feel incredible. Sorry some of the older photos aren't of the best quality. Hopefully you get the idea anyway!
...........................smile!...........................................................just before braces - May 31st '07.....................................just after braces - May 31st '07
.................upper arch 08-06-07....................................................b-day 05-31-07
.................lower arch 08-06-07.......................................................b-day 05-31-07
Right
Left
.................Open 08-06-07.....................................Open 05-31-07
Me!
and I've been trying to get up to my cabin this summer at least a few times! Seriously, Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely be eating mushy food. I look forward to it - any excuse to eat a ton of mashed potatoes is fine by me.
With regard to the baby toothbrush - I have an electric toothbrush that has a small circular head - d'you think that would suffice? And what are the jaw wraps you refer to? And I'm so glad you liked the book! I definitely loved it, but it is sad the series is done.
I plan on reading all seven books again sometime, but I really need to catch up on the rest of my "to read" list! Letters From the Earth is my next one...Laurie: I truly am ready for this surgery - I want to get it done and out of the way. And you're right - Felix is growing up, and I knew that someday I'd have to stop nursing. The first seven months of his life have gone by so fast; it seems like he was just born a month ago, and now he's getting teeth and saying 'mama' and giving high fives! Where does that time go???
jt2lang: Thank you for sorting out the mystery that was your screen name! With regard to weaning my son - I will do it slowly of course, and he's been eating solids since 4 months of age and is doing really well with them. He takes a bottle just fine and everything, so I will gradually stop the nursing. I know he'll be fine. I've just got to hang in there and not get too bent out of shape about it. (
) I feel fortunate that I was able to nurse him this long - I know some moms aren't able to breastfeed at all, and so I'm thankful to have had the experience. And if getting wisdoms out is comparable to simple extractions, then I'm all for it. It's the healing time and stitches that I'm most concerned about.KK: I had a great time at the cabin, thank you! I'm not really dwelling on the surgery at all, so that's good I guess. Overall I'm not really scared about it, I suppose I'm just worried about how out of it will I be, how long will I be taking the pain meds, will I even need narcotics over Tylenol, etc.
My husband is going to bring me to and from surgery, and I'm going to have my father-in-law come over for a few hours post-surgery to help watch my son while I'm coming out of my drugged-up state. I have a wonderful and very supportive family - and that helps a bunch! Random bit of exciting news that's completely unrelated to braces.... I got an iPhone! I love it!
..........That's all.SO...
I had my third adjustment on August 6th, and for the first time ever I got colored ligatures! I think I'll stick with clear on top, because otherwise I feel like I've wasted the decision to get the ceramic brackets...
I got into the chair and my ortho took a quick peek at my mouth. He seemed to have gotten what he was looking for, because he put a new wire on my lower arch. I no longer have to wear partial power chains on the lower back teeth! I had been wearing the PC's to move my lower canines back, thus in turn giving the rest of my lower front teeth some wiggle room. I've been wearing the PC's for about 6 weeks, and now there are some sizable gaps between the lower canines and the lateral incisors next to them. That's a good thing - because my lower teeth were quite crowded! My new wire is quite a bit more stiff, and I think it's square, but I'm not really sure.
I won't make this long, I'll just post some before and after pictures! Notice my lovely lavender ligatures! (Nice alliteration there, huh?!)
I cannot express how pleased I am with the amount of progress being made. It's been less than two and a half months! I feel incredible. Sorry some of the older photos aren't of the best quality. Hopefully you get the idea anyway!
...........................smile!...........................................................just before braces - May 31st '07.....................................just after braces - May 31st '07
.................upper arch 08-06-07....................................................b-day 05-31-07
.................lower arch 08-06-07.......................................................b-day 05-31-07
Right
Left
.................Open 08-06-07.....................................Open 05-31-07
Me!
Woo hoo MamaDucky!!! 
Hi Katherine, just catching up with your story! Best of luck on your wisdom extractions. Your braces look great -- love the ligs!
Love your blog -- you write very well are are so positive. Sorry to hear that you won't be able to nurse any more though. That was something my wife enjoyed immensely with both of our kids (now grown).
Continued progress to you!
Love your blog -- you write very well are are so positive. Sorry to hear that you won't be able to nurse any more though. That was something my wife enjoyed immensely with both of our kids (now grown).
Continued progress to you!
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MommaDucky
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Cinnamon: Thanks a bunch!!! Your message made me feel like celebrating even more! How are your braces? -- aren't you about two weeks in now? I suppose I should just look at your website... ah well. Later, perhaps - I'm having an appletini to celebrate my awesome progress. 
