We told them we might make it home tonight and Clara responded, "I don't want to go home. I want to stay in a hotel." It's actually pretty amazing how well they just adjust. If we had another week of this left, I think they'd be just fine. I don't know if the same could be said for Ryan and me.
It has been fun though. An adventure, for sure. Monday night we rang in the New Year in our Kansas hotel room. We made it there not too long before midnight. Tuesday night we stayed at Great Wolf Lodge, the indoor water park hotel. We thought the kids deserved some fun after all they've been through.
The next night we stayed with a dear blogger friend, D, and her family. We hadn't seen them since they moved several states away so it was great to visit and meet their youngest daughter for the first time.
It was also my birthday yesterday and she surprised me with a cake. It was so sweet of her. I had a great day. Although after having the stomach bug on my birthday the last two years, I was happy to just feel well this year!
Essie Grace is amazing. She's such a great little traveler. I have this complex, though, that everyone who see us wonders what the heck we're doing out with a teeny baby, but I just have to let that go. They probably aren't thinking it as often as I think they are, and even if they are, they just don't know the story.
One thing I am happy about is that I'm still getting the you-look-great-for-just-having-a-baby comments, that wonderful perk of adoption. I'm not exactly at my thinnest (and two weeks of eating out - mainly fast-food - doesn't help much in that department) and I wouldn't have been surprised if people looked at the baby, looked at me, and thought, "ya, that's about right."
Well just about seven more hours to go. It'll be so nice not to live out of a suitcase. Not having to pack every morning. Being able to just hold Essie. Sleep in our own beds. Eat our own food. And back to cooking and cleaning. There are some perks to life on the road :)
Congratulations, you guys. We've been praying for you. Love you story. Hey, I also go the "you look great" comments too..and after the first few (when I stupidly explained that we had adopted), then just learned to say "thanks"! and keep smiling. :o)
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you all.
Beautiful family! Congratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love these pictures. She's such a perfect fit!
ReplyDeleteAlmost there, you can do it!! Love the pics.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you on the final leg of the journey!!!
ReplyDeleteLove following your adventure! I can't believe how teeny-tiny Essie is in the last photo!!! How much does she weigh? 6 lbs? Cutie!!
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you make it home tonight! Tell Ryan to hit the gas, hehe! Enjoy the final stretch...can't wait to see more pics of sweet Essie!
ReplyDeleteI got yelled at by some lady for bringing Isaac (at 3 wks old) to Costco. I was like, um I need groceries!
ReplyDeleteHope you make it home soon!
I can't believe you were 4 hours away from us and I didn't get to see you!!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday
So excited for you to finally get home!!! But, what a great adventure! So glad you got to see D!
ReplyDeleteI just got the same Rock n Play sleeper for baby #4 (due in June). It looks great for the needs of a newborn (we had to use a bouncy seat for #3, who didn't like being flat). What you're opinion of it?
ReplyDeleteoy. Sorry about the typos - pregnancy brain...
DeleteBetsy - We love it! It was super great for traveling, and we plan to use it as a bassinet at home as well, at least in the near future. I haven't looked into it yet, but I'm wondering if this will get us through until she's ready for the crib or if she'll need to lay flat at some point.
DeleteA friend of ours adopted after having a biological child so she, too, was able to nurse the adopted baby. My son, who was about 15 at the time was very confused by this.
ReplyDeleteAwww she looks so adorable! Safe travels on your last part of the journey.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been commenting through this journey except when you were on your way- holidays and sickness will that to me. Anyway- I can't tell you how happy I am for you and your family. Thanks for updating us on your progress!!! Congratulations and Praise Jesus!!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/VYrCywgpXoE
ReplyDeleteI love all the photos!!! But especially the second one ... Luke & Clara watching the iPad & Essie is right there with them. Melts my heart!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the update. You'll remember this trip forever. People are probably thinking you are an experienced mom. Sometimes I see tiny infants out and about, and think they must have made a stop on the way home from the hospital. And that is true in your case. But mostly my thought is that I wish I could hold the little baby.
ReplyDeleteLittle Esther is cute.
So glad you are all doing well and had good visit with D!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! I remember so well while we were waiting to be ICPC cleared, we ventured out of the hotel to the Indianapolis Children's Museum and people looked at me with such a young infant with disgust on their faces. WHO would bring a days-old newborn to a CHILDREN's museum for goodness sake? You're in good company. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I savored the comments about how good I looked--heck, it's about the only time I've received so much praise for my body shape. :)
I can't believe how out of hte loop I am!!!! I know I haven't been actively blogging, but I've been keeping tabs until this move came up. OH MY GOSH!!!! I'm in tears getting caught up on all the posts!!! SOOOOOOOOOO incredibly over the moon happy for you and your family! Precious pictures! Precious documentation! PRECIOUS BABY ESSIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE HER!!! Congratulations, K!!!! You're glowing!!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you get home safely?
ReplyDeleteWould you and your readers mind praying for an adoption story? http://www.apairofpinkshoes.com/2013/01/for-asher.html
ReplyDelete