Four "pokes" for four years

Cole had his four-year check up today. He had a hearing and vision test and then got weighed and measured. He is still in the 25%th percentile for growth (where he’s been since birth). According to his growth chart (39” tall and 32 lbs) this would make him a 5’8” tall man, we will see! At least he is darn cute! The doctor said 5’8” is actually the average height for a man. Wonder if that is true, or she was making me feel better? ;-) The doctor said he is extremely flexible and coordinated for his age. She did a lot of talking to him and discussed some milestones for his age. He should have an active imagination (he does, to say the least....”Mom, let me ask you a question. Remember when the dinosaur bit my head off?” He will start to try out “bad” words to check his response. Right again, “Damnmit” (learned from me- sorry to say, is his favorite – always muttered in the right context thought, yeah Cole!). “Eediot” from Scooby Doo and just tonight, “Mommy, why don’t the freakin’ cars move?” while sitting at the stoplight, again sadly learned from me. My response is to laugh. I know I shouldn’t but it sounds so funny coming from his sweet four-year-old mouth. All those who judge, I do tell him if he repeats it that it is a bad word (hiding a smile). The doctor was impressed with his verbal skills and said he appears happy and healthy. He got four vaccines today. The look of betrayal on his face when the nurse gave the first vaccine nearly broke my heart. Luckily she was quick and gave two in each thigh and was done in just a few seconds. He was prepared for the “pokes”. We had talked about them all weekend. I always tell him ahead of time, that it will hurt, but only for a moment. He wanted the nurse to “poke and take blood” because he’s gone with me to donate blood many times. But no, he had to get vaccines instead. He only cried for a few minutes. Next door is a donut shop and there were four firemen inside. They talked to him and showed him the outside of their truck. The “pokes” were forgotten in no time. He had a great day at school and proudly removed his band-aids when we got home.