Very Ready for the Weekend
This weekend I am going to Columbus for Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, Parker and I are going to the Columbus Asian Festival with my sister and her boyfriend. I am staying on the OSU campus at the Blackwell hotel, and I can’t wait to do two things (besides the Asian Festival) - walk around the OSU campus with Parker - memories for me and fun for both of us - Parker An should enjoy playing on the Oval and hanging out near Mirror Lake. Second, I can’t wait to go to Moy’s Chinese Restaurant - my favorite in Columbus, and right across from OSU’s campus on High Street.
On Sunday we’re going to the Columbus Zoo for my adoption agency’s annual reunion picnic - which will also be lots of fun.
While I’m away my friend will be watching the house and dog, and I am having my driveway patched and sealed (asphalt is a pain in the ass!).
Yesterday Parker and I had our one year follow-up visit with the Oak Adoptive Health Center. We’re doing great! Parker’s attachment to me is very solid, and was very evident to all three of the people we met with: a pediatrician, a child/family psychologist, and a physical/cognitive development specialist. Parker’s physical and intellectual development is at or a couple months ahead of where it should be. The psychologist said he is obviously attached to me, and views me as his safety and comfort, as well as his provider of necessities. I knew that, but it was nice to have someone I trust see that and let me know it wasn’t just my imagination or wishful thinking - it’s amazing how much you can tell about a parent-child relationship just by how they enter a room together, how the child checks in with the parent visually when unsure, etc. She also gave me some good insight on a couple of concerns I had about issues that will surely come up for Parker later in life, when the gravity of what adoption is and means starts to register for him. He is in the 10th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference on the US charts and is physically in great shape. We also had a hearing test done, and there were no issues there. I can’t stress enough how nice it is to go to a doctor’s office/hospital and have an entire section dedicated to the special issues that adopted kids might experience - both physically and mentally. It feels so comfortable going for visits!
Hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend - don’t forget what we observe it for.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Have a wonderful weekend sharing memories with Parker. Glad to hear that the one year visit went so well. He is so lucky!!!! Take care. Hope there will be pics from the weekend….no pressure
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:34 PM
terrific, so glad all is well for both you and Parker!!
Grandpa
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:40 PM
looking forward to sharing the weekend with grandpa, jon, parker, lindsey and marco, it will be alot of fun. i knew my grandson was doing well and of course very smart!! good for you parker an. love you…grandma
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Sounds like Parker is doing very well. Can’t wait to meet you at the picnic!
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Oh, how funny–we’ll be at the Asian Festival too (but it’s only 30 minutes from our house). We were there a couple years ago–it’s a great time! Bring some extra cash–there is far too much great food there!
May 26th, 2008 at 2:35 AM
That is great news Jonothan. Im envious of the special adoption centric services available in some US cities. Paris does not have this, though health care is fantastic here and available to ALL citizens. Hope you enjoyed the picnic. Jana