The Baby Gets Shots

So Wednesday was Izzie's two month (I know... your thinking the same thing I am... it went by quickly) doctors appointment to get her immunization shots. Leading up to this day, we've heard nothing good from anyone about the event. Everyone told us how terrible it is and how bad you will feel for your child. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't feel bad at all. After all, it's part of life and we all have to go through it. So, despite the horrific stories, I was optimistic.

Here's Izzie getting her regular weighing and height measurement before the appointment.



She weighed 12 pounds 10 ounces (94th percentile) and she was 23" long (75th percentile). Just goes to show you that she's already a go-getter and is working hard to stay ahead of the mean.

The doctor came in to check the regular things... eyes, ears, mouth, body, etc.




When the doc was done he answered questions for us, explained things to us and gave us a general heads up on what we should be expecting in the next couple of months. I have to tell you, this is invaluable information. I really appreciate it that we have a doctor who takes the time to tell us these things because ... let's face it... we are new parents and all of this is new to us.

Here's what I affectionately called "The Tray of Death"


The Tray of Death conveniently carried all of the vaccination shots that Izzie had to have. Two oral vaccinations and four shots.

Here's Izzie getting the oral vaccinations:




The last picture shows Lynnell sticking the binky into Izzie's mouth. The nurse had a great name for it. Her exact words were "stick the plug in so that she doesn't spit it out." HA. I love it. Plug... That's exactly what it's sole purpose is. So, from now on, I'm going to do my best to seem even more cool ('cause you know I am...) than I am now by referring to binkies as plugs. Brilliant.

Then came the real deal. The stabbings:



Turns out that shots draw blood which makes this Izzie's first official flesh wound to draw blood.


For the brief moment between the oral shots and the needle shots, Izzie had calmed down and was done crying. This was mostly due to the plug (ohhh... I'm getting cooler). But (and it's a big but), as soon as needle number one hit the flesh, all stops were pulled out. Izzie let us know that she didn't like it. She screamed like never before. I do have to point out that it wasn't as bad as other people made it seem. Maybe Izzie just deals with pain better than other babies. If she grows up to be like me, then she's going to have to. Anyways, Lynnell spent the next few minutes trying to console her. The nurse slapped some sweet Daffy Duck band aids on (also a first) and that was it. The shots were over.




When we left the pediatricians office, I had to take a picture of Izzie when I put her in the car. Look at the poor babies face. Does it say sad or what.


Now I've been told (and the doctor warned us) that when babies get their vaccinations that they tend to get a little sick and run a fever afterwards. I'm proud to report that injecting Izzie with multiple diseases didn't faze her a bit. She was a little more tired than normal, but she didn't even so much as look parched. She's quite the trooper.

When I got home from work, Lynnell and Izzie were out on the patio hanging out. Izzie looked just as good as always, and she was doing the same old Pug wheeze/pant that she's good at.


At the end of the day, I realized that it was quite the experience for the poor kid. Four vaccination shots, three people watching, two oral injections and a cotton ball to wipe up the blood (it's fun if you sing it... go ahead... read it again, but this time sing it) would probably wear me out too. Here is Izzie trying to sleep off the experience on the couch (notice the lingering sad look).


In the end, she only cried for a few minutes after the shots. Then she was ok. However, her little chubby legs were a bit tender where she got the shots. Every time you accidentally (ok, I may have done one intentionally just to test it out) touched her leg where she got the shot, she would cry. I was right. I never felt bad for her, but Lynnell did cry (she started crying 30 seconds before the first shot). I can't blame her though. I suppose a mother has the right to feel for her child.

P.S. This is post number 50. Woo Hoo.