We're home!!!
We were up at 4:15 AM this morning to get ready for the hotel shuttle to the airport. Since it was just three of us, they sent a limo service instead. The airport was a 30 minute ride away, and there was a surprising amount of traffic on the road. Laurie wrestled our 5 suitcases to the luggage check-in counter, and then we had a relaxing breakfast (Kaeli's last congee in China!) before boarding the plane.
Kaeli slept in my arms for the first hour of our first flight, and then we disembarked in Tokyo and transfered to our plane to the US. Kaeli slept for a short time at the beginning of that flight also, and then stayed WIDE AWAKE for most of the rest of the flight when everyone should have been sleeping. She was so tired, but she kept fighting going to sleep so she was cranky and wiggly for hours. Laurie ran her up and down the aisles and she drank two whole bottles of milk before finally zonking out for the last two hours of the flight. Needless to say Laurie and I got little or NO sleep.
Despite what a wonderful trip we had and all the fantastic things we had seen, we were very glad to be back in the US and in Oregon. It took almost two hours to get through customs and Kaeli and I had to spend time in the immigration office, but we finally loaded up and drove home to Ye-Ye and Nai-Nai's house (Gramp and Gram's). Kaeli has taken to them and to Jio-Jio (uncle) Doug immediately and has charmed them all. She is giggling and laughing and running to them to be held, and thoroughly entertaining us all. They all clear out of the room when it's diaper changing time, though....
Kaeli and I got a few hours sleep in the middle of the day, and I'm hoping to keep her up until 8 or 9pm to get her on US time. Right now it's very early morning in China, so we're having to completely flip our time schedules.
Tomorrow will be our "Christmas" and will be a great time together, I am sure. I will continue to update the blog until we return to Philly, which will be by train on January 16th (leaving Portland). Nai-Nai (Gram), Kaeli and I will arrive in Philly on the 19th. That train ride will be lots of fun for the three of us, I'm sure! Kaeli is such a great traveler (other than the past 12 hours!!!) and I know she'll love the long train trip.
Again, hello from the US!!!
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4 comments:
Merry Christmas and Welcome Home all! Tom
Sue Adnopoz here, I have followed your trip avidly everyday and am so glad you are all finally home and beginning to lead a "normal" life (perhaps!). Have loved every minuet of your journey and your trips - not without a few tears.
Do you need a ride home from the station - I have the time and the station wagon that it sounds as though you will need (I don't know where I can rent a semi!).
The knitters have also been following your story as I gave them the blog - we are anxious to meet Kaeli on a Monday night and your Mom is expected too!
Welcome home to all.
Hope that your "Christmas Observed" is a time of joy for all of you.
Marie Clardy
Wow! There's no WAY Gavin would have handled the plane ride with such relative poise. What a savvy little world traveler (literally)!
Glad to hear you're back home safe and sound. I'll add my ferrying services to those being offered. What time are you arriving in Philly? Even if you don't need my car space, I want to be part of the Welcome Crew!
FYI -- I had dinner with some ex-Minters last week (JG, JO, etc.) and fwded your blog address along to them. They are all so happy for you!
-- Karen
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