Look what we have.....

For those who have been asking why I am not writing, here is the answer: We have added not one, not two but three newborn babies. Allow me to introduce you to Cailean (pronounced kaylin), Erica and Christopher. Jane, our volunteer from Ireland gave Cailean his good Irish name which means warrior or fighter. Kay Huang Kastner named Erica in honor of her new husband Will whose middle name is Eric and Christopher got his name from and Australian family, Toni and Paul Faulker and their two boys, Samuel and Jackson. They all have spina bifida.

I have not had such small babies in a long time and take care of them is quiet the job and it requires the cooperation of many. I am so grateful for all the people who have helped. Christopher is on two hourly feeds. He is the smallest of the group. He moves around a lot and he grabs on to things surprisingly well. Erica is a high maintenance girl. She can hold milk in her mouth and not swallow it and then spit it out. So there is no way to feed her if she does not want to eat. She screams so loudly when she has her diaper changed, but Paul discovered that she likes her feet rubbed. Cailean is eating well but can throw up without warning. So our little foster home is bursting at the seams. The one truly wonderful thing: THEY ALL SLEEP REALLY WELL.

So we are now going to feed them and lay the love on thick so that they can be ready for surgery in three months. I am so hopeful because of what happened with Sean. He started of at the same place and he is now such a big boy. A real Buddha belly.

We have been celebrating lots of birthdays. Antoinette had her second and she got her own toy cell phone. She loves talking on the phone. It was so cute to see how she mimics the adults. Jeannie and Rachel had their birthdays on the same day and Nathaniel is also one now. Sarah is beginning to get brave and is giving a few steps on her own and we are trying to encourage her to walk. There are so many babies teething that it gets a little noisy here some times. The one who is taking it the hardest is Jeannie, gone is her smiley face.

We have had quiet a few volunteers from all over the world. I am so grateful for the help of every single one. The Faulkners from Australia, Jane from Ireland and Makinna, Katelin, Jamie and Peggy who are all from the USA. You make my life interesting and I love to hear your life stories and learn from you. Thank you for being so helpful. I must make a special mention of my favorite story. Samuel Faulkner, who is only ten years old would roll out of bed with his hair still standing up from sleeping on it, so that he could come and play with the babies. I think he would have taken Lily home in a heart beat.

Love and laughter,
Amanda

mailto:chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com