Long Day...VERY Long Post

Today was a rough day.

Elizabeth had her 4 year check-up today, which shouldn't have been a big deal. However, lately she has been getting herself very worked-up about every little thing--hence throwing up whenever she tastes her antibiotic. She knew she was going to get shots today (she asked and I had to tell her the truth), and she started crying and carrying on the moment we walked into the exam room. I got her to calm down, and we had a GREAT visit with the doctor. But when the doctor left, she knew it was time to get shots and she wound up again. She started crying and SCREAMING like I have NEVER heard her scream before. (This is the girl who didn't even cry for shots as an infant, and who amazed the techs with her excellent behavior a few months ago when she had to get painful antibiotic shots two days in a row.) We got her on the table kicking and screaming, and the moment they actually started giving the shots she stilled and was silent. She was great and happy again the moment they were done.

Silly me, I figured that since she realized she had made such a fuss over nothing, we were in the clear. I casually mentioned that the doctor wanted her to have some blood tests done. She started crying and whining again. I debated whether to add to the stress of the day by going ahead and getting the blood tests. I figured it was better to get it all over with and not totally ruin another day. Besides, we were already 35 miles from home, and I didn't want to have to drive back up.

Well, you can probably guess how this went. She was calm and happy until we started walking back in the lab. She was supposed to pee in a cup (at 4 years old? Are they serious?), but she was already so worked up that she was screaming and yelling at me for the whole 15 minutes I attempted to get her to cooperate. She screamed the loudest yet when we sat down do have her blood drawn. Mommy was crying by this point, too. Thankfully the ladies were well-seasoned and very patient with us! Again, the moment they started actually doing anything, she was silent and completely still. She just sat and watched her blood go into the vials. Then she was happy and actually wanted to try to pee in the cup for me. Go figure!

Mommy was totally exhausted by this point. So, after all that, we didn't get to go to Chuck E. Cheese like we had planned. I didn't want to take that away from her after all she had been through, but it was late, and I just couldn't do it. We'll go tomorrow.

Looking back over the day, I feel horrible about how some of the things went. I'm not sure how I could have made it any better for her, but I regret some of the things I said. I got so frustrated because I couldn't reason with her or control her that I told her she was being silly, and "STOP IT NOW!" so many times. I don't know if she is in delayed terrible twos/threes. She really hasn't had serious tantrums before. But I do know her feelings and fears are absolutely real to her, and not just silly.

Thank you, God, for giving me such a loving and forgiving child!