Update

We are adjusting to "real" life...and Dorie is doing amazingly well! I read so many books on what to expect with an older child adoption, so I really felt prepared. But she does not fit the books at all! She has not had any of the problems I expected. I have to say that, all things considered, it has been a really easy transition. I know that it can change at any moment. But for now, I am so thankful.

Our first week of summer started out rough. I had scheduled D for an appointment with her pediatrician for Monday morning. There are a lot of things I wanted to discuss with the doctor, and knowing that D will be going to kindergarten in the fall, there are quite a few health requirements. I especially wanted to get moving on the 6-9 months of treatment for her positive TB test. However, on Friday afternoon I received a letter that said we were required to go to the our local county health care agency for the TB treatment. So we rushed there before going to the pediatrician (I thought the county may require me to use my insurance rather than "free" government health care). Although everyone was very friendly and kind, it was not a fun experience. D was required to give blood to make sure she did not test positive because of the vaccine (which everyone agreed she obviously had not ever been given--so why torment my poor girl with the test???). Then I was informed that her x-rays had expired 2 weeks earlier and she had to do them over. Ugh. Lots of tears from D. We rushed from the county agency and barely made it to the pediatrician's office. And that's when the fun really began. Poor D. We are really on a time crunch because she has never received any immunizations and the schools require proof that kindergarteners are up-to-date before enrolling. So my brave girl managed to sit still--despite her tears--for FIVE injections. Oh, she tried to be brave! The good ole tetanus shot was given in her leg and they hit the muscle, so she has been limping around for several days. She's a trooper. And a pooper...we have been collecting stool samples for three days. So fun! We go back today for another blood draw, urinalysis, and to drop off the poop. We've actually gotten some good laughs over it. D's got a great sense of humor!

Tuesday was a fun day, with D getting to go to her first birthday party! Her sweet new friend Ashlyn invited D to a bounce house party. Talk about a fun time!!

Tomorrow we are going to our big family vacation. We have rented a cabin at Hume Lake in the Sequoia/King's Canyon National Park and will be staying with so many cousins that Dorie will be in heaven! It's going to be wonderful.