Friday, August 14, 2009

BRACING MYSELF

Rojo got braces yesterday.

Yes. It's true.

What's also true is that by Monday I may have lost my mind, confidence in all the reasons behind getting the braces, and resolve to see this thing through.

Yesterday he went on a hunger (and fluid) strike and I saw the very real possibility this whole thing would end with a trip to ER. We did, however, manage to get him to drink some water around 6:00 PM, but the boy did not consume one single calorie from 6:00 AM yesterday to 4:00 AM today, when he woke up and was craving tuna fish.

My sainted husband got up with him, mixed up two cans of tuna with mayonnaise, liberally sprinkled the garlic salt and got him to eat both, drink a ton of water, and got him back into bed where he slept like an angel until 7:00.

Because he was able to put the mayonnaise-y tuna in his mouth and just swallow, he still has not chewed, and announced "I'll chew in two years when my braces come off."

It would be just like him to give up chewing for 2 years.

What the hell was I thinking?

I know what I was thinking. I was thinking I want him to have a beautiful smile. I want one part of him to not scream "special needs." I want one part of his adolescence to be typical. If he can't act like everyone else, can he at least look like them?

21 comments:

Suzy said...

LMAO!!!!!!!

"I'll chew in two years when my braces come off."

Can he be any funnier?????

Love you,

Suzy

Suzy said...

And about the next two years...

Brace yourself!

(Sorry- I couldn't help it)

Go Mama said...

:)
Love you.
Love that boy!
Love your strength!

fullsoulahead.com said...

Love.

Tanya @ TeenAutism said...

Having two picky eaters already, I can certainly imagine how they'd be with braces. You have my full empathy!

Maddy said...

Oh Carrie. You both have my every sympathy. Mine will have braces soonishly and I have endured that particular nightmare personally.

Anonymous said...

So funny - give up chewing!! From what I've heard about braces he might just be on to something!!

Jerri said...

"...by Monday I may have lost my mind, confidence in all the reasons behind getting the braces, and resolve to see this thing through."

Love.

pixiemama said...

I had braces for 4 flippin' years as an adult. I understand him completely when he says he's on a chewing strike. The first few days - and weeks - change everything. But I'm willing to bet he'll come around, when the pain abates.

If not, email me and we'll brainstorm.

xlo

Wanda said...

I had braces in junior high. I didn't want to chew for a while either. It got easier. Bless him. Bless you. Bless STM. Love.

Ellen Seidman said...

Hey, Carrie. I'm a fellow blogger over at Hopeful Parents.

I can totally relate to Rojo, I wore braces for (get this) EIGHT years, I don't think my teeth were that massed up, I think the orthodontist took my parents for a ride!

He'll get used to the braces.

And, when you talked about wishing one part of him not scream "special needs," I knew EXACTLY what you were saying. My Max has a great smile, but so many days, I wish he didn't drool, didn't clench his fists, didn't limp, blah, blah, BLAH, blah, blah.

It is nice to meet you, and meet another mom who has a sense of humor about all the craziness we endure!!!

Ms. TK said...

Really? If you made him tempting foods - pot pie, spaghetti, fried chicken - nothing?

wow.

love.

Robin said...

I am actually up early on a Saturday because we are on our way to the ORTHODONIST. We are traveling parallel paths! I will watch your back.

jess said...

he won't starve, love

you did the right thing

the reasons aren't wrong

and they're not selfish

you hear me?

he'll get through it

so will you

even if takes a trip to costco for a shtload of tuna

love you so

Angie Ledbetter said...

Can you make him roasted garlicy malts?

Please send address (yeah, I lost it). I have LSU book cover and little writing tablets for Braces Boy of Future Beatific Smile. :)

Deb Shucka said...

Love. Hugs. And more love.

Unknown said...

Carrie - that was great writing. Hugs...Teresa

hooray said...

Bless him!

Kathi said...

Braces are hell for everybody in the beginning. I bet Rojo will come around and be chewing in no time. You might not be none the worse for wear, but he will come around! The gums will feel better eventually. And you so meant well, you good mother you!!

Anonymous said...

I'm getting braces soon too... I'm 16 years old and I feel like my life is coming to an end!!! All the stuff i've read so far about braces do not in any way make me more optimistic!!! ;(((

kario said...

Something tells me that Rojo will come to love his braces in time and make them a quintessential part of who he is. Just like he does everything else.

Love that STM got up with him at 4:00 and made him tuna fish.

Love that you stuck to your guns.

Love you.