Phenomenon I will never understand.

Michael and Tommy had their two year well child appointments this morning. They are now of an age that they can walk themselves into the doctor's office and play happily with the germ-infested waiting room toys until we are called back. They are happy and smiling all the way into the exam room. Score one for Mommy.

Then the nurse begins the measurement process. Apparently, stepping on a scale is akin to walking across a pit of hot coals to my sons. They scream, go limp, and refuse to stay put long enough to get an accurate measurement. This renders necessary the dreaded "Mommy can hold you while we weigh you both, then we'll weigh Mommy alone to figure out your weight" move. Curses! At four months pregnant, I don't really care to know my weight - thank you very much. Lucky for me, Kamaki was along for the ride and HE was the one that got to do the weighing honors today - another score for Mommy! And a reluctant score for the twins, for forcing that method in the first place.

The measurements continue with horrible tantrums as I am forced to hold my boys down on the table while the nurse tries in vain to measure their height. Followed by more shrieking and a near-miss right hook from Tommy to the poor nurse as she attempted to measure his head circumference. Mommy hangs her head in part exhaustion, part humiliation. Score two points for the twins.

We are informed that the pediatric seasonal flu shot is not available at this time, due to the shortage. Another score for the twins.

Exam by their pediatrician is conducted under extreme duress from Tommy as he tries to atomize the doctor by sheer volume of screech alone. Doctor retreats to a safe distance to finish the exam. Score again for Tommy.

Michael graciously allows the doctor to examine him, but glares at him the entire time. Score for Mommy!

Frazzled nurse returns to administer their Hepatitis A vaccine. Even I can smell the fear on her. My palms start to sweat. Both boys watch with great interest as the needle nears their leg. As it's inserted and the vaccine is plunged in, they blink. That's it. Not even a flinch, a blink. WHAT?????? How is it possible that the gates of hell open up to swallow us all at the very sight of a measuring tape, but a shot gets us absolutely no reaction? I decided not to question my amazing luck and just accept that I will never understand the devious minds of two year old twins. Score two points for Mommy, one for each tearless shot - it counts.

So, final score - Twins:5 Mommy:5
A tie! And today, a tie was enough for me.

Just in case anyone is wondering - both the boys got a clean bill of health - they look fantastic and are growing great. They are both in the 70th percentile for height and about the 35th percentile for weight. Norman genes for sure.