Sunday, August 31, 2014

NDNorth: Little Bookworms

A few sponsors have sent the little ones at New Day North a little stack of board books (Thank you!), and the nannies are getting more and more into the habit of teaching the kids about reading. Funny, it seems like the youngest ones in the group have caught on the quickest! 

You may look at the photo below and think, oh, that's just a staged photo, the babies aren't really reading. Think again! Timothy was actually staring intently at his book, concentrating and focusing. Maybe he'll be an early reader? 


...or maybe it wasn't the words he was reading, but the pictures. Is it a good book, Timothy?


Our kids are becoming bookworms and we're so excited for them!
Saturday, August 30, 2014

NDSouth: Welcome Lulu!


On Monday, August 11th, Lulu arrived in our care at New Day South. She's a sweet girl with a darling smile, and even though she's only been here for a couple of weeks, she's already melting hearts with it!



Lulu loves watching the people around her, and she often likes to mimic them too.


Between her sweet little laugh and mischievous grin, how could you not fall for this precious girl? And honestly, what about those dimples? Completely adorable, right?


But don't be fooled, sweet little Lulu has a silly side too...isn't that right, Miss Lulu?



We think Lulu is going to fit right in here. She's already started attending preschool, loves to be cuddled, and is good to share with the little ones around her.



Welcome to your new home, Lulu! We're so happy to have you here!
Friday, August 29, 2014

Happy and Home

Since 2002 New Day has celebrated the adoption of 256 children.

256

That's a lot. (You can see pictures of all of our "graduates" here)

Many of you giggled along with our kids when we posted this "Happy at New Day" video. It was fun getting clips of the children in our care bubbling with joy. There's something special about seeing children who have overcome many challenges smiling and dancing. There's something absolutely miraculous about it, actually! It was a fun video to put together, and even more fun to watch... but we had an idea. What if we could put together a "Happy" video of some of New Day's graduates? 

A few e-mails went out and in no time (ok, it actually took a few weeks - adoptive parents are busy!), we had a collection of clips and pictures to sort through. We didn't get clips from every single one of the 256 children who have been adopted, but we do have over thirty.

...over thirty "happy" videos of children who once were orphans living at New Day, but who are now HOME.

Ready?

 

In Memory of Albert


Thursday, August 28, 2014

NDSouth: Amy's Laugh


Amy is a darling girl with a contagious laugh. She loves to play and have fun, and there isn't a day that goes by that you won't hear her laughter throughout the foster home as she plays with the other children.


She loves learning new things, too. Of course, not only is she an enthusiastic student, but she also sets an example for the younger children in preschool. Amy is commonly found helping the teacher as well as encouraging the other children to follow along.


She's such a sweet girl, with a shining personality and an encouraging heart.


Of course, the one thing Amy asks for often is a family of her own...and how we long for the day when that is a reality for our darling girl.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

NDNorth: One Voracious Reader



Wordless Wednesday: Hands


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Therapy Tuesday: Pearl and Oliver (Again)

We gave you a peek at Pearl and Oliver's therapy session a few months back.  They've been making great progress, and we have some new (rather adorable) pictures, so we thought that you might like another look...?



Here they come!  Don't you just love the look of determination on Pearl's face?


What are you going to work on today, Pearl?


Looks like it's going to be something fun...


It's a fishing game!  First it's Sharon's turn.


Then it's Pearl's turn.  Nice fine motor skills, Pearl!


While Pearl is busy fishing, her foster brother Oliver gets a massage.


How does that feel, Oliver?


Good work, guys.  See you again soon!


Monday, August 25, 2014

A Glimpse Into the Critical Care Unit

One of our Summer Staff volunteers, Emma, is a nursing student so she was assigned to help out in the CCU.  She has written a blog post that gives a glimpse into these special little rooms, which are closed to visitors in order to help keep out germs.

The Critical Care Unit (CCU) is home to four of New Day Foster Home’s adorable children; Ari, Ella, Albert and Reese.  Although these children may be in need of more specialized care than others at the Foster Home, their room is the same as everyone else’s.  Rather than being filled with monitors, machines and loud beeping noises, as most CCUs are, it is filled with toys, blankets and musical instruments.  Spending even a few minutes in this room will make anyone fall in love with each of the children.  Their big personalities shine past their medical conditions.


These children receive some of the most dedicated, inspiring, one-to-one care that any child in a CCU could dream of having.  The four nannies responsible for the children’s care are exceptional and clearly love each child, going above and beyond their duty in providing for each child’s needs.  They know them best and the love between each child and their nanny is evident.

Ari is a little charmer!  He loves to babble away to himself and those who play with him, laughing and smiling frequently.   Any type of rattle Ari will be enamored with, shaking it about, transferring it between his hands and inevitably putting it in his mouth.  He rolls from side to side and turns his body so that he can reach whichever toy he desires.  When he is tickled he shrieks with laughter and tries everything he can to escape!  When his nanny puts him in the rocking chair and rubs his tummy he falls straight to sleep.  He is a very friendly little boy.


Ella is a beautiful little girl!  She adores having her hair brushed and styled with lots of hair accessories. The biggest grin appears on her face whenever someone plays with her hair and it lasts for minutes after.  When she looks in the mirror she is fascinated by the little girl staring back at her and smiles.  Listening to music is one of her favorite activities too.  She especially likes it when someone sings to her, she always looks so joyful when they do.  When her nanny cuddles her she becomes calm and restful. She is such a sweet girl.

