Charlie
So we all gathered in the lobby of the Riviera waiting for Almaz to bring the documents which would allow us to bring you home. She was supposed to come at 11 am, but we ended up waiting. I am not sure what time she and Danny arrived, but while we waited, we took some group pictures. At some point on Wednesday morning, you discovered your Dad wears hats, so you wore his hat during a lot of the wait. Six children, five families, waited in the lobby. It was amazing to have these families there with us. I feel honored getting to witness the growth of their families and to see the love that filled the lobby.
When Almaz arrived we relocated to a conference room in the basement. She talked us through the trip home, the importance of not loosing the envelope, your passport, and the court decree which although could be replaced, can't really. We talked for a bit, I am not even sure about what anymore, then said our good-byes to to this incredible lady who helped us bring you home. Words do not express the gratified I feel towards her and those who work with her at Hannah's Hope. Charlie, you were loved there. How can a Mom thank someone for loving and caring for her son for a little over five months?
From there we went back to our room rested, packed, bathed you for the last time in Ethiopia, and got ready to leave. We met the C family in the lobby at 7 pm and left for the airport. Getting through the first security check point was so much easier this time. Insulin pump? They really didn't do anything. It was the amount of coffee we were taking out of the country that gave us problems. It took some convincing, but we got it through and got in the line for Lufthansa. We were probably the fifth family or so in line and waited for them to open. For the trip home we had booked three seats, so we could have a little more room. (Plus we didn't think it would be comfortable to have you in our lap the whole time.)
While checking in, I asked the desk guy to be sure we were together. He said we were. We went through customs, for some reason that is when I first checked the tickets. We weren't together, your Dad was four rows behind us.
So we went to the customer service desk. Even with me crying, they "couldn't" help us, we would have to wait to get to the gate desk. To say I was upset, would be an understatement. Plus our tickets from Frankfurt to Chicago had us in three different spots on the plane. We tried to email our travel agent, the computer wouldn't connect to the internet. We went through security and our gate. We waited for the gate agents to come to ask about fixing our tickets. It was the same ladies from the customer service desk. They still "couldn't" help us, but a supervisor was coming to talk to me. I asked if it was possible to page the person sitting next to the group of two tickets, I was told they couldn't do that. The supervisor never came.
While waiting at the gate we had to change your diaper. As a note to future self, there are no garbage cans after the second security gate. The ladies working the gate desk did not enjoy my response of "he wasn't wet then" when asked why we hadn't changed you before the security check.
We boarded the plane. Once on the plane, I put you in the seat where we were assigned and your Dad and I just stood waiting to see who else was in the row of four. Eventually a passenger sat in the other aisle seat. We celebrated knowing the seat next to the group of two was a single ticket. When he came, we asked if he would mind taking your Dad's seat instead, we told him it was an aisle seat. He asked if he would have to sit next to the baby if he sat in his assigned seat. We said he would. He took us up on our offer.
Charlie, you rocked that flight. While waiting for take-off, you sat there clapping your hands and singing. You fell asleep during take-off. You LOVED the screen in the headrest before you. You slept. We slept. We jumped to check on you every time we heard a baby. It was never you. At the end of the flight, the lady across the aisle gave you the "Best Baby on Flight Award." I know this isn't a real award, but you earned it.
In Frankfurt we deplaned and found a customer service desk. She got us three seats together. We took the train to the correct terminal and went through security. We waited for our flight. While we waited, you crawled on the floor, played, and were just cute.
I know you got the "Best Baby on the Flight Award" from Addis to Frankfurt, you didn't get that from Frankfurt to Chicago. It could have been worse. It could have been A LOT worse. You rocked take off, but before lunch was served you got a fever and a little crabby. Of the 9ish hours, it was only for about an hour or an hour and a half, but it wasn't fun. The flight attendants on this flight were wonderful and really made sure we had everything to try to make you happy. (Plus, I think they felt bad they gave us hot water to make your bottle, twice. Even when it cooled you wouldn't take it. You really don't like to have a warm bottle.)
