Tessa and her foster mother

We received this picture in an early email about Tessa. Our agency writes,

"Some of you might have noticed an adult with your child in some of the recent photos. We have verified that these are the foster parents. All of the children how now been taken back to the orphanage (from the foster homes)now in anticipation of your arrival."

Foster parenting is an important part of the adoption journey. I understand that a baby who has an opportunity to bond with a caregiver at an early age will bond and attach more easily than if she had been alone at the orphanage from the beginning. Early attachment leads to healthy social and behavioral development.

I hope that when we arrive in Nanchang we have the opportunity to meet this woman who may have known Tessa since her arrival. I guess it's time to brush up on my Mandarin.