And we're off....

Hi everyone… I’m revisiting the blog so that anyone who’s interested can follow along on our crazy adventure to meet our daughter-to-be-in-3-days, EMLW. Not sure how much we’ll be able to post once we’ve met her—we hear babies keep you pretty busy—and also not sure who besides maybe our parents will be interested in the minutiae of our trip, but we’ll try and keep the pictures coming anyway. Everyone likes cute baby pictures!

Eight hours in, we’ve got 17ish to go. We’re sitting on a JAL flight to Tokyo. Unfortunately, we’re pretty sure our luggage isn’t on the plane. We were supposed to fly Boston—JFK—Tokyo—Hanoi, but the first officer on the Boston flight didn’t show up for work, so the flight couldn’t go. (Wouldn’t you think they’d have a back up system??).  They rerouted everyone through LaGuardia (sp?) and organized a car to take us to JFK. Thank god it was Sunday morning and we had a 3 hour layover so we made it in plenty of time. But the nice guy at the gate checked and told us our luggage didn’t make it across town with us. So I am stuck with a toothbrush, a half dozen magazines, a raincoat, one outfit, 2 novels and a laptop for the next few days. Oh, and William just found some trail mix, so I guess we won’t starve.

I’ve read a lot of accounts of adoptive parents getting comments about their children or the adoption process that make them uncomfortable, or offend them, or leave them at a loss for words. We had our first one today at the JAL ticket desk. William was (unsuccessfully) trying to sweet talk his way into a business class upgrade for us, and, trying to be helpful, I pulled out the photos of EMLW I had in my bag to see if a cute baby story could tip the balance. The woman looked at her and said “Is there something wrong with her eyes?”  (In one of the pics she looks very slightly cross-eyed). When I said no, she said, “Are you sure? Did you check? That’s an awfully long way to go if there’s something wrong with her!” I was startled, to say the least, but we mumbled something about being sure she’s fine and thinking she’s perfect, etc etc.  People really are outrageous sometimes. Who says stuff like that??

And we didn’t get the stupid upgrade, so now we are squished into economy seats that are definitely designed for small Japanese people. If I was 5 pounds heavier, I swear I don’t think I’d fit in the seat.

This all sounds very complainy, but really we’re thrilled and excited and very very happy to finally be on our way. It’s just a looooooong trip in a tiny seat. I’m glad I have 6 hours of Battlestar Galactica and 3 hours of ANTM to watch on my laptop, that’s for sure.

Cross your fingers for our luggage!

Comments

[Anne Whyte]

Yes we are interested! Keep posting those cute photos!

[Eamonn]

Hope the travel gets better. Battle Star! Cylons!!

[Caroline Boyle]

Hey you guys, sorry I didn't get to see you before you left. Hope everything goes smoothly and we'll see you and your new addition to the family on your return, Love from Caroline xx

[Jim]

I'm rubbing the Luggage Buddha's belly for you guys. Happy trails, have a Coffee and think of us (I'd call it a Vietnamese coffee, but I have a suspicion that when in Vietnam they actually just call it coffee).

[Jeremie]

Yay! Cooper just said "that's my baby". We're interested in the details and the pictures! We'll be thinking of you. Jeremie and family

[Derval]

Will be following your story and awaiting lots more cute baby pics.