In my not too distant past, “shots” once meant two words: GREY GOOSE. CHILLED PETRONE. KAMI-KAZE. Ha! Those were the days. Loud music, good times, wild memories, ridiculous pictures… take me back!
Yesterday, I experienced the “shots” of my new mommyhood life. Instead of going to a bar, we headed to the pediatrician’s office for LadyP’s vaccinations: DTaP, Hib, hepatitis B, polio, PCV7…. oy! None of these require a chaser, although little LadyP probably would’ve appreciated one. One shot in each of her adorably chunky thighs provoked a fire-red face, trembling arms and a 911-worthy shriek from her tiny mouth that I’ve never before seen or heard. The corners of my own eyes got weepy (because I knew she was in pain), but then I started laughing. The whole scene was… FUNNY. Ok, maybe not funny, but I didn’t have trouble finding the comedy in the moment. I couldn’t help it. I will never forget her squealing face. My baby was experiencing her first rite of passage and I wish I took my flip-cam to capture it. The look, the noise, the drama… I’m sorry, but it made me laugh. The nurse thought I was crazy, and that she’d never seen a mom react that way. Great.
The way I saw it, this was just the beginning for LadyP. Life is full of good times and hard times, and as her Mommy, I wish her the whole spectrum: The most wonderful experiences to enjoy, and difficult times that will make her stronger. Every day is a gift, and you must find the joy/meaning/strength with each experience dealt to you (good or bad). Here’s to life! Now who wants a shooter?
