The Newbie

This little girl is one of our newest additions to the Home! She arrived when I did! Well, I think she came a day after me, but the first day of my training! She must have known that we were both newbies - both a little scared, but both sure that this is a wonderful, safe place to be - because she decided that we were going to be best friends! 

Right after she arrived at the MBH

Heather went to pick The Newbie up and was looking at different babies and guessing who it was. This girl was her last guess; we couldn't believe it was a white baby! It is the first in the home and was quite a surprise! It was lots of fun teaching our very competent caregivers the few differences in caring for a white baby! Heather told me how when MBH started she had no idea that if you didn't put Vaseline all over our little black babies after a bath their skin will turn ashy. Thankfully the precious caregivers know just what they are doing! They did have to learn that that wasn't necessary for The Newbie though... after her first bath, she was slathered in Vaseline from head to toe! Back into the tub she went!

When the newbie arrived she was very scared. She cried a lot and wouldn't eat. She hated to be left to play, but always wanted to be held. Her cheeks were really red and her little body needed lots of tender care.

Look! She's eating!!

Now, she has charmed us all with her smiles and laugh! She loves to play and gives the other kids kisses (and me! yay!). She has just started to eat her food - an answer to prayer! We are very thankful for that! Thanks to Donovan who thought of using udder cream (yes.. for a cow! Apparently other people know this is good for you but I didn't.. a strange idea!) her cheeks have started to clear up too! Now we can see her beautiful face! She has shining brown eyes and cute curly hair.

Doesn't she just steal your heart?

The Newbie loves to be held. We think she's in need of lots of love.. but then aren't all babies? That's something the Muphamuzi Baby Home strives to be excellent at: giving great, one-on-one care full of love to each baby! Just today, The Newbie was crying and when I picked her up she melted into my arms. She laid her head on my shoulder and put her arms and legs around me. She was still for so long I thought she had fallen asleep but she hadn't, she was just enjoying being held. I laid down on the couch and held her for a long time and she was very happy. It is sweet moments like this that I cherish the most here! Knowing that you are giving a little one love makes changing 6+ stinky nappies a day, mopping, ironing, hanging clothes on the line, and cleaning up throw up all worth it!

She climbed on top of this all by herself and was very proud.. so were we! She has come such a long way in the  2.5 weeks we have been here together!

She likes playing outside, eating pretzels, and reading books!

She has the best smiles...

...And funny faces :)