Vaccines are different to me now.

Elliott had her two month check-up with Dr. Craft today.  She was 11 pounds, 10 oz and has grown two more inches to become 24.5 inches long!  I knew she was bigger because I've had to put away all of her newborn clothes and a lot of her 0-3 months clothing.  Some outfits she hasn't even worn yet!  It is amazing how quickly she changes and truly she can look totally different from one day to the next.  

I have given thousands of vaccines to dogs and cats during my 3 years of veterinary practice but nothing compares to watching your own child receive four intramuscular vaccines in one sitting.  I knew it was coming and gave her baby tylenol ahead of time but seeing the four syringes on the little tray made my heart just sink.  Elliott was such a good baby during her exam.  She even smiled and cooed for Dr. Craft.  But then the nurse appeared with the tray of terror.  As many surgeries I have done and vaccines I have given I still turned my head when the nurse jabbed my daughter with the four needles.  And she screamed of course.

But two minutes after getting those vaccines in her tiny legs I just scooped her up in my arms and she immediately stopped crying.  When I went to check out at the front desk the nurse asked if Elliott had received her shots.  She told me that most babies are still screaming when they come up front.  I was so proud of her.  Maybe she'll follow in my footsteps and be a doggie doctor.  (And not a stinky lawyer-just kidding Spence!)