Shots Day

Claire and I took Ellie to the doctor yesterday for her 18-month check up (and shots). I had warned Claire that Ellie would be getting shots and she would cry, but it would only hurt for a minute and then Ellie would be fine. Claire tends to get upset when Ellie is upset (unless she is the one doing the upsetting, then she is fine with it). Anyway....

The nurse asks me about flu shots for both girls (yes, please). I figured I would have to make another appointment for Claire's, but the nurse said she could do Claire's while we were there. Nice! So, while we are waiting for the doctor, I explain to Claire that she is going to get one little shot and it won't hurt...much. She seems fine with it. Doctor comes in....examines Ellie. All is great! He is very happy with her physical and developmental progress. Although he does tell me that the second child is typically a bit more aggressive/outgoing than the first, compliant child. Right...we have proved all that birth order crap wrong. My girls are opposite of what they are "supposed to be". Anyway...that's not the best part.....

The nurse comes back into the room and says, "Let's do Claire's first." Ok.... I put Claire up on the table, pull down her leggings, the nurse pulls her towards her and braces Claire's legs between her body and the exam table. Claire's eyes get really big as I take both her hands and bend down to talk to her. I know EXACTLY when the nurse punctures Claire's skin with the needle because Claire lets out this high-pitched, very loud, blood-curdling scream. My first thought was, "Man, is this nurse cutting off her toes?" I can only start laughing.... It takes Claire several seconds to recover, then she tells the nurse that she (Claire) is going to have nightmares. The nurse asks me, "Did she just say...?" Yes, she did. I'm not sure the nurse thought that was funny. I certainly did though.

Ellie's turn....same procedure...but Ellie gets 4 shots and doesn't start crying until the second or third one. She recovers a lot faster and is smiling at the nurse within 15 seconds or so. Claire continues to glare at the nurse, demands her sticker, and we leave the office.

Next day: Claire wakes up puking. Nice..I hope it is not the stomach flu and only a reaction from yesterday's trauma. Bad dreams? For mom!