Norman Adoption Blog

We are finally home! We survived our first night home after the 40 hours of traveling and waiting in airports. It took a while for the jet lag to take affect because we had so much adrenaline when we first arrived. We came into Jackson about 9 am. Our flight from Hong Kong to LA went as well as can be expected. The seats in business class were very comfortable and the bassinet was a wonderful luxury for us. Hannah slept very well on that flight; except we hit a good bit of turbulence in the middle of the night and were told that when the seatbelt sign came on to pick her up (even though she was dead asleep in the bed) and strap her seatbelt to us until the sign went off. Patrick did that 3 or 4 times, each time waking and upsetting Hannah. But once the ride got smoother, sleep came very easily and quickly.

The other flights seemed much quicker compared to the last. Hannah did well from LA to Dallas, but not so well from Dallas to Jackson. By then it was considered “late” for her even though it was early morning for everyone else. We tried to let her sleep but she just couldn’t, making her pretty restless and fussy.

The reunion at the airport was really sweet! I didn’t expect a crowd, but were surprised to see our best friends (McNeills and Brocks) and their kids, and my Mom and David waiting for us with balloons and flowers. I was so thrilled and overwhelmed to see everyone, but totally lost it when I saw David and how big he looked. Mom traded Hannah for David for me and I was blown away at how heavy and HUGE he seemed! I know I’ve been used to holding only a 13 lb baby, but he looked so much larger. I’ve learned since that he has grown broader and little larger, but weighs only a couple pounds more than when we left. My arms aren’t used to holding a big boy anymore!

I asked David if he missed me and he just turned and gave me a kiss on the lips. He gave us kisses and hugs and got so excited to see Daddy too! Hannah did surprisingly well with everyone’s attention on her and being in Grandma’s arms. She never once got upset (except being strapped into the car seat for the ride home).
When we got home we saw what Rebecca and Christina had done: balloons, welcome home sign, and the Asian dragon decoration on the door that was such a personal touch! Inside we were welcomed with flowers from Nonna and Papa for Hannah and bags and bags of gifts from our friends at Patrick’s office. We still haven’t gone through them all but were so overwhelmed with the love that we have received coming back!

It is so nice to be home!!! The air is nice and clean, you can hear lots of birds chirping, and there are no honking horns outside. I didn’t even break a sweat yesterday! The food has been wonderful and fresh. And I was so excited to be able to brush my teeth using tap water again and not have to use bottle water! Though, I have grown accustomed to people approaching and talking to us constantly that I almost felt rejected when people only stare (and not always smile) when they see us with a baby. There are things I know will take some getting adjusted to, but it is far worth being home to even complain!

Hannah slept a long time yesterday on and off (was more asleep than awake it seemed) and wanted to stay up longer last night. Patrick was able to get some rest in the afternoon and helped me by doing most of the night duty. Hannah was still tired at night but had a hard time going back to sleep when she woke at her normal times. So far today she has been on her regular schedule. I am hoping that since she slept so much on the way home and yesterday afternoon, that her routine might get worked out by tonight. We’ll see though. Don’t know if it ever that easy.

David is going to take a little while to get adjusted to his new sister. I’ve noticed he likes to imitate Hannah and cry like her. He also has a real fascination with her bottle. He’s only tried once to put it in his mouth, but he likes to play with it. I know it will take some training to get him to understand he needs to be gentle with the baby. He tries to squeeze her hand and step on her feet. He doesn’t seem to do anything out of anger, more just curiosity. He never woke once last night even with Hannah’s screaming, so that is a good sign. I am trying my hardest to cuddle and play with him. I know right now is our learning stage and it will take some time to figure out having two kids. I am very thankful my Mom is planning on staying with us as long as we need her (and as long as my Dad can stand to live without her…ha!). She knows David’s patterns better than I do now and it is helpful that she can take care of his needs while I tend to Hannah’s.

We have really appreciated all the prayers that went with us and protected us during our time in Vietnam. We have had so many ups and downs, but I know it could have been much worse. God was our protector and our comfort. We loved all the comments everyone left us and the encouragement we were given. I wish there was a special way to really thank you all (and I wish I knew everyone to thank that lifted up prayers on our behalf). But I hope you are encouraged to see the grace that was given to us as a family and to one sweet little girl. She is our miracle. We want her to know her story and to know how loved she is by us, by God and by God’s people. For she is what this whole experience has been all about! Thank you!!!

(Pictures coming soon…)