Kindergarten shots

June 11, 2012
Every kid entering kindergarten (even those who are already in kindergarten as Pearl points out to everyone who asks) eventually hears the rumors from the older kids.

You have to get shots.

Now Pearl has been blessed with a pretty robust immune system. Which is a blessing for all of us because she is an absolute whimp when it comes to going to the doctor, getting shots, or having to take any form of medicine.

But even Pearl knew what was coming. She's been prepping herself for months about her kindergarten check up. Telling me she'd be brave and not cry when it was time to get her shots. I had to remind her on several occasions when she had near panic attacks about it that those shots are what helps her stay so healthy so she doesn't have to go to the doctor.

All morning she kept asking me if it was time to go yet. She was really looking forward to her visit with Dr. Doug. She passed all her balance tests (to check for brain tumors I think), has eagle eyes (unlike her parents) and sees as well as second graders, and as our pediatrician warned me is smart enough that we should be very concerned she'll be bored in school. She even counted to 10 for Dr. Doug in Spanish and then did a trick "1, 2, skip a few, 99, 100" just for giggles. Even Fern passed with flying colors, as he refused to be outdone by his sister and climbed right up on the doctor's lap for a check up himself. I joked that if Dr. Doug looked in his ears, he'd probably have an ear infection. Luckily, it was just a summer cold.

Sadly, as soon as Dr. Doug said "three shots" Pearl panicked. She started whimpering and asked me if I would hold her hand. Too bad for her she ended up in a bear hug with the nurse jabbing three needles in her legs. It was traumatizing for her and she's been asking when she has to get shots again ever since. It is kind of sad. But I'm grateful for two healthy children.