Short Stories

B did incredibly well at his 2-year well-child visit today, especially considering it was in a pediatrician's office he had never been to. I went to this appointment feeling a little bit skeptical due to our previous experiences with pediatricians in general but also because of a couple things in the "planning" stages of this appointment. I even had a "back-up" pediatrician lined up just in case today went terribly. Overall, I came away from the appointment feeling pretty optimistic.

The waiting room wasn't crowded in the least bit, and although the doctor we were scheduled to see had called in sick, they were great about rescheduling us with another doctor on staff. We didn't even have to wait. The atmosphere was very laid back, all the receptionists were genuinely friendly (as opposed to fake-friendly, if you know what I mean), and I appreciated that the toys that they had available were educational and non-plastic. I usually bring toys and snacks to keep B occupied so he won't play with toys in public places (you just never know how frequently they're cleaning those, especially in a place where sick kids abound), but it was a nice feature.

I don't know about all the exam rooms, but we were taken to one that was decorated beautifully with an airplane theme. Colorful model airplanes hanging from the ceiling and there were pictures of clouds and airplanes on the walls. Even the clock in the room was embedded in the middle of a wooden "propeller." B really likes airplanes, so it was a great room for him!

My little boy is growing up! I had the realization today that this was a well-CHILD visit, and not a well-baby visit. The nurse gave him the choice between sitting on the countertop scale or standing on the regular floor scale. B took one look at the counter-top scale and hopped on the floor one. So he wouldn't wiggle around, I prompted him to put his hands on his belly button. I wish the moment had lasted longer, because he looked so adorable standing there in his bright orange cloth diaper and socks with his little hands folded over his belly.

As we waited for the nurse to return with his vaccination, we heard a couple other kids begin crying in other rooms. I was concerned that this would cause some anxiety for B, given that he has always been very compassionate towards other people. He looked up at me for assurance, so I said in a conversational tone, "Do you hear someone crying?" He nodded and said, "Babies sad," and went back to eating his crackers and making faces at himself in the mirror.

The most memorable moment, however, came when it was time for B to get his shot. He has always done very well with his shots. He sits in my lap, holds a toy, and watches the nurse get the needle ready.  I don't make him turn away, because I have always been a needle-watcher, too. I don't like to be surprised! In the past, he has maybe let out a cry, but the novelty of a new band-aid is a great distraction.

Today, however, once he felt the poke of the needle, he yelled, "Owie, PEOPLE!"

The nurse and I both cracked up. He recovered immediately, pointing to his new Scooby Doo band-aid: "Doggie band-aid ni-i-ice."

In other news, we have all been down with some kind of evil cold virus in the past couple weeks. It began with N coming home sick from work two weeks ago and ended with me being bed-ridden for the entire past weekend.

It's just awful when the mama is sick.

Thankfully, my husband is incredibly hands-on with B and definitely a co-parent. He kept B busy all weekend, taking him out to breakfast, going to the park and playground, getting him ready for church all by himself (after which he said that it had taken him forever to do so and he really appreciated how much I accomplish), making sure B was fed, clothed, bathed, and rested.

Here are some random pictures and stories from our doings during the past couple weeks.

1. Have you ever put bread dough in the oven with a pot of boiling water to help it rise? I'm not sure that it really helped this batch of dough, but the end result was three scrumptious loaves of French bread.

2. I actually got to enjoy a bubble bath two weeks ago while B napped! It was so nice to soak in hot, hot, hot water with my coffee and book!

3. Okay. Melissa & Doug puzzles are great. They're colorful and well-made. I have gotten quite a few of them from consignment stores for B, starting with basic shapes and farm animals to the letters of the alphabet. I have loved every single one ... until now.

We got this sound puzzle as a hand-me-down from some friends (LOVE hand-me-downs!), and at first, we all thought it was the "bee's knees."

Okay, tangential story here: Ever since N heard the term "bee's knees" on "Downton Abbey," he's been saying it on a regular basis. So now it's in my vernacular, and I really did just think "bee's knees" as I was writing that. I thought I should tell you all that just in case you thought I was being pretentious.

Anyway, back to the puzzle. Each time you fit a picture piece correctly into a slot, the board makes the corresponding noise. The trouble is, there is no way to turn it off! Because the slots are light-sensitive, the different sounds will go off randomly throughout the day. None of B's other noise-producing toys have bothered me so far, but this one!

I tried burying it in a box of curtains in the garage, but of course, B wanted it back eventually. True story.

I'm just waiting for the day when the battery inside that board dies.

4. B received the Jesus Storybook Bible about a year ago from some great friends of ours. This is, by far, the best Bible for young children that we have ever seen. The illustrations are vibrantly colorful, the language is child-friendly without compromising detail, and each biblical story from beginning to end points right to Jesus.

B and I have our special Bible-reading time on the couch after breakfast. A few days ago, the story was about Abraham and Isaac. I read about Abraham leading Issac up the mountain and laying him on the altar, turned the page, and...

 

"Isaac changing dipe-dipe!" my toddler shouted excitedly. 

Frame of reference, people, frame of reference. 

These are the moments when you wish there was another adult present to laugh with you, because your kid has no idea why his mom is laughing her head off at what he said. After all, why else would a kid be lying on a table (of sorts)? 

5. I had another story, but 5 seems like a much nicer number to end on than six, and I wanted to remind you: Don't forget about my bunny GIVEAWAY! You have just under two weeks to enter! The more friends you send my way, the more chances you have at winning!

The other story will have to wait for another day.