Niranjana, Melissa and Andy Perdue

Ten months ago today, we arrived home with Niranjana. Ten months later, she's excelling in many areas. Her vocabulary improves daily, and she is beginning to catch up in letter recognition, thanks to her new Montessori school.

All in all, Niranjana is progressing as well as we could have hoped after just 10 months. As it has for several months, we feel like a family.

Yesterday, I was reading an article in the recent issue of Adoptive Families about the questions families with adopted children are asked. One should be horrified at such questions (from strangers, friends and family) as, "What happened to her real mom?" or "How much did she cost?" or "Do you have any real children?" Yet this happens all the time.

As I read this article, I thought about how fortunate we've been to not have faced too many of these kinds of questions. For the most part, those who have asked questions that even border on intrusive have done so out of true interest, not just to be nosy. I think it helps that we were very open with our friends and co-workers about the entire process and have lived fairly transparent lives via this Web site. At Kiwanis, I regularly pay for brags on how Niranjana is doing, and we ride on our club's children's train in Columbia Park nearly every week, so most people in our circle of friends are used to seeing Niranjana with us.

When we're at a store with Niranjana, I am aware that people will wonder what the deal is with these two white people and their beautiful brown daughter. I always make sure to show Niranjana extra affection, if only to make it clear to them that this is my little girl.

Being an adoptive parent - and a multiracial family - sort of turns one into an advocate and an educator. When given an opportunity, I let folks know about the adoptive process, why we chose India (the most common question I get) and things that probably shouldn't be asked.

At the 10-month mark, Niranjana is surrounded with love by her direct and extended family. It's 10 months down and a lifetime to go. Life could not be much better.