Swine Flu

After much research, discussion and internal debate, I took my sons to get the Swine flu shot last week. Because of Joshua's 'rocky start' in the NICU, he is considered an 'at risk' child and my pediatrician felt that it was incredibly important for him to be inoculated. So, I ended up calling the local 'swine flu' hotline every day for about a month until I found a place where we could get it done.

Zachary - my five year old - does not like the doctor at all. To the point that he doesn't tell us when he is feeling sick so he doesn't have to go. As you can imagine, needles are his least favourite thing about the whole doctor experience. Anyway, I had to shamelessly bribe him to even get him in the car. He was allowed to play his DS all the way there, we could go to chick-fil-a afterward, he could have a milkshake there, he could play at the play area. I swear, I would have given him a brand new car if he just didn't make a fuss.

So, we got there and Joshua went first. My sweet baby was horrified when he get stuck and looked at me as if to say, 'why did you do this to me?' It broke my heart. But, he moved on pretty quickly. A quick cuddle and a lollipop later, he was back in good spirits.

Then, it was Zachary's turn. He was so scared, that he began hyperventilating as he sat on my lap. I whispered in his ear that I was proud of him, that he was brave, that it would be over soon...but to no avail. He shrieked like he had been burned when the nurse swabbed the area. It was all over from there. He was like a 13 year old girl at a horror show. Screaming, flailing, begging - and he hadn't even had the shot yet!!!! 4 nurses (one for each limb) later it was all over. He was sobbing in my arms. I ended up carrying him out of there, while my 21 month old followed behind. And they say he needs another shot in 21 days - I CAN'T WAIT!!!