Nathaniel's big moment

I learned something I didn't know about the camera on my iPhone the other day: If you choose the "square" option, it automatically applies a filter I would title "Jaundice" to all photos shot in that mode.

I had no idea. I just wanted to shoot them in square format so that I wouldn't have to crop them if I wanted to Instagram them later as Before & Afters of Nathaniel getting his braces off. But NOW pictures of him looking like he's jaundiced are going to be what ends up in his scrapbook to commemmorate this Very Important Milestone.

SIGH.

Anyway, on Wednesday morning, I took Nathaniel to the orthodontist to have his braces removed, almost 18 months to the week after they were put on. He's been a total champ about it the whole time, but for the last month or so he's been rally anxious for them to come off.

I totally understand, because I wore them for four years, myself -- 9th grade through 12th grade. That last month feels like six!

Before & After

Our office visits had always been relatively short, but this appointment seemed eternal. We were there for over two hours.

But finally all the brackets, wires and glue were gone, and Dr. Backus pronounced us "good to go"!

By the way, if you're in the market for an orthodontist, Jeff Backus is THE BEST! He and his office staff are just wonderful, and it's very much a family atmosphere there. I imagine -- with three more children to go -- we'll be seeing a lot more of them.

As we walked out by the front desk, we noticed that they'd put a Congratulations note to Nathaniel on their board. Very sweet!

I had him take out his retainers for his After picture outside. They'd given him the standard warnings about being very careful not to lose them ... the top one is neon green but the bottom one is clear.

Well, Grayson took him back yesterday morning for a drop-in visit just to have an impression (mold or cast) made, and he took his retainers out, put them in his neon green case and handed them to Jake, who was going to wait in the van.

Nathaniel: "Here, Jake, hold these for a minute while I run inside and do this really fast. I'll be right back."

Jake:  [curious, pops open the case to look at the retainers, then closes the case again]

[Five minutes pass, then Nathaniel comes back out, climbs in the van and takes the retainer case back.]

Nathaniel: "Hey, Jake. WHERE'S MY BOTTOM RETAINER."

Jake: "Uh. Hmm. Uh oh."

They looked all over the van and in the parking lot. The receptionist came out and looked in our van, too.

It appears as though we've officially won the award for Quickest Loss of Retainer: 21 hours.

TAKING OUR BOWS NOW.