We're back! It's been busy!

Ok, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. I have been receiving some "heat" so I thought I better try to get us caught up.

I have a good, valid excuse for not posting sooner. We have a baby in the house.

Shortly after we arrived in Shanghai, I was introduced to a woman that volunteered for a foundation that helps orphaned babies that have been born with neurological defects. I was really wanting to learn more about how I could volunteer. The Baobei Foundation really went straight to my heart. I knew instantly that I wanted to be a part of this foundation some way.

To be honest, I was thinking that I would volunteer a couple of times a month and go to the hospital to hold the babies or give the Ayi a break. Also, I heard about "healing homes" where you take a baby into your home after they have had surgery and you could provide a home for short or long term.

I went along with my friend to the hospital to see the children's hospital and maybe hold the 2 babies that had recently had surgery. It was a great experience. I think it helped that I was expecting much worse. It was very different. I felt like I really could go anywhere in that hospital and nobody would stop me. There is no privacy or monitoring of the floors. There were tons of people and tons of sick children! I am very thankful for our healthcare in the U.S.A.

After leaving the hospital, I think I talked nonstop to the family about one of the babies. I went to a coffee morning to learn more about Baobei and volunteering. I should mention that our sea shipment arrived the following week. They delivered on a Tuesday and everything was unpacked and put away by Sunday. I think most of the pictures were even hung:) In the meantime, we had decided to become a long term "Healing Home". We were ready! Well, it turned out that she had to stay in the hospital a bit longer to received some IV antibiotics for an infection. So I made quite a few trips to the other side of Shanghai to see her.

She was able to finally come home to our house on the 12th of March. She is such a good baby and very happy. We have been able to figure some type of schedule. It is working. It is amazing how much we forget. All of us have been enjoying her fun personality. So, we have been a busy household. I think I am able to finally get caught up on some pictures and blogging. So stay tuned. I am not able to post any pictures of the baby on the public internet per the rules of the foundation and orphanage. However, I ask that you visit the Baobei Foundation website

http://www.baobeifoundation.org/.