Saturday, February 23, 2008
Last week in pictures...
On Monday afternoon, Rita and I went to the local outlet mall to return some shoes and get some jeans that fit better (size 5 instead of 6). She really wanted a pair of sunglasses. After three stores (because I couldn't give in and buy her the first pair she saw...) we found these sunglasses. Later in the afternoon we went to the dog park with Michael and Thani.
Posing with her new sunglasses. Rita was fearless with the big dogs. She ran around with them, grabbing the ball they were playing with, and throwing it for them.
The next evening, without naptime. Asleep on the sofa by 7PM.
Showing off her new computer from Grandma. 
Learning to write her letters and numbers. We are going to contact her school next week and see if we can get her started around March 15. 
On Wednesday Rita had her first visit with the pediatrician who specializes in internationally adopted children. The doctor reviewed her medical record and checked her over. She was given the skin TB test for school, I had to collect a urine sample (yep, got peed on), and had like 10 vials of blood taken (without her hardly flinching). Her hearing was also checked, and the doctor pointed out some scars that we hadn't noticed before... scars near her hairline on her forehead which looks like she had some stitches (something to ask her about with Z) and some chicken pox scars on her back. We also got the stool sample kit... and that has been returned to the office the next day. We should get the results on everything in about a week.
Thursday we went down to the adoption agency to drop off her Russian registration paperwork and so she could meet the staff who helped bring her to the US. We also visited Kristin at work, and went to lunch. Here is Rita taking Thani for a walk along the path behind our house.
Kristin came over on Friday night for dinner. We made english muffin pizzas. 
On Saturday we met Debra and her two girls who were adopted from Russia six years ago for breakfast. (Thanks for all of the cool clothes... including this spring jacket!) We went to dog beach in the afternoon. Rita got to experience the ocean for the first time. She really really wanted to go swimming.
About five minutes before she did get her opportunity to swim in the ocean... Michael gives me his keys and cell phone because we sense something is going to happen...
Yes, a big wave came and she jumped off the rocks. It was deeper than she thought and another wave came quickly. She rolled around in the waves as the water churned, and screamed for papa. He got to rescue her. But she was all smiles and giggles and ready to go again... I think we are going to be spending alot of time at the beach this summer.16 Comments:
Adopt A Child.orgAdopting from Russia
Eastern European Adoption Coalition, Inc
Embassy of the Russian Federation
Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption
Karen's Adoption Links
Older Child Adoption
Russia Adoption Blog
Russian Adoption Medical Services
Russian Family Search
Russian Toys
Vernissage Press
Sunglasses must be a big thing. My boys did the same thing- wearing them constantly and never taking them off, even inside.
Rita looks great and so happy (she was a happy one at the airport too!). It is so good to see how well she is doing. If you email us at toeppe@gmail.com, I can add you to our blog (it is a private one).
Myra
I can't wait to meet her in person.
Ronda
The post "swim" picture is great. Glad to see she's still smiling after her unexpected dunk.