Carolin, Rebecca's mom, shared these pictures with me she had taken of her girls. I wanted to show them with you. They all look so beautiful!! It is hard to believe there is a year age difference between Rebecca and Emma. Rebecca is bigger for her age and Emma is a little smaller for her age. The two of them are great friends and I think it is very obvious from the pictures.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
A Big THANK YOU to Matilda Hospital
When we got Alice out of the orphanage in October 2008, she was really scary looking. Her foot was near her face and it looked painful. It seemed that her knee was on the other side of her leg and it was not working in a normal way. I had no idea what was wrong with her but brought her home anyway. After some X rays, we found out that both her hip and knee were dislocated.
We were so happy to find some help for Alice in Hong Kong at the Matilda Hospital. Dr. Hans, the medical director, offered the hospital's resources and then they waited patiently for us as we tried to get the passport and other paperwork ready, which took a long time. Finally, in June everything was ready and Mickey and Alice traveled to Hong Kong on the 14th where Dr. Li did her surgery. Alice was in a body cast for almost 9 weeks.
We were all ready for her to get the cast off and on August 16th Mickey, Alice and a volunteer Olivia went to Hong Kong. Alice's leg was very tender and you could not move it much. She is currently wearing a kind of brace that supports her hip and her leg and will use it for another 6 weeks. While Mickey and Alice were in Hong Kong, they went to Disneyland with Alice and when they got back they were raving about how much fun it was. So Alice is our first baby that went to visit the Mouse while still at the 'Fish.
We want to thank all the staff from Matilda Hospital so much for being so kind to our Alice and for helping to change her life forever and in particular Dr. Li for his great work. The scar looks wonderful and I am sure that it is going to fade so it will be hard to see. We appreciate their kindness so much. Our thanks also to Katie and her family who were so kind to have Alice stay at their home . Thank you to Mickey and Olivia who love Alice so much and were willing to take her so far in order to have this surgery. It really comes down to a lot of people, who work together to help a baby have hope for the future.
We gave Alice's adoption dossier in to the orphanage and and will now wait to do the adoption medical. She is on her way to finding a family....We are now waiting for Alice's leg to grow strong so she can walk.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 94 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
We were so happy to find some help for Alice in Hong Kong at the Matilda Hospital. Dr. Hans, the medical director, offered the hospital's resources and then they waited patiently for us as we tried to get the passport and other paperwork ready, which took a long time. Finally, in June everything was ready and Mickey and Alice traveled to Hong Kong on the 14th where Dr. Li did her surgery. Alice was in a body cast for almost 9 weeks.
We were all ready for her to get the cast off and on August 16th Mickey, Alice and a volunteer Olivia went to Hong Kong. Alice's leg was very tender and you could not move it much. She is currently wearing a kind of brace that supports her hip and her leg and will use it for another 6 weeks. While Mickey and Alice were in Hong Kong, they went to Disneyland with Alice and when they got back they were raving about how much fun it was. So Alice is our first baby that went to visit the Mouse while still at the 'Fish.
We want to thank all the staff from Matilda Hospital so much for being so kind to our Alice and for helping to change her life forever and in particular Dr. Li for his great work. The scar looks wonderful and I am sure that it is going to fade so it will be hard to see. We appreciate their kindness so much. Our thanks also to Katie and her family who were so kind to have Alice stay at their home . Thank you to Mickey and Olivia who love Alice so much and were willing to take her so far in order to have this surgery. It really comes down to a lot of people, who work together to help a baby have hope for the future.
We gave Alice's adoption dossier in to the orphanage and and will now wait to do the adoption medical. She is on her way to finding a family....We are now waiting for Alice's leg to grow strong so she can walk.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 94 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Grandparent's Day Special
The Starfish Celebrate Grandparents’ Day -- Sunday, September 13th, 2009
Grandparents’ Day is a United States Holiday celebrated every year the first Sunday after Labor Day. Marian McQuade founded this holiday in 1973 in West Virginia and spent five years bringing all the states on board with the celebration. Grandparents’ Day is a day to honor the elderly and the love and wisdom they bring to children.
