The surprise meeting - Happy 5th Birthday WaWa

Huai Feng Nuan

Huainan Social Welfare Institute

Happy Birthday WaWa

On July 1st we entered the gates of Huainan SWI as we did 9 years ago, this time to drop off toys. It was Saturday and Kerry's foster mom works as a nanny in the baby room. She had just arrived with our daughter and as the van pulled in, there she was. It felt so perfect to see her this way, the way she had lived for the last five years. The mom in me had been hoping to be with her on her birthday. We hadn't planned to meet her this day but it became clear that this was the perfect plan that allowed our daughter and her foster family to get to know us and trust us and start to let go. We were welcomed as "Huainan family". Kerry Wa took Ting's hand and led her on a tour showing us around the orphanage and then to the baby room where she helps her foster mom on the weekends. There were eight beautiful babies. Kerry passed out toys to each of us and held our hands. We were then treated to lunch by the assistant director. Kerry Wa and her foster mom rode with us in the van to the same place we had eaten with our group in 2003 which included 7 babies. We ate with Zhang Ming, the orphanage doctor, Kerry's foster mom and the assistant director who remembered Amy Nuan. Ting and Kerry quickly became buddies and laughed and played and ate together. Everyone was smiling as we said goodbye. WaWa knew that gotcha day would be Monday. Her foster mom knew to expect to see us all again on Tuesday when the foster sister would arrive home for the summer from college to say goodbye to Kerry Wa. We then went onto to walk around Huainan with our Amy Nuan. She had a wonderful experience returning to her orphanage as did we all!  btw, I missed the barbies being handed out, but I here they were a hit =)

sisters

moms

toys in the baby room

  

baba

sharing ear phones on the way to lunch

Spending time in the baby room with Amy Nuan brought back memories of our return with her to see the nannies when she was 11 months old. As we entered the courtyard, we heard some of the nannies calling her name "Nuan" which means warm breeze. She smiled constantly and had the most kissable, rosey cheeks. Amy Nuan has been a wonderful sister with a big heart, graciously sharing her mom and dad with her new sisters. I am glad that she was able to spend time in  the place where she lived in the beginning of her life. Huai Rui Wa and Huai Feng Nuan share a special bond as Amy and Kerry become forever sisters. Amy Nuan was our first adoption and will always have a special place in my heart.

http://kerrywacomeshome.shutterfly.com/
This link is to more pictures from this visit.