so Bumpy understood completely what was going to happen on thursday. after all, she’s just turned six years old and has become a great eaves dropper, observationist, and profiler. even when i make a desperate attempt to spell a word outto a person that i’m having a conversation to and she’s nearby, if the word fits within her 2nd grade level reading comprehension, she’ll say the word for you. so when her daddy told her she was going to have her annual physical with Dr. Sumida. she asked why. and when her daddy explained that it was for school and she had to do it. well, let’s just say that that made her love grade school, homework, and boys so much more. frankly put, Bumpy isnt stupid! she knew on thursday she would be receiving a medically enhanced projectile gun of some sort of vaccination to suffice the public school’s requirements of being “up-to-date”. i think putting a toddler and school-aged child through vaccinations is separated by a very thin line next to child abuse. especially, when you have to hold her down. yup, especially that.
i had the easier job this year. it was daddy who took her to her physical and had to restrain her from hurting herself while the nurse shoots up her with the unknown components of the fluid. it was a lot nicer hearing her experience over the phone and after all was said and done. she shared to me what had conspired at the doctor’s office and expressed her concerns. i explained to her that everyone has to go through it, including pets. she says, “i know Mommy it just hurts really bad and makes me cry.” i further explained that that is a normal response to pain and i went through those experiences as well, but worse, with Papa. Papa is her grandfather, who, at the time, was not sensitized nor had the patience to deal with little kids and crying. after the grandchildren arrived things turned around. like 360 degrees around. i bet if i asked Papa to take Bumpy to her next year’s annual physical, it would definitely be a different story from what transpired when i was in Bumpy’s shoes.
so after Bumpy shared to me what tragedy had taken place in the doctor’s office that day, her daddy comes back on the phone. he decided to end the conversation off on mixed feelings for me. allow me to explain. throughout the past 5 years of Bumpy’s life she experienced growth patterns and spurts at a rather depressed rate to every place except her head. and i will emphasize, every where except her head. she gets that from her father’s side. her intelligence and the way she picked up on certain development skills, however, caused the pediatrician’s not to worry. she was learning and growing intellectually at an advanced rate. the only concerns for them were her weight. she was a petite baby. which alarmed me and my side of the family, because we seem to be culturally based around food gatherings. sometimes, i wondered if this was my kid or not. and if you’ve seen me andmy family you’d understand my concerns. this kid should be a monster according to my growth rates within the past few years. haha.
so, her daddy decides to share that Bumpy has gained 10 lbs within the past year. shocking! i know. tell me about it. just last year she was under weight. i know, what if the doctors had the wrong kid all this time. whatever, it doesn’t matter. the point is that my kid has finally picked up some weight. of course, i’m worried about type 1 diabetes and obesity. she’s a kid. she dances ballet. has play-dates with her friends and runs wild when a colorful jungle gym is within plain sight. i am not at all concerned. sure we can change up her diet. after all, she does have dessert after dinner every night. but what american kid doesnt.
so her daddy and i discussed what could be different. Bumpy is not much of a meat eater, she never has been. she mostly consumes starches and vegetables. and i swear every meal is topped off with a delightful dessert. we discussed further how her diet is due for some change ups. Bumpy has never taken a liking to milk, juices, or sodas. which i consider myself blessed by God for that doing, so thats not really a concern. so we contributed the snacks at school and home a major factor in her weight gain, as well as the desserts after dinner. she has a pretty active lifestyle. golf with her daddy at the driving range, play-dates with various girlfriends, and ballet dance practice every saturday.
my thoughts: i’m not at all worried about this. if this pattern continues then sure, let’s put her into soccer or flag football but really, we’ve been wanting her weight to pick up for the past few years. hey, its happened. we shouldn’t complain. we just need to make a few adjustments and keep moving forward. when i get back Bumpy and I will follow up a morning routine with bicep curls and sit ups. lol. regardless, this kid still has the biggest heart and smile i’ve ever known. at least that hasnt changed, right doc?
with Bumpy on my visit back to Hawaii beginning of July
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