Walking Backwards

My son is now four years old. In addition to breaking my heart and looking more and more like the grown-up he is going to become, he is about to go in for the four year-old right of passage. Nico has his four year-old well-child check-up that includes every shot you have ever heard or thought of and a hearing and vision screening. I know a lot of people are up in arms about the need for vaccinations, but I think that, since we travel outside of the country, we are outside of the realm of group immunity. Joe is taking a long lunch and is going to meet us at the doctor's office. I can't be in the room when he gets his shots, I'm outside the door, sobbing. So now, I need to pack lunches and bags and dress my little boy in little boy clothes.