Before I became a mom, I was one of those people who avoided watching medical dramas because the wounds made me uncomfortable. I often flinched if a friend tried to show me a paper cut or something minor.

But something happened when I became a mom. A mom to two boys. I am at the ready with bandages, and ice packs, and of course ready to kiss a boo boo.

Hudson turned four this summer. I had heard from quite a few friends that the four-year-old well visit is the “big one.” They test their vision and their hearing. They have to give a urine sample. And the kids have to get the big booster shots. And apparently those booster shots are a doozy.

Before the appointment, I did everything I could to prepare Hudson without scaring him. And without telling him about the shots. It’s not that I wanted him to be totally shocked, but I just didn’t want him to be scared.

In the week leading up to the appointment, I talked to him about the vision test. And I talked to him about the hearing test. I even told him he’d get to pee in a cup for the first time. But I left out the part about the shots.

We made it through the first part of his appointment, and he was so proud of himself. He felt like such a big boy. And when the easy part was over, I told him that he was about to get some shots, but I’d be holding his hands and I’d kiss the boo boos when it was over. And, most importantly, he’d get to pick out a special prize when it was over.

And that did it.

He got two fun bandages with his favorite Disney characters, and he was happy as he could be. He survived the big appointment. It helped that he was prepared, but not scared. I think he had just enough warning for his shots.

But the biggest comfort to him was that I was there, holding his hands, and kissing his cheeks while he whimpered and got his big boy shots.

When my boys have had to go in for tubes for their ears, we did our best to prepare them as much as a toddler can be prepared. But the whole process was much worse for me than it was for them. When my sweet babies were taken back to the operating rooms, I cried and tried so hard to be a brave mommy, but seeing your sweet baby being taken out of your arms and placed into a nurse’s arms will just tear you up.

I love that my kids can become more familiar with doctor’s visits and think of it as a fun experience thanks to Doc McStuffins. Doc is such a sweet character, and her mom being a real doctor sheds a little light on upcoming doctor visits for my boys. Visit the Doc McStuffins site to see the new viewing schedule for Season 2 of Doc McStuffins!

Find out if The Doc Mobile Tour is coming to your city and get healthy tips for your kids from Doc!

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, tell me how do you keep your kids healthy on the go with snack ideas or other fun activities?

 

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Be sure to visit the Doc McStuffins Brand Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

It’s Friday! I can’t believe it. And it’s Labor Day weekend. We don’t ever really have plans for Labor Day weekend, but I’m looking forward to a low key weekend at home with my boys. And today I’m linking up with Darci and the girls for Five on Friday!

-ONE-

College football season is here, and we couldn’t be more excited! It was a really hot day in Columbia yesterday, so I chose to stay home instead of going to the game, but Todd was there. And he was so happy! The boys and I stayed home and watched the game on TV. Hayes was particularly captivated by all the action. I posted this picture on Instagram last night of our little linebacker!

-TWO-

Okay, y’all. This is very important. What was with all the Ben Affleck hate? Ben Affleck as Batman? Sounds pretty fantastic to me. I love Batman. I love Ben Affleck. Sounds like a win/win, yes?

-THREE-

Also in very important entertainment news… where are my Pretty Little Liars fans? This week’s episode was ca-razy! World War A did not disappoint! (Insert eye roll emoji here.) I LOVE this awesomely bad show.

-FOUR-

It got really really hot in Columbia this week after a wonderful tease of uncharacteristically early fall weather. And I started pinning all the things about fall. Food, fashion, pumpkins, fall craft ideas. My Pinterest boards are blowing up with all things fall.

But I’m officially obsessed with plaid. I can’t wait for the weather to cool off enough for me to wear this because I love this outfit that I pinned!

-FIVE-

I spent a lot of time this week choosing paint samples, picking up the samples, and testing the samples in the new house. I am 99% sure I have decided on the following Sherwin Williams colors.

1. Sea Salt will be used at 50% of the color in all of our common areas/living spaces in the house. The hallways, the kitchen, the family room. It’s soothing, and at 50% it’s even more soothing and has just the slightest amount of blue/green in the gray. I love it.

2. Topsail will be used in our master bedroom and bathroom. I love how soft it is, and our bedroom doesn’t get as much natural light, so I wanted something a lot lighter in there.

3. Aloof Gray will be in the boys’ bedrooms and bathroom. It’s the best masculine neutral and it will go with everything, no matter how I decide to decorate their rooms.

4. Unusual Gray will be used on all of the interior doors. It’s a pretty creamy gray and will make the doors pop again the bright white trim and the Sea Salt walls.

What are y’all up to? I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Hudson and Hayes started school today! We’re back at our same beloved preschool.

Hayes is starting the 2s class and will be going five mornings a week. He loves his teachers already, and we’re excited that a few of his buddies are in his class again this year.

Hudson is in the Pre-K 4s class this year. I’m so excited for him! Five of his best little friends are in his class this year. He was so confident this morning when he walked in, and I can’t believe that he could be starting kindergarten next year.

I ran to the house to drop off paint samples this morning while they were at school, and I’m super excited to see them later this morning and hear how their morning went.

I can’t believe this summer is over, but it felt so good this morning to get into a routine!

When I went to Atlanta for the blogger brunch with Courtney DeFeo, I had the opportunity to meet some incredible women. And one of those women was Tara Lowry. While we were talking, I quickly learned that she and her husband Andy are the talented, super nice owners of Between You and Me Signs.

I am sure you have seen their signs in blog posts and on Pinterest. They’re the most beautiful, most natural, pieces of art I’ve seen. And each piece tells a story. And they’re handmade, y’all.

With Christmas coming up, Tara wanted to get a jump start on showing all of you the different pieces in the shop for Christmas. And it’s going to be hard for you to decide which is your favorite because they’re all beautiful.

My personal favorite is this Joy piece. It’s tall and slim. And I love that you can make it look more rustic and set it on your front porch to welcome the neighbors and Christmas visitors. But you can also put it inside and add a bright pop of Christmas red to your home.

Okay, so the best part, is that Between You and Me Signs is offering 10% off at their shop to all Blue-Eyed Bride readers with the code BEBRIDE.

Make sure you visit the Etsy shop to see all the other fabulous Christmas pieces!

Don’t forget. 10% off with BEBRIDE.

Tara teamed up with all of these amazing bloggers. Seriously, I’m just tickled to be in their company. And they’re all featuring a different Christmas sign from Between You And Me Signs over the next few days. Make sure you visit all of their blogs!