I Sat Still!

One of the many joys of moving is finding new doctors, particularly a new pediatrician. Three of my 4 kids were due for their well child checks (5 years, 18 months, and 3 months). So, I asked around and found a pediatrician that had good reviews from my new friends. I made appointments for all four kids (the lady at the front desk said the doctor likes to see all of the kids so if anything happens later, he has records for them) yesterday. Michael had the day off, and I figured it would be nice to have his help.

Before going in, I informed Z and S that they would not be needing shots this time around. They are both up to date on immunizations, so this was going to be an easy check up for them. This is where the problem began.

Getting to the office was an adventure in and of itself. We couldn't find the hospital where the office is located. When we called and asked for an address, the lady said it wouldn't help us. After trying to get an address and failing (multiple times), we asked what street the building was on. 19th. Great. We finally found it. Addresses were created for a reason. Just saying.

Anyway, we finally got to the office. We filled out the "new patient" paper work. We were taken back. Got heights and weights. S had to pee in a cup ("That is really gross," she informed me. "Yes it is!"). So far, so good. Nothing to traumatic.

Then the doctor comes in. First thing he does is hands me three papers. My children are required to get tested for led in their blood. Its just a quick finger poke. No big deal. Just go to the front desk in the hospital on our way out. I brush it off. Something to worry about later.

Next, he goes through each child, asking questions about development, eating habits, etc... He gets to W, who is 18 months, and asks how much milk he drinks. Some how, I don't even know how it happened, the doctor discovers W still takes a bottle. Yes, I'm that mom! Doctor gives me a look of shock and disgust. "My patients do not take a bottle after 12 months." Well, I wanted to respond, "your patients are probably not #3 of 4 ages 5 and under!!! This mama will do what she needs to to get some sleep!" But I didn't. Instead, Michael was given strict instructions of how to wean W off his bottle. Lets just say, its going to be a long few weeks.

Next, each child is examined. The doctor is quick, but thorough. Great! We will be out of here with no issues in no time!

Next come the shots. The doctor grabs a nurse to help. He tells Michael to pick up S and hold her while he does a finger prick. Great! I we are getting the led level tested now, I think. This will help us get home quick. Prick. Wail! Sucker. Crying. Repeat with Z. Now W gets a shot in the shoulder. Crying for a second, then fine. Baby B gets 4 shots, then an oral immunization. She's good once there is liquid in her mouth. S and Z are still wailing.

Lets pack up and go.

Nurse comes in while we are getting Baby B dressed. There are a few papers to sign. Oh, and don't forget the led blood level test. What? The other test was for iron. Crap! My children are currently hysterical over the first finger prick.

Papers signed. Head down the hall to the front desk. Sign in. Lots more paper work. Nice lady gives the kids pictures to color. Kids run down the halls. Finally we herd kids in to the lab (I am reminded a lot of the idea of herding cats). Who's first? S is going to be the worst, so lets get her done. I hold her on my lap. The tech says he wants to show her something. She is no fool! "Is he going to shot me?!?" she cries over and over again. "Nope!" Its just a poke, I think. She will not open her hand. I have never seen such a grip! This girl has a strong hand! After much prying by the tech and myself, he gets a poke in. Dang it! She moved. Try again. All the while, she is screaming about being "shot." Zach stares at us in silent horror. Second poke. Got it! Tech squeezes drops of blood into a small container. It is taking forever! A drop at a time. He finally finishes. S is hysterical. But she gets a sucker and a sticker. The sticker says, "I held still!" When Michael read it to her, she said, "No I didn't!" She is right.

Z's turn. I put him on my lap. He is crying about not wanting to get shot. Tech has to put S's info on her vial of blood and get the labels for Z's. Please hurry! Tech is finally ready. Z does not grip his hand! Thank goodness! One poke. Fill the vial a drop at a time. He wants a cherry sucker. Sucker in mouth. Crying stops. At least his crying. Baby B is starving by now. It has almost been 2.5 hours since we got to the hospital, and we ran errands before that. With only W left (Baby B is too small to have to get her blood tested), I volunteer to feed B while Michael holds W.

Michael and W sit in the chair of doom. He is just as quiet as can be. He has no idea what is about to happen. He holds out his finger for the tech like its no big deal. He doesn't even scream when he gets poked. Then the tech has to squeeze W's finger. W does not like that. He cries and wiggles, but is nothing compared to his older siblings. Done. He doesn't really like the band aid, but he will leave it since there is a sucker. Drool from the sucker splatters on the floor, but W is so happy, so who cares?!?

We finally leave. The nice check in lady stops what she is doing as we pass so she can smile and admire our sticky, tear stained clan, covered in stickers that declare, "I sat still!"