Niranjana, Melissa and Andy Perdue

Nine months ago, we arrived home from India with Niranjana. India seems like a long time ago, much longer than nine months. In the past month, we've gone through a few changes and reached minor milestones.

Most importantly, Niranjana is in a new school. The change was not terribly traumatic, though she did miss her teacher a bit. Melissa swears Niranjana's vocabulary already is expanding. I'm less certain.

In the past month, Melissa and I actually got out of the house together as a couple, leaving Niranjana with our dear neighbors. This ended up being way more traumatic for me than Melissa or Niranjana, as it turned out. It did feel good to see the new Indiana Jones flick and attend the Leadership Tri-Cities Class XIII graduation.

Getting Niranjana to sleep has become more of an issue, especially since we want to get her to school a little earlier. Melissa and I have always been night owls, and Niranjana would seem to fit into that schedule a little too well. At least she's getting naps at school (I think).

My first Father's Day was just about perfect. I got to sleep in, then I watched Tiger Woods beat everyone on a bum knee and a broken leg (well, he finally dispatched his final competitor Monday). Let's just say it was much more low key than Mother's Day - exactly the way it should be.

Athletically, Niranjana's talents know no bounds. Tonight, I learned that I retain just enough reflexes to dodge a line drive headed straight for my face. I've begun to flatten out my pitches to her, and she keeps hitting the ball better and more consistently. She has a wicked throwing arm and even seems able to throw well left-handed. She also dribbles the soccer ball very well.

It's been a great six months since Niranjana and I solidly connected and attached. Those days prior to that are distant, fading memories.