N had his five-year doctor's appointment this morning for his yearly checkup.  And shots.  I had forewarned him all week long about the shots and how he was going to just have to be brave and take the shots.  "All five-year-olds do it," I argued.  He was less than agreeable to the whole situation but seemed like he'd be okay with it when the time came.  Wishful thinking.

We arrived at doctor Tyson's office and N & W were happy about the lollipop possibilities.  We waited only about five minutes before the nurse called N's name and we headed back to the exam room.  We went through all the developmental checks with her.  He names at least five colors – check.  He can hop and skip – check.  He recognizes letters – check.  And on, and on, and on.  The one thing that did actually surprise me was that she was going over a number safety concerns like asking if he wears a bike helmet, when she asked if we'd had a fire drill at home.  Truthfully, we haven't had a full-on fire drill but have discussed with N what to do and where to exit in case of a fire.  I think he'll enjoy doing the fire drill though so I'll have to pencil that in to our busy schedule soon.

The nurse finished up doing his height and weight measurements and then came the fun part.  N got a kick out of the fact that he got to pee in a cup!  His reaction was, "ewww – why am I peeing in a cup?  That's disgusting!".  I had to explain to him that this wasn't just any old regular cup.  It was a special pee cup so that made it okay.  N also ended up doing a vision test there at the doctor's office where it was determined his eyes combined are 20/30. 

After this whole ordeal was over, we headed back to the exam room where N dressed into his patient gown awaiting the doctor.  We ended up reading a Bearnstein Bears book while waiting for her to arrive.  Once she got there, she gave him the full once-over and talked to us for a while.  N did actually have a question for her – "why do you have to get shots every time you turn a different year?"  She replied with the simple reason that the shots help keep you from getting sick from other kids.  N was satisfied with that answer so I was pleased. 

Then came the fun part.

The nurse came back in with lollipops for the boys and a tray full of shots.  Greeeaaat.  N & W began unwrapping their suckers as the nurse prepped her supplies.  N was asked to lie down with this legs hanging over the exam table, his thighs totally exposed.  This is where he got grouchy.  He just kept shouting out, "no! no! NO! NO!" all while trying to unwrap the Tootsie pop.  I finally unwrapped it for him but he was no longer interested in it.  By this time he was lying down and I was restraining his arms.  The nurse began to prep his skin by cleaning it quickly then said, "1-2-3" and administered the first of four shots.  N wailed between each stick no matter how much I applauded him and told him he was brave.  He just kept screaming!  At the end of the ordeal he shouted out while crying, "I NEVER want to have shots ever AGAIN!" at the nurse, to which she replied, "you don't have to have any more shots till you're twelve!".  (I'm still not sure if it was a good idea to tell him when to expect shots again!)

The nurse left the room and I was there with the boys; one having a complete breakdown and one who was simply content enjoying his Tootsie pop.  I just hugged and kissed N telling him how brave he was and that it was over and that he was fine and that I loved him.  You know, all the things a child wants and needs to hear.

Eventually we left and N stopped crying.  Since he'd been through a lot already and it was clear we weren't going to get home in time to make lunch before going to school, I let N pick where he wanted to eat lunch.  He picked the McDonald's over by his school with the outdoor play area and I wasn't going to argue.  It had been a long day already and it was only 11:05 a.m.

N right after shots with the sucker in his mouth.  One of the band-aids is barely peeking out of the right leg of his shorts.