Bringing Libby Home: Gotcha Day!!!

Home Sweet Home

After a total of 18 hours on 3 different planes, we are home. Libby did well on the 2 shorter flights and just ok on the long flight. It is hard to get comfy and sleep on plane seats and she fell off once which made her very leary of falling asleep again. We spent some time in the bathroom while she screamed herself to sleep, so we didn't bother other passengers. We also took turns sleeping on the floor so we would be more aware when she was rolling around during her sleep. We made it and I am happy to say when we got home, she also slept for 6 hours!! We are hoping the transition to the time change is a smooth one for all of us. We are so blessed and grateful to be home. Libby LOVES her brothers. She is doing better about not needing me to hold her as much, but only if she is on the floor playing. She is not ready to let me leave the room or let anyone else hold her. It will take some time, and I am amazed at how well she is doing overall. We welcome visitors, but you may want to call first as naps could be happening at any moment for any of us!!! Thank you again for your prayers. We serve an amazing God.

Ready to come home

We have had an amazing stay in China and have loved every minute of it, but we are very ready to come home. After a gliche in the system at the American Consulate yesterday, we have been cleared to leave and we have Libby's Visa. It is 7:00pm US EST time. The trip home involves 3 plane rides and a total of 24 hours so we need your prayers. We board a plane in Guangzhou at 11:55pm your time and take a 3 hour flight to Beijing. We have a 3 hour lay over in Beijing and get on a flight at 6:30am your time for a 13 1/2 hour flight to Washington DC. We then have a 2 hour lay over and board a plane at 9:30pm for our final 2 hour flight. Please pray for smooth plane rides, our health and safety and for Libby as it will be a long day and will be the start of adjusting to the time change for all of us. Thank you for your prayers and we thank God for His hand upon everything.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Gotcha Day!!!

Most babies enter the world screaming, and that is just how Libby decided to enter into our family!!! When we got to the orphanage, there was 1 baby screaming, and we had a 1 out 4 chance she was ours. She screamed non stop for 1 solid hour before we got on the bus and she passed out. She slept for 1 hour, and then spent the next hour crying and sleeping. As soon as we got into our hotel room, she stopped crying and looked around. I tried to explain to her the importance of first impressions, but I don't think it sunk in!!! She took a bath, which she loved. She tried to dive head first into the water, so it took the 2 of us to bathe her. She quickly got to the point where she would sit on the bed and play with toys and babble. It is a great sound, and she loves to play with her toys. She took a 1 hour nap in the afternoon, and regressed a little when she woke up and wasn't sure where she was. We took a walk to the mall nearby which is a beautiful 7 story building with very elite stores. She loved this and didn't make a sound the entire time we were out. The interesting thing is that the local people do not stare at us, but they all seem to stare at her. We are now back in our hotel room and she is back to babbling and playing. We are hoping for a good night sleep and a great day tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.

4 comments:

Gzusfreak said...: The crying is good. There was a desire in little Libby's heart for a family. This was not chance. In the eternal view - this was natural. Libby is your child, part of the plan.
I am off to teach. I have been telling the kids about Libby and will give them the news. I look forward to meeting her.

JMac; April 1, 2007 at 5:24 AM
Unknown said...: It all sounds so familiar...we kept Lena around the other kids as much as possible...that seemed to comfort her. We are so happy for you guys - Libby is a beautiful little girl!! We can't wait to meet her.

The Whitleys; April 1, 2007 at 8:19 AM
smcdeermond said...: I am so excited you finally have her in your arms! She has grown since her pictures and getting hair, I see.
I could identify, from a Thailand perspective on the store experience. Sounds a lot like the Lotus stores I visit there. It made me laugh.
Anyway, I know yall can't wait to get Libby home. Everyone here will be thrilled to finally meet her. We will be praying for your journey home. God bless!

Sandy McD.; April 2, 2007 at 2:57 PM
Crew Mom said...: Oh Lynn...I LOVE your blog and I am just sooooo thankful that you have your precious daughter now!! I know your wait was long, but now you have her to hold and kiss and hug and squeeze...I can't wait to meet her and love her myself!! I love you!!!

Michelle C; April 11, 2007 at 2:38 PM