Meet Riley

We are in the process of adopting a precious little girl from China.  We have not met her.  We do not know what she likes or dislikes.  What we do know though, is her Chinese name is Jin Er Jiang, known to us as Riley Jiner Handy. Riley was born on August 13, 2011 in Shanghai, China.  She was abandoned on the side of the road and found within hours of birth.  She was born with special needs.  She has been diagnosed with  congenital cleft lip and palate and double mild hearing loss.  She has lived in the Shanghai Orphanage since birth. She has never known the warm and loving embrace of a mother or the joy of a piggy-back ride from a father. She doesn't know what it feels like to be tucked in, read to, and kissed goodnight.  She has yet to receive the full medical attention, nutritious food, and a childhood that allows her to be in an environment where she can thrive, flourish and reach her full potential.  She needs a loving family the most and we have been that chosen family!  

We have received one additional update since calling this sweet girl ours.  She has a pair of big, black beautiful eyes with long eyelashes.  She has fair skin.  They say, "She is a beautiful girl."  We also agree!!  She drinks milk and water.  She is still drinking form a bottle.  She has a good appetite and is not picky.  Maybe we will have our first child that is NOT A PICKY EATER!!  Her favorite foods are rice, fish, soup, tofu, shrimp, eggs, vegetables and desserts!  She enjoys finger biscuits!   She is not walking but will stand on her own and walk with the caregivers assistance.  They describe her personality as fairly active, restless and sometimes impatient..  She will fit RIGHT IN with our crew here!!  :) They say she is smart and very flexible.  Maybe... she will be my dancer!!  She enjoys her caregivers company!!  She is not talking.  She loves listening to music and also has a ready smile.  

Little Riley's health overall has been good although she has had several ear infections and upper respiratory infections.  She has had three surgeries to correct the cleft lip and palate.  Her first surgery was on Oct. 12, 2011.  She was 2 months old. She had cleft lip mending operation.  She was discharged Oct. 28, 2001 and surgery was successful.  Her second surgery was to repair the cleft palate.  That was completed on March 26, 2012.  She was 7 1/2 months old.  The finally surgery was when she was 15 1/2 months old and they performed a lip formation operation and what is reported as "bilateral eardrum cutting operation"...aka...ear tubes, we believe, however it was unsuccessful.  We have an excellent pediatric ENT that we see so it looks like Riley will be making a visit too!!  

We can't wait to get her home so we CAN provide all the necessary medical, social, physical, and developmental interventions that she so does need and require!!