Sammy is under the weather today so you get me again this week :)
Sammy & Ilna - love you both to the moon and back. Thank you for being you.
REALMcRollers and Readers - Thank you all, always.
This one's for my mom who would have been 97 today.
Aced it Indeed
"Hi Angie, hi DJ." Dr. Violet Hiroya smiled broadly as the seven year old entered the exam room behind his sister. His body language was a hundred and eighty degrees better than the first time she'd seen him a year ago. She loved her job and loved seeing happy children. The McGarrett kids were two of her many favorites because they always made her smile.
"We're getting shots, right?" DJ confirmed. When the doctor nodded, he said, "Can I go first, please? Then Angie can see it's not gonna hurt too bad."
Catherine beamed. "You are the best big brother." She kissed his cheek and he shrugged while smiling back as his sister climbed onto the exam table and took a seat.
"We have lollipop aftew you done?" she asked, eyeing the familiar jar of treats.
"And a prize." Violet donned her stethoscope earning her a toothy grin. "You're here to get flu shots for both kids, but it's time for DJ's annual so we'll do that as well."
"Exactly." Catherine nodded, checking her phone. "Steve's on his way, he's parking." They didn't come to every one of the kids' visits together, but DJ's annual physical was something they both wanted to be there for.
"Hi, Doc." Steve entered as if on cue.
"Daddy! We get lollipops when we done," Angie said as he kissed her and DJ hello.
Dr. Hiroya listened to Angie's heart, then helped her off the table. Patting the seat, she indicated DJ should hop up.
Steve stepped up and winked, offering a hand, which his son took. Seconds later, with little more than a tiny wince, he was sporting a Paw Patrol bandaid and a relieved smile.
"Great job, buddy." Steve kissed his head.
"Very brave," Catherine reiterated, telling Steve, "He offered to go first."
"Your turn, Miss Angie," Dr. Violet said with a smile. "Then lollipop."
Catherine lifted the little girl who was looking between the doctor and her brother's bandaid with knitted brows. "What color lollipop do you want?" the doctor asked and before Angie could protest, the shot was finished.
"Owie and I wan' wed!"
The answer had both parents and the doctor chuckling as they told her what a brave girl she'd been.
"DJ, what color, honey?"
"I'll have red, too." He nodded and took a pop. "Angie, you were super brave."
Smiling up at Catherine her daughter tilted her head. "Pwize, now?"
"As soon as DJ gets his checkup." She ran a hand over her hair.
Sighing before turning her attention to her father, she lifted both arms and he scooped her up and took a seat, unwrapping her lollipop as she settled onto his lap.
"So, hop on the scale, for me?" Violet told DJ and he readily complied.
"You've grown and gained a perfect amount of weight," she addressed him, but spoke to Steve and Catherine as she proceeded with the exam. "And we have excellent blood pressure." She continued, checking reflexes, listening to his heart and lungs, checking his teeth, scalp and skin and watching him walk.
Concluding by asking him several questions about his sleep, eating and life in general, Dr. Violet placed her tablet down and clapped. "You did great, DJ. How about you take Angie and go with Nurse Melissa to pick out your prizes?"
She opened the door and a smiling, 30ish nurse with a huge smile and shiny black curls appeared. "Let's go, you guys. I have some coloring sheets at my desk for you while Dr. Violet talks to Mom and Dad, too."
Already at the threshold, Angie took her brother's hand. "Le's go!" She tugged him after Melissa and Steve shook his head at her usual enthusiasm.
The doctor motioned them into the guest chairs when Steve and Catherine followed her into the office.
Smiling to allay any concerns, she said, "He's doing beautifully. Physically, yes, but he's also getting more confident and he's more relaxed and happy every time I see him."
"Thank you!" Catherine took Steve's hand and squeezed.
"That's great to hear."
"I am more than happy to say it. Now, I'm going to just go over the basics, and if you have any questions, just stop me and jump in.
I know DJ's eating three meals and one or two nutritious snacks a day. Kids his age should get 2½ cups of low-fat milk, equivalent low-fat dairy products or fortified milk alternative daily.
You limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat, and for his size, which is right on target, by the way - a little taller than average and naturally thin, no more than 8 ounces of juice per day. He said he's willing to give new foods a try, but you don't force them to eat them which is perfect.
"He's open to telling us if he doesn't like something now," Catherine offered, "but he always tries a bite or two before deciding."
"He's secure in your love, and acceptance, that's wonderful." Violet smiled at the couple who were always making their children a priority.
"DJ needs about 9–12 hours of sleep per night. He's got a regular bedtime and a relaxing bedtime routine. No nightmares?"
"No," Steve shook his head. "A bad dream here or there but no more than our friends' kids or Angie, for that matter."
"Perfect. Stop me if DJ differs greatly from anything on the list I'm about to read.
He has a group of friends, usually of the same gender and a best friend; he looks up to role models, such as professional athletes, actors, or superheroes…"
"Rizzo." Steve grinned.
"You." Catherine smiled.
"Excellent." The doctor made a note. "He knows the difference between right and wrong, enjoys reading and can solve a problem in an organized and logical way."
"DJ's excellent at math, too," Steve offered proudly. "His teacher said he's got a knack for it."
"Sounds like he takes after his grandmother, isn't your mother a professor?" she asked Catherine.
"One of the best," she replied. "DJ loves doing math homework and puzzles with her, too."
Dr. Hiroya sat back and smiled. "He's come a long way in a year. Seriously, he's an incredible little person and seeing him in a loving family, reaching his potential…" She shook her head. "One of the best parts of my job."
"Thank you." Catherine was smiling ear to ear, as was Steve. "His counselor said he's ahead of where she projected. We're very proud of DJ but we're even happier he's content and happy."
"And that's what every child should have." She stood and opened the door to the outer office where DJ and Angie were telling Melissa about Cammie and Pumpkin. "Let's go tell him he aced his checkup."
Grinning as the couple went towards their children, Dr Hiroya looked on happily, thinking, 'Aced it indeed.'
#End. Thanks for reading!
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