Sunday, January 31, 2016

Celebrating Ella

With more than 30 birthdays to celebrate every year, it's not possible to do a special birthday-blog-post for every child, even though there is so much to celebrate about each one of them.  However, today is Ella's 5th birthday, and she gets a post in celebration, 'just because'.



Ella has been here at New Day Foster Home since she was a little baby, back in March 2011.  She was very ill when she first arrived, and since then she has had way more than her fair share of set-backs, time in hospital, and scary moments.



The picture above is from this post, written exactly three years ago (a February birthday means that some years Ella's birthday falls during the Chinese New Year holiday).  Reaching her second birthday was a miracle, and it's been a beautiful miracle to watch her grow in the three years since then.  She's looking like a real 'big girl' these days!



Ella still loves getting her hair done...


...and having a massage. 


Tucked away in the Critical Care Unit to protect her from infections, most people don't get to see her, but Ella is being tenderly loved and cared for by the amazing CCU nannies.


Ella's life is precious, and it is our ongoing privilege to have her here at New Day.  Still, our biggest birthday wish for Ella (besides that for her dramatic and miraculous healing) is that this would be the year that her forever family finds her.  



Happy Birthday, Ella!


For more information about adopting Ella (not inquiries about other New Day Children please, as in the vast majority of cases we will be unable to give out any information besides that which is already on our website), you can contact foster@newdaycreations.com.

NDNorth: Therapy Day

This week, Eva and Ting Ting, two occupational therapists from Beijing visited New Day North. It was a great day and everyone learned new ways to be helping the children more. The kiddos also enjoyed their time with they therapists, though they did make them work extra hard! Here are a few highlights:

Ruby got her new chair adjusted so that if fits her just right!


Ruby also enjoyed some special time with Ting Ting.


Clara enjoyed dancing with Eva and being kissed by her too!


She didn't enjoy time on the ball so much. But she worked hard and everyone cheered for her when it was all over!


Chad took to Eva right away!


The therapists made Timothy work hard. But it was so much fun that he didn't even realize he was working!


What's that Clara? Eva and Ting Ting are pretty wonderful? I think we can all agree with you on that!


Friday, January 29, 2016

All The Layers

Beijing winters are always cold, but this one is especially arctic.  At times, temperatures have hit a 30-year low of around -17 (just over 1 degree Fahrenheit) and we are all wearing more layers than normal.


For our foster families travelling in and out of New Day for preschool, therapy and medical check-ups, keeping the kids warm is a big challenge.  All of them do a great job at wrapping their precious charges up well, but Natalie's foster-mama has it down to a fine-art!



It's all about the layers.  When Natalie comes for her monthly check-up and needs to be weighed and measured, it's a pretty long process to 'unwrap her'...and then to put them all back on again afterwards.



Look who we found under all of those sweaters and pants...Natalie!


And here she is with them all back on again. 


Time to head out and brave the cold for the journey home.  Coat, hat, scarf...


...and one of her foster-baba's coats to wear in the cart.  Toasty-warm!


Thursday, January 28, 2016

NDSouth: Rainy Day Fun

Well here in the South, we are heading into our Rainy Season.  
So as temperatures drop we look for fun to have inside instead.


Sophia doesn't seem to mind the weather as she practices her walking.


Hannah knows the best way to stay warm and toasty is in the arms of her Ayi of course.


Jeanie is working hard having fun with some of our new Christmas toys,


Sweet Sadie loves playing with her adorable reflection.


Who knew rainy days could be filled with this much sweetness.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wordless Wednesday: Ari in Physical Therapy


Monday, January 25, 2016

Welcoming Connie Back

Not long after Eli came back from the hospital, and opened his belated Christmas gifts, Connie came home too!  


This is the moment that the nanny who had been with her in the hospital brought her up to the CCU. 'Look, Connie...you're home!'


Uh-oh, it looks like Connie has spotted something that she's not too happy about.  What could it be?


New room-mates!  Since Connie went into the hospital, two of her former room-mates have moved out, and these two are now in their places.  Don't worry, Connie - I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with Marcus and Eli.  They look a little surprised to see you too!


Susan was very happy to welcome sweet Connie back.



'Gifts for me?!'


A month after Christmas, it's a wonderful gift to have you back with us, Connie...


...with or without the crazy hair!

Sunday, January 24, 2016

NDNorth: Growing Up Fast

Every month, we measure the babies who are a part of our Formula Project to see how much they have grown. We track their growth data on World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts and intervene if the children do not seem to be making adequate progress. 

Isaiah is one of the children in our Formula Project.


Leon is too old to be included in the Formula Project, but he was still curious to see how much he had grown. 


You sure are growing fast, little one! 


Paul, always such a good little helper, decided that he would jot down Leon’s height and weight on the charts. 


Leon, also a good little helper, put the scale away after using it.



It sure is fun growing up and helping out the adults. Looks like Paul want to help take photos…


These two could have fun doing just about anything!

Friday, January 22, 2016

Eli's Belated Christmas

Hey, did you miss me?  I've been gone a pretty long time, about two months I think they said.  Heart surgery...it's no fun.

I heard that ya'll did Christmas without me?!



Thanks for saving my gifts.  What did I get?


Nice Mickey shirt, but maybe it's a little big for me right now...it's not easy to grow big and strong when your heart isn't working properly, you know.


No worries, I have a plan.  First, I'll eat all these delicious snacks, okay?


Then I'll put on my cool new shoes, figure out how to walk, take up running, and grow really big and strong.


Seriously, mama, can I eat these snacks right now?  Please?