We're Home!

Unbelievable!! After many years of effort we are finally safe and secure at home with our girls!! You can’t find 2 prouder and more exhausted parents.

First, let me recap the trip home, then I’ll discuss how everyone is doing now that we are home…

Our bags were picked up at our rooms at 4:45am, Jan 5th (2:45pm, Jan 4th CST). We arrived home at 9:30pm, Jan 5th CST. Yes, that is just shy of 31 hours of travel. It was grueling!

The first leg was from Guangzhou to Beijing, about a 3 hour flight. The girls were fine and all was well. Then we had a 6 hour wait in the Beijing airport where we hunkered down in a nice little restaurant. It was at this point that I made one of the best decisions of my life… we upgraded our Beijing to Chicago flight to Business Class. Not only that, coach on this flight was log-jammed full but Business Class had more open seats than full seats, so we were able to spread out. As a result, the 13 hour flight went smoothly and the girls slept about 8 hours, sprawled out in their business class seats. Then, another 4 hour lay-over in Chicago and the girls were done, but we had one more short hop down to STL. We were able to see the Chicago Decks and give Liz one of the biggest hugs on earth, then the girls proceeded to wail the entire flight to STL.

But it was all worth it. We let the girls simmer down and put on some nice dresses (thanks Becky and Shane) and then walked down the terminal to the grand entrance. I know I keep using this word, but the walk was surreal. Melissa and I both had butterflies in our stomachs knowing we had made it and were about the feel the love and support of family and friends first hand.

The airport scene was awesome. AnMei was in a good mood and started working her magical charm. JiaLi took one look at the crowd and passed out cold. Hugs from parents were our first order of business, and the rest really was a blur. We got them home to a house decorated with balloons and signs (thanks neighbors) and put the absolutely exhausted girls into their cribs. Mission Accomplished!

Now we’re in the transitional period we’ve been expecting. The girls can’t seem to kick whatever they had in China, plus we think they’re teething. Add our jet-lag and the girls’ complete time zone switch and 7809 Stanford is not a happy place right now. It’s been a rough few days and the girls are definitely not themselves. Despite the challenges, it’s really not any worse than what we expected, but it has been difficult. Melissa’s parents have been a huge help in making bottles and meals, and the girls are slowly starting to warm up to them too.

Tomorrow we take the girls to their doctor and are hopeful that we’ll have a better sense as to what is going on with them. Even if it’s nothing to treat it will still help us to know how to proceed. Then we need to slowly and surely adjust them to the new time zone, new surroundings, new sounds, smells, foods... We know it won’t happen overnight, but we are eager for it to happen!

We called Liz today and she is doing great. Tim had the house squeaky clean and had a nice dinner prepared, with a salad. The first couple days she was a little dazed, but she’s beginning to feel back to normal. The kids had obviously followed the blog very closely and had all kinds of follow-up questions. Annie is most interested in the “squatty potties,” while Peter is fascinated by the “split pants.” Liz was AN ABSOLUTE GODSEND! We cannot thank you enough and would not have made it without your help, encouragement, and love. Your total act of selfless support will not be forgotten!!

Regarding the blog, I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback and am touched that so many people enjoyed my attempt to share our experience. Let me tell you, we were equally touched reading your comments and looked forward to blog time every day. Many have asked what my plans are regarding posting, and I do plan on keeping it updated. I hope to post regularly and create a little journal that the girls one day can hopefully enjoy.

One last thought… all of your thoughts, prayers, and wishes were heard and felt by us… you can trust me on that! Melissa and I feel so honored and blessed to have such an amazing family and circle of friends, it was only through your love and support that we were able to remain strong and bring these girls home. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Now the honor of raising these girls gets started!