Happy Birthday Bo Bo!

Yesterday was Bo Bo's second birthday. Bo Bo has been at GLA since he was 2 months old. His mother brought him to GLA when she realized that there was something very drastically wrong with her little boy. He has a genetic disorder that to this day has still not been identified. Miss Vicky is in charge of Bo Bo, she is a retired nurse (from Canton, MI!), she has one of the sweetest hearts of anyone I've ever met, and Bo Bo along with one other baby are her only responsibilities at GLA.

Bo Bo cannot stand up; his legs are completely limp and they simply cannot support any amount of weight. But he can now sit up, a real milestone for him. He weighs only 10 pounds. He doesn't talk, although he's started to make babbling noises which is a huge success. He is a living miracle. Few people thought that he would make it this far.

Yesterday morning, I went to a Haitian church where Bo Bo was used during the sermon, and together we marveled at how evident God's hand of love and protection has been in the life of Bo Bo.

Miss Vicky went all out for Bo Bo's birthday. She had balloons, party hats, cupcakes, a happy birthday sign, happy birthday napkins, and party blowers (is that what they're called?! Doesn't sound quite right. Hopefully you all know what I'm talking about anyways...) She was very particular about the way everything was set up. Even though there were lots of different colors of balloons, she asked that we only blow up the orange and yellow ones, because those colors are so bright and cheery. We taped the balloons up all around Bo Bo's seat, and she made sure that the balloons were perfectly centered. At one point, she couldn't find the happy birthday napkins, but the normal napkins would not do for such an important occasion, so we searched until we found them. Every person who walked past Miss Vicky was sure to be asked if a) they would like to participate in the game and b) if they would like to have a birthday cupcake.

Bo Bo was one celebrated little man yesterday. Miss Vicky threw a party for all the Haitian nannies at the orphanage. She's been coming to Haiti for years and years now, and she's lived at GLA for the past 2 years, but since she spends all her time with babies, she hasn't learned French or Creole, so I came with her as she walked around the orphanage to help translate as best as I could, and also just to witness the joy Bo Bo and Miss Vicky brought with them wherever they went. Miss Vicky set up a guessing game for all the nannies – they had to guess Bo Bo's current weight, his place of birth, and how many pieces of candy were in a jar! The winner will receive the jar of candy, which had 48 pieces in case you were curious. Each nanny also got to enter her name in a drawing, and for the rest of the week, Miss Vicky will be taking a name out of the envelope each day and that nanny will receive a monetary gift. I got to draw the first name today, and the nanny was quite thrilled! Little Bo Bo was passed around by all the nannies, we sang happy birthday multiple times in Creole, French, and English, the kitchen staff ended up participating in the game as well, everyone ate cupcakes, and we loved on little Bo Bo. I have to believe that no matter how differently his brain and body may be wired, that Bo Bo knows deep down how profoundly loved he is.

Bo Bo with one of the nannies:

With another nanny:

Miss Vicky with Bo Bo and the decorated dining room! :)

Miss Vicky with her little Bo Bo