Last Thursday, my sister-in-law informed me that my son has a schedule of immunizations in our local health unit. This was good news as it meant I saved $68 rather than paying for the vaccine privately. What's more, the Brgy. is just a few walks away from home, so I don't need to travel or trouble any of my in-laws to accompany me.
The schedule starts at ten in the morning, which is already hot, so I put him in a stroller rather than carrying him. It would be hard for me since he was heavy, plus I needed to hold an umbrella. Yet, the sun's rays were in him directly, so I had him covered.
Humid weather irritates him, and perhaps if he could speak 😆.
We arrived just a few minutes later, and the vaccination had yet to start.
Some parents are already with their babies, and I can't help but feel like this 😏. Mostly, their husbands assisted, and I was only with my baby. What can I do? This is the sad part of having an OFW partner.
The Brgy. The health worker on duty checked our records and my son's weight and temperature. They are using this because the digital weighing scale is not working. 8kgs at five months, chubby but not overweight. He is still in the bracket of his age.
The midwife who would administer the shots was not yet here, so I sat down to wait. I was thankful my baby was not grumpy, as he was busy looking around. Since it's Brgy. level, everyone knows each other except me. So, all the parents were busy having conversations, and I was like an outcast in the corner. I could approach and make friends, but I was not in the mood to do so.
Finally, when the midwife arrived, the vaccination started. Penta or 5in1 and Oral Polio My little one was brave as he cried only when a syringe pricked him but stopped as we stood up after it was done.
After that, I decided to go home as it was almost eleven in the morning. Seeing the blue sky, I could imagine the sun's scorching heat.
This was before the typhoon landed, and the resident was already ready. The twigs and branches of the tree near the thread were already cut off.
Five minutes walk and was almost home. I decided to get him in the stroller because the path road going into our house wasn't flat. It's going to be a bumpy ride for him, which isn't suitable for his head. When the neighbor saw me, I was about to push the stroller while carrying him in my arms. "Lhes, just leave the stroller; I will be the one to bring that to your home. You might drop that cutie Ilonggo."
I really appreciate people like him. My husband may not be here, but people are always willing to help.
During his first dose, I was anticipating he would have a fever, but he was fine, so I wasn't worried at all. He was even bubbly as I was trying to put him on a nap. However, in the afternoon, he started to be grumpy and had a fever.
I couldn't write a blog for days because I spent all my energy cuddling and soothing him after an entire night. He would even lie down in bed. That leaves me with no choice but to hold him. I was so tired and sleepy, but I had no one to help me. My mother and sister-in-law slept in our house, but I didn't want to disturb them. MIL is already 71 years old and sister had work the next day. Also, this is my baby, my responsibility, so why bother others?
I could put him down when his fever subsided at five in the morning. Whoaa, it was my first time, and I knew there was still more to come.
Lead image was edited using Canva
Photos are mine
Footer credit to Sensiblecast.
