Cherub's Checkup

My wife and I recently took our daughter in for her two-year checkup.
Now two years old, we've been very pleased with our daughter's progress.
And there's a little bit of personal pride as well.
Savannah was willing (sort of) to put up with being stripped down to her diaper and having to wait for an assistant, then wait again, and then have the physician's assistant talk to us.
As an only-child household, we often hear from others about how we should have at least one more child.  The reasons run from trying for a boy (people still take this family name thing very seriously) to companionship after the parents are gone.
But I digress.  That's a whole other column.
What I will say is that because we have one, we're able to be more attentive to her overall development.  Physically and emotionally.
As part of the two-year checkup, we were given a behavioral checklist, and the answers we supplied spoke volumes about how well our daughter is doing.
We answered questions the PA put forth to us about the 'terrible twos' and if there were any 'issues' with her behavior, how did we handle it.
"Perfect" was the word she used to describe our answers.
When we got out to the car after the appointment was over, Margie was the first to bring it up.
"We must be doing something right," she said.
The thing of it is, we don't do all that much. 
In my opinion anyway.
We listen to her when she talks.  She might not get what she wants from us, but she'll have our attention when she needs it.
There's consequences for bad behavior.  Though we've had yet to resort to corporal punishment, there have been instances where she's come close.  And we have found alternatives...stricter time-outs. 
We know what's best for our child.  We always gladly accept advice from parents or grandparents, who can share their perspective on any particular matter, but ultimately, it's up to us to make the decisions affecting her well-being.
We have an eye for the future.  What we say and do affects what our little girl will someday grow up to be.  And our goal is to raise her into a happy, well-adjusted, responsible adult and contributing member to society.
While we put our child's needs ahead of our own, we do not make her the center of our universe.  Rather, we welcome her as an integral part of our family unit.
These aren't difficult for us.  They come naturally. 
And some things come naturally to her, we've come to find out.
Laughter.  The things that can make me or my wife Savannah smile can make Savannah laugh hysterically.
Sharing.  She never hesitates to share toys or take turns on playdates or at daycare.
Love.  When I was suffering from a lower back flare-up just about a month ago, with pain so bad I could barely move, I could still hear that sweet little voice:
"OK, Daddy?  Boo-boo back?"
"I'll be fine, honey."
"OK."
Or if I hit a pothole or bump in the road while in the car and with her in the backseat.
"Careful, Daddy."
Getting through a check-up wasn't just for her wellness.
It was for our wellness too.
Perfect.


NEXT WEEK:  R-E-S-P-E-C-T...earned, never given.