Just another day

For various reasons, I did Ethel's kindergarten physical today. Now I realize why the nurse told me it would be easiest if I didn't have Fred with me. Still, the mission was partly successful.

I knew we'd (well, Ethel would) have to pee in a cup {PIAC}, so I tried to push fluids this morning (9:15AM appt). Mission failed. She had her usual bowl of cereal, didn't have the usual seconds. Asked for milk, only drank a few sips. Hm.

She had a dream last night that she had her appointment and got shots, and they didn't hurt. She was pretty OK with it this morning, until after breakfast when the anxiety set in. By 8:40 when it was time to suit up, she wouldn't put on her socks, wouldn't get up out of the bean bag, and really didn't want to go.

So I loaded Fred up (all suited up), and put K's shoes and socks and jacket in a bag, and she got to go barefoot, sans jacket. I don't think they knew what to make of this at the doctor's office. I had to leave, she wasn't cooperating, so I packed her up as-is. I did try to sympathize for a bit, but, when the clock's ticking, we gotta go!

Nurse gave us the cup, knowing it would be easier to pee before the shots than after (when they're not the expected basket case). Mission failed. Tried everything, and she didn't want to, didn't have to, just wouldn't go. She's very into privacy these days, to the point where she wipes herself all the time now, she won't even let anyone in the bathroom when she's going. So imagine being in this small bathroom with the fan blaring and Fred and I standing right there. Ya, didn't go so well.

So, we proceeded to weigh in, 31.5 lbs. Then height, 41.5 inches.  Yes, she's 5 years old, yes she's tiny.  Yes, your two year old is heavier.

The nurse was the lucky one who got to prick her finger for the anemia test. Wow, that went over like a fart in church. She sat in my lap, wearing just her Ariel panties, and screamed and cried and cried. Poor kid. Later she would report that this hurt more than the shots.

The nurse left and the doctor arrived for the full body check; blood pressure, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, feel around the belly, rotate the legs, check the spine, and she checked out great. Now on to the hard stuff.

She agreed to sit on the big table with the cold crackly paper cover.  She's so friggin small, that table looks enormous when she's sitting there.  She had her gangly legs tucked underneath herself in the "criss-cross, applesauce" position, trying to hunch over in an attempt to defend herself against whatever it was she thought was coming.  Luckily, the chair was right next to the table so I could sit and hold her hand while she got injected. I think Fred will need some serious therapy after this one. I think Ethel broke the glass on the front windows of the building with her screams. She even watched the whole time as the doctor administered the shots. Mommy, on the other hand, focused on Fred while practicing her breathing so as not to see stars and blackness and become the patient. Poor Fred stood there not knowing whether to approach us or run for help. I encouraged him a couple times to come and give Ethel a hug and/or kiss, that she was OK. Even though the last visit we had was for his three year check up, both kids still vividly remember the appointment when we were there for Ethel's staple removal. This, friends, is why I am still sworn to saving for therapy and not college.

Anyway, she got her shots, then BandAids, and the doctor assured them that they'd each get a sticker or cookie or sucker. Usually it's the other ped in the practice that has such goodies, but I think they took pity on us after those screams. Even then, the other ped offers one item, not the choice, so this was quite the special day. Thinking the nurse would return with a couple of each offering, she instead returned with a basket of DumDums, box of butter cookies, and roll of stickers! Both the kids' eyes about popped out of their heads, and Ethel was immediately calmed. Creep. If her eyes weren't red you'd never have known she was just bawling her eyes out and screaming like her lip was being pulled over the back of her head.

So, the kids each chose their DumDums, and because the nurse likes them, she offered them each one butter cookie. For Ethel, since she was so brave, she got two cookies. Wow, Mommy is so lucky that each kid got a suker AND cookies before lunch (which is before naps)!

Now we still needed to PIAC. I told the kids we could go hang in the play room for a bit, and even visit the fun water fountain. Ethel was absolutely not going to play, and most certainly not going to drink from the water fountain. She was parked in the chair and not moving. Craptastic. After several attempts to get her into the bathroom, I finally cried UNCLE to the nurse, who consulted with the doctor. It was agreed that we could take the fun little cup home and try it in the privacy of our own bathroom, to be returned to the doctor shortly after being collected. In other words, take it home and fight with her there. Great!

So, final stats:
41.5 inches
31.5 lbs
Ears clear
Everything is in its place
Everything looks good
"You're perfect!" exclaimed the ped

Wish us luck as we try to collect the urine sample in the next couple days. Once collected, it will need to be returned to the ped's office within a couple hours, but will withstand refrigeration for about an hour after collection if need be. Wow, that's awesome.  I'm glad to now know this much about urine.  I'm sure you are, too.




Not to be outdone by the cookies and suckers the kids got, Mommy felt as if she deserved a bit of a reward, too.  Embracing my role as "Mommy of the Year", I took the kids to Binny's to pick up a bottle of relaxation.  Or two.  Nothing says "loving mother" like bringing the kids to the liquor store, right?  Luckily, the kind woman in line behind us could sympathize.  Sharing that she had a 13 year old daughter at home, as she carried a bottle of Skyy and Maker's Mark, I realized I was in good company.  She admired the two little balls of cuteness as they marveled at the rows and rows of brightly colored bottles on the shelves, while Fred reminded me that this store was a "look with your eyes" kind of store.  Good boy.  Not sure the older gentlemen working there shared this lady's and my moment of common ground, but I felt much better finding an ally in line.

So that's our appointment. It wasn't that bad, but, it was an adventure to say the least!! 

That's all for now.