We know here at Starfish how much our babies who have been adopted are loved and cherished by their Grandparents. We hear so many stories from our Alumni’s families about the joy and bond between the Starfish and their Nanas and Papas. Grandparents can help create so many great memories and bring a special relationship to our adopted children.
As our babies at the Starfish Foster Home wait for their forever Grandparents, we’d like to extend an offer to you to give a gift to Grandparents that will make them feel good. For a donation of $30 you will receive a vibrant-colored scratch and UV-resistant keychain with the design “My Grandparents are the Best” printed in gold along with a Grandparents’ Day card. Your kids will be ready to give these to their beloved elders on September 13th.
To order or have sent to a special person in your life please go to our website www.thestarfishfosterhome.org and click on the “You Can Help” page.
Grandparents’ Day is a United States Holiday celebrated every year the first Sunday after Labor Day. Marian McQuade founded this holiday in 1973 in West Virginia and spent five years bringing all the states on board with the celebration. Grandparents’ Day is a day to honor the elderly and the love and wisdom they bring to children.
We know here at Starfish how much our babies who have been adopted are loved and cherished by their Grandparents. We hear so many stories from our Alumni’s families about the joy and bond between the Starfish and their Nanas and Papas. Grandparents can help create so many great memories and bring a special relationship to our adopted children.
As our babies at the Starfish Foster Home wait for their forever Grandparents, we’d like to extend an offer to you to give a gift to Grandparents that will make them feel good. For a donation of $30 you will receive a vibrant-colored scratch and UV-resistant keychain with the design “My Grandparents are the Best” printed in gold along with a Grandparents’ Day card. Your kids will be ready to give these to their beloved elders on September 13th.
To order or have sent to a special person in your life please go to our website www.thestarfishfosterhome.org and click on the “You Can Help” page.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Conversation with Rose
Rose has been by far the most eloquent of the children I have had. She speaks mostly Chinese and the nannies tell me her Chinese is really good for her age and that she speaks without an accent. She is almost three years old and she already speaks in complete sentences. She loves eating fruit and is learning you to eat with Chopsticks which she loves to do. She is potty training at the moment as is doing really well.
Today she came into my room/office and saw a picture of some adults. She asked me if it was a family with a mom, dad and an older sister. I had not even answered yet, when she said that she wanted a dad, a mom and an older sister just like Sean. So I asked her if she had a mom and dad with a sister and in this small little voice she said: Meiyou (not have). I was so surprised that she knew that she did not have a mom and a dad.
We have been having a a few minor problems with Rose. Since Sean left she has had a hard time going to bed and has cried a lot. She is also not eating well and often She wakes up during the night and comes to the living room to sleep on the sofa. I found out later in the day, that Rose saw a picture of Emily's family and that Emily is going to have a mom and a dad with an older sister just like Sean and Lily. She told the nannies that it was not Emily's family but her family. It made my heart so sad. How many children in orphanages know that they do not have any parents just like Rose and how many of them long for a family just like Rose? We can do so much but ultimately nothing compares to having your own mom and dad and big sister.
It has taken a long time to get Rose's papers to the CCAA. I was told that her papers are at the CCAA and that hopefully she will be matched with a family soon. I pray that is true. I hope that she will get the dad, mom and big sister she so desperately wants and in the meantime we can protect her little heart and keep her from longing for a family too much.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 92 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
Today she came into my room/office and saw a picture of some adults. She asked me if it was a family with a mom, dad and an older sister. I had not even answered yet, when she said that she wanted a dad, a mom and an older sister just like Sean. So I asked her if she had a mom and dad with a sister and in this small little voice she said: Meiyou (not have). I was so surprised that she knew that she did not have a mom and a dad.
