DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT

We took MEB to the doctor for one of her regular check ups. On the way there we told her where we were going and that it would be a lot of fun. It's amazing how much we lie to our children (unless you think having a bright light flashed directly in your eyes, a stick stuck in your mouth, a plastic, cone-shaped mechanism stuck in your ears, and a stranger's cold hands proding different parts of your body fun). MEB loved the chalkboard and small table set up for kids in the waiting room until she learned that she had to share them with three other kids that came. She hoarded the three pieces of chalk made available in a small dixie cup until her mom insisted that she share.

One of the first things the nurse does in the appointment is weigh MEB and measure her height. Each time before this happens her mom and I guess how much we think she weighs and bet on it. I've never won. However, this time I had a distinct advantage being the one who hauls MEB around so much (See Trip To Grocery Store). I guessed 30 pounds. My wife guessed 26. The nurse put MEB on a the scale and a red number showed up on the small monitor attached. 28.5 pounds. My wife quickly pointed out it was a tie because the number was exactly in the middle of the ones we picked (She is getting her PHD). I corrected her in saying that, actually, the number I picked was closer so I won. Being the competitive person that she is I waited for her to invoke the Showcase Showdown rule on the Price is Right. You know the one where if you guess an amount over the actual amount, regardless of how close it is, you are automatically disqualified. But I'm happy to say that she conceded and I won my first "Guess the weight of MEB" bet.

Back in the exam room the nurse asked us a series of questions: Does she have a vocabulary of 50 words? Can she follow three step directions? Does she give others directions? We answered in the affirmative to all of these with a resounding yes to the third emphasizing that MEB often gives her father directions, especially at the grocery store and the park. The nurse then told us to remove MEB's clothes down to her diaper and left a small gown with cartoonish elephants on it for her to wear. MEB wasn't keen on being stripped down to her Huggies in such a strange place and put up a good fight but eventually succumbed. However, she deviantly refused the gown and sat on my lap; then her mother's; then mine; then her mothers until the doctor came in.

The first thing the doctor commented on when she entered the room was how wildly curly MEB's hair was. She shared a picture of one of her children who had similar hair and proceeded to discuss with my wife a hair product that tamed the curls so they'd be more smooth. MEB was getting fussy, but the two woman continued discussing hair care strategies for infants. While I wanted to say something I've learned to keep my mouth shut in these situations.

The exam went as good as could be expected. MEB is a healthy two year old and we are very blessed to have her. I was especially pleased to hear the doctor say that there wasn't any rush for us to potty train her, which is a duty I'd been avoiding anyway.