KK: I am TOTALLY stoked... you guys have no idea! this process has been really emotional for me, not in a bad way, but in the best way possible! I feel so lucky to be able to finally do his for myself when I have waited all my life for it, and seeing how well my teeth are doing really makes me so unbelievably happy. I am so fortunate to have everyone here on archwired and to have my family; the support makes it all worthwhile. Here's kudos to us ALL for being in the same boat and helping each other survive!!! Hmm... maybe I should cut myself off for the night... I'm getting awfully sappy.
Sandista: WAY COOL that you're in Maple Grove - probably a half hour from me! I can't say that I've read your story or even seen you around the site, but I'll make sure that changes immedately! It's neat to know that someone near me is toughing out similar obstacles. Thanks so much for your support and for taking the time to read over my story, it means a lot to me.
cwatt1: I'm glad to hear that I'm not crazy in terms of the nursing - I really am going to miss it immensely when I stop. It's a very special part of my relationship with my son, something that only he and I share and nobody else can be a part of... But as I've said before, I plan on having more children, and also plan on nursing those future children as well. And thanks for the comment about me staying positive - I really do try to keep my mind on the good side of things. Besides, it will be nice to be finished nursing in a way, because I will be able to have even more appletinis to celebrate my progress with braces!!!
(how sad is that, I'm validating my choice to cease breastfeeding my son by the fact that I will be able to consume more alcohol...) But seriously, I really think it's about time to stop, and the oral surgery just kinda gives me that breaking point and reason to really go through with it.
You are all totally awesome, thank you so much for all of your support. It really means a lot to me that you are willing to even spend five minutes looking through my website and to learn more about my story with braces. I truly believe that I would be lost without this website, regardless of how supportive my family is (they just don't understand what it's like to go through this!!!) and I always look forward to seeing replies from people here every time I check my email.
I need to go now, and sleep off my appletinis. I've been enjoying this waaay too much. I will double check my post in the morning for any significant (drunken) errors.
Hoping everyone has a beautiful night,
~K~
KK: I am TOTALLY stoked... you guys have no idea! this process has been really emotional for me, not in a bad way, but in the best way possible! I feel so lucky to be able to finally do his for myself when I have waited all my life for it, and seeing how well my teeth are doing really makes me so unbelievably happy. I am so fortunate to have everyone here on archwired and to have my family; the support makes it all worthwhile. Here's kudos to us ALL for being in the same boat and helping each other survive!!! Hmm... maybe I should cut myself off for the night... I'm getting awfully sappy.
Sandista: WAY COOL that you're in Maple Grove - probably a half hour from me! I can't say that I've read your story or even seen you around the site, but I'll make sure that changes immedately! It's neat to know that someone near me is toughing out similar obstacles. Thanks so much for your support and for taking the time to read over my story, it means a lot to me.
cwatt1: I'm glad to hear that I'm not crazy in terms of the nursing - I really am going to miss it immensely when I stop. It's a very special part of my relationship with my son, something that only he and I share and nobody else can be a part of... But as I've said before, I plan on having more children, and also plan on nursing those future children as well. And thanks for the comment about me staying positive - I really do try to keep my mind on the good side of things. Besides, it will be nice to be finished nursing in a way, because I will be able to have even more appletinis to celebrate my progress with braces!!!
(how sad is that, I'm validating my choice to cease breastfeeding my son by the fact that I will be able to consume more alcohol...) But seriously, I really think it's about time to stop, and the oral surgery just kinda gives me that breaking point and reason to really go through with it. You are all totally awesome, thank you so much for all of your support. It really means a lot to me that you are willing to even spend five minutes looking through my website and to learn more about my story with braces. I truly believe that I would be lost without this website, regardless of how supportive my family is (they just don't understand what it's like to go through this!!!) and I always look forward to seeing replies from people here every time I check my email.
I need to go now, and sleep off my appletinis. I've been enjoying this waaay too much. I will double check my post in the morning for any significant (drunken) errors.
Hoping everyone has a beautiful night,
~K~
Yea Ducky!!!!! Your teeth are looking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't even begin to tell you how much I look forward to that. I'm excited for you on your surgery. I had my wisdoms out a few years ago. The recovery honestly wasn't that bad. I was pretty lucky. I had some vicodin that they gave me and I know I took some that night... and if I remember correctly some the next day after I had been up a while. Everyone is different but hopefully you'll be lucky too. We have in common that we had our babies sans medicine.. I cheated w/the 3rd and wanted to see what an epidural was like!! It was so easy!
August 16th.. isn't that the day Elvis died?
Can't even begin to tell you how much I look forward to that. I'm excited for you on your surgery. I had my wisdoms out a few years ago. The recovery honestly wasn't that bad. I was pretty lucky. I had some vicodin that they gave me and I know I took some that night... and if I remember correctly some the next day after I had been up a while. Everyone is different but hopefully you'll be lucky too. We have in common that we had our babies sans medicine.. I cheated w/the 3rd and wanted to see what an epidural was like!! It was so easy!
