I have found a downside to being a mommy; doctor's appointments which require shots. I know they are a necessary evil, but I cannot stand the sight of watching my poor baby boy lie there being stabbed with multiple needles. Dramatic? I think not.
When Cooper went in for his two month appointment, I knew the shots were coming. I also knew I probably wouldn't handle them very well. I seriously debated standing in the hallway of the office building so I wouldn't have to hear the piercing cries knowing I voluntarily let my child be hurt. However, after discussing my fears with a dear friend, who is also a new mommy, she helped me realize that I want to be the person there to comfort him while he's in pain. Not the person who ran out of the room crying because my own selfishness stood in the way. (For those moms who don't feel like they can stay in the room during shots, I certainly do not judge you. These were just my own rationalizing thoughts). So, at the two month appointment, I stayed in the room and cried right along with him. Today was our four month appointment. Shots again. This time, I let Cody stand near Cooper, thinking that would help my worries. The sound of my helpless baby being poked and prodded still brought tears to my eyes. However, this time, Cooper stopped crying before Cody could even pick him up. This, of course, helped heal my heart as well.
During my time in emergency medicine, I have had plenty of interaction with kids. I really try to be as least invasive as possible. Obviously, if a child, or anyone for that matter, needs emergency attention, then you put your thoughts aside and do your job. But if a kiddo doesn't really need an IV, I'm sure not going to place one for the heck of it. In the situations where a child does need some invasive treatment, or sometimes when they don't need anything but a hug and a hand to hold, there is always a frightened mommy close by. People who have little to no medical knowledge have NO idea what we're doing. For all they know, we're just sticking needles in places because we can. I always find myself educating the parents about how this is necessary or it wouldn't be done. I explain to them why we are starting IV's, the "what if's" about why it could be immediately necessary and perhaps more difficult to obtain during those instances versus a somewhat calm situation. For the most part, the parents have the child's best interest in mind and understand that you're all they have at that moment. They have no choice but to trust you. Occasionally, you get some crazy parent that is losing their mind despite the logical rationale you've presented for your treatments. Or even the parents that freak out at the thought of starting an IV on their child. "I'll NEVER be that parent," I would think. I always knew my thoughts would probably be different if I ever had a child. And....I was right. I am now "THAT" parent. Granted I probably know more than the average parent, which is often times a hinderance. I know TOO much. I already know the "what if's" and the reasons things are necessary, which scares the crap out of me. I definitely try not to be in everyone's way and talk like I'm "one-upping" the doctor, but sometimes I do have to assert my knowledge and let them know they can be "straight" with me.
I know a lot of that seems extreme for routine vaccinations, but the point is, yes. I am the mom that cries with her kid gets shots, I want to hold him tight for the rest of the day and never let go. I pre-medicate him with Tylenol and continue the doses for the rest of the day. After all, why have him be in pain if I can help him?
The rest of the day went smoothly. We ran some errands with our dear Aunt Laura. She is one of my best friends and has been with us through a lot of rough parenting and soon-to-be-parenting times. She is such an incredible joy to be around so even though we ran what could be mundane, everyday errands, we were with her, and that's all that mattered. After that, we came home and poor Cooper was exhausted. He spent the evening napping and having Tylenol. He woke up once to eat and then shortly decided it was back to bed. I cuddled him and rocked him for the longest time even though he spent most of it dozing. He's been asleep since. Cody and I have tossed around the idea of waking him him to feed him, but we're big fans of "babies will tell you when they need something." It's worked magnificently for us thus far.
After quite the busy day, I suppose it's about time to call it a night. Tomorrow is a "first day" which makes me sad, but I had the most fabulous weekend with my darling husband. He is truly a God send. Everyone have a great day and I'm going to nap in between Tylenol doses and snuggles. After all, I'm sure Cooper remembers those shots just as vividly as I do, right? :)
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