I need a shot

Thursday was Hazel’s first set of shots. Esther and I knew she had gotten bigger than her last appointment, both in weight and length, but we were not ready for the measurements: 12 pounds and 2.6 ounces, and 22.5 inches. Wow! That explains why she has been sleeping so much better (research shows that once a baby reaches about 12 pounds, they can sleep through the night).

Back to the shots, with Hazel clad only in her diaper, the three of us waited for the five shots to be prepared. Yes, five, two in the each leg and one in the arm. A shot is a little anxiety producing for me, but five, that is down right scary. With a shot for every infantile disease, Hazel was in for a … treat.

Mom didn’t want to hold Hazel, it would just be too hard, so I was left that pleasure. Hazel, sitting on my lap, gets held by Dad to stop her from flailing around, while the first shot is administered. It took a second for Hazel to realized what was going on but when she did, the tears and crying started. Hazel looked around for comfort and calmed down immediately with some soft whispers from me and Mom. The nurses then held each leg as they prepared to administer the second and third shots. This is where the screaming began.

Remember when Hazel was born, we said that she had some impressive lungs? Yeah, they haven’t disappeared or gotten any weaker as she has grown. No, they were in fact more impressive than they have ever been. I now know what a cry of pain sounds like, and having to hear it three times in a day was a little rough.

She had the final four shots administered in rapid succession and responded like any baby would. I was worried that rest of the appointment would be difficult due to her uncomfortable state, but Esther and I were able to calm Hazel down before our doctor arrived.

The rest of the appointment was routine, kind of boring after the shots. The rest of the day, in her recovery, Hazel was remarkable. She was not nearly as fussy as people had led us to believe she could have been. She was awake most of the day, taking short catnaps instead of her normal nap schedule. That was made up for that night with a solid seven hours of sleep.

Her system has seemed to be a little off since then, but as I am writing this, Hazel has finally overcome any lingering side effects. The shots were scary, not for Hazel, she doesn’t know. It was scary for Mom and I. I know Mom cried a little and while I didn’t shed a tear, it was very hard to hear her scream in pain. I’m glad she’s recovered, and I don’t look forward to her 4 month appointment, as it involves 5 more shots.

Filed under Dad's View, Hazel by Jered |