Doctor Doctor

Gianna and I went to the pediatrician's office bright and early Tuesday morning. We try to go early because our first visit we went in the afternoon and had to wait over an HOUR in the waiting room and then 45 minutes before the doctor came to see us! So now we go when it is less crowded and only have to wait 5 minuets in the waiting room and 45 min to see the doctor.
So this was the 2 month check up 2 weeks late. This visit I got to ask all kinds of questions. Like what kind of thermometer to use, does she have eczema, when will she catch up developmentally, how much medicine to give her? Fun stuff like that. I didn't ask, but wanted to, is her belly button an innie or an outie, why does she still have hair on her shoulders. You know the really important things that a mother wants to know. You know Jesus' mom had the same kinds of questions. Especially since he was the Child of God. Would he get colds and a fever too? Would his cuts heal instantly?

But one thing Mary did not have to question is the whole shot issue. Is there a shot issue you ask? Yes and no. For me, No. But plenty of Mom's I know don't give their child shots. Side effects and issues like that. I did question for a while the importance of the shots- especially since I'm a special ed teacher that teaches children with Autism. Is there a link to shots and Autism? Some would say yes, but you better believe that I did my homework and found out for my self. Gianna's doctor and I had a long discussion about shots and the links to Autism etc... We agreed that there is a correlation not a causality. He said (and I heard it before from my own research) is that the additive in question - thermisol- has been removed for about ten year in shots. So one could argue that thermisol was a protective barrier against Autism since the number of children identified with autism has gone up to an incidence of 1 in 150 children in the past few years. So it was nice to hear that just because there is a link does not mean there is causality. I personally decided to that I can live with my child having Autism. I know how to deal with that, but I would forever be blaming myself if my child got one of the preventable diseases that the shots protect you against.

So poor Baby G got one oral vaccine and 4 shots! Thats right, 4 shots in her little thighs. The first two can fast and quick. The nurse had me hold her hands and she turned PURPLE and her mouth was bigger than I'd ever seen it before. Then he switched to the next leg and she caught her breath and WAILED as he gave her the next two shots. I cried too. I chose this for my daughter. I chose for her to have pain. Wow that's a tough one. I can't wait for discipline to start. I now know what my dad always said before he spanked me- "This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you"- is true. (It took almost 30 years to believe him!!!!) I hope she always knows that I do love her and sometimes it's going to hurt to know the love.

She is doing well on her weight. She is in the 35% without adjusting for her age. Doctor said that the first thing to catch up is her growth so we are excited. She weights 9 lbs and 1 oz. She is 22 inches long and her head is 38 1/2 cm.

And here she is after a long hard day enjoying bath time with dad.