Welcome Lifeworks 1!

We'd like to extend a very warm welcome to the volunteers of Lifeworks International who will be working with us this summer. Here are some photos of Team 1 getting acquainted with the little ones in the baby home.

More tiny babies - Hui and Yun

We received two tiny premature new babies this week -a little girl named Yun and a boy called Hui. They are not twins, but were abandoned in the same city and have the same intake weights. Neither appears to have other birth defects, but both are very fragile.


Baby Hui is not doing well now, he is struggling with low oxygen levels, edema and fluid balance. But his little face is so peaceful and perfect:



Here they are with our doll baby Shuang (center), who is growing like a weed. She looks so big next to these newcomers, it is hard to believe she is only 4.5 lbs herself.

Extra chromosome, extra cuteness!

Qin and Fang were both born with Down Syndrome and both have some of the medical complications that often accompany that diagnosis. But that doesn't stop them from being super cute! They aren't sisters, but are so similar in size, looks and personality, so we often think of them as "twins".

Isn't it amazing the range of facial expressions they make?
Who knew that a tiny baby could roll her tongue like that!

We think they are pretty special, right down to their little feet!

Mei Mei and Ran Ran

These two girls have been with us long term. Both of them were accepted as small infants for hospice care, with little chance for survival. But they have beat the odds, and both of them are still with us several years later.

Ran Ran is severely brain damaged and requires a very high level of care. Mei Mei is now a very alert and active 4 year old who loves to help the nannies care for the smaller children. She watches them closely and copies their behavior. She does her best to wipe little noses or pat a fussy baby on the back. Although she is non-verbal, she communicates very well.

"Hmmm, wonder if Ran Ran needs a little help. She looks lonely. "

"Hey Ran Ran, you OK?"

"Let me make you a little more comfortable!"

"Oh, maybe the problem is over here."

We have been so blessed to care for these little girls and watch them grow and develop. And it's so rewarding to see Mei Mei picking up the nurturing care she's seen and experienced over the years!

Baby Shuang - Just Like a Doll!

Baby Shuang is modelling one of the new preemie sweaters we received from a generous donor in Australia this week. When we opened the box of donations and took out the sweaters (no bigger than an adult's hand) it seemed impossible they would fit on a real baby. Might fit a little girl's baby doll, perhaps, but a real baby????

When the nannies saw Shuang (now weighing about 3.5 lbs/1.5 kg) wearing the sweater and cap they could hardly believe how cute she looked. "Just like a baby doll- so tiny and perfect!"

Don't you agree?

A prayer fulfilled - strong, healthy and adorable!

Twins Ke and Ai arrived nearly a year ago, so tiny and fragile we feared they might not survive. The first few months were filled with ups and downs, but as they near their first birthday we are so grateful to know that they are indeed growing up strong, healthy, and as their names imply - adorable!

Ke: "Hey sis, you want to play?"
Ai: "Not right now, I just woke up. Gimme a minute."

"OK, now I'm ready!

"Look at this little nose - looks just like mine!"

"Yep, and the same ears, too!"

"Imagine that! We must be twins!"

"Can I share your ball?"

Your prayers and support *do* make a difference, not only for little Ke and Ai, but all the children we care for. Thank you to all who help make this possible.