Small Victories

I am slowly learning that parenting is all about the small victories. Yesterday morning we had one of those moments. LB had his 2 year well check-up and I was feeling some anxiety about it in the days leading up to his appointment. He does not have a good track record at the doctor's office. LB is a sensitive little guy and is especially sensitive to touch. The decibel level of his screaming has been painful in the past. His 15 month check-up still haunts me. I was dreading this appointment. Before we left we were up in his room playing. LB pulled out his bin that has the doll my mom got him for his first Christmas. It was a great doll to use to help teach LB his body parts. He calls the doll, "baby." We are not very creative with our doll and stuffed animal naming around here. The idea came to me to start pretending the doll was at the doctor's office. I showed LB how I was looking in the doll's ears and checking the doll's boo boos. LB is very interested in boo boos these days. Sadly, he wasn't super into this game but he did pay attention. In order to get LB out the door, I had to tell a little fib. I told him we were going to the store. He loves running errands and car rides. It wasn't a total lie because we did go to the store on the way to the doctor's office. I knew he would never get in the car with me if I told him the full truth. Judge if you must.  I suggested that we bring the baby doll with us and he agreed that was a good plan.

I have learned with LB that he does much better with things if we talk about it a little ahead of time. He doesn't like surprises. As we got closer, I disclosed that we were going to see the doctor. He got a look on his face. I told him that it woud be okay and that I would be there the whole time. I explained the doctor would check his belly, ears and eyes. I had him point to those body parts on baby. I think I often underestimate how much he understands so I decided not to hold back much information. I felt so terrible because he had a nervous look on his face the entire rest of the drive there. But looking back I do think it helped that I talked to him about it ahead of time.

LB was fine in the waiting room but the second the nurse came out and called his name he clung to me for dear life. We took the baby doll back with us and the nurse knew exactly what to do. Clearly, I was not the first parent to bring a doll to the doctor's office. She really got into it and talked to LB about his baby. Before she did anything to LB she did it to baby first. She even put the baby on the scale and took the baby's head circumference. It was pretty hysterical. And it worked! LB sat very still on the scale instead of trying to lurch towards me and he didn't squirm and scream when she took his head circumference. When she left and we were waiting for the doctor LB kept asking to go home. I think he thought the nurse's quick exam was it. I pulled out my phone and he sat on my lap and watched Elmo while we waited for the doctor. I think that helped too. His doctor came in and she also really spent some quality time with baby. For the first time ever, LB was totally quiet and still while she listened to his heart. She even commented that it was the first time she got to really listen to his heart. LB was still not a fan of the ear exam but he didn't scream. Sweet Victory!! He was, of course, very eager to put his clothes back on and get the heck out of there. The second he picked up on the fact that the doctor was wrapping up he repeatedly told her, "bye bye." As we left, I kept telling him how proud I was and that he was so strong and brave. I think from the look on his face that he was proud too. Baby will be coming with us to all future doctor appointments. I know a lot of parents do it but the idea really didn't come to me until that morning. Thank goodness it did. Afterwards, we celebrated his bravery and went to Starbucks and shared some pumpkin bread. As my friend, Paige, wisely said, "it's the little victories that seem like huge mountains."