|
|
Emma (Lu Qiong) came in the third "wave" of babies, all from Nanfeng County. She was brought to us by the Orphanage Director (or "Chief" as it says on his business card), Lu Ai Xian and one of the orphanage workers. Cathy, the Nanchang Holt representative (who was absolutely incredible), translated as we asked our questions and spent our first minutes with Emma. We discovered she was in foster care from the day she was found (later we discovered she had been abandoned at a day old and left at "the Cross Street" in Nanfeng). She had a foster mom and foster grand mom, one of which was Mr. Lu's aunt. We could immediately tell she was well cared for and much loved. Mr. Lu gave us a photograph of the Orphanage and three of Emma at her foster home. One with her foster mom, one with her foster grand mom and one of her standing alone. All in front of the little buildings that made up the small farm she spent the first 20 months of her life in. We felt so fortunate to have gotten them and will keep them for Emma's Keepsake book.
Carolyn was the first to hold Emma and all was going well until I attempted to hold her then the screams came. Carolyn and the orphanage worker took turns holding her and playing with her until she calmed down. Cherrios helped, but the magical solution was a box of raisins. She knew how to open the box and started plucking out raisins one at a time with her tiny fingers. With each one, she began to brighten up until she was smiling and giggling at us. We were floating on air as we watched and listened. From that point on, she wanted one of us within her sight all the time. It just got better and better as each day passed. While in the Hotel, she loved to go out into the hall and roll around on the floor and giggle. We had to keep a close eye on her, though. She's a busy, busy explorer and she managed to yank out one of the night lights along the wall!
|
