Success From China

“You are a mom” – I will never forget those wonderful words spoken by my social worker when she called to let me know that my second daughter Pearl Mae Yu Rong was waiting for me in China. My daughter was seven months old and living in a Social Welfare Institute in the Guangdong Province. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms.

Several months before that moment I never thought a second adoption from China was within my reach. I am a single mother and I received a phone call from that same social worker letting me know that China was going to limit the number of adoptions to single women and that this restriction would begin in less than two months. So I frantically called Family Connections and with their help I was able to complete my home study and dossier just in time (24 hours to spare). Without Family Connections quick response to my needs, Pearl would not be my daughter and Rose (my first daughter) would not have a wonderful little sister.

Pearl is my “precious gem” from China (her Chinese name means precious jewel). Pearl was found in the entrance of a village in a box wrapped in an orange towel. She was taken to the local Social Welfare Institution at the age of two days old where she lived until she was placed in my arms the day she turned nine months old (March 25, 2003). I met my daughter for the first time in the conference room of the Adoption Registry Center. I was excited, nervous, and overwhelmed with joy. She was also overwhelmed by the tremendous turn her life just took – a mom?

Pearl was a quiet and shy baby (or so I thought). Initially Pearl spent much of her time sleeping and avoiding interaction with me (her coping strategies). I was a little concerned. However, within days she was giggling and playing with me like we had known each other forever. Now at 2 ½ years old she is an out-going and gregarious child who loves life and is always giggling or making others giggle.

Pearl was initially challenged by developmental delays. When she was placed in my arms at nine months old, she could not roll over, sit up, or grasp toys and her hip muscles were very tight due to lack of use. Well, even before we left China for home (10 days later), Pearl was rolling across the room, sitting up by herself for a few moments, and reaching for toys. It was like watching development in fast forward. Once we arrived home, Pearl quickly developed the skills to sit up, crawl, and grasp everything she could get her hands on. She was walking at the age of twelve months and hasn’t stopped running yet. Today at 2 ½ years old she is a very physically active child who is developing normally. She loves to run, jump, kick balls, ice skate, and participate in gymnastics.

Pearl is also very bright. She is a big talker and likes to tell stories about her adventures and sing her favorite songs (at the top of her lungs). She has learned her colors and shapes and is starting to recognize letters and numbers. I must say, she is growing up too fast.

Pearl has brought joy to my life. I thank Family Connections for helping to make my dreams of parenting come true and for finding a mom for this little girl from a Chinese orphanage.