those darn shots!

I took Madeline to the doctor this morning (which she absolutely hates, until she gets her lollipop on the way out) for her two year old check-up. She was measured at 33 1/2 inches tall and 25 3/4 lbs. She is in perfect health all the way around, which is always nice to hear. And the doctor is very pleased with her verbal and other developmental skills. The worst part was having to hold her tight while she got a shot. Plus they sent us down the hall to the lab to get her blood drawn, which was a nightmare because they couldn't find her vein! I felt so terrible, almost crying myself, as she screamed and cried in my arms and all I could do was empathize with her pain, letting her know that I knew it hurt and it was almost finished. On the way home, she was calmly licking both of her lollipops (one for each battle wound) and said, "Shot hurt...Mommy lovies." She was recalling the experience to me with such simple words, but they meant the world to me, knowing that even though she experienced great pain she also acknowledged that I was there comforting her. I hate those darn shots, but at least Maddie doesn't hate me for helping the nurse give them to her.