The end of another era

On Monday I had to take Liam to the doctor’s office for his 18 month checkup, which is really just a kinder, gentler way of saying it was time for more shots. I remember my doctor telling me when Liam was a newborn that, by the time he hit 18 months, he would recognize her office as we pulled into the driveway – and not in a good way. He was actually fine pulling in, and fine entering the office. They have a kids’ corner with an assortment of cars and trucks and tractors, as well as a kiddie kitchen setup, which Liam likes playing with equally as much (Cindy has one as well); he loves dishing up a plate of plastic spaghetti and meatballs, and putting things into the oven. We were stuck waiting in the office for an hour and a half prior to our appointment, so thank goodness for the toys. (It’s great to have a family doctor who also delivers babies when it’s your baby she’s delivering; not so great when she’s been called over to the hospital to deliver someone else right when you had an office visit scheduled with her.) Liam was also fine in the play area, but once we finally got into an examination room, his suspicions were peaked as lights were shone in his eyes and ears and he got the old tongue-depressor-in-the-mouth routine (wood on your tongue – ick!) By the time we went back out to see the nurse and I was given the job of pinning him down, he knew exactly what he was in for. He was a little trooper though, didn’t cry at all with the first shot and only hollered during the second (one of those burning ones again) for as long as the needle was under his skin. The good news in all of this is that Liam’s vaccinations are now officially done until he starts school – no more marching him into the office every 3 months for more pokes. At least, that is how I was thinking of it, until the kindly nurse reminded me that in a few short months I’d be starting the process all over again with #2. Thank you, Ms. Glass Half Empty.