The Daily Hailey

The only thing on our schedule today was shots. I had gone into the day thinking they were around noon, since most or all of our doctors appointments are usually between 12:00 and 1:00. When I actually checked the schedule, however, it was at 3:00! So we took our time in the morning. At one point, when Solly was ready for a bottle, I asked Dekker if he would hold him while I made the bottle, and he was really happy to! When I brought the bottle over, I took a risk and asked if he wanted to feed Solly.

“No sanks.” Fine, no big deal.
“Me! I will!” called Laela from the other couch. She plunked herself in the centre of the couch and waited patiently. I grabbed a blanket to raise up Solly’s head a bit on her leg, and set her up. And she fed him his bottle completely successfully!

This is more impressive than average, because Solly had very recently drank a decent sized feeding, and this was an attempt to give him a bit of a top up. She definitely stabbed him down his throat a handful of times, but always followed it up with “Oops, take a second, try again!” and she’d take the bottle out of his mouth, drip a few good drops onto his face, and start over. It was pretty adorable.

It was right around that time that a good good friend from high school/camp/youth/years ago informed me that she was nearby and asked if she could drop by for a visit! Knowing it would be a super short visit with our appointment coming up, she drove out to spend a half hour with us. It was so unexpected, and I’m SO sad we didn’t get a longer visit in, but it was such a treat to see her. I’m of course kicking myself in the butt for not taking any pictures together! Bah! What were we thinking???

I left the house around 2:20 and we made it with a few minutes to spare before we were called in to the boys’ appointment. Rowan and Solly were both up for a couple of shots, and we brought the whole crew! I was actually super surprised at how well behaved Dekker and Laela were in the appointment. Nothing beyond a little talking out of turn 🙂 which I’m pretty sure is quite minimal.

Rowan went first. He is 34″ tall and 26 lbs. If I remember correctly, he was in the 85%. He had three shots this time around, as we were doing some topping up from previous being behind. He had two poked in one arm, and he didn’t even flinch. He did NOT appreciate the last one, but he recovered nice and quick. The original plan was for Brady to take the three out to the van afterwards, but they seemed to be in good shape, so we decided they could all stay. However, after Ro’s shots, the nurse had a few things to fill out and the big kids started to get a tad impatient, so we switched back and decided to take them out to the van. Instantly, Dekker and Laela were upset, but the promise of fruit bars in the van made it all better.

Solly was next in line for shots. He was 25″ tall, 15 lbs 5 oz, and his head was 42.5 cms around, putting him at or above the 97% for everything! She actually went back and remeasured his head, not believing that her number was accurate. Solly had two needle pokes and an oral vaccine today, and while he took the oral one VERY well, he was NOT a fan of the pokes. He cried and turned bright red. But after some good bum patting and a soother, he recovered and even showed off some of his handsome smiles.

I was last on the docket. I didn’t even know I was on it, but sure enough, I had my postpartum depression screening today, as well as a run down of basic baby care. I always laugh a little bit at that part, but I understand that its something they have to tell everyone. I passed my test, but had to laugh at it a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I do NOT think PPD is funny or something to make fun of, but some of the questions are silly.

I have felt sad or miserable
__ Yes, most of the time
__ Yes, quite often
__ Not very often
__ No, not at all

Call me crazy, but anyone who is NEVER sad is lying. I answered honestly and was still in the “safe zone.”I told her pretty straight forward that there is definitely stress in our life, and I find myself anxious often enough, but so very little of that anxiety is based around my kids. They are the “normal” part of my life. I feel very blessed to be able to say those things, and I remind myself of these things are on the hard days. We’re all doing our best.

When we got out of our appointment, I headed back to the waiting area through the many hallways, and I ran into our favorite nurse at the clinic. She is the same lady who brings us back into Dr. Guselle appointments, and shoes such a loving interest in our kids. She stopped to visit and get a good look at Solly, and as usual, was SO complimentary of our family. She said how much she loves to see us all come through there. “Your family is just so…light.” I had to laugh. I told her I’m kind of aware of us, and I feel like some people must just cringe when we come to the back all together, but she reassured me of the exact opposite. “We love to see full families come through here!” I thanked her for being so encouraging and understanding, and for not judging us. She told me how lucky our kids are to have the big group of siblings that they have, and that made me happy. Its certainly not the only way to have kids, and I don’t look down on people who stop at one child at all, but I am very happy with our decision to have multiple. And I LOVE that our whole clan is welcome at the clinic, and not looked on as a bother.

I left our appointments feeling uplifted and encouraged, which isn’t always the case after meeting with public health. I brought Solly back to my vanfull of family, and Brady and the kids had gone to Tims and picked me up an Iced Capp while we were still at the doctors. Yum! Especially yummy on a day as hot as today!

We had a nice drive home, the honey chicken I started this morning was ready to go, and Jerilee is on her way over to start watching Bachelor in Paradise. What a fun day all around! Who would have thought I’d enjoy vaccination day this much?! A relaxed morning turned into a visit in the afternoon to a VERY encouraging, fun, informative appointment, and now for a girls night 🙂 I think Brady is going to sit this season out, so he’ll potentially finish the painting up! Yay!

I hope everyone else felt some uplifting today. We all could use some!