28 February 2008
27 February 2008
23 February 2008
21 February 2008
20 February 2008
15 February 2008
14 February 2008
12 February 2008
Great news everyone! Yifeng has heat! AND formula!!! The staff at Love without Boundaries are just amazing. Their staff in China are truly angels. They not only agreed to work over the Chinese New Year holiday (this is the ONE big holiday in China where families spend a week together and EVERYTHING closes down!) but they convinced suppliers and shopkeepers to open up their businesses to provide them with the heaters and additional formula for the Orphanage! As of today, LWB has raised almost $3300 from donations for Yifeng, which means they were able to purchase SIX heaters, not three...AND they were able to provide formula provisions that will give Yifeng a 'cushion' so that no child will go without!
And while the snow and ice seems to have melted, the cold is still at the 100 year low, so these heaters and the extra food is extremely appreciated.
This is better than any baby shower, Christmas or Birthday gift! I would personally like to thank the eighteen friends, relatives and local FCC families who gave to this wonderful charity to help the children at Yifeng...to help our Paisley.
THANK YOU
09 February 2008
08 February 2008
I couldn't resist...this is too darn cute! I had to have one for Paisley! Good thing, it will go really well with the shoes we got her a few months ago! Don't worry, she isn't quite ready for the White Stripes or Sonic Youth t-shirt!
"I'm with the band!"
07 February 2008
bummer-rama
Today is Chinese New Year, and thanks to my friend Maia, I learnt that one should not wash one's hair today...nor buy a new pair of shoes as it is 'bad luck'...well, blissfully unaware I proceeded my normal morning ritual of washing my hair...and I kid you not, less than an hour later I am stuck in the parking lot of the Supermarket with a screw in my tire! No worries I think to myself, calling AAA to let them know...she'll be right as rain, I have AAA roadside service, and it's just a screw right? Not so quick chook, seems like I drove on the tire as it was deflating(I couldnt tell, the roads are covered in snow and ice), and I damaged the 'wall' of the tire, and since I have an AWD car, well, you cant just replace one tire, you HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ALL!
crap crap crap! That's $600 I don't need to be spending right now! If only I hadn't washed my bloody hair this morning...Thank God I didn't hit the shoe store too!
When Piper asked how they tire went 'exflated'(nice try huh!), I asked her how did she think it happened(smart Mummy's always turn the question around to the question'er) she said
"Pirate's poked it with their poking sticks"
at least I got a little laugh from that.
Onward...I hope the rest of the day is better!
06 February 2008
from Kate at Love Without Boundaries
Thank you everyone for your concern for Yifeng. I just received an email from our facilitator in China and Yifeng is in desperate need. They are in one of the worst hit areas. Director Yao has said their solar heaters (for heating water) and all their air conditioners (which are also used for heating) have all broken due to the cold. The normal power supply has not been restored to their area yet but the local government has given the orphanage the highest priority so their lights are on. The local government has also given money for blankets and coats for the children but it wasn’t enough for all the children and the price of formula has jumped 30% . Director Yao has asked for 3 A/C units to keep the children warm as a first priority. The price of the A/C units (wall or tower) are $350-$625 each so we would need between $1050 and $1875 for all 3 units.
Now, a little information about Love Without Boundaries (LWB) and how to donate. LWB is a volunteer organization so 97% of all donations reach the children. Also, all donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. We can take donations either online or by check.
If you would like to donate online go to www.lovewithoutboundaries.com and click on ‘Donate’; click ‘Other’; enter your information and in the ‘Notes’ section please write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’.
To donate by check make your check payable to ‘Love Without Boundaries’ and write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’ on the Memo line. Mail your check to: Love Without Boundaries, 306 S. Bryant St., Ste. C, PMB 145, Edmond, OK, 73034.
Thank you for your help and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at kate.finco@lwbmail.com.
Kate Finco
Director of Special Projects
Love Without Boundaries
www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
'Every Child Counts'
UPDATE: Love without Boundaries has received $2000 so far to cover the heaters! We'd also like to make sure the orphanage has enough warm clothes, coats, blankets and basic food supplies for several weeks. Please keep giving! We are so thankful for everyones generosity!
05 February 2008
HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! Look what we got in our inbox today!! An update on Paisley! What is amazing, is that the photos and information was sent on February 4...which means the orphanage is functioning despite the storms!!! Can you believe this photo! We have another rock star in the family! OH MY GOD...she is so freakin beautiful I can barely get my head around it!
MEDICAL/DEVELOPMENTAL UPDATE
The growth has not grown in size. Hair grows on it. - woohoo!
She can make sounds. - wonderful!
She does suck her thumb or fingers. - just like her Mum!
She can sleep through the night. - praise the Lord!
Personality:
She likes noisy toys. - go figure
She is afraid of strangers. - bummer
They call her Zi Zi Bao Bao. - zizi-TOP!
General:
She eats formula mixed with rice cereal, biscuit, soft noodle and congee.
We are so lucky to have received this when we were so worried about her SWI and all the children. I think someone answered the BATPHONE afterall!
FYI: the drumset was already superimposed by the orphanage! they always pop something in the middle to cover up 'split pants', I've just never seen a full drumset before! mike says they must have a good sense of humor!
04 February 2008
It just keeps getting worse...
this photo was taken of a rescue in Jiangxi Province, can you see the ice from the storm? It's insane. I just checked in with Half the Sky and they are posting updates of all the orphanages they sponsor...it's not good, and those orphanages are the 'lucky' ones. I am so worried about Paisley, and about all the children spread out across China..this is a massive tragedy.
I am also in contact with Love without Boundaries, they are trying to contact Yifeng, but as of yet they have not been able to get through. I will also try to get our agency CCAI to contact the orphanage, but if they can't either, then we just have to wait. I know for a fact that Yifeng doesnt have enough warm clothes for this kind of weather, and I worry about lack of power, heat, water and food. I am so distraught, and so helpless...it is not a good feeling. Please please consider a donation to Half the Sky's little mouse emergency fund, or help us help Yifeng by contacting Love without Boundaries and asking to donate for Yifeng SWI.
03 February 2008
Last week we bought what I am sure is our first of many 'mega' boxes of diapers! Mike's apparent enthusiasm for the re-emergence of all things poop was clearly showing on his face as we struggled to control our cart through the mammoth aisles of our local GIGANTIC-co! To be honest, I've changed enough diapers in my 18 years of Nannying that it really doesnt phase me at all! However, I have to admit we hit the lucky streak with Piper, who refused to poop in her diaper from the seasoned old age of 12 months old! Just another five months later and she was completely potty trained...so lets just say, we were uber-lucky on the poo front! I also have to admit that I use disposable diapers...I just can't do cloth diapers...I hang my head in shame when I admit that, but I can't...I wont...well, not if I dont have to! So, instead I potty train early...there's a few secrets (and a lot of intuition!) I use, mostly just experience from my profession, but I figure if my girls use them for 'less' time then I can feel just a little less guilty about the havoc these poo filled bombs do to our fragile environment!