Poop and Doctors.

Patience is a virtue.

What does that even mean?...!

I know I say it several times in response to working on trying to raise these two boys and maintain my sanity while also trying to be somewhat involved in the community...  Be prepared, I have already decided to have an entire blog post dedicated to this concept of patience.  Another day.

Today we went to the doctor for Charlie's 18 month well-child check.  I intended on Wyatt staying home because I don't want to take a kid who doesn't need to be at the doctor to the doctor.  This wasn't an option today so the three of us loaded up and headed to town.  I expected a relatively simple visit - I was told no shots.  Though I thought there might be a finger prick for lead testing.

While in the dreaded toy area of the office (I'm a germaphobe.. I know this...) Wyatt asked me if there was a bathroom here.  Blast... I didn't make him go before we left home.  I told him yes, and if he could hold it for a bit, we would go while we waited for the doctor back in the room.  Not long after, it was obvious we didn't have that time to wait.

Real life interjection - I just had to go pull Charlie out of my toilet.... What is the obsession there...?  I should know better than trying to blog a little while the boys are still awake... Moving on.

We found the restroom and I picked Wyatt up so he could dangle himself into the toilet to pee.  "No, Mom! I've got to go poop!"  Sigh........ "Okay."

We returned to the dreaded toy area after we wrapped up the potty break.  Five minutes later we were still waiting and a familiar smell begin to fill the dreaded toy area.  Charlie pooped.  Two boys.  Two poops.  Naturally.  I found a spot to change Charles and we were set.

Shortly after, we were escorted to our room and met with the doctor.  This was a bit chaotic.  Both boys trying to climb onto the exam table, crinkling paper, rabbling loudly, arguing over who gets which tractor.  Charlie looks great - developmentally wonderful.  Throat looks beautiful - clear of strep throat.  Ears - red, infected.  Scoff.  Okay. 

Thinking we are nearly done, the doctor asks me if I have interest in the Hepatitis A vaccine.  He recommends it now - schools don't require it but that may be coming.  Now is the perfect time to vaccinate Charlie since we are six months before his next check-up and round of vaccines.  I asked if Wyatt had this because I didn't remember him having a shot at 18 months.  No, he hadn't, but he could be vaccinated at any time.  "Let's do it.  Both of them."

As soon as Wyatt heard he'd be having a shot - it hit the fan.  "I don't want to take a shot! I don't want to take a shot!  I don't want to take a shot!" 

:)  This was hysterical to me.  Any passerby must have thought I was forcing alcohol down my child's throat to get us through this appointment.

Boy did Wyatt get the short end of the stick.  He wasn't even supposed to come to the doctor today.  I told him they weren't going to do anything to him.  And bam.  Before we knew it, he was being held down, screaming from deep within him, with a needle stuck in his strong, worker-man leg.  He was beside himself.  The last time we got a shot (flu shot) he didn't even make a peep.  No tears.  Nothing.  He's much more aware of what's happening every day. 

Charlie made it through his shot with the same scenario.  Momma needed more arms to comfort her betrayed boys.  Wyatt walked down the hallway at the doctor's office, crying the whole way.  We grabbed our sucker "party favors" and out we went.  Smirks and giggles from far more experienced parents in the waiting room serenaded us as we walked out to this beautiful July day.

We headed out to drop off our recycling - which I AM LOVING doing, by the way!  Wyatt is so interested in it and it's really cut down on our trash and back porch clutter. 

Then we headed to the Y for Wyatt's swim lesson.  I had thought of cancelling since I wasn't sure what would happen at the doctor or how it would work out time wise but I'm glad we went.  Charlie and I went swimming also.  Wyatt has made so much progress and can swim pretty well with just his back float.  We are working on head in the water - he just is not a fan of that and his stubbornness that he comes by so honestly is very apparent as he explains to the teacher why he shouldn't have to stick his head in the water. 

Here we are - nearly six hours after our morning adventures began.  God was in my heart this morning - he kept me more patient that I normally would be with poop, shots and screaming children.  Patience is a virtue.


Additional note:
I have so many friends who have more serious struggles - medically, financially -  with their children.  Please do not read this blog and hear the complaints of a mom who really shouldn't be complaining.  I know it's easy to get caught up in the situations that aren't ideal and are somewhat challenging.  I get caught up.  I get dramatic.  I pity myself.  But I also try to find the time to check myself and realize how fortunate we are as a family.  My boys are healthy.  There isn't much that we have to go without.. I just use this blog as a way to share the times that I encounter with my boys and hope some can relate.  I know several others who could write a much more intense take on motherhood and life.  This is just mine.