Everything was all fun and nice this morning.
Then it was time for Nora’s appointment with the pediatrician… With SHOTS. The appointment went very well up until the last part when the needles showed up. Nora was just going about life as usual when suddenly she got jabbed in the legs with two very painful needles. They all but took her breath away. I scooped her up immediately afterward, swaddled her and held her tight as the tears streamed down both of our faces. I HATE seeing her in any pain. Of course I would spare her from it, but these shots are for her benefit. They will protect her from getting sick. I kissed her cheeks and stroked her little head over and over again, wishing I could somehow explain this pain to her. She doesn’t understand, as no baby possibly could. Even as she gets older it will still be hard for her to comprehend. How could I, as her Mommy just STAND THERE and let her get hurt like that, she might wonder!
The rest of the day has been rough. Nora wasn’t even in the mood for a warm bathies. I spent a good part of the afternoon holding her tightly in my arms and whispering sweet things in her ears.
In an eerily similar way, I’ve responded to pain and suffering in my life much like Nora to her shots.
“How could God allow this to happen,” I’ve been known to scream out from time to time, “How could He just ‘stand there’ and let (fill in the blank) happen? Doesn’t He care? What did I do to deserve this?”
I demand answers to these questions in my immature fits of rage and sadness. God certainly sympathizes, but doesn’t expect me to get it. There is no way I could possibly grasp an understanding of God’s plan, the Big Picture. Perhaps there was plenty I’ve done to deserve the pain and suffering, but God doesn’t work like that. He is a caring and compassionate God that already suffered and died FOR US. In my most recent moment of despair back in January, God picked me up off of the floor after my excruciating “shot”. He swaddled me in His arms, held me tightly and whispered sweet things in my ears, “I’m so sorry you have to feel this, my sweet child. I know it hurts you terribly. I would do anything to protect you from this, but this pain is for your benefit. It is protecting you from the distractions of this world. I want you to rely on me for comfort. I want you to trust me that something beautiful is in store for you. This pain won’t last forever. Someday you’ll be free of any pain or suffering altogether. You will finally understand why. But in the mean time I’ve given you the gift of time to help you heal and to ease your suffering. Don’t give up on Me!”
Wallpaper border at the pediatrician's office!
Like Nora, I give a little contented sigh of relief. I am comforted and loved as my head rests upon His shoulder. I trust You, Lord God!
The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
(Nahum 1:7 NIV)
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you.
(Isaiah 66:13 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
i have been reading your blog since nora was around a month old. i read it almost every single night before i go to bed..she is just sooo precious, and you are such a great writer! you seriously need to write a book or something!! Honestly.. I rarely ever read anything..just dont take the time but i looove to read your blog..you really connect with people and so does miss nora! Well i hope nora is doing well w her vaccs…my little girl will be getting one yr vaccs soon 😦
Awwww!!! I love the pic with the bandaids 😦 she’s so sweet. I agree you really should think about writing a book. Your words are always so inspiring to me. Some how everything you say some how touches my soul deep down n I always feel like somehow its some sort of connection of how I feel on some days. enjoy the day. xoxox
Lots of loving thoughts and prayers for Mommy and Nora!!!
Love, love and love this post. (as well as all the others). You and your sweet family and of course the amazing Nora are such huge blessings and lights of hope to so many. I completely agree with Bridget – I rarely read any blogs consistently just bc of time but I am hooked on this one and always can’t wait to see the next one, even if it’s just a few previous pics of that yummy baby girl 🙂 … I’ve also thought fron the beginning that when you get the time, this needs to be turned into a book – or two. I’m thinking one children’s book with some of your amazing artwork and one for big ppl with some of the gorgeous pics you take! Much love and prayers to you.
