Even though there are a lot of things about being a Mom to NikkiZ that make me feel like a new mom all over again (How many teeth do they get again? When will she start talking?), I am still a jaded veteran Mom at heart. Today is NikkiZ’s 15-month checkup and not only have I not gone through any, “OHMIGODSHESSOBIG” panic attacks like I did with her brother, I also am not even phased about her getting shots. It’s hard to watch her cry, of course. And the older she gets the more likely she blames me for not stopping it – but it still doesn’t phase me. I guess I have just learned that in the big picture? It doesn’t matter. She’ll still give me hugs at night and laugh when I tickle her. The vaccinations (which ones are they again?) aren’t going to force her into therapy or cause her to have relationship issues as an adult. Since I’ve made it through 12 years without permanently scarring LilZ, I’m fairly confident we’ll make it through the checkup without any lasting wounds.
Now – when her Mom does the electric slide at her first Junior High dance? THAT will be something that will leave a mark.
Zoot, I’ve gone through the same with my two. Mine are 9-1/2 years apart; 6 & most 16 now. So while I wasn’t the spastic mother the second time around like I was with the first, there are so many things I felt I should have remembered that I didn’t.
re: shots — Thank you for admitting the shots don’t bother you so much. They don’t bother me, either but I always felt like a such a meanie saying that. I’ve never understood why moms get so upset over them. Yes, I hate to see my son cry, but he HAS to have his shots. Not only for him, but for public health overall.
re: forgetting – OH MY GOD, it doesn’t matter WHAT the age span is!!!!! My kids will be just over 20 months apart and I am ALREADY realizing how much I am forgetting as I prepare for Kid #2 coming this July. In fact, I am trying to update my son’s baby book NOW so I have something to reference!
I’m no mom, but maybe this story will help you feel better.
I was a kid who HATED getting shots. I hated it so much that one time when I was about 4 or 5, my mom was holding me on her lap while the nurse was preparing the shot and I jumped up and ran out of the doctor’s office so fast, it took them a second to realize what happened. They chased me down in the parking lot and my mom AND dad AND doctor had to hold me down while I kicked and screamed as the nurse gave me the shot.
Yes, I still remember that to this day. And yes, I still love my parents to pieces. (And think my pediatrician and her nurse were pretty cool too.)
how bad is it that I have “Second child syndrome” with my first (and if all goes as planned, my only)? Shots dont’ bother me, in fact, I kind of laugh when the girl! does the silent red face cry, because it is so pathetic, it is cute. She jsut got round three of shots yesterday in fact, and when I was kind of laughing after it was all over the PA looked at me and said “are you OK? I knwo it’s rough on moms.” i looked up and said “Oh, yeah I’m fine, just laughing at her.” the PA didn’t really know what to make of that.
I do have the “OHMYGOD, just stop growing for like A DAY” panic attacks though…I’m really gonna miss my wee little baby, but I do really look forward to having a KID to play with. But really – couldn’t they remain babies for just like an extra month or something?
so it does get easier! i’m still working my through the first year of number one and shots seriously feel like the worst thing ever! i feel like i’m handing her over to be tortured every time we go to the doctor. but it does get easier? too bad it takes a number 2 to get past it.