The Newest Love of My Life!

In the car on the way home

Ok so recently we have had 5 new babies which brings our total to 54, overflowing!! Right now though I am only going to speak about one of those babies because when I first saw her it was love at first sight!

Her foot is in a terrible state

This little girls name is Benedict, we collected her from a town a couple of hours drive away yesterday from her Grandmother who realises she can not take care of her after her mother ran away. The grandmother told us that B was 5 months old, when I took her and got her changed I realised this was not the truth, maybe this baby was around the 8-9 month mark but when I got her home I was horrified to see a good set of ten teeth, this child was much older than we first thought.
From the 'books' her teeth indicate her to be 12-16 months old, however, it is well known that babies who are malnourished often their teeth develop later so I imagine she may well be as old as 18 months. This is a child who fits in to 3month clothing! From the minute I laid eyes on her I made the same decision that I had made with Silvamos, David and Helena, I was going to care for her, so yesterday was the beginning of a new life for her at my house.

Enjoying crackers

She is a very clever child, despite her tiny frame and distended belly she can crawl, walk holding hands, clap hands, bob her head to the music and she is amazing at giving kisses. She knows what she likes and what she doesn't, giving her dinner tonight she spat out some bits, picked out some other bits and only ate the bits she liked, obviously to have survived the last 12-18 months she would naturally have had to have this determined spirit.

She has now been with me for 24 hours and we have been getting to know each other during this time, she likes to play in the baby walker but is not keen at being left in the room by herself, last night she didn't fuss when put to bed but would not sleep until I was with her, she loves having her head stroked, after the initial shock of getting in the bath she loves soaking in warm water, she loves milk and buiscuts and she is very oral, exploring things with her mouth and touching my mouth and also did I mention before that she loves to give kisses :-) and I love receiving them!!

My children already adore her, Selemani was helping give her water and much to B's disgust Nancy was feeding her pretend food yesterday.
She has the face which many malnourished children have, sad eyes, pained expression, like they have seen and felt too much suffering. Well B your life is no longer going to have such suffering in it, from now on you will be fed, loved, cuddled, kissed and spoiled, whatever your future holds I will be sure that you will always have a loving and safe environment to call your home!!

With Rosie doll

24 hours later and already feeling much happier

This evening I was soaking her foot in salt water when she decided to dunk herself in,
although she wasn't impressed!