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Friday, January 12, 2007

We're Home and Alive!!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. It was a crazy day. We arrived back in Dallas at 9 am. The whole customs thing with Lucy took all of about 3 minutes. I couldn't believe how easy it was. Now, let me fill you in on our travels.

We left Hanoi at 1 am to fly to Tokyo. We left for the airport at 9 because we had to make some adjustments with our tickets. Lucy fell asleep in the car on the way to the airport, and then only woke up for a few minutes and she was out. She slept for th first 2 hours of the flight and then was up for the last 2. So, that means that she started her night really late and was up at 3 for the day. She took a few cat naps in the Tokyo airport, but nothing for longer than 10 minutes. We had a 5.5 hour layover in Tokyo, so by this point she is exhausted. I am thinking that this is working out perfectly. She should sleep most of the 11 hour flight home.

We board the plane and she falls asleep right as we are taking off. Again, sounds perfect you are probably saying. She slept for about 5 minutes and then she was up. And she was not amused. The first 4 hours of the flight were torture. She was crying and fussing and would fall asleep for a minute and then wake up even madder than before. It really was awful. After 4 hours, she finally gave up her fight and took an hour nap. She woke up a little happier. Then she slept for about 3.5 hours at the end of the flight. She was up for the last hour of the flight, but she was not so grumpy anymore. While all of this is going on, she is now on her 2nd night in Vietnam time of getting only a few hours of sleep. We all know, that this is not something that is going to turn out pretty in the end.

We get to Dallas, my Mom and Dad and sister, Katy are at the airport to pick us up. Lucy did great in the carseat. I was worried she would hate it. She took a short cat nap on the ride home. We come in and she is totally showing off for everyone. Smiling and all happy. She showed the family how much she loves her bath because after all of the travelling, we are all a bit funky smelling. After her bath, she was pretty much done. She was so incredibly exhausted that she didn't know what to do with herself. This girl will fight sleep like nothing you have ever seen. It is really amazing how hard she will fight it. She decided that she was the maddest that she has ever been in her life. She screamed her head off for at least 45 minutes. And I mean screaming. She was furious and exhausted and overwhelmed and freaked out all wrapped into one. She finally gave up the fight and slept for about 45 minutes. Again, no where near long enough. In the back of my mind, I am thinking that despite the misery of this situation for everyone, it is going to help with getting her switched around time wise.

She got up for a bit, screamed, and then finally could fight no more. She went down for a 6 hour nap with a bottle in the middle. During all of the freaking out, she would not eat a drop of formula. I went in during her nap and picked her up and fed her and she never woke up at all but she scarfed down a bottle. I was relieved to finally have something on her tummy. Anyway, she ended up getting up for a while and then going back down until 3 am, at which point my dad got up with her and played. She was in a great mood after some sleep. I got up and fed her at 5:30 and she is back down for the count. Honestly, we are not going to have a hard time getting her time zones switched since she refused to sleep during travel.

As far as Justin and I go, we are doing great with the jet lag. I didn't take a nap all day yesterday and went to bed at about 7. I got up for a bit at about 10 and then started my day at 5 am and I feel really great. By the time I went to bed, I had been up for 50 hours without a minute of sleep. I don't sleep on flights and I especially don't sleep with a screaming baby.

I can already tell that today is going to be a much much better day for Miss Priss. It is going to take a while to get her settle, but she is going to do great. You all were so wonderful the whole time we were in Vietnam. The comments and support always made my days better, so thanks!! I will post pictures of Lucy at home later today. Right now I may try and catch a cat nap myself!! It feels so great to be home!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! I'm so glad everyone is home and safe, and more importantly, RESTED! Congratulations on everything - this is just the beginning!

We absolutely can not wait to meet her!

Brett & Kristin

KelleyO said...

Welcome home!!!! I'm so the sleep thing is working out. Amamzing that Jet lag has not kicked your butt!

KelleyO said...

I definetely should wait until I'm a wake to leave comments :) I'm so GLAD the sleep thing is working out. It's nice to have you home.

Sara said...

Great news, Kelly! I am so glad you are home -- I have been checking your blog like a mad woman! If you feel up to it, go take a nice walk in the Bugaboo with Miss Lucy today. Show her around her new hood! Walks always seem to soothe our little miss fuss.
Write me when you can!
Sara

Rachel said...

Sorry to hear about Lucy's sleep temporary sleep issues, but she sounds like she's all figured out now! :)

Glad to know I'm not the only one who can't sleep on airplanes. My husband passes out in 5 minutes. I just can't do it.

Sarah said...

Welcome home! Glad that you'll all get switched around on the time, but poor Lucy (and mommy & daddy) on the flights home. I enjoyed reading your blog so much, but glad that you are home. Take care, rest up, and enjoy your daughter.

Heather said...

Well, despite it all it looks like time-zone adjustment is going well. That is usually the hardest part. So glad you are all home with your treasure. Enjoy!

Jo said...

Glad to hear you are home, enjoy showing off Lucy to everyone!

Stephanie said...

So glad you made it home safely. Hope you all get caught up on your sleep.

Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your journey to Lucy! I looked forward to every post and am so glad she is doing well!

I hope the sleep schedule gets worked out and look forward to seeing Lucy in her new home. :o)

Denise :o) said...

Yay! So glad you made it home safely!! Now... go get some more sleep! ;o)

Stacey said...

Kelly,

Congrats on being home! I know how hard the flights are - I did it by myself! I hope that Lucy will transition well! She is absolutely beautiful!!!

Susan said...

Welcome home!! I'm sorry your flight was so full of "adventure". I do hope all of you get your days and nights straightened out really quickly.

I loved reading about your journey to Lucy and hope you keep blogging about life at home.

Thanks so much for taking photos of my Lily Ana while you were at the orphanage -- I'll treasure them always!

LaLa said...

So happy you are home!!!! I know it feels so good to sleep in your own bed and brush your teeth with tap water. Take your time getting back on US time and enjoy that sweet girl!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Sorry your flight was so rough on Lucy and you guys, but at least now you're safely home and can get into a normal routine. I can't wait to see more pictures of Miss Lucy - she is such a cutie!!!

Anonymous said...

Very happy you three are home safe and sound. I bet Lucy LOVES her nursery!!!! What girl wouldn't? Can't wait to hear more details about her homecoming and what she thinks of her wonderful new extended family!

Jenny and Matt said...

What a beautiful family!! Congratulations and welcome home!!

Ann said...

Wow, sounds like you had a very tiring flight. But, nonetheless WELCOME HOME!!! It must feel so good to be home with little Lucy to boot. She sounds like an angel(despite the flight) I hope she settles in and I can't wait to see more pictures!

Emily said...

so glad yall are are home saftely!

Anonymous said...

Hi, guys!! So glad you are home safe and sound!!! Sounds like you had a wild ride home!! Congrats!!

Jenn said...

Yipee! Welcome back! She's is so darn cute. Congrats to you and your husband.