Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Shot Day

After Josie decided that going to bed when it's dark outside is for losers, it was time to haul her down to the doctor's office for her 2 month shots. Luckily I got a two hour nap when Becky woke up early to sit watch her. She didn't know what was coming as she laid on the table. I held her down while the nurse first gave her an oral vaccine. She thought all was going to be yummy. Then out came the needles.

A lot of time, I hear about parents who get really emotional when the kid gets stuck. But the severe lack of sleep made me immune to such a tearful moment. I had all the compassion of Dick Cheney as I held Josie's arms and the nurse punctured her thighs three times. The poor girl cried to the point of being silent. I had to blow on her mouth to get her to get a noise back in her mouth. I felt a bit like zombie dad as I got her to quiet down with a bottle and then change her diaper - she let out a blast right before the needles.

In a society where you're not allowed to slap, shake or spank a kid, inoculations appear to be the only threat of pain you can force on a child. She's too young to be threatened with "I'm dumping you off at the firestation."

I have to take her back in two months. Maybe if I get more than two hours of sleep, I'll feel extra guilty holding her down.

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