We have been having a a few minor problems with Rose. Since Sean left she has had a hard time going to bed and has cried a lot. She is also not eating well and often She wakes up during the night and comes to the living room to sleep on the sofa. I found out later in the day, that Rose saw a picture of Emily's family and that Emily is going to have a mom and a dad with an older sister just like Sean and Lily. She told the nannies that it was not Emily's family but her family. It made my heart so sad. How many children in orphanages know that they do not have any parents just like Rose and how many of them long for a family just like Rose? We can do so much but ultimately nothing compares to having your own mom and dad and big sister.
It has taken a long time to get Rose's papers to the CCAA. I was told that her papers are at the CCAA and that hopefully she will be matched with a family soon. I pray that is true. I hope that she will get the dad, mom and big sister she so desperately wants and in the meantime we can protect her little heart and keep her from longing for a family too much.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 92 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Norah's THIRD Birthday
Here is another letter from Netherlands. Norah (Rachel) turned three and Jet (pronounced like yet) wrote this about the big day:
Norah was so excited it was finally her birthday. "THREE!" she shouted when I asked her how old she was. She wanted to wear her princess dress and was thrilled to get the same "computer" as Robin (her brother) . We had a great day with a lot of family and friends visiting; all with presents of course! Norah enjoyed every minute of it. She really liked all of the attention she got.
The weather is very nice at the moment, so we all sat outside and the kids could play with the water pump and jump on the trampoline. Her niece Rosalie was there too and they loved the cake (with musical flower) and the other treats, especially the potato chips.
She's saying she's a big girl all the time now, and she really wants a big bed. We're thinking about making her wish come true sometime soon. Maybe we can reward her with that if she's completely potty-trained. She's doing great with that by the way, almost no accidents now! Well, Norah had a great day, and she had to take her princess pillow (Snow White) to bed with her... then she hugged the pillow and was vast asleep within a few minutes. Our little princess is three years old!!!
Love, Jet
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Norah was so excited it was finally her birthday. "THREE!" she shouted when I asked her how old she was. She wanted to wear her princess dress and was thrilled to get the same "computer" as Robin (her brother) . We had a great day with a lot of family and friends visiting; all with presents of course! Norah enjoyed every minute of it. She really liked all of the attention she got.
The weather is very nice at the moment, so we all sat outside and the kids could play with the water pump and jump on the trampoline. Her niece Rosalie was there too and they loved the cake (with musical flower) and the other treats, especially the potato chips.
She's saying she's a big girl all the time now, and she really wants a big bed. We're thinking about making her wish come true sometime soon. Maybe we can reward her with that if she's completely potty-trained. She's doing great with that by the way, almost no accidents now! Well, Norah had a great day, and she had to take her princess pillow (Snow White) to bed with her... then she hugged the pillow and was vast asleep within a few minutes. Our little princess is three years old!!!
Love, Jet
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Happy Homecoming
Coming home after being away for almost a month, there were so many changes, I was so surprised. I guess that when you see the children everyday you do not realize just how they can change.
The biggest difference was the fact that Sean was not here. As you know, he got adopted, which was two days before his birthday. I asked that we celebrate his birthday before he left because he just loved singing the birthday song and I know he would love to have a birthday party with us. I was so sad to hear that he stopped eating before he left us and was not sleeping well. His family did not bring him back after the adoption, but they did come and see us without him. They were too scared that he was going to cry. Crying is a part of adoption and the more time you spend with us the more secure they will feel in the long run and the less they cry. I have had some parents tell me they were sad that they did not spend more time at Starfish. Sean has an older sister who is also adopted from China. His new name is Baptiste, a very French name.
I am so happy to tell you that Heather has been matched with a family in Virginia and that she is taking about 4 or 5 steps on her own. She has been working so hard on walking. She is such a lesson in determination and tenacity. Lucas is the second baby who is walking. He also has a way to go but he is also giving a few steps and I am sure he will be a dynamo when he runs.
