12 Year Old Check Up

12 year old check-up

This year we got to take Dani for her annual check-up with the doctor since she lives with us now!! It is so crazy to me to look back over the last year and realize that at this time last year we had no idea that she would be LIVING in Zachary with us!! It is amazing to look back and see how God has worked in our lives and blessed us so much through that whole situation!!

Check up time!!

So we visited Dr. Talbot's office. We knew she had to get two shots already since she never got her 11 year old boosters, but that bad news got worse when we found out she had to get one additional shot which totaled three!! Now when I say Dani is scared to get shots that is a major understatement. She kicks screams, argues and any reasoning just doesn't even make sense to her once she senses the needle in the same room with her!! It took two nurses, a nurse practitioner, and me to talk her into getting her shots. After about 10 minutes she toughened up and took it as well as she could, tears and all!!! I must say though at least she didn't have to get held down like last time...see here for that story...It was not quite that embarrassing....at least she is improving, slowly!

Aside from shots, she failed her vision test and the doctor also heard a slight heart murmur which she doesn't feel like is anything to worry about but since her mom and brother just got diagnosed with a heart condition, we opted to take her to get it checked out by a cardiologist. It seems to be just a flow murmur which is harmless, just a different flow of the blood.

As a result of failing her vision test, she got to pick out some "cute, nerdy glasses" (in Dani's words) and she helped me pick out some for me as well....

Her stats:

Weight: 111 lbs.

Height: 5'6"

The doc said she has the perfect height to weight ratio!! Isn't she adorable??!!  

The Yearly Questions

1. What is your favorite color? Hot pink

2. What is your favorite toy? stuffed puppy named Gris Gris

3. What is your favorite food? Ribs

4. What is your favorite TV Show? Victorious

5. What is your favorite Bible Story? Daniel & the Lions

6. What School do you go to? Northwestern Middle School

7. What is your favorite game? ??? (she didn't answer this one)

8. What is your favorite snack? chips or pretzel sticks

9. What is your favorite song? Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood

10. What is your favorite animal? Kangaroo

11. What is your favorite book? Hunger Games series

12. Who is your best friend? Victoria

13. What is your favorite subject in school? Science

14. What is your favorite thing to do? Sing

15. What is your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? stuffed Gris-Gris

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? pop-tarts

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? BBQ

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Vet

Teacher & Subjects:

Science: Gaines

Math: Wesley

Social Studies: Hargroder

English: Hodge

Reading: Vidrine

Choir: Doherty

P.E.: Gurshio

We are very proud of Dani and the young woman she is becoming! She has started becoming a little more dramatic as her teenage years creep up on us...but so far it isn't too bad!! Let's just hope it doesn't get much worse...?!! We are thrilled to have her living with us in Zachary!! Homework and school has definitely been a challenge since she started school here, she is capable of being a straight A student (hence end of the year last year), however she likes to take short cuts and get her work done as quickly as possible and sometimes makes big mistakes that cost her a lot of points or extracurricular activities....or both!! We have learned we have to continually stay on top of her homework and test schedules, as she "forgets" many times to inform us of what is happening and as a result makes unacceptable grades. However, after some punishment and lectures she is slowly getting back into the groove. She has quickly learned what the expectations will be living with us!!

Despite the challenges that school brings, we wouldn't change having her live with us for a second!!! She is very involved in church, this is her first year in the youth group and she has continues to be very involved with drama, art, Bible studies and youth activities several times a week.

She worked hard all summer on swimming and as a result made the swim team at the Middle School!! Meets will start soon so stay tuned for that.

She also tried out for the Greater Baton Rouge Children's Choir and made that as well!!! At the try out she had to sing Amazing Grace, but the teacher stopped her before she got to that point. All Dani had to do was clap to a beat and sing a few melodies and she made the choir!! This is a great opportunity for her to develop her voice and sing with a reputable, well taught choir. We are looking forward to the performances!!

Lastly, she is running for the student government representative for the 7th grade!! Her slogan is "Make Dani one of your favs, choose her to represent our Braves"! Elections are soon so stay tuned for more on that as well!!

As you can probably tell she keeps us busy between her school work and all of her activities. With the two little guys and Dani our lives have been crazy lately! Luckily, I recently started a new, great, flexible, part-time job that I love as the Director of Accounting at a Vascular Surgical clinic and so I get off work at 2 pm every day just in time to get home for the bus drop off and run everyone around to their different activities!! This is what I always dreamed of as a mom and we are so thankful that Dani now gets to be a part of our daily lives and crazy, exciting schedule!!!!!

We love Dani so much and look forward to many more exciting years with her living in Zachary and continuing to achieve greatness!! We are very proud of her dedication and hard work!! She has such a positive personality that reflects to those around her. All of her teachers and church leaders have great things to say about her!! It is always a good feeling as a parent to get that confirmation from others!! She is always a great help around the house and with the boys.....most days (occasionally that dramatic teenage girl inside of her comes out but that is normal at this age....right??!!)!

Stay tuned for more news on Dani through out the school year....

Until next time!