Check-up!

Sebastian and Audrey both had to go to the doctor for a check-up today, an event they've been looking forward to all week.  We'll get out of the house, we get to meet our family nurse practitioner, and she'll make sure everyone is healthy.

Sebastian used to freak out whenever he went to the doctor.  He's never liked people getting up in his space, and I would leave the appointment black and blue from the wrestling match over some stranger in pink scrubs sticking something in his ear.  My kid's really suspicious.  I give him a lot of notice before we go to the doctor.  I also try to act like stickers are a much bigger deal than even his preschool teachers have made them out to be.

Fortunately, my kids watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Daniel Tiger got to go to the doctor, so my doctor announcement was met with cheers.  If there had been more than two kids, they would have done the wave.  For a week, I've heard chants about check-ups, songs about the doctor, and toddler arguments about how the "DOC-TOO" is going to make sure we are HEALTHY.  Both kids were even looking forward to getting shots, because that's what Daniel Tiger got.
I didn't think Sebastian needed a shot, but I didn't want to let him down with the news.  I found out today he does need a shot, in a few days, after he actually turns four.  Because that makes a difference.

I tried to instill a sense of confidence in my quasi-shy son, talking about what we might tell the doctor at his appointment.  He's perfectly healthy, so there's not much.  As the week went on, Sebastian got a tummy ache or "needed" juice after bedtime, so those were things we might mention to our nurse practitioner.

About two days ago, Sebastian started telling me he needed an x-ray.  He's even seen an x-ray, in an alphabet sketch.  This is where "the doctoo takes a picture and can see the food go in my whale in down to my tummy."  Sebastian thinks everyone has a "whale" that you can see when they open their mouths real wide.  I tried to gear him toward saying "mouth" instead of "whale" because the nurse practitioner may not get the Finding Nemo/Pinocchio connection, but up until this morning, that was what he was going to ask, and I was prepared to talk him down from the x-ray idea.

We got through height, weight, and health questions.  The kids are fine, they are both right on track.  They both need one shot - Audrey today, Sebastian in a few more days - but were there any questions right now?  Sebastian nodded adamantly, and started in breathlessly:

"The Twansformers are Wescue Bots and they woll to the wescue!  Optimus Pwime is a twuck and Chase turns into a police car!  And I have Bumblebee at my house!  And the WOLL to the WESCUE!"

So that was that.  Sebastian loves the "doctoo," and so does Audrey, who took her shot like a champ.  There were a few brave utterances of "My Sad!" and "My Hurt!" but she gave the nurse a high five afterwards.  We picked up some candy at the store, and headed home.  Now Sebastian's belly is telling him he needs juice.

Maybe he should mention that to the doctoo next time...