In Samuel's world Mom is good, most everyone else is bad. Especially if that someone tries to seperate him from Mom. If that someone also happens to poke and prod at him as well, then all hell breaks loose.
Our visit with the pediatrician started off well enough. He always has a good time playing with the bead mazes and wooden activity bus in the waiting room. We got into the our exam room and the nurse had me strip him down his diaper. No problem there, he's always happy for the opportunity to frolick around half-naked.
The trouble started when we tried to weigh him and lay him down to measure his height. Loud protests and grumbles could be heard throughout the office. When the tape measure went around his head, the kicking, thrashing and squealing began. Finally, all his stats were recorded and we had a chance to regroup. He calmed down pretty quickly and made it his job to explore every inch of the small room.
His pediatrician, Dr. Parker, arrived and was met by a very talkative toddler. Samuel wanted to tell him all about the things he had discovered in the room, including the sink, stairs the lead up to the top of the fire engine exam table, and computer cords under the the desk. He pointed and babbled and pointed some more.
The doctor asked me to sit Samuel on top of the exam table so he could give him a head to toe inspection. Since my baby clung to me like a fifth appendage it was obvious the rest of Samuel's exam would have to be conducted from the comfort and safety of my lap.
It's funny how aware he has become of strangers and people who are unfamiliar. Even when he sees me react positively towards a new person it still takes him a long time to warm up to them. We have been to the doctor many times before, every 3 months since he's been born in fact, but this visit instigated the strongest reaction. He wholeheartedly objected to the entire experience.
Hopefully, he will feel a little differently at his 2 year visit. Otherwise, I may need to bring earplugs to distribute to everyone in the office. Samuel has quite a set of lungs and he knows how to use them!
