Time Flies When You Have Nat

Nat will be three years old tomorrow!

Yesterday at her well-child checkup she was 29 lbs and 35.75 inches. That's just under 30th %ile for weight and just over 30th %ile for height.

She also had her first injection to remember. They've added Hep A to the vaccination recommendations since she was born and we went ahead and got it. (We had a LilySea family member with Hepatitis at one point and we'd just like to cover our bases.)

She was fine with it, really. It's the nurse who gave it to her that got her all convinced it was a terrible tragedy to get a shot. I found this really annoying. I sat Nat on my lap and as the nurse prepared everything and Nat asked about it, I explained:

Nat: What's that?
Shannon: That's the medicine for you that the nurse will put in your arm.
N: What's that?
S: That's a wipie to make your arm clean so she can put the medicine in with the needle.
N: Medicine in my arm?
S: Yes, she will pinch your arm with the needle and put the medicine in.

This was all delivered in a tone of matter-of-fact, no-need-to-be afraid, routine-doctor-visit-stuff on my part. Meanwhile the nurse is going "oh, I'm so sorry honey, I have to give you an owie! It will hurt but it will be over fast, oh no, do you want a sticker? If you let me do it, I'll give you a sticker!"

Just a nervous wreck.

Then she gave Nat the shot, which Nat barely noticed.

Shannon: There goes the needle, see? The medicine is going into your arm!
Nat: Medicine in my arm?
Shannon: Yep, there it goes! All finished. Wow, that was fast, huh?
Nurse: It's okay now! I'm done! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, honey! You want another sticker? You want a lollipop? I'm sorry! Here's a bandaid*!

PAUSE

Nat (looking at nurse): ... WAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was post-bandaid and everything.

Her Royal Dramaness couldn't resist when she realized everyone would fuss over her if she made a fuss about the shot. And everyone did. She got a zillion stickers with Barbies and Shreks and Spidermans on them (none of which she has any clue about) and I had to decline lollipops twice. She got part of the Easter-themed decor of the office, which they tore off the wall to give her. She'd stop crying, see a new person, and start up again in THE fakiest way.

Thanks folks, now my kid knows to make a fuss about shots.

Bah.

* "plaster" for my non-American English readers.

Comments

[shirky]

at least it's a funny story though! ha!

[FosterMommy]

that sucks, but it *is* a funny story. :) Well, at least she is more likely to look forward to the shots than fear them - cuz what kid doesn't look forward to stickers?

I can't believe Nat is 3 already!

[baggage]

Wow, I've been reading for so long..way before you had Nat. I can't believe she is three already!!!

[Nancy]

Happy Birthday Nat!!

[Jenn (dish)]

Happy Birthday Nat!!!

The nurses at our ped's office are pretty matter-of-fact, and I like that so much. I see exactly why that one aggravated you. And lollipops? I thought those were off the shelves of all doc's offices. Ours gives pretzels (still a carb, but at least it's slightly more complex). Gabe hates the shots no matter how calm I (or the nurses) remain. He's just like his mommy. I had to go through a whole routine to calm myself down every day when I had the PIO shots during the IVF cycle that became Gabe. Hmmmm...maybe that's where he got it? :-)

[Allie]

Happy third birthday to Nat!

I particularly object to the message given to kids that it is ok for someone to hurt them if they'll get something in return. Personally, I prefer to concentrate on the message that an injection is a good thing to help keep the child well. Our doctors give out Smarties - like M&Ms.

[Lula]

Happy birthday to Nat! Three already? How?

[pj]

so so funny!