Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Home!

The very first moment we saw each other again. A huge smile for me!

Makaio and I are home. So thankful to be home, so jet lagged and tired, but adjusting well. The trip was both uneventful and smooth and at the same time so hard. I didn't expect to be so solitary the entire time and that was rough. It really is such a big help emotionally and physically to have other families to meet up with and talk with and help each other out, but that just wasn't the case this time. The guest house I stayed at was okay but was so lonely as everyone else who was staying there had their own schedule to keep and so it was just Kai and I for hours on end. The Embassy appointment was flawless and they got the Visa packet to me on time by Friday, so that was all wonderful. Friday afternoon I became very, very sick with food poisioning and had a really long night of vomiting and caring for Kai. The next day was spent trying to rest and recover and pack up. They took me to the airport 4 hours early which began our 32 hour trip home. The first leg of the trip was the worst. We were seated next to a very young man who was so rude and made sitting for 6 hours so hard. He kept leaning into our chair and falling asleep and I kept trying to push him back and was so frustrated. Makaio had the hardest time since it was the middle of the night and he was exhausted and cried and screamed for an hour straight and I cried too. Finally the flight ended and the rude guy got into the aisle and was getting his bag down and dropped it onto our heads! It hit me mostly, thank God, but poor baby had a red bump on his head for a good while. I just lost it then and was crying when this sweet woman stopped and asked how we were and I lost it even more. She was truly a God-send as she helped me with my bags and got us off the plane and then walked us all the way to our next gate. I was quite worried about the next flight as it was our longest, 11 hours. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to make it through without a basinet seat for him so I asked the counter if they could possibly change my seat. The counter guy was nice and told me it was really too late to do anything and I said okay but was so disappointed. Then about 10min. later I heard my name called and he said, I changed your seat, here's your new boarding pass! I was SO thankful. So the 11 hour flight was not too bad since he could lay down and sleep. We got home on time and it was the best thing in the world to see my family waiting for us at the airport. We are all ajusting well, Zach and Ayana love their brother and it feels so good to be in this new phase of our family life. Thank you for all your prayers and support....more pictures to come!

33 comments:

Joan B said...

awesome baby!! I am so happy for you. Sorry the flights were a nightmare, but write it all down as your little one will laugh at the stories. congrats and hugs

Jennifer Scull said...

I am so sorry you had to go through such hardship, but gosh, look at that most precious baby! so happy for all of you! so many prayers have been answered!

Joyce said...

So glad that the travel is behind you, and you can begin enjoying family life with your beautiful baby boy. He looks so happy and healthy, and you don't look too bad, either! Congratulations!!

Jen Carter said...

Beautiful pictures!! So glad you got home safely and that horrible trip is over! Congratulations to you all!

Denise said...

Leah!! I am thrilled for you and your family! Praise God for a healthy baby boy and for having him IN you arms at HOME!!

IamDerby said...

Awww happy baby! I hope you guys are enjoying each other now that you are home.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I am so happy for you all.
Sorry about rude guy... you handled it well.
Enjoy your new bundle. He sure is BEAUTIFUL!
Emily

Bernadette M. said...

Congratulations again! Can't wait to see more pictures of Makaio's beautiful smile.

mudmaven said...

Welcome home!!! Kai is absolutely awesome and I can't wait to see more pictures. So glad your ordeal is over and you can now settle down and enjoy being a family. Big hugz and lots of prayers heading your way! ~chris

Gina said...

I am so very, very sorry you got food poisoning and had a bad first leg of the flight. :( So thankful for the lady who helped you!! Welcome home to you and Kai. I hope things continue to go well, that adjustment to your new normal happens quickly.

Dana said...

Leah just reading your post made me cry. In happiness that everything went mostly smoothly and in frustration that you were so alone in the process. So thankful you and he made it home safely. What a cutie!

Kathy Mc said...

He is absolutely adorable! Your post brought tears to my eyes as it was bad enough you got food poisoning but then experienced a real jerk beside you. A gentleman he was not. Thank goodness for the lovely woman who stepped in to assist you to your next flight. And, how nice that the gate agent reseated you to make things a little more comfortable. Arizona never looked so good, did it? Welcome home to you and Kai and enjoy your complete family ~ you waited patiently for him to join you!

cards by cara said...

Congratulations! Lots of trials and tribulations, but in the end, an amazingly positive happy result!!

Debbie Gaydos said...

Oh Leah, what sweet, sweet pictures of you and your sweet boy! Sorry that you had such a rough trip, but so glad that you are all back home and together! (((HUGS)))

Nadine said...

Congratulations and welcome home Leah and Makaio! Seeing your smile as you hold your baby made ME smile with happiness. I can't imagine how happy YOU must feel! Can't wait to see even more pictures!

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft said...

My first flight alone with my daughters (ages 2 and 3) and a woman turned around and asked "Can't you smack them??" because they were tired and irritable from the long flight.. People can be terrible sometimes. I definitely lost it when she said that.

Your son is so cute and I am so happy that your family is all together!! Congratulations!

Peggy T. said...

Leah, I'm so happy you finally got Kai home. He is beautiful and you look radiant. Congratulations and God Bless you.

Peggy T. said...

Leah, I'm so happy you finally got Kai home. He is beautiful and you look radiant. Congratulations and God Bless you.

ChelleStamps said...

So happy to hear that you are home safe and sound now. Although, I'm really sorry the trip home was a bit of a rough one. Shame on the rude man! I can't believe he didn't do anything about his behavior even after you had been crying!

Rhonda said...

What a beautiful little one!!! God's blessings as you all adjust. Glad you are home.

Kim said...

So happy you and Makaio are home safe and sound. Sorry you had to go through so much at the airport.
Makaio is just so adorable.

{{Hugs}}

Elena said...

your son is adorable! sorry about the rough flight, but congratulations to your expanded family!

Kristii said...

Oh my, what an ordeal, but what an amazing joy that you are home safe and sound with your new little one!! He is beautiful and I pray that this transition will be smooth for your whole family!! Blessings to you and your family!!

Kristina said...

Leah he is so beautiful! How awesome that you are home now and all the turmoil is behind you. Congratulations just doesn't seem to be enough to say about how over joyed I am for you and your family.
Hugs and blessings, I will continue to pray for you and a smooth transition as a mother of 3!

Sara Mac said...

Leah I'm so happy that you have Makaio home! What a blessing. Enjoy your family time:)

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, that's too bad about what happened on the plane-- I'm thankful that woman could help you!
So excited for you that Makaio is home with you now! Enjoy your new precious bundle!

Marybeth said...

Welcome home! Makaio is a beautiful boy. Im so happy for you! Blessings! Take care.
Sorry about the tough flight home, sounds like you found some kind people too.

Unknown said...

Yay - congrats for you... a complete family at last! :)

Sue Ann said...

YAY ....... beautiful photos!!! And I also want to say that you have AMAZING SKIN!!!

Jamie said...

Welcome home! So glad you finally have your little boy home where he belongs.

Susan said...

The look on his face is simply priceless!! You can tell he is saying, "Hello Mommy!". I am so thrilled for you!! I cried reading your post. Many blessings to you and your family!!

@JoyceCasaldi said...

How wonderful! He is just precious,and you are the most adorable family. Congrats to both of you!

Lauren said...

Leah, this is absolutely wonderful news! Congratulations on your wonderful new addition! He is a precious gift!

Lauren