First Hugs Fundraiser

First Hugs is a sponsored program by a group of Fuling Parents at the SWI where Lillie spent her first 2 years. They fundraiser in the US and send over OT's and PT's to train the nannies how to work with the babies who are behind developmentally. They send over OT and PT equipment plus they pay for nannies to work with the same kids for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Lillie was in the program when she was younger.
The Fuling Parents are presently raising money for another year of First Hugs. If you're feeling like you want a great program to donate to, you can always donate to this wonderful program. Go to www.fulingkids.org to make a donation...or to just check out the great group and beautiful children!
There is a link to tell you more about the First Hugs program and Gracie's room where it takes place. The program got started by Gracie's parents, a Fulinger who sadly passed away once home in the US. Her mom thought this was an awesome way to honour her daughter...wouldn't you agree?

First Hugs Pictures

I received more pictures today. These two are from the time she was in the First Hugs program (October 05 - February 06). I wanted to post them for everyone to see!

WOW!

I am learning more every day about my daughter and her time before we found one another. I learned this evening that she was matched previously with a family from Glasgow, Ky... crazy considering I am sitting in my aunt and uncle's home in Glasgow as I write this. I also discovered that her picture and her referral with the other family was still listed on the Fuling Kids website! I have emailed the people in charge of the site to change her information but have attached the picture they used for their posting. I pray that the other family is well and am thankful that, for whatever reason, the red thread that connects Fu Baoyun and I has found it's way around that twist. I hope you enjoy seeing this new picture...I know I am thrilled every time I see another picture of my beautiful daughter!

A God Thing

Over the last few weeks I have been spending all of my extra time trying to learn more about Fuling, the welfare institute, other Fuling children, etc. I learned that in Fuling, there is a program called First Hugs that allows children to spend time interacting with Nannies to learn about bonding, affect and play skills. I emailed one of the mothers who helped start the First Hugs program to see if Lillie had been involved. Her response was amazing! She informed me that Lillie had, indeed been in the First Hugs program from 9/11/05 - 2/11/06. Exciting news, but her other statement, written at the bottom of her email said.... "by the way, I was there(Fuling) the day she was found." A simple statement that held such an amazing gift...someone who had a connection to the very early days of my daughter's life! Then, much to my amazment, there was a picture attached to the bottom of the email...a baby, wrapped in blankets, in the arms of the Welfare institute's caretaker!
I knew immediately that i was in a very small minority. Most people who adopt from China know very little about the first days of their child's life. Their knowledge of the early days, months or years is sketchy, with referral pictures being the only visual documentation of the years before the child joins the family. What i found on a seperate website were more than just one photo...there were seven, all documenting her being found and "checked out" in the infirmary. Although she did not have a note with her, she was wrapped in blankets and left at the gate of the orphanage with a bottle and a small amount of formula. In my heart, I want to believe that it must have been very painful for her family to leave her there. Yet I thank God for their sacrifice...for the care they gave her those first 4 days, and for the opportunity that i will have to raise her, knowing that she was loved by so many.
A simple email and a few pictures....isn't God awsome?