Crying Contest

Today I took Jayson & James to the pediatrician. Jayson had his 2 month check up. He's 12 lbs. 10 oz. & 22 inches long. He was due to have 3 injections & 1 oral vaccine - poor baby.

James had his 9 year well child check. I didn't think he needed any shots, so I was accused of lying when the nurse asked to finger prick him. She was checking his iron levels. James also got to have an eye & ear screening. He thought it was weird when he was asked to pee in a cup. But when he overheard the doctor and I talking about a booster to the chicken pox vaccine, he lost it. He kept whining that he'd rather get chicken pox than get a shot. He got all worked up and the water works started.

I can empathize with James. I don't have a great history with getting shots myself. One of my earliest childhood memories was before I started kindergarten. I had the sense that something was up, but my mom wouldn't tell me where we were going. When we arrived at my doctor's office, I figured out that I was getting shots. My mom had to drag me by the arm. I was screaming and resisting with all my strength. I hate doctor's office enough, but I especially hate needles. After my shots, I got to go to the pharmacy and buy Nibs licorice candies.

Well, as we waiting for the nurse to come back to administer the injections, James was crying. Then Jayson realized that he wanted to nurse more, so he started crying. I said we should have a contest. Turns out that James cried longer, but Jayson screamed louder. James cried in anticipation and emotional drama. Jayson cried when he was poked and then quickly calmed down to drink his milk.