I love our pediatrician, but especially "his" nurse and the front desk people.

They are the ones I call with my crazy questions and my sudden needs for appointments.

Today I took the front desk people sodas. Mini-E was there for an ear re-check. Her infections have downgraded from "Horrible" to "bad". We're now on Augmentin. (May it go down, in Jesus' name!)

When we went back to the exam room, I saw birthday decorations and inquired after them. It was the Nurse's birthday! Ah! I'd have taken her something if I'd known...through the course of our visit there I discovered her affinity for Starbucks. She said that she'd wanted to go by Starbucks to get something on her way to work but ran late because of her son. (A fact of life I totally understand.)

So we left and headed for the nearest Starbucks with a drive-thru. (There's only one, just in case you wondered.) Got her a Mocha Frappachino and wrote on the lid with a Sharpie. "Happy Birthday" kind of stuff...the waitress at the window thought it was a hoot.

We went back to the Pediatrician's office to deliver the drink. She was thrilled - and we stood and talked for a little while. I announced that I was leaving - and asked about flu shots.. "Why not do it now since you're here?" Said the three I was talking to....

I hemmed and hawed for a moment and decided they were right. Why not?

So I announced to Mini-Me and G that they were getting flu-shots. (G must have been watching TV when I told him because he flipped out in the exam room later.) Mini-Me made me proud and giggle at the same time. Giggle Proudly?

She asked "Is it going to be a big shot or a little shot?"

Little.

"File clerk* will hold your hand if you want him to."

(He's cute, BTW)

(*name withheld to protect the "innocent".)

"Will YOU hold my hand?"

"Yes!" I also promised to take them for a treat afterward because they weren't expecting shots at all.

Mini-Me said, in a voice that told me she had resigned herself to her fate,

"I knew this was coming." (Sigh) "I just hope the band-aid is cute."