Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hot Mess at the Pediatrician

Today we took SB in for her her 18 month checkup at the pediatrician.  I made Kurt go with us because last time she screamed bloody murder and rather than listen to what the doctor was saying I was wishing the doctor would shut up so we could get my poor baby dressed and out of there ASAP. 

Today, she didn't even wait until they started doing anything to her.  The second we got in the exam room she started sobbing.  Amazing.  It's been 3 months since her last doctor visit but clearly she remembers what goes on in that establishment and that it was not good.  By the sound of her screams you would have thought they had her strapped to some medieval torture device rather than sitting on a friendly little baby scale.  Tears streaming, red eyes, runny nose, gagging sobs...she was a hot mess.  Awful.  Fortunately, Daddy was there to experience the trauma and fill out the paperwork.  I do not understand why but I swear every time we go, there are 5 different forms to fill out.  Like I have the dexterity to fill out my insurance info and emergency contact numbers for the zillionth time while I'm trying to console a flipped-out toddler. 

Anyway, she had two shots today. The irony of it is, after all the build-up and sobbing to near vomitous proportions, as soon as the bandaids are on her little arms, she calms down significantly.  They'd be better off doing the shots first and getting it over with.    Smiles did not appear, however, until she was in her carseat, fruit squeezie in hand.  A fruit squeezie, for those not in the know, is toddler crack.  Well it's applesauce or some variation in a disposable squeeze container, like a Capri Sun but for applesauce.  Trader Joe's has the best ones because the cap is large enough not to be a major choking hazard.  She doesn't even have to eat the applesauce to make her happy.  She just likes to hold it for a while. 



In other news, we finally turned her car seat around so she can see where she's going.  The law says 1 year old, experts say 2 years old, but when your kid's knees are tucked up under her ears when she's rear-facing, it's time to switch.  So now she looks like this...



See the thrilled look on her face?  Yeah, me neither.  I thought she's be delighted to have a new perspective on things but she's not overly impressed.  Now at least Mommy can ride in the front seat all the time like a grown-up.  I'd been sitting back with her most of the time (when I wasn't driving, obviously) mostly out of habit at this point but for a while there with baby it's nerve wracking to drive around without being able to see what she's up to.  We had one of those mirrors on the back seat but Kurt realized that inside the cover the mirror had hard plastic edges that could hurt her if she kicked it out or got in an accident.  (There is danger lurking in every "safe" baby toy or object, I tell you.)  So now, I get to see her smiling (or bored) face as we go about our errands.


Before I go I must continue my tribute to Kurt for his birthday week.  We had a low key celebration after having a great time Saturday night with Grandma and Grandpa who were visiting .  By the way, Sarah Beth thinks Grandma hung the moon.  Sunday morning she literally leapt from her sleepy state on the couch when Grandma walked in the room.  And Monday morning they pulled in the driveway and SB went wild when she saw Gma through the window.  Squealing, laughing, clapping...it was about the sweetest thing ever and I think Grandma executed the same excited display right back at her.  I love that she loves her Grandma.  :)  Oh, but back to Kurt, the birthday boy.  We finally bought a new printer that scans...and I have this picture of a 3 year old Kurtie lounging by the pool...so of course I should scan it and put it on the internet, right?  How cute is he??

 Happy Birthday Week Kurt!  You're still just as cute.

2 comments:

ouida said...

oh my word he is adorable isn't he. congrats on the forward facing. as paranoid as I am, we turned avery right at 1. with our crappity commute it was too hard on me to have him rear facing, especially in the dark. it was driving me to a break down. seriously. i think you did the right thing keeping her turned longer. if not for the commute we would have too. btw, also, LOVE those military pics....... GENIUS!

Saving Our Way said...

Yes - the crying at the Ped's office is intense. Our Ped just laughed & said they wouldn't become friends again until she was about 3! Her 2 yr appt was better than 18mos (she started her screaming at her 9mo appt) and then we had a sick visit back in Oct (so 29 months) and it was slightly better where she cried instead of screamed & just clung to me.

We tried to keep her rear facing until 24 months too. We made it until 21 months & the whining in the car just got to be too much. It was too distracting for me. It's been almost a year & the car rides are wonderful!
:-)