Thursday, May 24, 2007

orphanage visit

We're all doing well. Alyson is a spitfire girl. We love her to death. She fits right in with the family. She's very much a toddler. She's a mess at meals and dressing her is just like stuffing an octopus in a sack. She's a wiggle worm and she thinks it's so funny to squirm away when we're trying to change her. It brings back a lot of memories, and a lot of back pain! :-)





We visited the Kunming orphanage today. Alyson probably only spent a few months there then went into foster care but a few of the caretakers recognized her and called her by name. She reached out for one of the ladies so she must remember her.
According to the orphange representative that took us on our tour, they are in charge of caring for 600 children. 500 of those are in foster care and about 300 of the children have CP. I'm pretty sure that's what she said but I may be mistaken on the number. We saw a group of children with CP and I got the impression they use CP as a blanket term for many disabilities.
We also saw a room with 8-10 special needs babies. They all looked healthy and just had needs like club feet or cleft lip. There were 6 nannies in that room. There was also one Albino baby sleeping in the arms of a caregiver.
We started our tour in an administrative welcoming room where we were served really good green tea. Alyson wanted to walk all over the place while we were there. She's still not steady enough to go without holding a hand but she is fast!


Do you see the mischevious grin? That's hot tea in those cans. She's a magnet for danger. Uh Oh.




















One of the classrooms had some English stuff on the chalkboard.










Ready to get back on the bus.


Our hotel has a panorama lounge on top. This is the view of Green lake park from up there.

This is what looks like a poor group of apartments in the city.


In the Green Lake park
Our kiddos.
Shopping. Andrew was looking bored so the shop keeper brought out a little stool for him to sit on while Michael and I bargained for embroidery pieces.

I'll leave you tonight with this sweet little face.

4 comments:

Holli said...

Uh oh, she looks ORNERY!!
Reading your posts makes me want to save them all!! Every last baby!
Hope you are enjoying your time there!

Sassy said...

Wow. Looks like you are having an amazing time! We are so excited for you. Can't wait to see you!!

Sassy

Gen =) said...

We loved the description of dressing Alyson! Joe says a sack is easier - only one hole to contend with. Bought a little something for babygirl today. You'll love it - ladybugs..... (you've got to wait & see). Josie picked them out & got some too. Love all the pix & seeing Alyson's comfort level emerge! She's beautiful, not that I'm partial or anything.... hehehehe. Enjoy your last few days there. Can't wait to hear from you -- miss you!

Love, Gen & Co. =)

Alyson said...

it's so great to follow along in your adventure day after day. I especially love the picture of your kiddos. They are going to have such great times growing up together! Love, Alyson