This past week I've been thinking a lot about my role as a mother. Mostly because Allison started Kindergarten and lessly because of her doctor checkup. I didn't think much about the transition to kindergarten except that it was a big milestone and because she just keeps getting bigger/older on me, but that's nothing new. But mainly I didn't think much about it because she's been at the center on campus since I started college, she was 17 months old. This was old hat, right? Wrong. At the center I paid for a full day. I don't have to pay for kindergarten (unless you want to talk taxes). But even though I paid for a full day at the center I only had Allison there when I had classes or something else to do. The center was across town so unless I had a good reason for leaving her when I left school I didn't. Now even though I don't pay for a full day of kindergarten I get it like it or not. It is now a flipflop in that Ali has to be at school more than I do. Funny thing is though, I have to get up earlier to get her there and I haven't had a problem waking up with my alarm, waking her up, get us both ready and fed and out the door on time. Everyone knows I'm not a morning person, but motherhood changes the rules on things sometimes. Monday night was open house at her school. I was going to skip it but she was so excited to show us around that we had to go. This was my first open house as a parent! Different. And then there were the shots. I knew she'd need to be up to date on her shots before school and that appointment was yesterday. Thankfully she is in "excellent" health. Also thankfully she only needed one shot! Last year it was four. Terry said, yeah but they don't give them all in one day. YES! They do! I had to hold her still for four shots in a row in her legs! She was screaming so loud and I was crying too! I don't mind shots myself, but hearing her cries got me. I didn't tell her about the shots before yesterday's appointment, but half way there she asked straight up, "Do I have to get shots today?" It's hard to skirt around a blunt question like that. Compassionately I affirmed her fears. We talked about it a little with little help. So since I was driving I dialed Terry for help. He talked to her the rest of the way and whatever he said must've worked, she did cry until after the shot. She said she'd try to be brave and think about princesses like Dad said. It didn't help that waiting for the doc we could hear screams from the other rooms. I covered Ali's ears with my palms and waited until they stopped. All in all she handled it better than I thought. Some crying, but not extreme. I'm just glad it's over, I had been dreading it for sometime. I think we both felt the stress that night. I was grinding my teeth "like a shark" according to Terry. And Allison woke up in the night with a bloody nose. She hadn't had one of those in over a year! But after her bath tonight she gave herself a Barbie bandaid and all is well!
Wednesday, August 20
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6 comments:
It's on of those times, when a tender mother's heart is stretched, painfully so, over their child's pains. Good job of getting through it with your sweetie!
You inspire me Emily.
Allison is a strong girl because you are a strong mother.
Thanks for posting this so I could hear your heart.
I miss you sister!
RYC: What do you mean by I inspire you? It's like the comment in your blog with a list of people who influenced you and by my name was something like "meaningful interactions" or something I don't remember clearly, but it was somewhat puzzling as to what you meant by that.
Purposeful connection... that is what I said in May. I meant that you connect with your child on purpose. You are not afraid of letting your child be who she is and getting to know who she is. And you are not afraid of letting her know you as you are. That is what I meant by purposeful connection.
:-)
Now, as far as you inspiring me... When I hear of or see you being a mother I am encouraged in my important roll as a mom. I know this will sound cliche but you are a natural. When I see someone doing what they do well it is inspiring.
Is that clear now? :-)
Thank you! That is a wonderful compliment. One thing I wanted to say in my previous comment is that the inspiration role is reversed. I didn't then because then you might of thought my question to be rhetorical. You inspire me in my walk with God, in my world view, in making my life count, in writing/blogging. I constantly thank God for the internet to keep me connected to you. As for being a mom, I don't know if I could be as good with multiple children. I sorta like obsessing over the one and think with more I might miss too much of each. However, I sometime wish Ali had a playmate, someone to teach and to learn from, someone to giggle with and make memories, someone like my sisters were to me.
Emily, I wish I could give you a BIG hug right now!
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