Another baby enters foster care...

Jenna left this week for foster care in her home province. Like always, her departure brings a mix of emotions. Together with her nannies, we are sad to see her leave the home, as we have greatly enjoyed getting to "know" her these past few months...but we are very excited that she is healthy enough to enter foster care!


"I'm not so sure about this..."

We know that her new foster family will take wonderful care of her, and trust that she will continue to grow and thrive in her new environment. We know how important a family environment is for a child's growth and development, and are very happy that Jenna can now experience this as well. (Many thanks to all of our supporters whose sponsorship of the LWB foster care program make these family-like experiences possible!).

Jenna is actually joining the same family as Shannon (who left the home a few weeks ago)...so we hope this familiar face will make her transition even smoother!


Goodbye, Jenna! We'll miss you!

Introducing...Daisy!

A newborn baby girl moved into the cleft home today, her name is Daisy. She's just a few weeks old, and seems to have no problems adjusting to her new home!



Welcome, Daisy! We're so glad you're here!

Life Philosophies

According to our house manager, Zhang Ming, some of the babies have already developed particular "life philosophies".

For example, Nick's life philosophy is to cry. You remember the post a while back, showing mouth open so wide you could see his tonsils? Well, he still likes to cry...but we're happy to report that he seems to be settling down a little bit. He has replaced some of his screaming with babbling, and that's a welcome change. He's not smiling in these pictures, but at least he's not crying!


Nick

Jack's life philosophy is eating...and that's one about which we are very happy! As long as the nannies strictly adhere to his eating schedule (every two hours!) he's a happy camper...but if his bottle is late, he let's everyone know about it!


Jack...taking a rare break from eating!

Dawn's life philosophy is smiling! And boy, do we have the pictures to prove it!


Dimply Dawn

Regardless of what their philosophy is, we are so pleased that each of our children has the opportunity to be unique in his or her own way, and so grateful that our nannies take the time to get to know each of them. It's such a gift to share in the development of each of these babies, as they continue to establish who they are. And we can't wait to see who they will be in the years to come!

Jenna's new smile

I thought you'd like to see some pictures of Jenna a few weeks post-op. She looks much more comfortable, and happy, wouldn't you say?


Now that's a happy child!

My how they grow!

Kyle and Becca still reside at the cleft home while we search for some more foster families. While they were never tiny by any means, they still have grown so much! Both physically and developmentally.



Even though neither could support their head when they first arrived, they are now both standing (though Kyle's a bit wobbly), and Becca seems to be helping Simba (the house manager's son) with his homework already ready!



Thank you for your continued support, which enables us to provide these children the physical, medical, emotional, and developmental support and care they deserve.

More babies!

The doors are certainly revolving at the cleft home!
There are two new ones you haven't yet met, so I would like to introduce....


Leah


and Phillip!


(From left to right)
Becca...Jenna...Millie...Nick...
Kyle...Jack...and Dawn...all in the hands of our
wonderful nannies, and one visitor!

Showing some love

One of the greatest benefits our children in the cleft home receive is individual care and attention. We know that the best nutrition and medical care is important, but without love, these babies would still lack what they need in order to thrive. I love all of the pictures we receive from the home of nannies interacting with the babies, because the care and love they feel for these babies is so evident. And they always look so happy to be with the children--we really couldn't ask for better caregivers.

Priceless picutres of Kyle learning to recieve...and give...kisses