Tristan squared

While I was at work yesterday, Beloved took the boys to the paediatrician for Tristan’s three-year old check-up. Um, yes, he turned three a month ago – I kind of forgot to make the appointment until last week.

This is a big step for me, giving up control of a well-baby appointment to Daddy. I have no trouble letting Beloved change diapers or get up for midnight feedings, and he does a great job getting them dressed — probably doing a far better job of coordinating their outfits than I ever do. He stays home with them two days per week, so he’s quite good at feeding the boys, putting them down for naps and taking them on little excursions. In a perfect world, I’d prefer it be me at home with the boys, but if not me then Beloved has proven himself more than worthy of the challenge.

But it was still hard for me to relinquish control of the doctor’s appointment. This is serious Mommy-territory, and I have been known to have control issues on occasion. Would he remember to ask the right questions? Would he be able to handle both boys in the exam room? Would he remember enough details of what the doctor asked and observed to satisfy my neurotic need for affirmation that Tristan is doing well?

Yes, yes and yes. I have to tell you, I’m proud of all four of us. First, I’m proud of Tristan for behaving so well. (By contrast, the two-year old appointment was a bit of a farce, with Tristan pulling the ‘I’m a boneless bag of slippery potatoes and I will resist your every attempt to examine me as if you were attacking me with a hot poker’ tantrum.) I’m proud of Simon for being patient and only trying to climb up the doctor’s leg once during the exam. I’m proud of me for ‘letting’ Beloved handle the appointment. Mostly, though, I’m proud of Beloved for exceeding my expectations of him and for being more than able to handle everything the boys throw at him.

He even remembered to make a mental note of Tristan’s new stats for my wall calendar-cum-baby book. Tristan made it a little easier for him by being a perfect square – he is 40.5 inches tall and weighs 40.5 lbs. He is in the 95th percentile, the size of a five year old. Another whopper in the family!

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Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

6 thoughts on “Tristan squared”

  1. Bravo! As a suburban dad, it’s frustrating sometimes to be torn between “I’m not doing my share” and “She’s just better at it than I am.” When I get the vote of confidence, doing my share is much, much easier.
    (It also involves sometimes redefining a task. My style of disciplining is different than hers, but they both work. Giving each other room to succeed, even if not in the exact same way, can mean having to hold your breath a lot. The things we do for love…)

  2. Way to go Dani!
    Being a SAHM I find it hard to let my dh do anything with the kids….I have major control issues with this. But I think for me it’s just habit…plus I’m there all the time and I’m better at it. LMAO! I’m seeking help and getting better at it. It’s nice to be able to go out without leaving a ton of infor for him…after all he was there at conception wasn’t he?
    😉

  3. You need to add another to the mix! I took my 7 year old and 4 year old in for their well baby appts and the nurse at the office asked why their caregiver was not there….it was then that I realized that the 18 month old appt should have been scheduled for the now 19 month old. ARGH! Can’t they do bulk discount house calls?

  4. Isn’t it wonderful to have someone else to take control of these things sometimes?!
    I’ve got a whopper in the family too. It makes me absurdly proud although I’ve no idea quite why!

  5. Oooh!!! Most impressed…I for one hate to miss any kind of appt – doc, hair, etc. with my boys. i am sure it will happen one of these days, but till then, you have easily one-upped me by letting that one go. Good for the Daddy! He did great, likely as ours would too, just…not…yet….

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