B, E and I went to the number 2 hospital to visit Li Li (our local music teacher) who had a baby a few days before. She was in Ward 11 listed as the "Baby Friendly Room" and all the rooms had 3 beds. To get there we were interested to pass a door marked 'delivery waiting room' we peeked through the window to see that it led to deserted courtyard. I presume there was a room on the other side but you never know!! Li Li had paid for the other two beds so that she could have the room to herself. We fell in love with her beautiful little girl who had the most perfect little face. The Chinese are way ahead of us in some ways. Most new mothers hire an Ayi(maid/aunt) who is with them 24 hours a day from before the baby is born. Li Li's Ayi was sleeping in the hospital room with Li Li and the baby and fussed over them providing for every need. The Ayi lives with the new family and does all of the cooking, cleaning, and anything else that is needed. The new mother stays at home, inside for 1 month and isn't expected to do anything. The mother is paid the whole time she is on leave and has about 2 or 3 months leave for a natural birth and 4 if it is a Caesar. The mother is not allowed to eat or drink anything cool or cold so it was lucky we didn't take any fruit. The Ayi stays with the family as long as she is needed. One of my friends still has an Ayi living at home with the baby(14months), the mother, the father and the grandparents. It is considered lucky if a boy baby looks like his mother or a girl baby looks like her father. Li Li's baby looks like her father but does not have a name yet because Li Li has 4 months to consider the perfect name for her baby.
While looking for a present and a card for the baby I came across a lovely card.
The card reads (in Chinglish) ...
"It is a new start,
It is a beautiful day.
The day is full of harryness,
Are you harry?"
Very harry to read your story Susan.
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