My Troopers

This may be long and drawn out to some, but I wanted to document today's doctor appointments because I was sooo proud of how my kiddos did.

The last time I had to take Avery to the doctor for stomach issues, I was informed that she had never had her five year check up! What?! I filed that information away in my mind that sometimes like to retain information, and other times does not.

Fast forward to this week. I realized that I had yet to schedule Braden's three year doctor appointment. Double What?!

So, 6-ish months after Avery was supposed to have her appointment and one month after Braden was supposed to have his, I realized that I had to get on the ball..er, uh...phone to make appointments.

Guess who is out of the running for mother of the year, huh.

To my surprise, I was informed of an available appointment for the next day (today), and was eager to fill that spot since the next one wouldn't be until January. At that rate, I might as well save up until Avery's 6th birthday and make her have double the immunizations.

Let me fill in a little background. Braden doesn't mind so much about going to the doctor. Maybe because he was too little to remember the few times he's had minor issues, resulting in needle pricks everyday, or the dog bite. Avery, however, is a different story. She was a little older when she had her minor run ins...broken arm, urinary tract issues, stomach problem.

Kenny and I laugh now when we recall the day of the broken arm. The nurses were trying their best to get an IV in her arm. They resorted to her foot; it took four grown people to hold down one teeny little girl who screamed, "No ma'am! No ma'am!" all the while. Then there was the urinary tract issues. Luckily (for me) I was out of town, but my parents were the ones who had to endure that struggle. My heart broke just hearing about it. I'm not sure I would have made it through that one without tears of my own.

To make a long story a little shorter, Avery's not a fan.

After the appointment was made (both of them in one whammy), I asked Kenny if he would be able to leave work for a little bit and come help out. I had forgotten today and tomorrow was the day of the Super Six (football state playoffs), and he would be out of town. So. Alone I went. I had prayed hard all evening that things would go well.

I know Avery is the type who needs to know ahead of time what is going to happen, so I had to walk the fine line of telling her in enough time before we left, but not too soon so she wouldn't dwell on the inevitable.

Lots more praying took place this morning, then I presented the fact that we would be going for check ups. Braden asked and I explained what it would entail...looking in ears, eyes, throat, getting weighed, measured, etc. Avery was quiet all the while. Soon she asked, "what about shots momma?" I weasled my way out of that with an indirect, "well honey, if you guys do need shots, I know you will be brave." Followed closely with, "and when we're all done we can go to the store to pick out a treat because I know you will do so well."

That appeased her for about a second. Then more questions were hurled at me from both sides. Braden decided he didn't want a check up. So, I got out the doctor play stuff and we played doctor for a while. Of course I wasn't a serious doctor, I was the clown version, trying to make it as happy as possible.

By the time we finished, we decided we would take it one step at a time and that they both were going to stick their arms out and say, "Bring on the shots!" if they needed to.

I could tell Avery was apprehensive when we arrived, but they busied themselves with the blocks in the waiting room. Then after a good hand washing, we headed to get weighed.

Avery: 40.4 pounds.

Braden: 41.6 pounds.

Hilarious.

We played some more in the room while Miss Jessi asked them all the questions and checked their blood pressure. They were so good to take turns. Avery went first and asked Miss Jessi lots of questions. Braden was excited to climb up and get his blood pressure taken. When Miss Jessi left the room, he pranced around and said, "Thanks for squeezing my arm!"

The doctor came in and did the whole ear, eye, throat check. When it came time to turn out the lights Braden giggled the entire time. His facial expressions made me laugh the whole time. It was fun to watch him jump up and be excited to do whatever Avery had just done. When it was his turn for the eyes, he told the doctor, "OK! Time to turn off the lights!"

That time when he finished, he knew it was the last thing Avery had done, so he headed to the door to leave. Little did he know there was more in store.

Avery was told she would need two immunizations and Braden one. She was confused why he only had to get one, but after some explaining, she was ok. We were also happy to learn that she won't need any more immunizations until she's 11. After she found out that was another entire lifetime for her, literally, she was excited.

When it was her turn for her shots, she sat up like a big girl, and asked Miss Jessi questions. When the first needle went in, she said, "That didn't hurt really bad." Then the medicine went in and she felt a little burn. She didn't like that too much, but I could tell she was trying so hard not to cry. She told me later, "Momma, I was extra brave because you were standing right there beside me. If you hadn't been there, I would have been more nervous." Those are words every momma needs to hear. For her next shot she told Miss Jessi, "That one didn't hurt at all, and no burning either!" When she found out the measles and mumps immunization was the one that hurt, she said, "Mean measles!"

I can't begin to describe her sweet face during the process. It made me want to tear up because she wanted to cry so badly, but she held it in and was so brave.

Braden was watching the whole process. He could sense that Avery wasn't liking it even though she was hiding it well. He said once, "Don't do that to my sister!" They can fight and fight, but in the end they will always stand up for each other.

It was his turn, and he got his in his leg. The nurse held his legs down and I got his hands. It went quickly, and there were a few tears, but then he was pretty proud of his little bandaid.

Then they informed Avery she would have to get a needle stick in her finger to get a little blood. Bless her heart; she thought she was finished, and that threw her for a loop. She didn't cry or whine, but she did panic a little. We tried to tell her that the worst part was over, and the other wouldn't hurt badly, but she was still so nervous while we waited at the lab. Braden told everyone we saw about his bandaid and shot.

Avery asked the lab tech tons more questions about what it would feel like, would it be worse than the shots, etc. Finally the lab tech just took her hand and showed her. Avery said, "That wasn't bad at all!" Then she looked down and saw the blood and had to close her eyes. Such a weak little stomach. She talked the whole time with her eyes closed, and was very proud to earn her sticker when it was all over. Braden was also graced with a sticker as well.

We headed to the dollar store so they could pick out whatever they wanted for being so brave, and then we topped off the morning with lunch at Chic Fil A. Braden continued to tell everyone he saw about his shot and his bandaid. Avery joined in to tell of how brave they had been.

My little troopers.