We're Home Update!!!

OK, OK, I know it’s been nearly a week since we got home but we have a great excuse for not updating about our trip and arrival home!! We are exhausted!!!! Well, at least we were for a couple of days, but now we are all doing great!

Now back to the final installment of our journey.

We had to have our bags packed and outside of our door at 5am. No problem. Ryleigh slept right through getting to the airport and we were on our flight at 8:20 with about 40 other families with babies. Ryleigh did great, looking out the window and playing over the seat with Zoe who was right behind us.

We were told by CCAI and our guides that our flight out of Hong Kong was really early (inside the 2 hour window that they prefer) and was leaving at 11:15, so we needed to RUN RUN RUN in the airport. After a few quick tears and goodbyes to our travel friends, we were off to our check-in window. Luckily, most people do not use Japan Airlines, and we were the only ones to check in. It took a couple minutes and we were off to the Sakura Lounge. Did I mention earlier that we used frequent flier miles to get to and from China through American and had business class??? Ahhhh, the luxury. In each airport we were able to sit in a nice lounge with snacks and drinks a-plenty. It was very pampering. Our flight was called and we were on our way to Tokyo! Ryleigh slept for about half the flight, and we had bulkhead with the little bassinet. I watched the movie, “Dreamer” and was crying and Mark was watching North Country. It was a wonderful flight with the flight attendants spoiling Ryleigh with food, toys, and a few things for her big brother when we got home. The most amazing thing were these long skinny rice crackers that she loved. I will have to find them around here somewhere.

After a short layover in Tokyo, where it was snowing big puffy flakes we were on our way to San Francisco. Did I mention that the flight was over the Pacific the whole way? That means on the way out, it took nearly 16 hours of flying. On the way back, only 11. THANK YOU JET STREAM!!!

We got into San Francisco around 11am and were so tired. Our flight was great, but long, and I was worried about Ryleigh falling out of that bassinet, so we didn’t sleep much at all. We set her little feet down, let out a weak HURRAH, and were off to Immigration and Customs, which took about 10 minutes.

We got to our car at the Embassy Suites and drove FAST home. Ryleigh slept the whole way in the Mercedes of carseats (wish I had been in it).

When we got to Marina (about 10 miles away), I couldn’t stop crying. I was so excited to see Austin and my mom. I just couldn’t help the emotion. We pulled up to the house (earlier then they expected) and we ran in to see Austin who looked HUGE!! I think he grew 5 inches and gained 10 pounds while we were gone! We had a wonderful reunion and my mom and I went out to get Ryleigh. What a sweet moment for my mom!

We got settled and tried to stay awake as long as possible. I started feeling dizzy in the late afternoon and had to stay on the couch because I was scared I would just pass out from being so tired.

It’s been a few nights and Ryleigh is back to her routine in China. We put her down at 7:30ish and she cries for a few minutes, and then is asleep for the night.

Austin is doing great. He’s being a good big brother and helping me when I need it. He has said a few “not so nice” things, but I think that’s to be expected.

I read “Siblings Without Rivalry” on the trip to China and I completely recommend it for anyone who is adding a new one to your family!!

Thank you to everyone for following our journey. My mom for watching Austin for us while we were away! Our families for their support! Our travel mates for such an awesome China experience. CCAA in China for such a wonderful daughter, CCAI in Colorado for being the BEST ADOPTION AGENCY OUT THERE!!!! Larry for Red Thread Kids.org for posting our journey (in case the blog hadn’t worked). Our guides in China: Kathy and Jason for everything going so smoothly! And last but not least, the birth mother of our dear, Ryleigh you were so brave to carry her for 9 months and then give her up, and we will think of you often as she grows up!

(don't worry blog watchers, I'm still going to post to my blog)