hotel at about 5:30 and got to the airport around 6:10. Our guides Helen and Jeannie gave us last minute
instructions on the bus, for they could not get past security. We had to fill out a couple more forms, said our
goodbyes, and we were off. The first flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo was about 4 hours I think. Man, that was
cake. We were lucky enough to have the third seat open next to us. Robin and Josie both slept while I
watched in awe, knowing that our family was together and that I was taking them home. We landed in Tokyo at
about noon and had layover of about 2 or so hours. We were anxious and nervous about the next flight. See,
we didn't purchase the third seat for her, and as of two days ago the seat was still available. While waiting we
kept hearing that the flight was completely booked. I thought great, we may not have that seat after all. Of
course, we did not get the extra seat. Well, needless to say, after about the first hour in the flight, I knew we
were in for a unforgettable flight. Josie started to get really cranky and tired. Put it this way, we ended up
walking her for about the next 10 hours or so. Yes, I said walking. Robin and I were making hot laps up and
down the aisles. I think at one point I was up and going for about 45 minutes straight. It was the flight from
hell. Luckily there were others on the plane with children, but the other 380 people just had to suffer. Thank
God for movies and headsets. She finally slept the final hour of the flight and at that point I was just holding on
for dear life. It was all worth it. Then we finally got to Minneapolis and had another 2 hour layover, then off to
Chicago. That flight was great. We all finally slept. Unfortunately, the flight was only 50 mins. I believe our
travel day home consisted of about 23 hours total. We landed in Chicago and all was good. Robin's parents
met us with tears of joy, ones that only Grandparents give. I think they were over joyous of the fact that their
little girl was now a mom and that they could tell how happy and in love Robin was. Unfortunately, Josie was
still asleep when the reunion took place and did not wake until we put her in her carseat. She had never been
in one before, they don't have them in China, at least not in any car or bus we were in. She surprisingly did
ok. The trip home was long, we hit rush hour traffic in Chi-town. The next day we drove her to our home. It
was great, she slept the whole 2 1/2 hours home. I think my princess was just exhausted from the flights home.
She is doing great now. We took her to the ped. on Friday. He said she looks and feels fine. She was way
off the American standards charts for height and weight. She only weighs 14lbs and is 26 in long. What a
peanut. She has had a fever for the past 3 days and is teething. We try to keep her up most of the day, so
that she will sleep at night. She is now doing much better, since she is starting to feel better. Well, I would like
to thank everyone for following our journey to Josie. Please keep checking in for future updates and pictures
of the growth and development of our daughter and our family.
-shannon
restrained.
parents kitchen sink.
her feet. What a little monkey.
"Josie"
