We finally made it home after a whole, whole lot of traveling in an airplane with very little sleep. Emma slept a couple hours here and there, but the last 4 hours from Tokyo were pretty rough on all of us. We had allowed for almost 3 hours in immigration, but the customs in Detroit was taking extra long. I did have lots of time to change our clothes and freshen up while we waited in line for those 3 hours. We finally got Emma’s stamp, and our Emma Mei Yi Shan Fisher officially became a US citizen. All of our luggage was just sitting on the floor because it took so long for us to get through. We missed our flight because of the long wait, but they were able to get us on the 7:05 pm flight instead. The first thing we did in Detroit after clearing security was to take a picture as a family in front of the world fountain, and to get the biggest Starbucks coffee we could buy! It was special to get that picture as we took one before we left for China and now we had one with our completed family. The flight to GR was very quick, but it was so wonderful to feel the wheels land in Grand Rapids. Katelyn had fallen asleep, poor girl, and we had to wake her up to roll her backpack down the ramp. Right as we were getting off the plane, we went to get our video camera and the tape got stuck. Thankfully, I was able to fix it really quick before we went down the ramp! It was so emotional to just get off the plane, and then we had a wonderful crowd of family and friends waiting for us at the end. There was another adoptive family with us on the plane who had also been delayed by the lines in immigration, and they had a group waiting for them as well. The other adoptive mom was having a panic attack before we took off for GR, and it was all I could do to not cry with her. After being in a plane for so long, your emotions just kind of take over. It was so wonderful to see our family and friends after an amazing 2 weeks in China. We were so glad to be home.
Amidst lots of hugs and tears, Emma just quietly took everything in. I had her in the hip hammock so that she would feel secure. That thing has been great for her as much as I battled with the straps, and I am so, so glad that we had it. We all cried and hugged and talked and enjoyed the moment. It was so special when we took a moment to pray and thank God for bringing us home with our Emma-girl. We are so thankful for her and all that God has done for us. None of us were sick the entire time, and there were a few close calls with the water. My cold even only lasted a couple of days. Emma has done wonderfully, and she is such a good baby. We can’t even believe she is finally ours and that they let us come home with her! Thank you so much to each and every person who came to the airport to welcome us home, especially with the delay in our flight time. It meant the world to us to see you all there! It was such a special day for all of us.
We are enjoying being home. Emma didn’t cry when we put her in her carseat, and she fell asleep halfway through a chicken nugget from Wendy’s. She woke up when I tried to lay her in her bed, so I just took her and held her for a while. She was still checking everyone out and being quiet, but she perked up when Katelyn came in with all the balloons. Then she started coming out of her shell for her grandparents a little! This morning she decided that Grandpa was okay, so she climbed up in his lap to play with her airplane that they bought her. Mom got her the airplane, because the orphanage told us that was one of her favorite toys. It is the pink Fisher Price one and it is soooo cute!! She loves playing with it and pushing all the buttons. It is especially funny for her when Grandpa makes it fly! Grandpa is over the moon that she likes him so well! Nana tried to take her, but she wanted to go back to Grandpa. She is still warming up to Nana, but I know it won’t take her long. Mei-mei giggles at Uncle Mark when he makes funny noises and she waved bye-bye to Poppy last night. Before too long, she is going to be tearing through the house like a wild girl. She is cautious about our vinyl floors. She always puts her foot on it as though she is testing it. She slept for almost 12 hours last night and now she is taking a 2 1/2 hour nap. I love this kid!! Thank goodness for room-darkening shades and a quiet room of her own!!
Maybe we will introduce her to the basement and the toys down there tonight or tomorrow. That should be lots of fun! Josh and I are doing okay with the jet lag. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to sleep on my pillow top mattress with the memory foam topper on top! It was like sinking in a cloud after 2 weeks of hard beds. I only woke up once just a little disoriented about where I was! We are spending lots of time outside on the deck and getting some sunlight to help our internal clocks re-adjust. Katelyn went to see Ratatouille with Jack-jack, but she is kind of tired now. We are just going to try to keep her awake until tonight.
Will write more later. Love to you all!
Comment posted by Sarah Greer
at 7/6/2007 4:44:42 PM
Welcome Home!!!! I am glad you got home safe and sound. I can’t imagine a flight that long. I know that had to be exhausting! There is no place like home! Tell your Mom, Dad, Mark and Jackie I said hello!
Comment posted by Rhonda
at 7/5/2007 9:32:08 PM
12 hours plus 2.5 hour nap?! Wowee!!! Sounds like you all have been having fun and re-adjusting to the day/night. I could “feel” your pillow-top with foam mattress…ahhhhhhh….nothing like your own bed!
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