While we were there, I decided to get them their swine flu vaccines and seasonal flu booster shots. Normally this would be something I scheduled for a time my wife could be there to lend a hand, but when the doctor made the offer of not having to go to the practice's clinic, I lost my head and went for it. What can I say, I'm a risk taker.
We started with Annie, who saw the syringes and declared that she didn't want any "pinches." But our nurse, Faith, calmed her down with promises of stickers. Annie took a shot in each arm, head held high, cried for a few seconds, and them immediately got down from her chair wondering where the promised stickers were. She was a champ.
The light didn't dawn in Tilda's eyes until she felt the alcohol swabs on her chubby little shoulders. And, now that she has discovered that insidious idea of free will, she was prepared to exercise it. Faith had to wipe her arms down more than once because Tilda kept wriggling loose. Subconsciously I must have been trying to let her escape. When I finally got it through my head that I was the problem, I held her tightly and allowed the inevitable to happen. Then the water works started. Tilda has been very emotional lately. Yet even that little emotional sixteen month-old was soothed by goldfish (the multicolored ones of course) and a smiley face sticker.
I have to give most of the credit for how easily the whole appointment went down to Faith, who now has a friend for life in Annie, even though Annie pronounces her name "Fake." We couldn't leave the office without Annie getting in a few hugs and goodbyes. I'll never let another person give my kids their shots. Thank you, Faith.
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