August 16th.. isn't that the day Elvis died?
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Miss Smiley
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hannahwebbo
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Hi MommaDucky
Ive just read your story and its stories like yours that really make me feel that i am doing the right thing in getting braces.
Your teeth have come along so much, the improvement is amazing. Your smile will look wonderful when it is done.
Im also thinking of getting some gum contouring and teeth whitening done after my treatment as i hate my gums more than i hate my teeth.
I hope that when my treatment starts it goes as well as yours has. Ill be keeping an eye on your progress from now on.
Good luck with your surgery.
All the best
Hannah x
Ive just read your story and its stories like yours that really make me feel that i am doing the right thing in getting braces.
Your teeth have come along so much, the improvement is amazing. Your smile will look wonderful when it is done.
Im also thinking of getting some gum contouring and teeth whitening done after my treatment as i hate my gums more than i hate my teeth.
I hope that when my treatment starts it goes as well as yours has. Ill be keeping an eye on your progress from now on.
Good luck with your surgery.
All the best
Hannah x
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Milk n Cereal
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Katherine, your teeth are looking fantastic! What used to be a rollercoaster of an archwire is now nicely straightened. Lavendar was the first color I picked as well. 
As for your iPhone - awesome! How do you like it? I find that I'm terrible at typing on them.
Take care!
As for your iPhone - awesome! How do you like it? I find that I'm terrible at typing on them.
Take care!
Click on WWW below for my story!
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MommaDucky
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I really wish I could get on to update this more often, but I just get too busy and then I'm wiped at the end of the day!
Thanks everyone for all your kind words and great advice! I love to be able to come here and know that I'll get great ideas and pointers from people who've already gone through the things I'm dealing with. You guys are wonderful and so helpful! Cheers!
Oh, and M&C: it's hard to prise that phone from my fingers! I love it. I think I'm addicted....
So I go into the the ortho on the 15th for another quick tweak before surgery on the 16th. I can't believe it's coming up so soon! I really am glad to be getting it out of the way, though. It will be nice knowing that I'm totally finished with that part of my treatment, so I can carry on with the braces in peace!!!
I've been noticing that I'm checking out my smile a lot more in the mirror lately. Is that normal?!
Honestly, though, as dorky as it sounds, sometimes when I know there isn't anyone watching me and I'm in front of a mirror, I'll flash a toothy grin at myself and admire the reflection I see. Could be vain, but I think it's more likely that I'm just really pleased with how things are turning out, and I'm starting to see what my smile will look like in another year and a half or so - the smile I've always dreamed about since I was a little kid! But I feel like an idiot about it sometimes... like, can't I get enough of myself as it is??? 
Hopefully, I will be able to get at least one more post up before my surgery, and I can tell you all what a nervous wreck I am (though I don't really believe I'll be very nervous.) I'm also contemplating a new color to replace the lavender when I go in on Wednesday. I will have only had the lavender for 9 days at that point, but heck - why not? I'm thinking baby blue.
Anyway, all for now. My little prince is getting rather upset at me, so I'd better scoot off to get him.
Take care!
Thanks everyone for all your kind words and great advice! I love to be able to come here and know that I'll get great ideas and pointers from people who've already gone through the things I'm dealing with. You guys are wonderful and so helpful! Cheers!
Oh, and M&C: it's hard to prise that phone from my fingers! I love it. I think I'm addicted....
So I go into the the ortho on the 15th for another quick tweak before surgery on the 16th. I can't believe it's coming up so soon! I really am glad to be getting it out of the way, though. It will be nice knowing that I'm totally finished with that part of my treatment, so I can carry on with the braces in peace!!!
I've been noticing that I'm checking out my smile a lot more in the mirror lately. Is that normal?!
Honestly, though, as dorky as it sounds, sometimes when I know there isn't anyone watching me and I'm in front of a mirror, I'll flash a toothy grin at myself and admire the reflection I see. Could be vain, but I think it's more likely that I'm just really pleased with how things are turning out, and I'm starting to see what my smile will look like in another year and a half or so - the smile I've always dreamed about since I was a little kid! But I feel like an idiot about it sometimes... like, can't I get enough of myself as it is??? Hopefully, I will be able to get at least one more post up before my surgery, and I can tell you all what a nervous wreck I am (though I don't really believe I'll be very nervous.) I'm also contemplating a new color to replace the lavender when I go in on Wednesday. I will have only had the lavender for 9 days at that point, but heck - why not? I'm thinking baby blue.
Anyway, all for now. My little prince is getting rather upset at me, so I'd better scoot off to get him.
Take care!