Is...Is That A Needle?

We don't take pictures of the most distressing times for our children. That would only add insult to injury, and since Zac had a distressing afternoon anyway, let's post a fun hair picture. I think this particular one reminds me of the professor in the Back To The Future movies. Or, same guy, whatever character it was he played in the TV series, Taxi. Anyway, Zac's hair has been a constant source of fun and a few days ago when I took this it was no different.

So, the needle, you ask. Well, you may recall an earlier post where I lamented the fact he couldn't get his one-year-old shots even a day early from the pediatrician here. Since we don't currently have insurance for Zac or me, this left only the option of taking him to the city health clinic for his needed shots. Now, getting one shot is bad enough, but when you get four, and the needles seem to be longer than the depth of your leg, it can be a rough time.

Poor little man was already super tired as he'd been up since a little after 10 this morning and we'd waited an hour to get in for the shots around 2:15. So, innocently sitting in my lap and fairly calm, he was startled by the immediate pain of the first shot in his right leg, then one in his left, then another in his right, then another in his left. This might be only the first or second time he's had that cry kids get where it starts, then all you hear is silence while you await the big payoff. Fortunately, the very nice nurse handed him a candy cane to look at and that seemed new and exciting and served to distract him from his pain.

So, a rough afternoon for my little dude, but I'm sure he'll forget all about it by the time he wakes up from his nap. :) Claire told me this afternoon she's so happy she gets shots in her arm now because she remembers how much they hurt in her leg before. I have to admit I'm a big pansy when it comes to needles anyway, so I never look and don't have any desire to. Good thing others don't mind so they can help keep us healthy!

We've Achieved the Desire to Stand

This past Saturday, February 7th, marked the first time Zac pulled himself up to a standing position in his crib. Did we capture this event in picture? Of course not! Did we capture it the next time or the next day? Of course not! That would've made too much sense.

So instead, today I give you a picture of Zac taken this week when he trapped himself underneath a chair in the dining room. Look for some new videos to post on the right side sometime today as well once I get them converted to a smaller size and upload them to YouTube.

Zac is pulling himself to a standing position on everything now, and working at taking steps side to side to move along. He'll go back and forth between objects, but making an actual move hasn't yet happened, though he does keep lifting a leg up as though he intends to take a step. And now that he's conquered getting back to the floor, we figure it won't be but another few days before he's moving along and then we can attack balance and taking his first steps.

This week we have to get his first year shots as well. Since the pediatrician here refused to see him before his first birthday (while he still had insurance through me), I'll run him off to a clinic run by the county this week for those necessary shots. Hopefully it won't be too traumatic for him. Nobody likes getting shots. :)