China 2014 - Day 8 {Beilyn's orphanage & foster family}

~Thursday, May 8, 2014~

This morning, Beilyn woke up early again and cried a little while I tried to get ready but definitely tolerated it better than other days. The day before she screamed the entire time. She did well at breakfast and then was so cute for the girls on Skype! She waved to them, something we hadn't seen her do before! 

Around  9am, our guide took us to visit Beilyn's orphanage.  We had purchased some toys and candy to take to the children and were told we'd only be stopping by "for a quick picture outside" and that maybe the foster mom would come out to meet us. She said that we'd only be there about 10 minutes. Wow- the Lord had much more in store for us!

When we arrived, some of the children and nannies from the "daycare room" where Brielle spent her days were headed out to a play area in wagons. The nannies started shouting, "Kaiyun!" and she was pretty excited to see them. The children were all so cute! We took lots of photos but can't share them publicly. They are all so worthy of families to love and care for them. If you'd like to know how you could bring a little one home and give him or her a loving family, I would love to talk adoption with you. ;)

Beilyn with one of the nannies from the daycare room.

This is the rehabilitation center of the orphanage where Beilyn was cared for before her heart surgery.

The nanny who cared for her in the rehabilitation center.

I thought this was pretty neat... Holt International is an adoption agency we considered using this time. They approved our home study for immigration but then we decided to use the agency we used for Brielle. Beilyn was in a foster care program that is sponsored through Holt. Love how God connects everything.

Beilyn's foster mom. They were both so excited to see each other!

They told us Beilyn was the baby of the foster family so she was a bit spoiled. :) She has been living with them since October. They told us she doesn't talk but that she started taking steps in March.  Her walking is improving but she can only take a step or two by herself. She can't stand up by herself but she can cruise around the furniture while holding on.

The foster dad happened to be home when we visited too!  Her foster siblings were at school. We got to see where Beilyn slept too. Their home was actually pretty big and very clean.

They were preparing lunch when we were there and it smelled amazing. You can see in this picture how long and skinny Beilyn is.  She is longer but lighter than Brielle was and her feet are smaller.

It was also confirmed what we had suspected. Beilyn really didn't have a suck reflex! Her foster mom told us that she couldn't take a bottle or use a straw so she spoon-fed her liquids all the time. Then she demonstrated for us. ;)  So thankful she will take a bottle now because things have changed tremendously now that we can get food in her.

Then they led us over to the orphanage and we saw the daycare/baby room where Beilyn spent most of her days. It's the same room that we have videos of her in so it felt very surreal.  We tried to love on the little babies as much as we could in our short time in the room. It is heartbreaking.  The nannies are trying their best, but it's just not the way a child is supposed to be raised.  They need moms and dads to love them and kiss their ouchies and snuggle them in bed at night. :(  We also got to see some of the older kids out playing together on the playground.

Beilyn needed a nap after the emotional visit.

Standing in front of the hospital where Beilyn was found. Because Beilyn's birth family kept her for a couple of months, we can assume they loved her and wanted to keep her but then most likely realized they couldn't afford her medical care. We are so thankful they chose life for her and allowed her to be found in a safe place.

An example of the old and new seen throughout China. Modern cities with traditional practices.

Beilyn's first ice cream cone.

We chose a different route yesterday and found a new park we had never visited before.

Beilyn looks like a tourist. ;) She loves the stroller and being outside!

An example of the disparity between rich and poor in China too.  This is on one side of the lake...

And this is on the other side.

We stopped to see the giant ferris wheel.

Then we went on our nightly stroll to eat dinner down by the square. This little guy was out there each night mimicking the dance moves of the older ladies.  So adorable!

Tonight, Beilyn went to bed so easily! Every day, she amazes us! She is getting stronger and spunkier by the day.  We love her to pieces!