You're 4 week old! Time for your vaccination.

How's your growing, baby Hyzyd?

You started to gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express your feelings. You're one of the few babies who also begin squealing and laughing. I make sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to you face to face. I noticed that you enjoy holding my gaze now. I also noticed that you still enjoy hearing my voice from across the room. I don't feel silly about using baby talk for I read that babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating, which can actually teach the baby about the structure and function of language.

gazing on your mommy

you love talking to your grandpa

You're now scheduled for vaccination. I wonder why there are so many vaccines recommended for babies? No parent enjoys seeing her baby getting shots or taking medicine. But vaccines are designed to provide protection against serious diseases and many people consider them the most important part of well-baby checkups. Some of those diseases (such as polio and diphtheria) were much more common a hundred years ago, but are rarely seen now , thanks to immunization programs.

How do they work? Vaccines contain "weakened" or killed versions of the virus or bacteria that causes a disease. After a baby receives the vaccine, his immune system creates antibodies to the virus or bacteria that will protect him against the disease if he's exposed.

What's the vaccine schedule?

Immunizations given in the first year include the following:

• DTaP: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). Five doses: at 2, 4, and 6 months, between 15 and 18 months, and between 4 and 6 years.

• Flu ("influenza"): Protects against the influenza virus, which can cause severe respiratory infections and pneumonia. A yearly dose is recommended for those 6 months to 18 years old during flu season (fall and winter). Children younger than 9 getting a flu shot for the first time need two doses of vaccine the first year they're vaccinated, administered one month apart.

• HBV (hepatis B): Protects against the hepatitis B virus, which attacks the liver. Three doses: at birth, between 1 and 2 months, and between 6 and 18 months.

• Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria): Protects against meningitis, blood infection, pneumonia, and epiglottitis. Four doses: at 2, 4, and 6 months, and between 12 and 15 months.

• PCV (pneumococcal) vaccine: Protects against pneumococcal pneumonia (a common lung disease), meningitis, and ear infections. Four doses: at 2, 4, and 6 months, and between 12 and 15 months.

• Polio (IPV or inactivated polio virus): Protects against polio, which can cause paralysis and death. Four doses: at 2 and 4 months, between 6 and 18 months, and between 4 and 6 years.

• Rotavirus vaccine: Protects against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Unlike the other vaccines, it's a liquid given by mouth. Three doses: at 2, 4, and 6 months.

Vaccines recommended for babies after age 1 include varicella (for chicken pox), MMR (for measles, mumps, and rubella), and hepatitis A.

Don't you know that you're acting so brave and so strong as you receive you're vaccine on your first month? Of course, you cry a bit but you just cut it short and went to sleep. You didn't have fever afterwards as expected. Thanks be to God!