I forgot to mention that Sam had his 4year old well visit in early September. Had to get that appointment in before school started — needed the doc to sign off on those health forms!
The 4yo visit is an exciting milestone (at our practice) because they start to treat you like a big kid. You stand by the wall to get height measured and stand on a real scale (not the baby scale). (Maybe they did these things at 3yo? I can’t remember…)
Somewhere in my house, I have the actual measurements for height & weight. The doc always gives them to me and then I bring them home to get lost in the chaos. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but was surprised to learn he fell squarely in the middle of the road for height and weight (I thought Sam trended to the taller side, like his dad & sis).
They also test things like vision and hearing. The nurse was very gentle and kind and with Sam. He enjoyed playing the “games” with her.
Big sister desperately wanted to be part of the action. I had to restrain her from answering the questions for him.
The only issue we had was with the vision test. He said he couldn’t see the pictures and would guess the wrong items. The nurse marked it as inconclusive and the doc suggested I bring him in another time to retest. I don’t *think* he has vision issues – nothing at home has ever indicated that. My guess is he was just confused, or had trouble making sense of the directions with one eye closed, but we will get back in to be sure.
After getting all the data from the nurse, our doctor came in to do the exam. I love Dr. C – she has a fabulous bedside manner with the kids. Sam was very compliant and polite with her. His physical and developmental health checked out a-okay.
After exam time with Dr. C, the nurse returned to deliver the dreaded shots. He got two that day and although there were a few tears after the fact, he was very brave and did a good job.
This was one of those days where I had to bring all 3 kids to the appointment, something I typically try and avoid. Thankfully, everyone was remarkably well behaved on this trip – so I rewarded us all with a trip to Elevation Burger for lunch. If you’ve never been, you should know their tagline is,
“Where the burgers are good, the fries are better, and the shakes are to die for“
Okay, so maybe that’s *my* tagline for them. (Seriously, you HAVE to try their shakes/malts).
At 4 years old, Sam continues to be a unique blessing in our house. Those of you who regularly read my blog or know me & my kids in real life may be chuckling at that statement. Sam is definitely the strong-willed child and he and I have gone many many rounds in his young life. There have been many times when he has caused me to ask “why, Lord, why? and for how long?”
BUT, occasional orneriness aside, he is also a super sweet and a lovely child. Every day, my heart melts when Wendy gets ready to board the bus and he rushes over to give her a hug and a kiss. We will stand together, watching the bus drive away, and he will wave and shout: “Bye Wes, I love you!” Today, we went out for lunch and the restaurant had lollipops in a bowl. Sam requested one for him and one for his sister.
I pray their closeness will last their whole lives.
Another thing that endears me to Sam is his ability to take 10 minutes to communicate a 10 second idea. I have learned to listen patiently while he talks and talks and talks to get his idea across. I’m thankful he has good verbal skills and that he wants to tell me things. It’s another trait I pray endures the next 15 years.
Sam is also a diligent, hard worker. He is often early to rise (just like Daddy), and gets all his jobs done (get dressed, potty, brush teeth) without being told. When he tackles a project, he focuses fully and works hard to figure it out/complete it. I love when he shows me the puzzle he has completed with pride.
In the food department, he is a pretty good eater, tho he has his picky moments, like most preschoolers. Given his druthers, every day would be a hotdog or chicken nugget day, but he is willing to try other things too (at least one bite). Interestingly, his tastes run similar to Daddy’s – he does like sweets, but has a hankering for sour foods like pickles and mustard.
I love my little sweet & sour pickle and am thankful for the four good years we have had and pray for many many more!
![The Meanest Momma](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S0-UAwPX6Rk/TwXG1TDRHII/AAAAAAABDeo/WFIw0U8-VRI/IMG_2075.JPG")
Daniel had the same problem at his four year checkup in May – “inconclusive” on both the vision and hearing tests. Sam sounds just like Hayden – *very* strong-willed but super sweet and loving. Glad I’m not the only one with this combo!