Ukraine Adoption

Growing girl

Each day, Tara announces that she has grown. Indeed, she is taller. She has grown nearly 6 inches since we brought her home from Ukraine in April 2005. And, she weighs 30 percent more now. She is still petite, though I am beginning to realize that is just her nature.

She had a wellness check-up today at the doctor's office. The nurse asked her all kinds of things to test her, like what color are my pants? What color is your shirt? She responded, quietly. She asked her if she can stand on one foot. Tara said yes but she wouldn't do it. She asked if Tara can hop. See? Like this? Can you hop? Tara watched her. I nudged her a bit. Go on.

A few seconds passed by. I'm looking at the nurse, shrugging my shoulders, giving her a weak smile. Then Tara proclaimed: "I can hop higher than that!" And she showed us. She wanted to know if Tara can say the ABCs. I said yes, but she gets the LMNOPQ part kind of blurred together (who doesn't?)

Finally, the doctor came in, a gentle man with white hair and a warm smile. You can tell he has worked with little ones for many, many years. Tara immediately relaxed. She did whatever he asked. She watched him carefully and answered all of his questions. Even when we know our child is OK, we still worry about exams. Her heart, lungs, everything is fine. I exhaled. The doctor asked if she gets dressed herself and picks out her own clothes. And how! I exclaimed. She tells me when things don't match, she refuses to wear some things that she just doesn't like. She is very much into her clothes, her appearance.

After the exam, the doctor picked up his chart and he said: "I'm going to write in here that she is very bright."

google this and hello and bye bye.