Hurting

Saturday was the boys' 5-year checkup appointment at their doctor. We knew they'd be getting shots. I didn't bring up that we were going to the doctor until the last minute for that reason. The boys asked what we were doing that day - they asked if we were going to the park after music class and I told them no. They of course asked why not so I told them we were going to the doctor for their checkup. Of course, that quickly turned into why and then if there would be shots and I feel strongly about being honest so I told them yes, there would.

At that point, N got really nervous. He kept telling us he didn't want to go and he didn't want any shots. He definitely started working himself up. We tried to downplay it as much as possible. When we got there, we had to wait... a. long. time. Ugh. Finally, we got to go to our room where the nurse checked us in and asked us all the standard questions - how much milk do they drink, how many hours sleep a night do they get, etc. She then gave them a hearing test (in anticipation of K if we elect to have them go this year). They did fine. N kept asking me if it was time and I told him no, we still needed to see the actual doctor first. Anyway, they also were weighed in they came in both very close to 40 pounds (each) and their height was now down to only 1/2 inch difference (not sure if she measured them correctly). Doctor came in and checked them over and then the nurse came in.

The nurse that does the shots is awesome. She is so soft spoken and gentle and she knows how to give the shots so they hurt less. For their skin test, she drew a little dog (N) / smiley face (S) and then told the boys that their respective thing would have a runny/stuffy nose and that's where she put the test. Neither was upset at all after that one. Then came the finger prick (by the way, I should mention that we let N go first because he was working himself up so much we figured it would be better to let him get it over with and also just in case S cried it wouldn't make N even more nervous) - N did great. He didn't even move, flinch, etc. When it was S' turn, J was holding him. Once the lady did it, S' eyes started rolling into the back of his head (while his eyes were open!) and his lips turned pale and he looked like he was getting close to passing out. He was so scared after that - I know his body's reaction probably scared him more than the shot itself. He threw up a little in the trash can and was basically off until after his nap that day. They both then got 2 shots each and both did amazing.

It was really hard to see S that way. Helps to know that it is necessary... but still. Glad to know that they are pretty much (hopefully) done with all the shots for a long while (maybe until they are 12!).