the drama

Sam has always had a difficult time with getting immunizations. Grace was the one who surprised me when she didn't even cry while receiving immunizations at her first few check-ups since I was so used to the drama that went along with Sam receiving his. When he was teeny tiny, he would scream while getting the shots and for a significant period afterward until he would finally fall asleep in the car.

These pics are of him after his 4-month shots...completely worn out from the effects of the immunizations coupled with the screaming and tears that went along with it. (Notice the swollen eyes?)

His 4-year check up was scheduled for this morning. We arrived at the pediatrician's office only to have him launch into his laundry list of things they were not allowed to do to him (a strep test, stick anything in his mouth, stick anything up his nose, stick anything in his ears, etc.) first for the nurse and then again for the doctor. He did great on his first hearing test and vision test. He impressed the doctor with his vast knowledge of all aspects of the world and his dancing skills. Then, came the moment when the doctor informed me that Sam would receive four shots today.

My heart sank...I could have sworn this appointment was only two. For a moment, I argued with myself that maybe I should only let them do two today and schedule another appointment in a couple of months for the other two. I decided against that since I knew any shot would be traumatizing for the boy who NEVER forgets. I figured it would just be best to get them over with now.

So, the nurse came in with the goods and asked Sam to lay on the table. I was then instructed to hold his hands tightly against his torso and she would take care of his legs. As soon as she touched the first alcohol pad to his leg, the kid started screaming. I almost cried, but held it together since he was about four inches from my face and could see my reaction.

The drama heightened when she administered the first shot...that's when he started screaming, "MY LEGS! MY LEGS" over and over again as she administered each consecutive shot. I swear, if I had been on the other side of the door, I probably would have wondered if the Civil War was actually taking place in exam room #3 and some poor, injured soldier was having his legs amputated in the field.

I was pretty happy to find out that he has matured some over the years...the screaming dulled to a whimper when the nurse started handing out stickers to him for being such a brave boy. And the whimpering completely subsided when he was allowed to choose a sucker out the basket at the front desk. As we left the office and he enjoyed his sucker, he ran through his new laundry list of things the doctor is not allowed to do to him ever again... stick anything in his LEGS... a strep test... stick anything in his mouth... stick anything up his nose... stick anything in his ears...

The boy does know how to work it, though. Tonight at dinner, he informed me that he would be finishing his dinner and then would be heading to the living room to "relax until bath time" because he "had shots today" and was "very tired."

I think I'll let Kris take him to his pre-kindergarten appointment next year.