Chandra
First time commenter, long time reader – love Nora’s creases and folds on her arms and legs. She looks just like my babies did. You are doing a great job mommy! Shots are the worst, but better living through chemistry…
This is a fabulous illustration about God’s love for us. Thanks for sharing this. I am in my final year of nursing school and I hope to be able to serve families like yours and bring light to the moments of pain/ confusion/ suffering. I have you in my prayers, it looks like Nora is getting quite big and holding her own! The milkies must be working 😉
Oh I could feel with you about little Nora and the big old mean shots. My daughter was jaundiced at birth and had to go into the hospital daily for a week or so and they would give her “a little prick”. Ha – Ha – my little girl didn’t think that and I didn’t either. I cried as much as she did. The pictures of the band aids and little Nora’s sleeping pictures are precious. If you need a unanimous vote – I vote for you also for considering writing a book. Your words are gems for so many of us as you walk thru this time. Stating how God is meeting you just where you are – gives so much hope. Blessings to you and the family.
I love that verse about God comforting us as a mother comforts her child!!!! It is SO encouraging and special. Thank you for sharing. God carries us because we cannot carry ourselves, and He does want us to only depend upon Him.
I love this image for God’s love for us. It’s an encouraging reminder that God is ultimately the best parent there is, and he can see the bigger picture, we truly are just children. Thanks for sharing your struggles and intimate thoughts, I keep you in my prayers. I am in my final year of nursing school and hope to provide some comfort in the tough times for families like you. The photos you share are precious and it looks like the sweet babe is growing bigger and stronger…thanks to the “milkies”.
Blessings to you and your family.
Beautiful! Yesterday Bianca had her check up with shots and finger sticks. Nora, you’re so sweet and brave!!!!
Not sure if you are already spacing them out or not- but it helped my little man (Different chromosome issues). He rarely gets a fever and if he does it is 99 or under. He usually runs a little lower than normal- so that is raised for him. It means more appointments but he heals better and with his low tone the shots stay bubbled under his skin for WEEKS…. less shots at once the better. They actually go down quicker. We did 2 or sometimes 3″ dead” shots each appointment (depending on how many “bugs” in each shots) and then just one with the “live” ones. I know alot of low tone kiddos who do this and it helps. (Talk to your doc about the spacing if this is something that you were interested in, we ordered the most important ones for him 1st- which were the whooping cough and “blood” shots since he was going to need a transfusion for his heart surgery). We finished just a little later than the normal schedule. It was just extra trips- which wasn’t all that bad considering we were able to gauge his weight and growth better. Which with a heart and low tone baby is pretty big. That 1st year we struggled alot. Now at 3 his weight finally caught up to his height :). I am proud to say he is off the charts and going to be a tall boy! I feel blessed everyday with him in our lives :). Oh BTW one of my neighbors here had a daughter with trisomy 18 who lived into her teens years. SHe passed away- but NOT because of her condition. These kiddos can and do survive- To hear her mommy talk about her- it brings tears to my eyes. SO much love and faith!
what a beautiful post…. the analogy is incredible and so true…prayers.. hugs.. and love sent to your family from Texas. Nancy
I am praying for sweet, little Nora….and Mommy 🙂
THE FIRST PICTURE OF NORA TODAY IS SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. SHE IS JUST A PICTURE OF BEAUTY AND SWEETNESS. THE ONES WITH THE VERY COLORFUL BANDAIDS IS REALLY CUTE AND PAINFUL AT THE SAME TIME. I REMEMBER WHEN MY BOYS HAD TO HAVE SHOTS, I ALSO CRIED RIGHT WITH THEM. SO SORRY NORA HAS TO HAVE THE PAIN OF SHOTS, BUT AS YOU SAY IT IS FOR HER OWN GOOD. I AM RIGHT WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE THAT THINKS YOU SHOULD WRITE A BOOK, OR MAYBE TWO. I AM NOT A READER, BUT I HAVE NOT MISSED READING NOT ONE OF YOUR BLOGS. IF I MISS A DAY, I GO BACK AND PICK UP THAT DAY BEFORE READING THE PRESENT DAY. ALEISA, AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHARING LITTLE NORA ROSE WITH ALL OF US. SHE HAS BLESSED, THROUGH YOU, SO MANY PEOPLE. I LOVE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY LITTLE MISS NORA, AND HOPE YOU FEEL MUCH BETTER TOMORROW. LOVE AND PRAIYERS. GOD BLESS
I pray that today will be better with the shot issue out of the way for awhile. Also great that Paula could help by taking some nitetime duty so you could rest up. Blessings to all