Albert is so funny!  He interacts with everyone he meets and calls for his mama frequently, even when she is there.  She says to him “What is it little Albert? I am here!” and he just grins, giggles and keeps calling “Mama!”.  He loves to be cuddled and tickled by his nanny. He grows stronger every day and enjoys rolling about on the floor to reach the toys he wants to play with. He is a determined, sociable little boy.

Reese is such a happy little guy!  He is constantly smiling and trying to catch whoever’s attention he can.  When Ella sits on the floor he scurries over to her and tries to pull her socks off, which both of them find very funny.  Reese enjoys rolling around on the floor, picking up any hard toy he can find and throwing it to the ground, laughing at the loud crash the toy makes as it falls.  He would do this all day if he could.  He loves it when his nanny rocks him back and forth on her knee and sings to him. He is a very cute little boy.


All of these children are blessed to receive such a high quality care which has its foundation in love. Their growth and development, both physically and mentally, is clearly seen each day as their nannies encourage and care for them.  The kids are so lucky to be in such a wonderful Critical Care Unit run by the outstanding nannies at New Day Foster Home.

Thank you, Emma, for giving up 6 weeks of your Summer to love on these precious little ones.  We wish you every success with your nursing studies.
Sunday, August 24, 2014

NDNorth: Twinkle, twinkle, little star

It's songtime at New Day North! What song would you like to sing today, Philip?
Hm, what's that you're holding? Is it a star? Does that mean that you'd like to sing, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star"? Well, let's sing it then!


Philip hasn't quite learned the words yet, but he's got the "how I wonder what you are," part down solidly. He was very curious about the paper we cut out in the shape of a star to give the kids a tangible example of the song. 


Oh, would you like for us to sing again for you? 


Twinkle, twinkle, little star...

Friday, August 22, 2014

In The Garden With Natalie

My name is Natalie and I am 6 months old.  I've been here at New Day Foster Home for just over a month, and there is so much to see here.  The other day I got to go out into the backyard for the first time, which was quite an experience.


I'm glad that I was with my good friend Rob, he took good care of me and told me what everything was.


We discovered leaves...


...and flowers.




Rob said that I looked very pretty with a flower behind my ear.


I even got to meet some big kids!


I got a kiss from a lovely girl called Selah.


I think I like it here!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

NDSouth:Matthew

This is probably the hardest post, we at New Day South, have ever had to write. Little Matthew left us less than a week ago and and all of our hearts are still broken. But through the pain and sadness, his life is a life worth remembering and rejoicing over. He died loved and cherished by so many people and he will be greatly missed.

Matthew arrived in our care at just four days of age on September 19, 2012. His orphanage called, asking for us to help knowing that without our help, this little newborn would not survive. Of course we said yes, and Matthew was brought to Guangzhou where he immediately underwent his first surgery. 


After several weeks, Matthew was released from the hospital and arrived at New Day South. The other children were so excited to meet their new little foster brother! He was so tiny and absolutely precious. We all immediately fell in love.


Matthew had a long road ahead of him with at least three more surgeries over the next few years. Even though it would be hard, we were all honored to walk that road with him and give him a chance at life by providing the love and care he so desperately needed. 


Little Matthew was in and out of the hospital time and time again with sickness or surgery. But he always amazed us and pulled through. 


It was an honor to watch this little boy blossom into the precious child he was the day he passed away. 


Many of you fell in love with his sweet smile, just like all of us at New Day South did. He had a smile that would light up the room and you couldn't help but smile right along with him. If you were having a bad day, just a few minutes with Matthew and your day would be so much better.


Matthew was also known for his "crazy hair." No matter how many times we cut it or tried to "style" it, it had a mind of it's own.


Matthew was loved by everyone who met him. He was especially loved by the nannies and staff at New Day South. He will always hold a special place in each of our hearts.


We watched as he reached milestone after milestone. We rejoiced with him when he learned to sit up, crawl, and pull himself up. When he passed away, he was so close to taking his first steps. We were all anxiously awaiting that day.


Matthew was the example of JOY which is defined as: "a feeling of great pleasure and happiness." Of course he had his moments, usually when he was hungry or tired, but for the most part Matthew lived out exactly what joy should be.


Matthew was loved and he was cherished. His absence will leave a void at New Day South in the upcoming months.


Matthew taught us what it means to love and to live each day to the fullest.


Matthew celebrated his 1st birthday on September 15, 2013, and his 2nd birthday was just a month away.


Of all of the children currently at New Day South, Matthew had been with us the longest.


One of Matthew's many talents was his flexibility. We were always amazed at how easily he could put his foot in his mouth! Literally!


Matthew was great at going for haircuts... he had been through it just a few times!


In the last few months of his life, Matthew developed such a personality. He was constantly making us laugh with his funny faces...


... very excited expressions....


... and of course his love for his beloved purple cupcake purse and pink bracelet. 
After all, aren't those every little boy's favorite toys?


Sweet Matthew, you made New Day South a place of laughter, joy, and smiles. You are so loved, little one, and you will never be forgotten. You will be missed by so many. Those who knew you in person as well as those who knew you from social media.


Thank you, Matthew, for allowing us to be a part of your life and for bringing us such joy. We love you, sweet one, and it was an honor to love you during your short time here on earth. Matthew, you are missed and you are loved.