Little Ai Ai goes home

Baby Ai Ai's rough start began even before she was born. Her mother suffered serious, life threatening health complications. The doctors decided that it would be best to deliver the baby early so that the mother might have a better chance. Unfortunately, Ai Ai's mother died right after she was born.

Little Ai Ai was not only born prematurely, but doctors also discovered that she had intestinal atresia and needed emergency surgery for that. Her recovery from that surgery was slow and difficult, and her father was not able to stay home and provide the skilled nursing care that she required.

Someone put this family in touch with Little Flower, and we agreed to help Ai Ai until she was strong and healthy enough to rejoin her father. Ai Ai was just three months old in May when she arrived, very tiny and frail but with the biggest and most beautiful alert little eyes:


We cared for Ai Ai for a short time before her health worsened again and she was hospitalized once more in critical condition. This hospitalization was a lengthy one, and she had additional surgeries while she was there. In September she was finally discharged back to us when she was 7 months old.


From that time she made incredible progress, growing stronger and more beautiful every day.

Her dad came to visit her whenever he could:

We started talking to Ai Ai's dad about her going home with him, but he was so worried about her special feeding and nursing care requirements. Every time we suggested that she was healthy enough to go home she would get sick again and his confidence would take another dive.


At Christmastime we agreed that she would go home with him when he went home for Chinese New Year in January. Little Ai Ai spent her first Christmas at Little Flower:


By that time she was sitting very well and starting to crawl:





Her father finalized his travel plans, and all too soon it was time to say goodbye. Ai's special nanny was very happy for her, but will miss her so much!



"Little Ai, are you ready to leave now?"



She left with her dad, bundled in clothing from her nannies:


A few days later we got these photos from her dad. They arrived back safely in Sichuan and Ai is happy and adjusting well. She will probably stay with her father's sister's family after the holiday when her dad goes back to work.




Ai Ai, we will miss you so much. Wishing you and your family the very best in 2012 and beyond!