Julia's well visit.

We had Julia's 4 year well visit today. I admit to being nervous, as this one included 4 shots. Shots are funny with older kids, with babies they are heartbreaking and tear inducing because these sweet innocent things have no idea what is happening to them....but with older kids there is an element of preparation (therefore, fear) that goes along with it. We talked about it in advance, how the Dr would ask her questions, how she would be in her underwear but that it was okay for the Dr to look at her private parts, how she was going to get some shots. I had all three kids with me, which always makes things extra interesting, of course. The visit went well, she passed her eye test perfectly, did the colorblind thing fine, answered the Dr's questions about things like letters and numbers, then dutifully laid down for her shots. I asked her if she wanted me to hold her hand like I did when she got her ears pierced. She said, "sure, Mom" as though she was reasurring me, not the reverse. The Dr recommended that I hold both hands, as most kids tried to kick/and or grab at the shots. Not my Jules. She giggles through the first one, took the next two in stride, and the fourth one made her said "ouch" as the Dr was warning me that that one would burn going in. Not a tear. I was so proud of her. I have gone from a super anti vax fear monger to a grateful, informed vaccinator who feels that I am both protecting my children, and society in general by vaccinating my children. We still wait on some, and space a few out, but in general we follow the schedule that our Dr's recommend. We love and trust our Dr's. At 37 lbs and 40.5 inches, Julia continued to follow her growth curve and is 90% for height and weight.

It's been a good week at chez Mangan. The kids have been easy, Nate has been away, but we have our rhythm down and mix things up with quiet nights and busy nights with friends. School and the gym are our constants, and we love our routine.

Jake got his first haircut today ~ it was on a whim, Luke was looking shaggy and we had some time to kill between Julias appointment and going out to dinner with Nate. Luke went short in Spring mode, and as the barber had a second, I threw Jake up into the chair for some mullet clean up (can't stand baby mullet). He sat, totally transfixed, staring at himself in the mirror, then started giggling as the barber used the clippers. The barber (our friend, Craig, who we love and we take the boys to every time) was giggling himself, which is funny in a 200 lb bald man with tattoos, saying that he has never seen a baby sit so still for a haircut. It was adorable. We had a great dinner out at Firecreek, and put every one to bed happy and healthy.

I had a good gratitude check today, and am working on improving my general attitude. Our schedule with Nate's travel and school is rather exhausting, but I'm really working hard to try to accept rather than rail against it internally. It isn't easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy. I know that we will all come out of this better ~ literally each one of us ~ and when we have a plethora of family time again we will revel in it. Until then, we will savor the moments that we have. A busy weekend ahead and then a few days of respite at the beach with friends.....then Easter insanity. This weekend includes two egg hunts, so that should be fun. We haven't mentioned the Easter Bunny once, I think that we are officially an anti easter bunny family. That thing still freaks me out. There are worse crimes, right?