Kylie May and Her Parent's Heart Broken Day 68

The foreword sets the tone for an entire book.  Here's my foreword for tonight's blog.  This was the WORST day of parenting EVER!  Okay.  Now that the tone has been set, let me deliver the details.  Background info:  Kylie is the sweetest, cuddliest, friendliest, easy tempered, and predictable (she always clues us in to what she needs) baby around.  She never fusses, without good reason or fair warning.  If she does get cranky, it's because she has probably given us about ten different cues that something is wrong and each one boarded a 747 and flew over our heads.  Most of the time, she is just as happy and content as a shop-a-holic at Nordstrom on Black Friday.  Nat and I have worked really hard, and are still working hard, to nurture this relaxed temperament.  It is our goal to create the most baby-friendly environment we can for the little nugget.  One that is free from unnecessary stress, frustration, or pain.  pause here for mini soap box: (Nat and I are of the opinion that too often kids are subjected to overwhelming, uncomfortable, and stressful situations because they are convenient for the parents)  

Play:  back to the story.  Today was Kylie May's first Immunization day.  At this point, I have to reiterate the foreword.  This was the WORST day EVER.  Nat and I are both in the medical field and we understand the importance of immunizations, but the thought of Kylie having to get poked with needles pretty much broke our hearts.  We opted against getting all the shots (it was going to be 5 or 6...really?) in one day, and instead decided to only get 2 (don't tell Kylie I said only).  We are working on doing a modified (less aggressive) immunization schedule.  I have to give Natalie a ton of credit.  We both went to the Dr. appointment but I had to leave before the doc/shots came in (work day). It took everything in my power to not grab Kylie and take her out of the room with me.  "Nope doc.  Sorry.  We aren't buying today.  Just looking."  I resisted though, and  Nat tackled the ordeal alone.  Her and Kylie were both so brave.  I nearly cried just thinking about her getting attacked by the dark spawn (injection).  I couldn't have stomached seeing it (Yes, I am a Peds ICU nurse.  It's different with your own baby).  Nat said Kylie cried harder than she has ever seen or heard. It still hurts to hear it.  When I got home from work.  I witnessed the appearance of a sad, dejected, hurt (emotionally and physically), overwhelmed, and uncomfortable little girl.  It was heartbreaking to see smiley Kylie turn into cry-lie Kylie.  The look on her face said she was trying so hard to be brave and tough, but she just kept crying inconsolably every time she moved her little band-aided legs.  To me there was nothing more helpless than seeing our little one that way. I was one sad dad. Anyone know a deserted island where there are no diseases and no vaccinations?  

 Walking through the door and seeing her so sad was the day's low point, but like all good stories, the final chapter is a happy one.  I have titled it "Tylenol.  Our dear friend"  Nat and I really didn't like the idea of introducing medicine (the first thing she has ever had besides breast milk) to the little one, but we liked the idea of her being in pain even less.  After a quick shot (no. not that word again) of tylenol cry-lie Kylie was back to smiley Kylie.  She started smiling, cooing, and playing with us again.  Seeing her happy really settled our nerves, and put our tiny family universe back into alignment.  Finally, the day caught up with her and she fell fast asleep.  In the end, the day ended just the way it started....with a happy little girl, and for that,  we are thankful.

more to come soon,

-Craig-

p.s. she was 11pound 13 ounces and 25 inches long today.  Preliminary reports are pending but it seems pretty evident that she was using stilts and hiding rocks in her diaper.  the fines will be severe miss Kylie.

Nope.  The shots didn't really help the crazy hair.  Well, at least we tried.