Here comes 2010!

Cooper has been in the Unit since arriving as a newborn in February, and we've had the priviledge of watching his progress over this past year. He has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, but that isn't stopping him - he's an active little guy!
We would like to express our thanks to all our sponsors who've helped us to make a difference not just for Cooper, but for many other children in the House of Love Units over this past year.
We hope you enjoy following Cooper's progress in 2010, as we partner together and see children's lives changed for the better.

Benjamin arrives.

Benjamin was our newest arrival to the Clubfoot Unit, just before Christmas. It wasn't long before he had had a warm bath and was sound asleep after lots of cuddles.

The children in full voice!

The children of the House of Love send their greetings for the Holiday Season.

Christmas Celebration!

Thanks to a generous sponsor, the children at the House of Love celebrated Christmas with a BBQ celebration. Ribs, chicken, sausage, bread rolls, drinks and fruit made for a wonderful party. Before the BBQ they put on a small performance showcasing their reading and recital work from school and concluding with a rendition of We Wish you a Merry Christmas in English. Santa even came and the children each received a small gift to finish off a wonderful afternoon.

Casting this week.

Lexi, Zac and Claire have all had their casts changed again this week. It's good to see the progress.

Birthdays!

Helen from the CPU/Residential Unit celebrated her 12th birthday today and Preston from the Special Care Babies Unit celebrated his 1st birthday as well. Each had a separate celebration in their own Unit, which was much enjoyed by everyone.

Haircuts

Lexi and Zac both had a trip to the hairdresser today and both are now sporting a new look.

MIn Hao

We thought you'd like to see the progress of Min Hao's feet, after the cast was removed, as well as when the new cast was put on this week. He's doing well.

Finally she's home!

Gwendolyn arrived back safely late Friday evening, after being away for 4 months for heart surgery. She is settling back in well to the Babies Unit, after greeting the Carers she knew by name when she arrived!

Claire

Casting is not Claire's favourite time of the week, but she does enjoy eating candy and being sung to while they are applied and loves to show them off to the other children when she gets back to the Unit.

Lexi

Lexi is very happy to have her new set of special shoes put on every week.

Zac

Zac's feet are progressing, though it's slowly, it's encouraging to see the change. We have to watch very carefully that his feet don't slip in, that's why there is a black line drawn across his toes, so we can see straight away if it happens.

Joey

We just thought you'd like to see how Joey is progressing. He has learnt to walk on his two "good" feet! We have built up one shoe for him, as he has one leg a little shorter than the other, but he's doing great!

Friends

Emily & Gabriella spent some time playing together yesterday afternoon.

Min Hao

Min Hao is sporting this week's new casts, while sitting in the sun, reading a book.

Cutie

Here's Zac, as cute as a button - he's very patient while his casts are put on.

Claire

Claire gets songs sung to her while her feet are being cast.

Lunch is coming!

Cooper's all excited as it's lunchtime. He's sitting on the balcony in the warm sun ready for his first mouthful.

Lexi

Here are Lexi's new casts this week. She's proud of her special shoes.

Look at me!

Preston has just worked out how to stand up - he still has that surprised look on his face, but is getting better and more confident by the day!

New Winter Blankets!

These blankets were donated earlier this year and with the cold of winter arriving they are being put to good use keeping our littlies warm.

Claire & Min Hao

Claire had some quiet time in the sun over naptime, while her casts dried, & Min Hao got his 6th casts this week.

Lexi

Lexi had her 4th casts on Monday. The sore on her right foot has completed healed up, so now it's a matter of the right foot "catching up" with the left.

Cassie

Cassie had her first casts on Monday and is so happy. She waited patiently for her turn over the last couple of weeks and by the look on her face, you can tell she's pleased!

Zac & Min Hao

The two boys had new casts put on last Friday.

New Arrivals.

Two tiny babies with cleft palates arrived in the Special Care Unit on Friday afternoon. Both are newborns, so we are looking forward to getting their feeding and daily routine established. The photos show them after a nice warm bath and new clothes. Both these babies need sponsors.

Jill turns sweet 16!

Jill turned 16 on Friday and celebrated with the other children in the Unit. She received a new pair of fleecy pyjamas, and one of her sponsors gave her some bracelets and hair clips. She is really looking forward to receiving her other gift, getting her ears pierced, which she will have done next week.

Katie.

Katie left the Babies Unit this morning to go into foster care. She is being cared for by a family who have previously cared for a number of our bubs, until they’ve been adopted.

Warmer Bags.

Joey, Janie and Josh are modeling the new “warmer bags” which go over the children’s braces to keep their feet warm. As they can only wear a pair of socks in the brace, it’s just not enough. They are made of 4 layers – two quilted fabric, and two very thick fleecy fabric. The kids were all proudly showing them off today. They don’t restrict their movement at all, they can still crawl around and play easily.

New Blue Shoes!

Min Hao had new casts put on last Friday. Lexi had her other foot recast again today, after having to wait for her broken skin to heal. They are both sporting the new blue “booties” which we’ve made for kids in casts. It is very cold, so we’re using these to try to keep little toes warm as they protrude from the ends of the casts.

Claire.

Claire had her second casts put on today. She still cried a bit, but really wanted to get back to the Unit when they were finished, to show them off to everybody. She is very proud of them!

Zac

We couldn’t put on more casts for this Zac this week, as he had developed a rash, probably a reaction to the padding in the heat. We treated his rash which has now settled.

Claire's first casts.

Claire had her first casts on Monday. She wasn’t too impressed about the procedure and cried to begin with, but settled down and went to sleep as her first leg was being finished, and for her other leg.

Lexi & Min Hao.

Lexi had her 3rd cast on her left leg on Friday which is progressing well. We still can’t recast her right leg until the sore on her foot is healed up.
Min Hao had his 3rd casts. We’re really pleased with the progress of his feet.