Checkups and Sweet Hugs

Jack went for his 18 month well check today.  My baby is now 27 pounds and 32.5 inches tall.  He smiled and charmed the nurses and Dr. Mann, that is until they wanted to touch him.  He showed everyone how strong he is by requiring two nurses and his Mama to hold him down for shots. He screamed ridiculously when they measured his head and had Dr. Mann laughing as he struggled to look in his ears and mouth.  Jack screamed and Dr. Mann laughed.  He looked at me and said, "This one's strong. And he sure doesn't like being controlled, does he?"  That pretty much nailed it, Dr. Mann.  Yes, he is my free-spirited, anything goes child, so control doesn't usually go over too well with my youngest.

While we waited in the room, the boys and I played games.  Both boys sat on the examination table and I would call out a body part and they would show me that part.  Sam, of course, knew every part and Jack knew nearly all of them.  We were all three laughing as we played this...Sam and I laughing at Jack and Jack laughing at us laughing at him.  Sam was incredibly sweet to his little brother during the exam.  He stood close by and began twisting his hands and chewing on his shirt, obviously nervous.  When Dr. Mann finished Sam told me it made him "a little nervous" having to watch Jack cry.  When it was time for shots, I looked over at Sam, who had his head buried in the bench, covering his eyes just like he does when something "scary" comes on tv.  Later as we walked to the car he told me he "sure was nervous and a little mad when those nurses were making Jack cry." This little boy's heart constantly amazes me.

Jack recovered well from the "trauma" and chose a lovely slap bracelet out of the prize box.  You know, like the kind from middle school..they still make those things?!?  He was completely covered in red sucker before we made it out of the parking lot and snoozing soon after that.  My little one continues to grow bigger each day and is transforming into a little boy before my eyes. He is pure sweetness and happiness.  The proof?  I snapped these pictures on Sunday as I was sitting in the grass at my grandmother's house.  The kids were hunting eggs and I was sitting there watching their excitement.  Jack saw me, his eyes lit up and he ran as fast as he could to get to me.  This is how Jack greets me every time he sees me.  Even if I haven't been away from him at all.  He realizes I am nearby and that he hasn't hugged me lately and he's off and running into my arms.  And I get the warmest, sweetest hug from my precious boy. How lucky am I?