I’m a doctor and it’s true, I’m a clean-cut kid and I been to college, too
“I said, ‘I like Fidel Castro,
I think you heard me right,’
And ducked as he swung
At me with all his might.”
Z, at just shy of a year old, got in his first fight at day care yesterday. Unfortunately, it wasn’t because he was espousing his Dad’s (and Bob Dylan’s) socialist notions. Nor was it because he’s taken to wearing girls’ sunglasses (thanks Arizaphale). Nope, he tried to steal some kid’s dummy (pacifier) and the kid responded, impressively, by going for Z’s eyes with his/her claws. I haven’t seen the other kid, but based on the scratch marks, I’m guessing Z came out second best. I’ve got no idea what’s going on in that day care, seems to be filled with battling feral children.
——————-
Z’s birthday is in just over a week, and we’re planning the party. First birthday parties are, in my limited experience, only tangentially about the birthday boys or girls. For me, it’s a celebration of my success in avoiding major catastrophe whilst in charge of another human being for 365 days. That, my friends, is something to celebrate.
You’re all invited, by the way. Nichole looked online and found that she and the family could get down to Adelaide on short notice for $34,000 (U.S.). So, I’m looking forward to seeing her and Alex again. Don’t worry about a present, Nichole. Can’t think of a reason that the rest of you won’t be there as well.
Speaking of presents, Z’s gotten his first birthday gifts from his Grandparents in Florida and as with kids of his age, enjoyed the box as much or more than the contents. Among the contents, though was a great little piece of childhood memorabilia, a Tonka ambulance that has been playing the role of madeline for me since last night. It’s amazing how much you forget about childhood and how much can be brought back with a little bit of metal and plastic. You know what else is amazing - those old Tonka toys. Just indestructible, and Z’s giving it a good go.
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I took today off to spend with my son and I find that when I do that my brain goes a bit abstract and I start invoking Proust and shit. But among the partying that Z and I did today, we had to go and get another in the endless string of childhood vaccines. All the researching and posting and comment fielding that I’ve done about vaccinations and autism really got to me. Not because I had a slew of Luddites chiming nonsense and even some nut job compare me to Hitler. Nope, it was the thoughtful and valid points that people like April, NATUI and Joe and others made about the number of vaccines that kids are sometimes given at once. Since then, Dr. O’C and decided that Z would be fully vaccinated but that he would receive one jab at a time with a few weeks between jabs to let his immune system recover. Before you point it out, I recognize that we’ve made this decision in a very unscientific manner. But I’ve been parenting largely on instinct so far and, as I mentioned above, the boy’s still around. (One year, woo hoo!)
At any rate, the slightly thuggish nurse tasked with jabbing Boy Z tried to bully me into having the MMR and two other vax today as well. I told her no and explained my reasoning. I anticipated, and would have respected, an argument from Nurse Ratched based on the extra monetary burden on the health care system. One of the things about a socialized health care system is that you sometimes have to try to minimize costs and high maintenance parents demanding deviations from standard operating procedures cost money. That makes sense and if she had made this argument, I would have offered to pay the excess. But her case was that the kids get more upset with the more shots that they have to go through so its better to do them all at once. Bogus. Z barely whimpered with this one, which is about his 14th, and I doubt that he’ll be fazed by a few more. I’m always willing to stand on principle and Z will get his shots one at a time.
“As his fist hit the icebox,
He said he’s going to kill me
If I don’t get out the door
In two seconds flat,
You unpatriotic, rotten doctor commie rat…”
Popularity: 71% [?]
I think the kids are shot up multiple times with multiple visits to make it easier on the paperwork side for the doctors. I don’t think the kids’ comfort is even considered. Good for you for doing what you feel is right. And happy birthday Z!
Coal Miner’s Granddaughters last blog post..CMG Imponderables, Part 3
04 Sep 2008 at 12:17 am
“…Proust and shit.” Love it.
04 Sep 2008 at 1:01 am
Tyler was due for his first batch of vaccinations a week ago. I had about 20 pages of printout to take to the doc to discuss them. Then I was called out of state for business the day before the appointment. UGH.
I got rid of about 10 pages and went over it all with the wife. I’m not going to get into all of it here, but I did take some of my information from here:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller15.html
I told Sarah to tell the doc that I’m NOT against vaxs, but I am against a few of them, and I am fully against the amount given per visit.
