A badge of honor

My baby is four. I can't believe it. Today we went to her 4-year well-check visits. She weighs 40 lbs and is 43 inches tall! She has more than doubled in height from the 20 inches that she measured when she was born. The doctor says she is the right weight for her height, and that she will grow to be a tall girl. Hmmm...just like her big sister. I guess it is true that love makes little things grow.

Megz had three shots at her doctor's visit today. I hate having to give the girls' shots. It reminds me of the "heel-stick" test that they do on newborns in Arizona. You get to hold your precious baby, fresh from the oven, while the nurse pricks the baby's heel and squeezes the blood out of this tiny prick in the heel for some test or another. By the time they are through, your baby is screaming her head off and you are almost in tears yourself.

So today, before we got to the doctor's office, I may have mentioned something to her about when Samantha got shots and didn't cry. True story. Of course, the challenge was more than Megan could stand, so she was determined to prove that she could do the same. The nurse arrived with 3 needles (can't someone figure out how to mix up these vaccines so they only have to stick the poor children once??!!) and Megz was ready. The first stick was quick, but the second definitely brought tears to her eyes...it was amazing to see my baby working hard to be so brave! Finally the last shot, and it was over without a whimper. Even the nurse was impressed, saying that they don't have many 4-year olds who don't cry for their shots. It was a huge self-esteem boost for Megan, and further evidence that she is growing too fast, much more quickly than I'm ready for. But you can't stop time; as she says, "But Mommy, I have to grow!"

Here is Megz examining her shots:

On a related note, I was chatting with Megan's preschool teacher yesterday. Her girls are getting ready to leave home for college in quick succession and she is really struggling with empty nest syndrome. She says that God has been working to prepare her for that time. Even as she was talking, I could see her eyes welling up with tears at the thought of not having her girls at home every day. I quickly realized that there was a message there for me too - to slow down, stop to smell the roses, and enjoy the time that I have at home with my own girls before that opportunity is gone forever. On difficult Mommy days it is hard to keep this all in perspective, but I'm grateful for the reminder to cherish this time while they are still little.