Annual Flu Shot

Thursday the boys had their annual check-ups. While we were there Braden kept asking if they were going to get any shots. I told him that I was not sure. In the middle of their appointments, I remembered about their flu shots and asked the doctor if they could get this vaccination. He said, "sure." And, since he was a G.P. I asked if I could get mine too, "No problem."

Here is our story . . .

As we were waiting for the nurse:
Braden said, "I'm NOT getting a shot!"
Mommy, "I'm sorry honey, but you are."
Braden, "No I'm not and you can't make me."
Mommy, "Oh, really?"
Braden, "Nope, I am not going to do it."
Mommy, "My job as a parent is to keep you safe, healthy and protected. Therefore, it is time for you to get this shot."
Braden, "I'm not going to do it."
Kelan, "I don't want a shot, Mommy."
Mommy, "I know. I am going to get one too; we can do it together."
Kelan, reluctantly, "Okay."
Braden, "I'M not going to get one.

The nurse returned with 3 long needles in hand.
Mommy, "Who is going first."
Braden, "I'm not going at all, Kelan can go."
Mommy, with a smile, " I will go first."
Kelan, "Mommy, are you going to cry?"
Mommy, "I think I will be okay."

As I sat on the exam table, Braden and Kelan were each sitting in a chair up against the wall, knees curled to chest, hands over eyes. Kelan was actually peeking through his little fingers, but Braden, every drop of light was blocked from his eyes.

The nurse pulled out her first needle . . .
Braden and Kelan together, "Mommy, don't do it! Mommy, don't do it! Don't do it Mommy!"
Mommy got her shot.
Hands came down.

Mommy, "Okay, who wants to go next?"
Braden, "Not, me, take MACKENZIE!" (emphasis mine)
Kelan, "Yeah, take Mackenzie, Mommy."

I could not believe that these two boys were offering up their sweet baby little sister!

Mommy, "Mackenzie has already had her flu shot. Kelan, let's go, show your brother how it is done."
Kelan, "No, Mommy."
But, he went anyway. As we got his pants down, Braden's knees went back to his chest, and hands back to his eyes.

Kelan cried, but with no tears and finally after the shot was finished got down.
Kelan, "That wasn't so bad. Let's do that together again, Mom."
Realizing it was HIS turn, Braden gave a full out fit. We had to hold him down as he was trying to kick the nurse and me.
Braden, "NO! NO! NO! NO!"
Kelan, WITH TEARS, "No Mommy, don't hurt him. No, Mommy, don't hurt him . . . STOP! STOP! STOP!"

After the shot Braden got off the table. As we all leave the exam room with tears, with exception to Kenzie's big smiles, the doctor, who had been listening with the rest of the office, pats me on the back .

On the way to McDonald's a "special" treat for their ordeal,
Mommy, "See, that was not so bad was it?"
Braden, "Not for you!" And continued to gaze out the window in agony.

Within minutes of being home everyone has "recovered", eats, plays and goes down for a nap with ease. Shannon comes home and I retell our day's adventure to him so that he is briefed.

After his nap, Braden comes down stairs to see Dad.
Shannon, "How was your doctor's appointment?"

"It was wonderful, Dad; we just got shots, no big deal."

My, Oh My!