Thank goodness physicals are only once a year
Ever since my first son was born, I have taken my children with pride to get their yearly physicals.
Call me weird, but I think it is so exciting to find out how much they have grown, how much they weigh and that they are healthy.
With one child, the day went smoothly, with two boys it got a little rowdy but we managed it.
Now with all of the boys, it is getting a bit too crowded in that six by six room.
I do not have enough hands to keep son number four from touching all of those tongue depressors, cotton swabs and the bulb on the blood pressure equipment.
Why do they have those bulbs in there, they know kids love to squeeze them.
Son number four, I’ve been told, is what they call a tactile learner; he needs to touch things in order to learn more about them.
I say he is just hard headed and needs me to use my tactile skills on his bottom.
Sons number one and two are the size of grown men but they still insist on coming in the exam room with all of us.
They don’t just sit quietly, that would be too easy. Instead, they tussle and rough house all over the little space. They bop each other in the head; give each other headlocks and try to tickle the other one until he screams “uncle”.
I am still not used to the physical activity level of boys, boys, boys!
The nurses always laugh at us and say “I bet this will make it into your column.”
Finally, the doctor comes in and as usual is shocked about how tall every one has gotten.
She takes each child one at a time and gives them the once over. Each one holds their breath as they wait to find out if they need shots.
That is the only time when the room is quiet and everyone is standing still.
The sigh of relief is deep for those that don’t need them and the screams are painful for those that do.
I must admit the boys have sympathy for the one or two that needs shots. It still brings tears to my eyes as they always stand next to that one and pray for him before the shot is administered.
That love for your family must be innate. It can be all out chaos one moment and then caring and loving the next. At times my sons can show such tenderness and I am not sure if they are even aware of it.
I find myself thinking, I must be doing something right.
Those thoughts all fade by the time we get to the car and son number one is threatening to punch son number two in the arm where he got his shot if he doesn’t move over.
Thank goodness physicals are only once a year.
Thanks for sharing.