Visit to the Pediatrician's office

Matilda and Malia patiently waiting for the Nurse Practitioner.

So, the other day I took Malia and Matilda to the pediatrician for their check-ups. Overall it was a good visit, until the needles came out--I'll talk about that later. Get this: Matilda weighed in at 30 lbs, 1 oz! And Malia? Weighed in at 40 lbs, even. The best part is Malia is 4 years old (-ish... her birthday is in July) and Matilda is 19 months. The fact that there is only a ten pound difference between the two, isn't lost on me.

Am I worried that Matilda is so big? Not-so-much. Why? Because Mayah and Malia were exactly the same when they were her age: very chubby. And it was around the 18 month mark their weight plateaued, staying the same for another year or so. So, no, I am not worried. And anyway, I love chubby babies/toddlers, especially when they are as cuddly as my Matilda.

When it came time for the Nurse Practitioner to ask questions, things got a little wild. What I mean is, Malia started tickling Matilda--who is insanely ticklish--and before I knew it things got a little out of control. And by 'out of control' I mean it was as if there was a clown convention going on in that tiny room: all sorts of giggling, shrieking, and examination table paper crinkling like mad. Neither the Nurse nor I could concentrate. So, I did what any rational mother would do: I separated the two of them. Unfortunately this didn't help matters much.

You see, at first I tried to hold Matilda in my lap, but since she was so wound up she wasn't having it. So after struggling with her for a short while, I placed her on the floor. It was at this point that she decided to spin around in circles, laughing like a hyena, because she was getting the full attention of the Nurse Practitioner.

Remembering that my mom--who was visiting at the time--was sitting out in the waiting room, I excused myself and got her so she could help me control Matilda while I answer questions. Thankfully, this worked and we finally got through all the questions--only losing about 10-ish minutes overall.

It was at this point the subject of shots was brought up...

So, yeah... here's the deal: the girls are a little behind on their immunizations. And by 'a little' I mean 'a lot'. Of course I'm embarrassed about it, which is why I've been putting off going to the doctors office, which, of course, only made matters worse.

Fortunately the Nurse Practitioner understood my apprehension about getting my girls immunized--you know, with Mayah and all--and I didn't feel judged, which was nice. She figured we could get them caught up within the next few months or so. Unfortunately that meant the girls would be getting five shots each before we went home.

It was so sad! Malia was 9 months old the last time she had an immunization shot so she had no idea what was about to happen to her. And of course, being the middle child, she was happy to have the attention of TWO nurses, so she was all smiles. They had me hold her arms while they explained to her that she was going to get five pokes, and she started to giggle innocently. It was at at this point that I wanted to cry or have someone slap me (repeatedly) for being a bad mother. And if I could have, I would have taken all five of those shots for her.

Long story short: she cried. A lot. And she said "Mommy, NO!" over and over again until they were done (which only took about thirty seconds but felt like a ba-zillion years). When they finished with her she gave both nurses the stink-eye and I told her not to be mad at them. And after they brought her a Popsicle, she wasn't.

When it was Matilda's turn, the first two shots didn't even make her cry. It was during the third shot that she started to waiver. And the fourth shot pushed her over the edge into full-fledged screaming--it was so sad. Thankfully, she only had one more to go, and she was done. But afterward she held onto me tight while she sobbed.

Shots are the worst! I really hate them. Because every time one of my kids get them, I cry too. I try not to, because, man is it embarrassing! But I can't help it. I wish immunizations didn't have to be so dang painful. And I wish I didn't have to take Matilda and Malia back in two months to get more (because they are so behind).

But like I said, the visit wasn't so bad: both girls are healthy and getting caught up with their immunizations, which is a good thing, right? Now I don't have to be embarrassed to take them into the doctor's office.

P.S. After the we left the doctor's office, I went to Target to get some children's Tylenol. I also got the girls an inexpensive present for being so brave. Oh! And some candy. I know, I am such a freaking pushover sometimes. But in my defense: FIVE SHOTS EACH!!!