Growing Pains

It seems like only yesterday that I watched Ellie go to her first day of preschool in 2008. I sent her in a brand new teal and maroon striped shirt and teal sweat pants... She wore her new Ariel shoes. Now here she was, two years later in her preschool graduation "cap and gown" and ready for Kindergarten..... ALMOST. There was one more dreaded thing that had to happen.... KINDERGARTEN SHOTS!!!

First you have to know how HORRIBLY this process has gone in the past... from about 9 months old, Ellie developed an almost sixth sense for knowing when it was shot time. From the moment the doctor left, and the nurse came in again it was TOTAL DRAMA!!! Flailing around, kicking, screaming, barely-breathing nightmare! It would literally send her to an ALL OUT panic attack. Even when her doctor visits didn't have shots involved, Ellie would have major anxiety over the very idea of going into the doctors office for ANY reason. (TRUE: Ellie has had a doctor visit in the CAR before.)

I tried a different approach this time. The dialog went something like this;

"Hey, uh, Ellie?"

"Yeah Mom? What?"

"Guess what? Next week is Kindergarten Day!"

"What's Kindergarten Day?"

"It's a day we need to go to the doctor to make sure that you are healthy for Kindergarten!"

"I DON'T want a shot!" (How did she know???)

"Well, Ellie you are going to need some shots, and they are going to hurt for a second, but only a second - and then after if you are a good girl we will go to the Farm (Thanksgiving Point) and Cabelas!!!"

"Ok Mom. I might just cry a little."

"It's ok to cry, but you won't need shots for a long time after that and I know that you are brave and can do this because you want to go to Kindergarten like the other kids huh?"

"Yeah."

And that was that. She walked into the doctors office. Let the nurses check her height, weight, blood pressure, eyes, and even poke her finger and collect a urine sample. When they came back in saying, "one more thing" Ellie did cry and need to hold her Daddy for the FIVE shots in both thighs but when all was said and done she was fine. Proud to show off her battle wounds (band-aids), a bag full of goodies, and the relief of knowing it was all over and we could go to the Farm and Cabela's. The exam was completely normal, besides finding out Ellie is near-sided and might need glasses before starting school.

A HUGE sigh of relief came over me too. It is so great to know that Ellie's vaccinations are all completed until 7th Grade. It also seemed like a bummer to remember that I have five more years ahead of me with Kaitlyn who is just beginning her vaccination process next month :-/. Maybe with some warning, Kaitlyn will handle the shots as well as Ellie did this last visit. It is true what they say, "LIVE AND LEARN."