She lost her first tooth just before her fifth birthday. In the 3 years since then, Songbird’s racked up a total of 9 visits from the tooth fairy. At first, the big chompers (and crooked grin) that replaced her tiny toddler teeth were adorable.

But recently we learned that the one wayward adult tooth would need to be guided forward or otherwise she’d risk damaging it with her bite. Both Handsome and I have a history of major orthodontia work (no miracle-straight teeth in this family), so not exactly surprising.

Still, at just barely 8 years old, she seems so small to be rocking a brace face.

Yet here we are: the first day of Christmas break, getting her first set of braces. “The first kid in 2nd grade, too!” she told me proudly.

Of course she went with the aquamarine bands – it’s been her favorite color for at least 2 years now.

Tonight Handsome treated her to a milkshake/mac-n-cheese dinner, I re-taught her how to brush her teeth, and we had only a couple tears from initial aching.

The crooked smile will always hold a special place in my memory, but I’m so grateful we have the ability to get Songbird on the fast track to her best smile yet.

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