Our Littlest Angels:Growing and Thriving!

As part of our strategy to limit the spread of chicken pox, the babies in the high care nursery are being kept apart from children who come from nurseries that have been affected by the virus.
That means that our NICU babies can not go up to the balcony where volunteers spend time doing one-on-ones.

It would be impossible for me to give all 15 NICU babies individual attention for an hour a day but I want them all to be stimulated and to feel loved and secure. I decided to work with small groups of children who were at similar developmental stages. I am delighted to report that all of these little ones are are happy and progressing well.A little angel learning to sit on the NICU balcony

Two of them have received individual attention for part of the isolation period. Both are around three months old and both were having trouble gaining weight. This is no longer a problem for "Ti Cherie" now that I have found a formula that agrees with her. She now weighs almost 11lb and is smiling, cooing and paying close attention to her care givers and to her toys. It was a privalege to work with her and to see her restored to good health. I can't help wondering why God placed this beautiful baby in my arms, or what she will become.

This little man was living full time with Miss Vicky for the 3 weeks that she was here. Miss Vicky is a nurse from the USA and she has volunteered at GLA many, many times. After her first night with her little charge, she commented that he had a strong personality, and so she was sure he would live! The young man in question has gained over a lb. He is still very small but otherwise, his development is right on track. I believe he has great potential. Look at those bright eyes!

It occurred to me a few weeks ago that the NICU boys are incredibly flirtatious.... and that their nurses and nannies (including yours truly) are encouraging that flirtatiousness! We smile, we wave, we kiss them, we make eyes at them, and we take full responsibility for the consequences!

Take this little boy for example (Shown above.) Isn't he gorgeous? He is the sweetest little boy in NICU. All my babies have fine qualities, but this is the sweetest. So mellow, so smiley.

These two boys are heart-breakers all ready. They applaud me when I come into NICU in the mornings. The little boy on the left has made great strides in his development and is now more or less on track with his European counterparts. The little boy on the right was very sick when I arrived a few months ago. Now that he is well again, he is getting bigger and stronger every day. These boys are bright and beautiful and I know that they will go on to do big things in their adoptive countries. How do I now? I just do!

I feel blessed to witness my babies growing and thriving. Many are sitting, cruising or showing signs of being ready to crawl when a few weeks ago it didn't look as though they were anywhere close to doing these things.

This young lady thoroughly enjoys sitting upright - it gives her a whole new perspective. Her personality stands out all ready. When she is happy her face lights up into the most wonderful smile; when she is mad she yells! She is strong and healthy in every way and I am sure that she will carry these qualities all te way into womanhood.

My babies have bright futures. They have been born in a troubled country, but I have a strong sense that the Lord's hand is on them and that they have been set apart. They are Haiti's hope and I pray that they will remain close to the God who conceived them in spirit millenia ago, and who intended them to be born here and now "for such a time as this."