Once in Chicago we went through immigration, were we made the lady cry because I was crying, collected our bags, and got in line to hand off the envelope. We waited with the C family for the last time here. We were done before they were, hugged them, and left to recheck our bags. From there we learned went through security again (after getting your Dad a boarding pass, since one wasn't issued for him in Addis) and found Stanley's Kitchen and Tap. Your Dad wanted to eat here the after the first trip, but we didn't have time with our layover. What was supposed to be a 9 hour layover turned out to be only a 4 hour one, but we still had time. You did great for your first time in a highchair and didn't really like us saying you couldn't have our burger and fries. (BTW- GREAT burger, especially after eating Thai and Indian on the plane.)
After Stanley's we found a corner for you to play in and eventually you saw your first Bulls game on TV. Charlie, I think your Dad was a bit disappointed you fell asleep while watching your first Bulls game.
At the same time, you slept until we landed in P. You woke up in time for me to change your diaper and put you in the carrier to meet some of your fan club. . .
Love,
Mom
So we all gathered in the lobby of the Riviera waiting for Almaz to bring the documents which would allow us to bring you home. She was supposed to come at 11 am, but we ended up waiting. I am not sure what time she and Danny arrived, but while we waited, we took some group pictures. At some point on Wednesday morning, you discovered your Dad wears hats, so you wore his hat during a lot of the wait. Six children, five families, waited in the lobby. It was amazing to have these families there with us. I feel honored getting to witness the growth of their families and to see the love that filled the lobby.
When Almaz arrived we relocated to a conference room in the basement. She talked us through the trip home, the importance of not loosing the envelope, your passport, and the court decree which although could be replaced, can't really. We talked for a bit, I am not even sure about what anymore, then said our good-byes to to this incredible lady who helped us bring you home. Words do not express the gratified I feel towards her and those who work with her at Hannah's Hope. Charlie, you were loved there. How can a Mom thank someone for loving and caring for her son for a little over five months?
While checking in, I asked the desk guy to be sure we were together. He said we were. We went through customs, for some reason that is when I first checked the tickets. We weren't together, your Dad was four rows behind us.
So we went to the customer service desk. Even with me crying, they "couldn't" help us, we would have to wait to get to the gate desk. To say I was upset, would be an understatement. Plus our tickets from Frankfurt to Chicago had us in three different spots on the plane. We tried to email our travel agent, the computer wouldn't connect to the internet. We went through security and our gate. We waited for the gate agents to come to ask about fixing our tickets. It was the same ladies from the customer service desk. They still "couldn't" help us, but a supervisor was coming to talk to me. I asked if it was possible to page the person sitting next to the group of two tickets, I was told they couldn't do that. The supervisor never came.
While waiting at the gate we had to change your diaper. As a note to future self, there are no garbage cans after the second security gate. The ladies working the gate desk did not enjoy my response of "he wasn't wet then" when asked why we hadn't changed you before the security check.
We boarded the plane. Once on the plane, I put you in the seat where we were assigned and your Dad and I just stood waiting to see who else was in the row of four. Eventually a passenger sat in the other aisle seat. We celebrated knowing the seat next to the group of two was a single ticket. When he came, we asked if he would mind taking your Dad's seat instead, we told him it was an aisle seat. He asked if he would have to sit next to the baby if he sat in his assigned seat. We said he would. He took us up on our offer.
I know you got the "Best Baby on the Flight Award" from Addis to Frankfurt, you didn't get that from Frankfurt to Chicago. It could have been worse. It could have been A LOT worse. You rocked take off, but before lunch was served you got a fever and a little crabby. Of the 9ish hours, it was only for about an hour or an hour and a half, but it wasn't fun. The flight attendants on this flight were wonderful and really made sure we had everything to try to make you happy. (Plus, I think they felt bad they gave us hot water to make your bottle, twice. Even when it cooled you wouldn't take it. You really don't like to have a warm bottle.)
At the same time, you slept until we landed in P. You woke up in time for me to change your diaper and put you in the carrier to meet some of your fan club. . .
Love,
Mom
3 comments:
Even though the second part of the trip was a little crabby, it still seems like overall your kiddo was a rockstar! I don't even have a referal yet and I'm already stressing over the trip home :) (yes I'll be a first time mom)
So nice to have that out of the way and to have him HOME!!!
WTG Charlie - you did much better on your flight home than your cousin did! I think she cried/screamed/fussed the whole way from China to LA. Can't wait to see ya again!
I love reading this! Welcome home Charlie!!
love, Aunt Meg
Post a Comment