Tag: vaccinations

children, family, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Immunity

WFAM

At the beginning of each school year, I take the boys for a flu vaccine.  T.Puzzle shared his concern that he wasn’t looking forward to being ‘shot’.  Turns out, he thought the doctor was going to use a gun, and apparently shoot the vaccine at him at close range.  Once I explained there were no fire arms involved, he was visibly relieved.

Full Speed lets his imaginary gun loose on T.Puzzle (upright legs in the foreground). This could be where T.Puzzle’s fear of guns began.

When it was time for the actual vaccinations, the kindly nurse determined the nasal mist was the way to go.  Full Speed took his mist like a man.  When it was little T.Puzzle’s turn, he began to crack under the pressure.  Full Speed looked at him and stated, “Look, T.Puzzle.  I just had the nasal mist and it didn’t kill me.  See?”  He then proceeds to flex his manly arms, stops short and fakes a violent, spasmodic death on the floor.  It managed to break the tension and T.Puzzle inhaled to the best of his ability (it was rather pitiful).  As we were checking out, the receptionist handed over a receipt.  Full Speed snatched it away and declared rather forcefully, “I am now going to sign this as President of the United States!”  The receptionist cracked up and this only worsened the tomfoolery.  Pretty soon T.Puzzle joins in and the reception area quickly turned into a showcase of silliness.  Naturally, another office worker pipes in, “You certainly have your hands full.  What a couple of characters!”

At press time, no word of a vaccine against maddening behavior.

children, gratitude, happiness, health, kids, life in pictures, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Shot Through the Heart

WFAM
T.Puzzle waits with a smile for the doctor.

I am already seeing the signs of the ‘four year change’ in T.Puzzle.  It happens gradually with lots of days of backsliding.  The only reason I am aware it is happening at all is because I witnessed the same change in Full Speed two years ago.

It starts with the simple things, like saying ‘yes’ when Mom or Dad ask you to do something all the way to the more complicated, like sampling a variety of Thai food without batting an eyelash or throwing remarkably less volatile tantrums.

I had to take T.Puzzle in for his four year wellness check-up.  He was ultra-compliant and happy to boot.

I was relieved that he was following direction so well.  My soul relaxed a notch as it clicked that this is exactly how it happened with Full Speed.  The ‘four year change’ is upon us.

We were having such a good time.  I didn’t want it to end.

Then, it was time for the vaccination portion of the visit.  T.Puzzle’s glee quickly turned to horrified shock and despair.

It was like leading a dimpled, giggly lamb to slaughter.

He had to get four shots.

FOUR.

As each shot stabbed into his puny thighs, his wails got louder and louder.

He was so loud, the receptionist went to the back storage room and got him six ‘Lightning McQueen’ stickers for his ‘bravery’.

Once I had him calm, collected and on our way home he said, “Mom, my legs are all better now,” and didn’t give them or his shots a second thought.

Four years old.

T.Puzzle’s best year yet.