I also told Sarah to give the doc my cell number, as I was more than willing to discuss all options before laying down the iron fist and just saying “No”.
Sarah told the doc that we were going to wait until Ty was 2 years old to start the schedule, and that we wanted to break up the cocktails.
The doc looked the the sheets and said “sounds good”. I was beyond shocked when that was relayed back to me.
Sarah did forget to mention that we want to look into getting titers drawn beforehand to see if he’s already got antibodies to some of the “diseases” that the vacs protect against. Shouldn’t be a problem though.
Also, do you enter numbers differently over there? Did I read your post correctly in that cost for the fam to get to Adelaide would be 34 THOUSAND dollars?
I apologize for the long comment. I’ll try not to let it happen again.
04 Sep 2008 at 1:33 am
After some talk, April and I decided that we’ll probably follow a similar vaccination procedure. One at a time over a long period.
“proust and shit…” Now I have to go find some madeline cookies. Damn power of suggestion!
04 Sep 2008 at 1:50 am
Happy Birthday to Z! And day cares are weird. My nephew gets in fights daily with a kid he calls his best friend. Um, where are the “caretakers” when all this is going on?
Mike from the Newborn Identitys last blog post..PERSONAL POLITICS
04 Sep 2008 at 2:50 am
I miss my toys. Unfortunately, they’re probably all illegal by now because of lead. Although, I did find this thing I’ve craving since my father took it away from me and gave it to my cousins:
http://www.brainygames.com/wdx-497018-shoot-the-moon-game.html
Congratulations, Z. Mazal Tov!
People in the Suns last blog post..Missed Opportunities
04 Sep 2008 at 2:54 am
Well holy shit on a hot tin roof. I usually blog standing at our computer desk, but today I am sitting in a chair and thank god I am! I NEVER thought I’d be linked for a vaccine post! LOL Dude, you gotta do what you gotta do. If it’s one jab at a time, then that is exactly what is right for you guys. Good on you for standing up to that thuggish nurse. It’s all about how YOU want to parent, not how she wants to keep her schedule clear.
And to Joe, thanks for the titer point. We plan to have our kids titered (is that even a verb?) before any boosters are given.
Not Afraid To Use Its last blog post..WW: Tasty Children
04 Sep 2008 at 3:59 am
CMGD - that was my impression of what the nurse really had issues with. More work for her.
Jamie - that’s right, that’s a University of Georgia education, baby.
Joe & NATUI - the thing is, I disagree with a lot of the things y’all wrote about in this and the previous vaccine discussions. But I do see how poorly Z feels after single jabs sometimes. If nothing else, single vax means he may not be as sick after getting them. Also, I’m always open minded. Except about Intelligent Design - that’s bullshit.
Matthew - good call probably. Should be able to find a health care provider that will work with you. Getting excited about the wee-un yet?
Mike - I have no problem with Z fighting, just losing.
PIS - I’m pretty sure I had a chunk of lead in my rock collection as a child. And look at me!
04 Sep 2008 at 1:36 pm
jamie beat me to it- “when I do that my brain goes a bit abstract and I start invoking Proust and shit. ” couldny have said it better myself. sweeeeeeeeeeet. though Proust was always a bit to into his momma for my liking. pansy. Hello! anyone left to offend? oh yeah. intelligent design; seen the one in the onion where christian scientists refute gravity and instead call it ‘intelligent falling’? too funny!
04 Sep 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’m applauding! You just can’t hear it.
Why is it that most of the nurses giving you kid shots are surly looking creatures that I’m positive could kick my ass six ways from Sunday?
I respect opposing opinions on the vaccination issue, but I still think it’s ridiculous.
I also love how we’re finding out the toys and things we thought were wonderful as children are all coming back in style and proving just how much they truly rocked.
Someone compared you to Hitler??? Not even in my wildest political, religious disagreement with you could I ever make that stretch… not even with tequila involved.
I can’t wait to see birthday party shots of Z!
04 Sep 2008 at 7:19 pm
I have a huge display of original Transformers in my basement. Original toys REPRESENT!
05 Sep 2008 at 12:27 am
THIS? We’re friends now. Officially.
And also: like Jamie said. Brazilliant.
ms picket to yous last blog post..Packed Up, Nowhere to Go
05 Sep 2008 at 3:45 pm
You write very well.
Marcellas last blog post..StarLifeSettlements.com- Specializing in Life Insurance for
22 Oct 2008 at 10:19 pm