Charlotte was always a hysterical mess when we went to the pediatrician…all we had to do was turn down 70th street, and she would lapse into a full-blown fit, complete with sobbing, thrashing and screaming. That would continue in the waiting room, for the duration of the appointment, and until we were out of the office for about 10 minutes or so. Or, any time she heard or saw a person of Indian descent for that matter, haha. It was quite stressful for me…I used to break out into a sweat every time, and attempt to rope my mother in to joining us for some moral support :)
I always told Jon about this behavior, but I am sure he thought I was exaggerating…surely a baby couldn’t be so hysterical that a pediatrician couldn’t get an accurate weight or height from 4 months-18 months (true story)?!
Last year, the day after I had Henry, Charlotte had to go to the pediatrician because she had the coxsackie virus…because I was still in the hospital (having just delivered 11 hours before!), Jon had to take her. I warned him…told him how he should handle her, that she would be screaming and thrashing, etc.…and she made a liar out of me! She was so good, didn’t cry, let the doctor look in her mouth and everything…granted, she was so incredibly sick that I don’t think she had the energy to fight and scream. But needless to say, I’m guessing this shed some doubt on my story about her typical antics :)
Yesterday, Jon came to the pediatrician’s office with me for the first time since that day, and I have to say--the kids were both on their best behavior for daddy (given the fact that they both had to get shots, of course!). Charlotte has gotten much better as she has gotten older, especially because Henry is usually the one who has to be examined (she is more than willing to throw him to the wolves!). And Henry, unlike his big sister, has always been an angel at the doctor’s…he wouldn’t fuss, would only cry very briefly when he got needles, etc.
Jon had the unpleasant task of holding Charlotte while she got her shots…as soon as the doctor said something about her getting them, she started crying saying she “didn’t want to”, and was quite hysterical during and after, until I gave her a lollipop (I believe in lots of bribery at the doctor’s office!). A far cry from her old tantrums, but I think he caught a glimpse of what type of hysteria she is capable of. And even Henry got in on the action…he didn’t cry during his needle, but he was hysterical immediately afterwards, and then when the doctor finished the rest of the exam. I very rarely see Henry cry real tears, but he was crying and screaming…his poor face was all red.
So…while we did witness our fair share of hysteria yesterday, I think it was all pretty typical for young kids at the pediatrician’s office. And nothing like Charlotte’s tantrums of yesteryear :) That doesn’t make it any easier on any of us, though (not least of all mom and dad, haha)! Let’s just say I am very relieved that Henry’s next exam isn’t for another 3 months. And now that Charlotte is finished with her shots, she is good to go until we have to get our flu shots…phew :)
Oh, and at 1 year old, our baby boy is 19lbs, 6oz and 29”…the doctor said he is in the 5-10th percentile for weight (skinny minny) and 25th percentile for height, so maybe he is taking after his big sister?! We’ll see.
Okay, I am off to enjoy the evening! :)
Xoxoxoxo
0 comments:
Post a Comment