April 5, 2008

Settling in.......

So….here’s the short version of our long journey home: We left Guangzhou at 5:15am (as scheduled) got to the airport, checked in, and boarded our plane. They were experiencing some rainy weather which led to a back-up on the runway. We sat in the airplane for approx 45 minutes while we waited for clearance. Normally this would not have been that big a deal but since we had not 1, but 2 more flights to get home we were starting to get concerned about missing the next leg. We finally took off and Avery did fabulous. I am happy to report there were no “girl fights”, no fussy babies, no further delays. We arrived in Hong Kong, checked in for that flight and had 20 minutes to spare before boarding began. This leg of our journey was 11 hours!!! Out of the 11 hours Avery slept about 3 (and not continuous). She was a little fussy but probably because she was not able to get down and move around like she wanted. I can look back now (3 days later) and say it really wasn’t that bad, but at the time I was counting the minutes!!! When we arrived in San Francisco we went through immigration and customs and Avery became a US Citizen!!!! We had only 15 minutes to spare before boarding our final leg home. The last flight was 3 hours and Avery did sleep on this one almost the entire time. For some reason this was the day that she decided to become a Mommy’s girl and would only let me hold her! Let me tell you that after these 3 flights my arms were like jello!!

When we arrived at DFW we were greeted by numerous friends and family. There were a lot of happy tears shed and everyone was so excited to finally see Miss Avery in person! She was definitely the center of attention. We all left the airport and went to a nearby burger joint to visit and have some real American food. We were joined there by even more family. I think our little entourage took up half the restaurant and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Huge THANKS to all our friends and family that came out to welcome us home. It meant so much to us!!! I know there were several who were unable to make it but we know you were there in spirit!!!!

Next was the ride home and the initiation of the car seat. Let’s just say that 20+ hours of traveling, a very tired little girl, exhausted parents, and a 1.5 hours drive home do not make for a good time. We did make it and were so happy to see our house, Rowdy, and our own beds. We just knew that Avery would sleep like a log because she was exhausted from travel….WRONG!!!! I think it was just all the unfamiliar things but she had a very rough night. She slept in about 30 minute increments and then would wake up screaming. Finally after 1am Paul and I decided that there was no need for both of us to be up so he took a 5 hour shift so I could get some much needed sleep and then I relieved him to do the same.

Friday was a much better day. Avery still seemed a little overwhelmed (who can blame her?) and was clingy to both mommy and daddy but she did great. She napped a couple of times during the day and then went to bed at 8pm (which would have been normal in China) Unfortunately, it only lasted until about 3am and then Paul and I were back to the “shift work”. Today she has been very happy and playful and we just got her down for the night (10pm) so we will see how tonight goes. It has been a long couple of days getting acclimated back to our normal environment but we seem to be settling in a little better each day.

We are so blessed to be parents to this amazing little girl and can’t wait to see her grow and blossom!!! LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

Now for some pictures of the last couple of days:
Our happy girl is finally home!!

When we were in China one of her favorite things to do was stand up and bounce so we headed out the day after we got home and got her this bouncer. It is definitely a hit!!!

Her first bath at home!! Rowdy and she are still a little skeptical of each other and he did not seem very happy that someone else was in "his bathtub".

I absolutely love this picture!!! She looks so comfortable chillin' with her daddy!

Tonight we ventured out to Kelby's baseball game. Avery was definitely a hit as many of the other parents have been anticipating her arrival as long as we have.
Sitting with her Aunt Danette cheering Kelby on!!!

Since coming home I know I won't be able to do daily posts anymore but I will still keep this blog going so keep checking in to see what new adventures we have as a family of: 2, a highchair, and a dog!!!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is so wonderful to see Avery & her Mom & Dad in Texas. You have that beautiful little girl you have waited so long for. Hope everything goes smooth, everything is so different for Avery, but I know she already feels all the love from you & Paul & everyone else, she is very special, & so are you & Paul. we enjoyed the pictures of her at your home. Love, GK

Anonymous said...

You crack me up....were do you get the energy to shop and attend football games???

We never even got out of the house today...I need to move to the country for an attitude adjustment.

So glad you are home and settling in.

Love V

Kelley said...

We're so happy to have y'all home in Texas! I adore the photo of Paul and Avery chillin' and the photo of her sitting on her Aunt Danette's lap. Love you and can't wait to see y'all again!

Mya said...

Glad you all are getting settled in. The sleep or lack there of was an issue for us too! I promise you it will get better! We did a lot of outside time while daylight to help reset our internal clocks! Anyways, WELCOME TO THE USA AVERY!

Linda said...

Thanks so much for all your wonderful posts from China. My daughter is still waiting and I love to watch a family coming together. Your Avery is so cute and your family looks so wonderful together. Will be following along the journey with you as Avery becomes a little girl... Welcome Hone Sweetheart!! Linda

Anonymous said...

The first week or so home is rough, I am glad y'all are doing well though.

There is nothing like the feeling of your own bed after 2 weeks in China.

Thanks for the post--we loved seeing the pictures.

Beth

Anonymous said...

Glad you all are back in Texas! Avery is a doll! Why don't you come show her off at the hosp. We're having a shower for Michelle Friday @ 3, it would the perfect time for us to meet her!!
Alaina

liasmomma said...

So your story getting home from Guangzhou sounds a lot like ours except we didn't have the long wait to take off and you didn't have the little baby that threw up all over you when you reached Chicago. Our little Lia had the same thing where she slept well on the 2nd flight and then didn't want to sleep at all that night when we got home. So we too did the take care of the baby in shifts thing as well. And she didn't like the carseat. But after about a week, all was well with the sleeping and the carseat too. Thanks for letting me follow along with your blog. We're hoping to get our referral for baby #2 by July. I have a blog which you can follow along if you want to e-mail. Maybe you can't e-mail me back from this?

Trish
fellow GWCA adopter

Ashley said...

Yay! I am so glad that Avery is finally home!!! I hope the bonding and settling time over the next few days at home go smoothly!

I also hope that Rowdy gets used to her. Another thing we have in common...besides Averys...I, too, have a yorkie. His name is Tater and he HATES Avery. ha! He was our only baby for 7 years so he had all of his territory taken over. I hope Rowdy has a big heart!

Welcome to Texas, Avery! You'll love it here! :)

Christie said...

Ok, no fair...I check here like three times a day and no updates...waaaaa!


Me need more posties...

Anonymous said...

I have loved reading your story your family has truly been blessed. Our family adopted 6 mos ago and there is nothing in this world like it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful adventure with so many. I look forward to seeing the next chapter in this story we call life!! Welcome Home.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Paul, Robyn and Avery,
It has been fun seeing all the pictures and things you having been doing the last couple of weeks. I know it's great for you to be home finally . Was that a gray hair I saw on Paul's head?
Anyway she is adorable and I we are so happy for all of oyu. See . Love, Auntie K and Uncle J

Anonymous said...

Ok so we're a little late but CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Avery is beautiful! We love the pic of her in the bathtub...that's the cutest. She looks adorable and we can't wait to meet her.

Love,
Araceli & Matt K.

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie Fourth Birthday tickers