The Daily Hailey

I think that title fits a lot of my posts these days. Sorry to anyone who is maybe getting bored with photo posts. I like them, and sometimes they tell stories better than my words can. No photos today, though.

Today we took Dekker for his one year shots. We’ve always went to the same public health office for his shots, and I have left every appointment feeling like a terrible mother, sometimes in tears. Either I’m not pushing something enough, or Dekker isn’t doing something exactly how every other baby does, or my favorite – he’s overweight, and I’m overfeeding him. I finally decided to venture further into the city to try a new facility. That was the best decision I’ve made in a long time.

The nurse we spoke to, Dawn, was friendly and encouraging. She was very happy with our answers to her questions. She suggested for us to look at Dekker’s progress in things on a weekly basis instead of daily, which is a great idea. He still struggles with solid food, and throws up like crazy once in a while because his gag reflex is so sensitive, but looking at how he eats in a week, instead of each day, helps me remember that we all have an off-day once in a while.

His details are currently following their respective growth charts flawlessly. He weighs 26 lbs 15 oz, perfect with the 97th-99th percentile. He is 31″ tall, following the 85th percentile, and his noggin is 50 cm. 99th percentile 🙂 Its good to have a big thinker.

At one year, kids get three shots instead of the two we’re all used to. These ones went into his arms instead of his thighs. I actually preferred it that way. I got to hold his whole body across mine and it was easier to contain him while he got his needles. He got the first two in one arm and the nurse gave us time to comfort him before he got his last one. The last nurse didn’t even give us an option. But Dawn let us take our time. When I sat him up, he gave her a very angry look and bawled in the other direction. She laughed and commented with “Oh no, you’re so mad at me!” When he wouldn’t settle, I asked if we should just do the last one, and she smiled and said that would be fine. She really let us run things, which I appreciated. When it was over, she gave him a toothbrush wrapped in loud plastic. He looked at her hesitantly but eventually gave in and took her peace offering. He was happy again before we even got to the car.

After the visit to public health, we hit Starbucks for the first Pumpkin Spice Lattes of the season. Couldn’t leave out that part of the story 😉

Dekker started wailing about halfway through our drive home. It was then that I discovered a molar. Our first molar. On the day he got three needles.

My son deserves a medal. Instead, I’ll give him yogurt and an early night.