Well Baby Check and a Blog Appearance

Every month Zoe goes to the Holt Clinic for her Well Baby Check. She is seen by a doctor and they check her out, get her measurements, weight and all that fun stuff. It really is such a blessing to have an update on our girl and to see how she is growing and progressing.

Zoe was born at 30 weeks, so she was 2 1/2 months premature. When we received her file in April, we received her April Well Baby Check along with the rest of her medical information. At that time, she weighed 6 kg (13.7 pounds) and was 62.5 cm (24.606 inches) in height. She was in the less than 3rd percentile in weight and 10th percentile in height. She was also accessed to be at approx. 3 month developmental level. (That is to be expected for a baby who was only supposed to be 3 1/2 months old.) At that time, she was noted to lift her head, pull her chest up while bearing weight on her arms, and bearing some weight on her legs. She also was noted to suck her hands, follow an object with her eyes and put her hands together (a fine motor skill). She also was smiling, cooing, and laughing.

We were matched with Zoe on May 20th and received her Well Baby Check (WBC) the next day along with 2 new pics of her. At that time, she had grown a bit to 64 cm (25.196 inches) which is less than 10% in height and her weight was 6.6 kg (14.55 pounds) which is also less than the 10th percentile. She had begun creeping (but not crawling), could grasp a large object and transfer it from one hand to another, sucks her hand, turn to a ratting sound and a voice. That WBC also noted that she was saying "umma" (mommy) at crying. I was so excited that she had progressed so much in just one month. At this time, the doctor assessed her to be at 6 month developmental level (which she was 6 months)! WOO HOO! My sweet friend, Mary Leigh said "Oh, she says mama, she just needed to know you were coming." That made me cry a little. Emotions were running pretty high at that point. We had only known she was "officially" ours for less than 24 hours and that time was filled with excitement, but knowing your child is 1/2 way around the world is not something you can ever prepare yourself for. I wanted her home right then!

This month, our little Korean cutie has grown even more! She has grown to 67.5 cm in height (26.57 inches) which is more than 25th percentile. She is weighing in at a whopping 7.0 kg (15.43 pounds) which is still in the less than 10th percentile. She is rolling over, creeping (still not crawling, but let's not rush her on that one), reaches out for a large object, transfers objects from hand to hand, prefers mother (her caregiver as opposed to the nurse or doctor who are examining her), responds to her name (Eun-ha) and plays peek-a-boo. She also is imitating speech and speaking single syllables. She is accessed to be at a 6-7 month developmental level (which that is what she is), so grow big girl grow.

It's a little bitter-sweet to receive a WBC. Part of me is SO THRILLED to get these reports on our girl every month. It's GREAT that she has such wonderful medical care in Korea. It is definitely one of the many things we love about the Korean program; the medical care certainly sets it apart!!! I just wish I could be there to see her grow and progress. I hate that I am missing it, but it has helped me to not take for granted all the moments I have with my boys and all the moments we will have with Zoe in the future.

One thing that always makes me smile is each month, the doctor writes a description of their physical appearance. He said Zoe looked "cute and fine". Oh, she's cute alright. I just want him to note the hair in one of them. I will totally LOL if he writes "cute and fine, but the hair is out of control".

Speaking of hair, another adoptive mom was browsing through some Korean blogs and stumbled upon one with Zoe's picture in it. The hair is totally crazy! We are getting a care package together to send her and you better believe that some rubber-bands and clippies will be included. Check her out!



She is a cutie. I have to admit, I love those chubby little cheeks. I can't wait to kiss them (and fix her hair). I also have to admit that I was a little surprised that she is only in the 10% in weight because she looks like a chunk to me. We are so in love with her and we can't wait to have her home.

~paula