Babies spend their whole fist year being poked and prodded. Once babies are successfully squeezed through the birth canal, they are pulled out and stuck. We've gotta know their blood type, if their blood sugar looks okay (if it doesn't - like Canaan's- they have to poke several more times to monitor it), etc. Once they are released from the hospital, they get shots and more shots, every three months during their well-check appointments. Don't get me wrong, I know it is for their own good, but the poor babies! Well, this past week, not only did Canaan have to get 7 shots during his one year appoin
tment (we had to get a few extra for Russia and the flu shot), but he had to get his blood drawn! (Dougle, Canaan and I all had to go in and get HIV tests as a part of our VISA application process for moving to Russia.) The guy who did our tests for us used a butterfly needle, which is smaller than a regular one for kids. But babies' veins are so small, he missed the first time and Canaan had to be poked a second time in the other foot. Then, because of the small needle and veins, the blood comes out a bit slower; poor Daddy had to hold our crying Canaan through the ordeal! The pictures are from after we came home, with bandages on both his precious feet. Our poor little boy! I did want to make a special note to say how blessed we've been that Canaan has been healthy and not needed additional testing/surgeries for additional pokes and prods because of a health condition. I know there are many babies who live in hospitals and are constantly poked; we are very blessed to not be one of those families at this time. We thank the Lord for our health!
