We are finally home in Canada and were able to sleep in our own bed – at least a little bit. The last 36 hours or so have been quite exhausting with all the travel and stuff but life in Canada will soon be back to normal. That’s our goal anyway.
We were packed and on the bus heading to the Beijing airport at 1:00pm Beijing time on December 8th (that’s 10:00pm December 7th for those of you in Alberta). After a quick 45 minute trip or so we were at the airport and went through the various tasks for international flights which in Beijing includes a five step process (departure kiosk, baggage unloading, quarantine desk, security clearance and one final departure desk). Everything went very smoothly and we were at the gate at about 3:00pm for our flight at 5:45pm.
We were very concerned about how Haley would react on the flight as her only previous flight from Nanchang to Beijing was a bit of a nightmare – especially for the parents who are troubled when little Haley is not her normal happy self. But wonders of wonders Haley fell asleep on the plane before take off and didn’t wake up until we are leveled off some 30,000 feet or so in the air. Not a peep. The flight takes about 11 hours to Vancouver and we only had two economy class seats for the three of us so the comfort factor was not high. Still, Haley had a GREAT flight by all accounts. She played with us and her grandparents for the first couple of hours. Then she had her first taste of ice cream and could not stop licking her lips afterwards. Given it was nighttime in China, Haley then slept for about five hours straight and woke up about an hour before we landed. A bit more food, a quick trip around the plane and she fell asleep again for the landing. What luck. We landed about 12:30pm on December 8th Vancouver time. There were 29 babies on board (all adopted just like Haley) and many were screamers so the rest of us got very little sleep.
Once on Canadian soil, we had to pass through customs (which took forever) and then we were off to immigration to get Haley’s paperwork processed. The folks in the immigration area had been pre-warned about us and all the babies were fast tracked so it only took a few minutes. Then we got our luggage and were off for our next flight – our last flight for a while – to Calgary at 3:15pm Vancouver time. We cleared security (and Andy promptly forgot the baby carrier at the security desk – something we still haven’t got back but are trying) and were at the gate by about 2:00pm. Haley was irritable by this time and we again worried about the take off and landing. We got on the plane as scheduled and she was quite annoyed. However, wonders of wonders, she fell asleep on the taxi ride and didn’t wake up again until after we landed in Calgary. Can you believe our luck?
Well our luck was about to come to an end. Andy went to get the car at Park ‘n Jet while Barb waited with Haley and the luggage in the nice warm airport. Haley would need to go into her car seat for the upcoming 90 minute care ride. Haley was gently placed in the car seat and was then strapped in to the back seat with her mommy. Instantly panic set in as Haley has never seen such a device and couldn’t see outside which she loved to do on the busses in China. She cried and cried and cried for what seemed like five hours but truthfully was only about 20 minutes while we crossed Calgary. Her parents couldn’t bear to see her in such distress and finally relented and took her out of the car seat. Very illegal of course and not at all smart but we just couldn’t take it – we are weak. We will need to get her a bigger car seat and one that she can see out of the windows from.
Once we got home – Auntie Sue was waiting for Haley and made sure that everything was ready. By this time it was after 8:00pm Calgary time on December 8th. By my math then it was a 22 hour trip door to door. Haley quickly warmed up to Auntie Sue and one of those big smiles and Auntie Sue was also hooked. We played with her, ordered some pizza for ourselves, gave her some food and formula, and by midnight we tried to get her into bed. Andy was already in bed and Barb took her to bed with her to ensure she was comfortable. Haley slept a little bit off and on but it was the middle of the day in her world so the sleeping thing is just not going to work perfectly. By 4:15am Barb was relieved of her duties and Andy played with her. Naturally at 4:45pm she pooped and Andy was again alone to deal with this mess. A little more playing and another bottle and Haley fell asleep just after 6:00am. Then Barb, Andy and Haley all slept through until almost 11:00am. Not bad considering.
When Haley awoke, she was all out of sorts. And who could blame her. This was her fourth home in just over two weeks and everything again was new. Between the travel, her persistent cold, and all her new surroundings she was not herself. However, as usual she quickly adjusted and began playing again – with three people all huddled around her to make sure every little need was satisfied.
As I write this edition of the blog, she is again asleep in our bed. She has taken over our lives and our bed. The first two pictures attached are Haley in our bed in Canada. The next three are of Haley in the hotel room in Beijing on our last morning.
Thanks to all who have contributed comments to our website – we could not read the comments in China but have now read each and every one of them and enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks also to everyone who helped out in China including Gary and Joyce who were more help then they can imagine. We also met lots of new friends in China and will maintain contacts with some Calgary families for years to come.
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