For all the Breanna fans, I have happy news for some and probably sad news for others. We called the orphanage and was told that she has been matched with a family from France. So we will be sending another Starfish to France. We have no other news than that. Emily has also been matched as well! I am sure there are more babies that have been matched, but we do not know to where they are going.
While I was gone four babies, Joshua, Joseph,Sophia and Faith, learned how to sit up. th. I love this four-in-a-row picture. Callum is walking on all fours when he is in a hurry. It is so cute to see. He is also happy to walk behind the walker and I am sure he should be walking soon. Joseph also went to Hangzhou and Operation Smile to have his lip repaired, which is healing very nicely right now.
I am so grateful for every who helped while I was gone. It takes an enormous amount of work on a daily basis to get to some improvements. I wish it was a quick save that takes a few minutes or maybe some hours of your day, but it is not. We have to work very hard 24/7 over many months, to be able to help the babies. I was so happy to come home and to see that there were improvements with each one of them. I was so happy to see them and I got mobbed by the older ones on the fifth floor. I am happy to be home but I am swamped with work. The most important thing I have been working on is the adoptions dossiers of 13 babies. What a job to get all the the requirements taken care of! We are then working on the next 8 and after that there will be 14.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 92 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
The biggest difference was the fact that Sean was not here. As you know, he got adopted, which was two days before his birthday. I asked that we celebrate his birthday before he left because he just loved singing the birthday song and I know he would love to have a birthday party with us. I was so sad to hear that he stopped eating before he left us and was not sleeping well. His family did not bring him back after the adoption, but they did come and see us without him. They were too scared that he was going to cry. Crying is a part of adoption and the more time you spend with us the more secure they will feel in the long run and the less they cry. I have had some parents tell me they were sad that they did not spend more time at Starfish. Sean has an older sister who is also adopted from China. His new name is Baptiste, a very French name.
I am so happy to tell you that Heather has been matched with a family in Virginia and that she is taking about 4 or 5 steps on her own. She has been working so hard on walking. She is such a lesson in determination and tenacity. Lucas is the second baby who is walking. He also has a way to go but he is also giving a few steps and I am sure he will be a dynamo when he runs.
For all the Breanna fans, I have happy news for some and probably sad news for others. We called the orphanage and was told that she has been matched with a family from France. So we will be sending another Starfish to France. We have no other news than that. Emily has also been matched as well! I am sure there are more babies that have been matched, but we do not know to where they are going.
While I was gone four babies, Joshua, Joseph,Sophia and Faith, learned how to sit up. th. I love this four-in-a-row picture. Callum is walking on all fours when he is in a hurry. It is so cute to see. He is also happy to walk behind the walker and I am sure he should be walking soon. Joseph also went to Hangzhou and Operation Smile to have his lip repaired, which is healing very nicely right now.
I am so grateful for every who helped while I was gone. It takes an enormous amount of work on a daily basis to get to some improvements. I wish it was a quick save that takes a few minutes or maybe some hours of your day, but it is not. We have to work very hard 24/7 over many months, to be able to help the babies. I was so happy to come home and to see that there were improvements with each one of them. I was so happy to see them and I got mobbed by the older ones on the fifth floor. I am happy to be home but I am swamped with work. The most important thing I have been working on is the adoptions dossiers of 13 babies. What a job to get all the the requirements taken care of! We are then working on the next 8 and after that there will be 14.
Life, Love and Laughter,
Amanda
Starfish Children's Services
US Tax Number: 20-4682916
Xian China
At Starfish, we have taken care of 92 children to date, arranged more than 55 surgeries and had 21 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway and Spain and our latest adoption to France. We currently have 49 babies under the age of 3 at two foster homes.
www.thestarfishfosterhome.org
http://chinesestarfish.blogspot.com
http://chinesestarfishcleft.blogspot.com
chinese.starfishthrower@gmail.com
Cell: 86.1348.812.4847
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