Eva's 18 month doctor visit...

Today Eva had her 18 month appointment, and I had to take her alone... I hate going for shot visits w/out Matt. Oh and it was AWFUL - I think I was more traumatized than Eva was... let's start from the point we got there - she had to know where we were b/c first thing after checking in, she took a huge drink of rice milk and then opened her mouth covering me in it! Seriously, I think she knew and blamed me! After being called back they weighed her, measured her [weight = 24 lbs. 5.5 oz., height = 32 inches, head = 48 cm] all in all she's 50% in range on her height (so she's improving - maybe she is mine after all!), and 50% for weight, but she takes after Grace on her head size, 90% - whew! I knew she had chubby cheeks but 90%, I would have never guessed it:-)

Dr. Paula gave her a new book, Eva loved it. The book and pictures of people in it, and she loves seeing other people's faces. Dr. Paula was impressed b/c Eva sat in a chair by herself (nearly naked) reading her book while Dr. Paula and I talked. I had to bring up the issue of Eva's reoccurring biting (wish I didn't have a reason, but...), Dr. Paula said unfortunately its normal for a second child to bite. Until Eva develops better verbal skills and can communicate what she wants, she may resort to biting. Dr. Paula suggested (1st off -- do not bite her, yeah! I hate it when people tell me that.) she suggested taking her own hand and placing it in her mouth, and apply "some" pressure. Not enough to hurt her, but enough that she is uncomfortable and realizes what is happening, following up with "No biting. Biting hurts. No biting." Eventually, she will either obtain verbal skills to express herself and drop this nasty habit, or stop biting b/c she knows when she does her hand will hurt:-)

After this portion of the visit was over we moved on to the part I HATE - shots. Makes me sick thinking about getting one for myself, and its even worse thinking about my girls getting one. Ewww.... at Grace's last visit they suggested the flu shot, but not wanting to subject her to more pain I asked for the flu mist, which she got. Eva's not old enough (you have to be 2 years of age, and by the time she turns 2 she'd miss the flu window) so Dr. P convinced me that we should do it, tons of babies/kids die from the flu every year. I so almost didn't do it - nearly turned back and said we didn't want it at the last minute but the part of me that was scared of what might happened did it anyway.

So she gets two vaccinations in one leg and the flu shot in the other - three shots in total. I had to hold her hands, it is so not right that they make the parents be part of this violation. I gritted my teeth so hard during the ordeal that my jaw ached later that evening. Eva screamed and cried, I cried along w/ her. Then for the rest of the evening she would touch her legs and say, "ouch... boo-boo, boo-boo". I seriously think she remembered the event much longer than Grace ever did.