The Details!
Okay, so I posted earlier with the brief overview, so if you aren't into details, check out the previous post!
So we left the hotel for the airport at 4:30 AM. We had checked the status of Toby's flight, and he was in the air!
We got to the airport, and through security, and at our gate with an hour to spare! Everything went smoothly! Our flight to Chicago was a little bumpy, and we had to circle the airport for about 20 minutes because of storms. Once on the ground, we were off! We met up with Katy and got some breakfast at McDonalds. Then we headed off to the international terminal. It was only about 8:30 AM, still several hours until Toby's arrival.
We met with the lady that would be helping the babies and escorts through customs and immigration. She said that they would be landing soon, and it would be another 45 minutes to hour and a half til they came through the "A" arrival gates. We watched the monitors, and found that his plane had landed at around 10:50 and we began to wait by the doors.
Once he was through, he was waiving, and came right to us. After a while of holding him, and cuddling him, we had to get down to business. We spoke with his escort about his medications
We spoke with the director of Family Adoption Consultants for a few moments.
We got a picture with his Escort!
Then we went off to spend some quiet time with him. We ran around, played peek-a-boo, played in the drinking fountain, etc.
We then had to take the train to our terminal. Toby loved the train. It was really exciting!
We got to the terminal, and I got him changed, into his Ohio State clothes and a fresh diaper. He didn't like that much, but was fine once it was over. I tried to give him a bottle, he took a little of it.
Then we waitied for our return flight home. Once on the plane, Toby started SCREAMING!! I thought we were in for a long flight. Turns out, he was ready to crash, and HE WANTED DADDY! Nate took him in his arms, Toby laid his head on his shoulder, and he was out! It was precious. He slept the entire flight. Any time I tried to take him to give Nate a rest, he let out a scream that I'm sure woke the entire flight. It was special for daddy, I think!
Once in Cleveland, Taylor, Drew, my parents, and Nate's parents were waiting for us! It was nice to see the kids.
We loaded up in the car to ride to our car, which was still at the Hotel in Strongsville. Toby did okay with the car seat, seeing as he hadn't been in one before. We got to the car, went to grab some grub at Wendy's and got home around 9:30. Once we were home, we opened his gifts from his Foster Mother. She sent his Hanbok (Authentic Korean Outfit he wore on his 1st Birthday) some clothes, a letter, a necklace engraved with his name and birthday, lots of pictures, a picture frame, a bag, some socks and squeeky shoes!
Once we were done, I tried another bottle. After about 15 minutes of crying, he settled down, and I carried him to our bed, turned out the lights and he was asleep in no time. He reached over and laid his hand on me, and was fast asleep by 10:30. He was restless a little through the night, but didn't really wake until about 5:30. At around 6:30, we got up and had breakfast. Which for him was yogurt and a bottle!
He attached to the kids pretty quickly. He keeps waving good bye to me. I think he wants to leave. I don't blame him. I can't imagine what is going through his head. All I can do is keep loving on him, and letting him know I'm not going anywhere!
More updates later! I'm working on posting all the pictures on a Photobucket account and will post that link once I'm done!
God is Good! I am in love with my boy! (and I think he likes me, too)
He's HOME!!
What an amazing day! I'll write more later, but wanted to get a photo out and a quick update...
Toby arrived at around 10:50 Central time. We got our first look a little before noon, I believe. This photo is him coming through the customs door (in stroller on left). He came right to us, and just wrapped his arms around us. We went to a quiet part of the airport, and played and let him run around for a while. Then we got on the train to go to our terminal. He liked that! We got on our plane for Cleveland, and he slept in daddy's arms the entire time. He would NOT let mommy hold him.
We got to Cleveland where Taylor and Drew waited, along with the grandparents. We arrived home around 9:30 or so. The kids played, he got his pajamas on, opened his gifts from his Foster Mother, and we went to bed at 10:30. I turned the lights out, and he slept for the most part, until 5:30. We got up, had some breakfast (bottle and yogurt) and have been going strong since.
Taylor and Drew leave for vacation around noon today, so I will post more details later. It was a wonderful day. And our prayers have been answered! God is SOOO GOOD! I will post more pictures later as well!