You’ve gotta read this . . .

Growth Report for Children in
Children’s Welfare Institute of Chengdu City
Name of adoptive child: Liu Shanzhen
Gender: Female
DOB: Feb. 20 2009
Date of admission: Mar. 7 2009
Physical state: growth retardation, post-operation of CHD

Body growth of adoptive child in the institute Liu Shanzhen was sent to welfare institute when she was 15 days old. She was diagnosed CHD. She was very weak on admission, had big eyes without expression, would quiver with cold and place her hands in her sleeves during infancy. It made the caretakers’ heart ache to see such a frail atom of humanity, therefore, they gave her careful care and love.

Liu Shanzhen had a not good appetite and serious heart disease, we thought she had labored breath, we could also see the pulsing movement in the chest with her breath when she lying in bed. She had no strength in sucking milk when the caretakers putting the nipple of a baby's bottle into her mouth at that time. The milk resisted all efforts to suck it. Therefore, the caretakers could only use soft nursing bottle to squeeze it and let her drink the milk. She was able to force herself to swallow it. She could only drink about 20ml per time with casting up her milk sometimes. The caretakers would pay much more attention after feeding her, cuddle her in arms and erect her whole body, pat her back slowly and prevent her from choking milk. The caretakers would put her in the crib, cover the baby up carefully and let her sleep for the rest of the time. Days slipped by, under the concern and care of caretakers, Liu Shanzhen had made much progress in physical condition and spiritual state.

Days slipped by, Liu Shanzhen grew up slowly. She would prefer to play for a while when being awake rather than only sleeping in bed. Due to she was ill, it took Liu Shanzhen a lot of strengh to sit up. Therefore, she would only open her big eyes to look around. It made the caretakers’ heart ache to see such a frail atom of humanity, therefore, they wanted her to become healthy, have an operation of heart disease sooner, offer her sufficient nutrition supply when being fed and also gave her a loving caress and massage. As the weather turns better, Caretakers would take Liu Shanzhen to do outdoor activities, bath herself in sunlight and go out for some fresh air.

At the age of 8 months old, Liu Shanzhen had improved in health, became plump, liked being cuddled and teased and would smile happily at that time. OnNov. 10 2009, our institute arranged her entered into “The Project of Infants and Toddler” of Half the Sky Foundation in USA for a better developmental environment. Since then she has had her own mother with more care and love. Liu Shanzhen had more improved in health. She could have an operation of heart disease. Therefore, we sent her to Huaxi Hospital of Sichuan University on Dec. 14 2009. The examinations were perfected after hospitalization. Liu Shanzhen had non-obvious contraindication of operation. She had neoplasty of inferior interventricular defect in extracorporeal circulation and neoplasty of atrium defect. She had a successful operation, non-obvious hints in post-operation of UCG, ECG and sternum, good wound healing, no infection. She was discharged from hospital on Dec. 29 2009 after a week of viewing time to come back to SWI and people who care and love her.

She was recovered well after the operation, had made much progress in every aspect, learned how to sit alone without help and slide fast by kicking floor in baby walking frame, liked Rough-and-Tumble Play with others. She had a ready smile now, could play toys by herself, tease others, hand to you a candy as if she would treat you, draw back her hands immediately, smile to you and laugh aloud when you stretch out your hands to her. Liu Shanzhen was cheerful and undefeated baby, you were not able to take toys from her hands easily, but if the toys were taken away, she would grasp back as fast as possible. She would scream aloud to express opposition when being angry.

Liu Shanzhen liked computers very much, was eager to know how to type strange things by keyboard, would type recklessly on keyboard with both hands, see the screen with eyes and laugh happily when sitting in front of the computers, could turn her head and smile to you proudly when being help, as if to say, I was very capable!

At present, Liu Shanzhen had much progress in the ability of motor development, she will walk with one hand held or her hands holding onto handrails. She is very cute, vivacious, like an angel when smiling, distinguish strangers and acquaintances clearly even by figure, would stretch her arms when being cuddled by acquaintances and shake her head and express no as soon as possible when being cuddled by strangers, could do many actions, for instance, imitate clown, make eyes at you, dance with shaking her body and raising her arms. The clever Liu Shanzhen will bring you much more happiness!

Personality, sociality and playing of adoptive child: She is an active, restless baby who has a ready smile and enjoys playing toys. She likes to play tiny handkerchief especially and do the activities in the outside by mother.

Now, if that doesn’t make you fall in love with Liu Shanzhen, we don’t know what will!!!

We fell in love with Liu Shanzhen while reading through her referral information. Then we laid our eyes on her referral photos and immediately knew she was our daughter! Let’s just say the tears were flowing and our hearts were rejoicing in God’s faithfulness! After consulting with our pediatrician, a pediatric cardiologist and a family doctor from our church, we received the unanimous “she looks good” bill of health. It was then that we knew that Liu Shanzhen was to be our sweet Emma Claire~Liu! Praise God!!!

We have since received 2 updates about Emma Claire. She is currently living with a foster family, but we do believe she spends some of her days at the orphanage. The orphanage that she lived in and now spends her days at is a “Half the Sky” orphanage. This means she was and is receiving great care! God proved faithful again, as we specifically prayed that she would be in a “Half the Sky” orphanage! AWESOME!!! We are also so grateful to her foster family for loving her and showing her what it means to be part of a family. We can’t wait until she meets her FOREVER family!!!