Immunizations

Ok, I know I'm saving my child from all sorts of horrendous diseases, but the whole immunization experience is just gut-renching and sad. You lay your child partially clothed onto the pediatricians table like you're offering a sacrifice. He smiles trustingly at you and coos blissfully while gazing up at the person who comforts him and protects him from pain. The nurse enters bearing a tray with three syringes laid out in order. She opens two bandaids in anticipation of the blood that will be spilt. She then tells you to "Hold him down good" so you gently grasp his hands and hold them over this chest, all while whispering that "Nothing is wrong...it will be ok." His smile changes to a look of confusion and then he breaks out screaming bloody murder as the pain hits. Why would anyone do this to him? Finally, the shots are over, bandaids are applied and you quickly pick him up and hold him tight. His hands grab your shirt and he presses his face into your shoulder, still while screaming. Finally, he calms enough to be placed into his carseat, but continues whimpering and moaning. He whimpers and moans while you make an appointment for more torture in 2 months. He whimpers and moans while you put him in the car, then falls asleep. Actually, he sort of whimpers and moans for the whole rest of the day. And when you hold him...he looks like this:

The good information that comes from this visit is that he is healthy, weights 11lbs 8oz, is 23 1/2 inches in length and is in the 23rd and 25th percentile, respectively.