shots, shots, shots, shots, shots!

Oh, if only we were only singing LMFAO & Lil Jon but c'est la vie, Kennedy had her four year check-up this morning and was due for FOUR shots: MMR, chicken pox, DTaP, and polio. I am pro-vaccine!

Since Piper's one year check-up last month I have been preparing Kennedy for her shots. She asked me over and over again how bad it would hurt and I refused to be the parent that lies and tricks their kid in a situation like this, so going in she knew that it would hurt but that it would be over very quickly. She accompanied me to almost all of Piper's check-ups where Piper received a shot at almost every visit and I think in the long run that really helped; to see that her baby sister could get a shot and be happy and content almost immediately afterwards. When we woke up this morning I was preparing for the worst. She kept asking me, 'why do I need shots today?', 'why can't I just drink the medicine?', 'do we really have to go? really?'.

Of course we were late getting to her appointment but luckily we were taken back right away and the pediatrician wasn't backed up at all! Kennedy weighs 39 pounds and is 39 inches tall, and to me she seems like such a string bean compared to the plump little babe she started out as, but based on percentile charts this puts her in 50th percentile for height and 75th for weight which medically/scientifically qualifies her as 'heavy' for her size. 

POPPYCOCK!

Left to right: 1, 2, 3, 4-today!

At her appointment they took her blood pressure, checked her vision, and tested her hearing along with asking age/development appropriate questions to determine her health and growth. Everything went great and she 'passed' with flying colors! The next thing to check off on the list for this appointment was her vaccines. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous and was preparing for an all out meltdown (I agreed to let her bring her blanket in to this appointment so armed with that I had a pretty good defense).

October 30, 2015: the 'blood temperature' machine.

First off, the nurse aid that came in to administer the shots was dressed as Snow White. Being the day  before Halloween the entire office staff was festive in their costumes, but I couldn't help but think how horrific it would be to get a shot from a favorite childhood character. Let me tell you, it brought tears to my eyes to see how brave she was. I know as an adult that getting a shot is by no means the end of the world. Surely they aren't fun, but it's something we just have to deal with. Being four and not remembering the last time you got a shot? PIECE OF CAKE! She exclaimed, 'owww' each time they stuck her, but she did not shed one tear nor did she try to fight away from me or the nurse aid. She's one tough cookie and today definitely affirmed that.

Good luck to all the boys and girls who are in need of vaccines in the near future!

And weather for Halloween seems like it will be decent. But this is a perfect example of Michigan weather. 50's to start and end the ten day stretch but warming to the 70's in the middle. Guh.

No measles, mumps, rubella, OH MY.

Leia