I am slightly behind with our update as the past two days have been a blur. Thursday, was the big travel day and while Alexis has been getting up around 6:30 or 7:00 AM each morning, the 5:00 AM wake up call was a bit earlier for her as well as Dad. We approached the trip home in phases to better manage the long day… I mean LONG!
The first phase of our trip was from the hotel to the airport. We traveled with another couple on the same flight and by the time they loaded our luggage in the van there was just enough room for the six of us. Good thing the babies didn’t require their own seat. Alexis wasn’t willing to wait for her morning bottle so we fed her on the way to the airport and she was kept quite until we arrived at the airport there.
Phase two was getting our luggage and ourselves through check in and arriving to the gate on time. The biggest concern wasn’t Alexis but the overweight luggage we had (or I had) and getting all our carry-on’s on board. We purchased a separate seat for Alexis that helped and after the security check we were ready to board the plane.
Phase three was the four hour flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo. Alexis was a real trooper and did great on the take-off and landing without a fuss. The separate seat was a great investment so we could place the arm rest up and let Alexis play a little and then fall asleep lying down. It was also good for Mom and Dad too.
Phase four...making the connecting flight from Tokyo to Detroit. While the landing was a bit bumpy we arrived safe and sound in Tokyo. We took our “Famous stroller” with us to transfer Alexis from gate to gate, but for some reason it was checked on the plane versus being available at the gate when you exit. I now know you need to make sure you are very clear that you ask for the stroller to be at plane and not checked in. The NW staff in Tokyo was terrific and ended up helping us move our carry-on’s to the next flight so I could carry Alexis. We arrived with 10 minutes to spare before boarding our final leg home to Detroit.
Phase five… the plane ride home. This was it, the last flight and longest leg of the trip before we landed on American soil. Unfortunately it was the most challenging. We had our three seats and they were in bulk head which sounds good at first until you try and move the arm rest up and you can’t. So the extra seat for Alexis was proving to be of little value for this leg of the trip because you had to keep her on your lap. The bassinet carrier they offer on the plane in the bulk head seating was not available or not recommended for Alexis because of her size. They did however, allow us to try it and Alexis lasted for a short nap, but then awoke. There the fun began… she was rested and restless and we were somewhat trapped. However, a very nice woman came to our rescue and offered to change seats with us (convinced the gentleman next to her to do the same) so we could have three seats together and lift the arm rest up for Alexis lay across the seats. It is a small world as it turns out this woman ended up working for the same company I do, but for a different division. She truly was our savings grace. Alexis settled in, but had a few bad hours where Mom and Dad had to walk her around. As for Mom and Dad we didn’t have much sleep and the long flight seemed even longer. With all that said, we landed safe and sound and we’re happy to be home (except for the snow falling) it was picture perfect.
Phase six – officially becoming a US citizen. Since we were seated up front we were the first family on our flight to walk through customs with our daughter and process her paper work for her official entry into the United States. Although there were some lines the process went smooth and when we finished our paper work our luggage was already going around the carousel. Unfortunately we lost our “favorite stroller”, but were too tired to process paper work for a $30 stroller and too excited to see the grandparents. Alexis and I went to freshen up and put her new outfit on to meet the family. As we came through the doors we were greeted by the grandmothers and my dad who were anxiously awaiting our homecoming. We missed Kevin’s dad who lives out of state, but we know he was there in spirit. Alexis did great and she even had her first interview with the local radio station who wanted to interview us on our adoption experience.
As Dorothy said in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ there is no place like home and that is so true. We got Alexis settled in and bundled up to handle the unexpected cold weather and snow. Upon arriving at our house she had a chance to meet her “favorite” uncle Steve, uncle Bob and her “favorite” cousin Kristen. Don’t worry… All her uncle’s, aunts and cousins will be her “favorite”. It was a long day for everyone and the time change doesn’t help, but we stayed awake much longer than we wanted since Alexis wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep. In the end a few good books and quite time we were down for the night.
We are home and we are very blessed to be a family. Once we get settled in will provide a “home update” to show you how Alexis is adapting to her new surroundings.
With love,
Kevin, Rachelle and Alexis
Even Alexis is entitled to a bad hair day!
Mom – Dad… I’m trying to sleep here…no photos please!
