We're home!

I'm happy to say that we are back at home, recovering from our long trip.  Both Jen and I are still sick.  Jen has almost lost her voice.  But we made it back, and our worst fears were never realized.  My main concern was that Hope would be difficult to entertain, especially on the long flights, but aside from the shortest of the legs, she remained in her seat (well, our laps) the entire time, either asleep, or entertained with toys, food, movies, the stuff in the seat in front of her, etc.

The first leg was the shortest, from Guangzhou to Tokyo, on China Southern.  Because our time in Tokyo was to be less than 90 minutes (or so we thought - more on that later), we were told that our bags would not make the connection, and we had to sign something that essentially stated that we may never see them again.  So we transferred a few items to our carryons, and said goodbye to our luggage.  We had upgraded to first class from coach using Skymiles, but I wasn't expecting much given our first experience on this airline (bad food, older plane, etc).  The food was still not great, and the plane may have been old, but I wasn't paying attention, because there was about 4 feet of space between our seats and the seats in front of us, and very wide aisles, and the row to the right of us was empty, so I was ecstatic.  We actually spread a blanket out on the floor in front of us, for Hope to play on.  We walked her around first class when she wasn't playing on the blanket, and I had visions of having to do this for 10 hours on the next leg, and 4 on the one after that, in less spacious accomodations.

We landed in Tokyo expecting to have less than 90 minutes between flights.  Turns out, they listed China time on our ticket, not Tokyo time, and we actually had about 20 minutes.  We didn't realize this when we stepped off the plane, and fortunately, I spotted a Delta employee holding a sign with our names on it.  He informed us that we had only a few minutes to catch our flight, and we literally ran through the airport, trying to keep up with this employee.  Hope loved it as she bounced up and down in Jen's arms as we ran.  The employee cut to the front of the various lines, got us through quickly, and when we reached a bus that was waiting (it appeared just for us) to take us to the Delta terminal, he told us that we had made it.  Crazy.  We just had to laugh.  I don't know if they do what they did with the sign and all for everyone, or if it was because we were flying first and business class, but we were very thankful for it.  Missing our flight would have been horrible.  Forget Godzilla - Tokyo would have had a couple of very cranky passengers to deal with.

The next leg was the worrisome one - Tokyo to Salt Lake City.  Unfortunately, the seats were not the awesome "pods" that we had on the flight over.  Still business class, but not nearly as comfortable - The seats didn't lay completely flat, and were not very wide.  Plus, the flight was full.  We did have a bulkhead, though, and they attached a bassinet (a net with a cardboard box) to it, so Hope could potentially sleep, which she actually did, for a couple of hours.  I couldn't sleep, though, it was just too uncomfortable, plus I was sick, and I had lent (lended?) my blanket to Hope, so I was cold, so I watched a little of "Invictus" until Hope woke up.  From that point, we just sat in the chair.  We fed her at meal time, read to her, she climbed on the TV screen, etc.  She may have napped in my arms, I don't remember, but she was a trooper, and although it was difficult, it was not even close to the nightmare that I had envisioned, and we arrived in Salt Lake City for a 4 hour layover.

We headed to the Delta lounge.  The woman at the counter asked us if we had adopted from China.  She had an 18 year old daughter whom she had adopted many years ago, and they had just gone back to visit the foster parents, and she talked a little about that experience.  It's a great community that we now belong to.

The SLC to Orlando leg was equally uneventful.  Hope slept for the last couple of hours, so I was able to watch most of the Colts game, and "relax" a little bit.

We arrived in Orlando to rain, but it was good to finally be home.  Jen's brother Phil was already circling the airport, so after a stop at the Delta baggage desk to inquire about our bags (which we have since received), we were on our way home.  Hope didn't fuss once in the car seat, as we were expecting, although I sat next to her and entertained her, so that may have had something to do with it.

There was a great display of stuffed animals, champagne, and a sign created by our friend Christine set up at the front door, but unfortunately, we came in through the garage, and my father had to point it out.  My mother also woke up and came to down to welcome us home. We let Hope walk around and explore, and she seemed to enjoy the many toys and stuffed animals that we have laying around.  My parents went back to sleep, and so Jen and I had the couches.  Hope had the pack and play, and she slept for a little bit, but eventually started crying and I could not get her back to sleep, so I had to hold her on the couch for the rest of the night, and I got no sleep.

In the morning, we waited anxiously for Bella to wake up, so that we could all surprise her together.  We did, with video camera in hand, and captured one of the happiest moments that I can recall.  Bella was just grinning from ear to ear, and was just delighted at Hope, giggling at her and any noises that she would make.  We have a great picture of Bella standing in her crib and throwing her head back and laughing.  It was awesome.

We've been home for a couple of days now.  Hope is having sleep issues, which is common.  Plus, she's still adjusting to the time change.  We've placed her in her crib, next to Bella's crib, and she's slept for a couple of hours, despite Bella's constant chatter, but then wakes up and cries, wakes up Bella, and I have to go in and extract her.  Last night, she slept next to me on our bed, so not much sleep for me again.  Hopefully, once the time change is no longer a factor, she will sleep through the night.  We'll see.  But we now have the pack and play in our room, so if we have to, we'll place her there, and hope she sleeps.  We need sleep ourselves.

Bella and Hope pretty much ignore one another, but Bella does try, and succeed, to take things from Hope, stating "Mine!", and we try and talk to her about sharing, etc.  It's not easy, and we have to be sensitive to Bella and the fact that this is all new to her.  I'm sure she's confused, despite our attempts to prepare her, and she's not used to not being the center of attention.  We try to tell her that we need her help, and we have her assist in Hope's diaper changes, etc.  We also try and give her individual attention, even if the moments are brief.  We need to make sure that she doesn't feel any less loved.  I think we're doing the right things, but we're all going to be doing a little learning together as a family.  In the long run, I believe a sibling will be good for her, and teach her valuable lessons.  She does occasionally walk up to Hope and pat her on the head, saying "Good Hope".  It's a start.  

Hope spends her time exploring, checking out the various toys.  We've taken a couple of walks outside.  She still doesn't like it at times when I disappear from view.  She is a good eater, and has been eating "our" food - turkey burger, pancakes, chicken alfredo, etc.  We were really worried about the food thing.  We're in the process of converting her over to milk, mixing in a bit with her formula, and we'll gradually add more.  The dogs don't seem to bother Hope, at all, but the two noisiest and most active are still at our friend Joanne's  house, but so far so good there.  Her foster family didn't have pets.  Still waiting for that first English word, although she did say "Bye-bye", so that may qualify.

Thanks to everyone who lent support or helped out in anyway while we were gone.  We truly could not have done this without your support.  We have great family and friends.  Even though we're back from China, we still have a long way to go, but it has, and will continue to be, a fascinating journey.  Thank you all for being a part of it.

Waiting in the China Southern lounge for the flight to Tokyo

Mom and Hope preparing for takeoff

The spacious seating in first class on China Southern

Distracting Hope with headphones

Somewhere over Tokyo.  Big mountain amidst the clouds.

Our greeting upon arriving home.

Greeting Bella in the morning after being gone for so long.  Probably the greatest moment I've ever captured on film.

Bella is so happy!

First meal together.

First bath together.