I took my darling girl to get her kindergarten shots today. I can't even believe it! I feel like I JUST BARELY did that with Jack. Big milestones like these are hard for me!
Last year at her four year old check up she had to get some immunizations. After she was done the nurse excitedly said, "All right, now you don't have to get any more shots until you are five!" Jayci, who had just started to calm down from the shots she'd received, got upset all over again saying, "I don't want shots when I'm five! I don't want ANY more shots! Why do I have to get more when I'm five?" All year long, when we've talked about kindergarten, or her fifth birthday, she'd bring up that she didn't want more shots, or that she was scared about getting more shots. Way to go nurse!
As this appointment approached I did my best to prepare Jayci. We talked about what the shots were for and why she needed them before entering public school. She came with me when Moe had to get his shots, and helped get him in and out of his kennel, feeling very important that she was able to pet and sooth him. After Xander's appointments we'd talk about him getting shots and Jack talked about his kindergarten-shots experience. Yesterday I told her that tomorrow would be the day. We read the preparation letter that was sent by the doctor's office that explains all that will happen, and I was pleasantly surprised that she didn't seem very nervous.
This morning we slept a little later than usual and needed to drop Jack and Xander off at auntie Kayli's by 8:30 so we were rushing so much that there wasn't time to think much or be nervous. In the hustle I forgot that she needed to bring in a urine sample (she giggled when I told her that she'd have to pee in a cup!). I remembered after the kids were all in their buckles and wasn't about to get them out. I also remembered my last experience trying to get Jayci to pee in a cup at the doctor's, (We tried, waited, tried again, waited, drank and drank, tried again, drank more, waited, tried again....you get the picture. When she finally went she missed the cup and peed all over my arm) so I ran back in the house and grabbed a BIG ziplock bag, a much easier target than a tiny cup.
After dropping off the boys she and I talked in the car. She actually seemed more excited than nervous. I think she was just looking forward to this milestone. It's something that kids seem to brag about after they've done it. She's heard about it from Jack and even some of her friends. It seems to be a rite of passage that kids like to compare.
In the parking lot we said a little prayer in the car and then my cute little blondie bounced in. While we waited for our appointment she tried to pee in the provided urine-sample cup (I left the dang ziplock bag in the car!) and wasn't able to (of course). She was called back and was SO CUTE as she went through the list of things that needed done. Eyes, ears, finger-poke, try to pee in the cup again without success, heart, juice box to assist in the needed urine sample, talk Doctor Spencer's ear off, then came the shots. She hopped up on the table by herself and the nurse told her to hold me and count to ten with us. I don't think she realized what was about to happen because when she started to count her her voice was it's cute, high, chipper self. Somewhat singsong, "One, two, three" (poke), whimpers, "four, five" (poke).....no more counting because she's crying.
The tears didn't last long thanks to an intriguing prize bag, another juice box, and of course the traditional dum-dum on the way out the door. Kindergarten, here comes Jayci! (She's so darn cute I can hardly stand it!)
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