Journey of a Life Time....again!: Home Sweet Home

September 20th, 2012 was a day to be remembered for many reasons. This day was filled with so many emotions. Sadness to be leaving such a magnificent country filled with so much culture, memories and such an incredible chance to witness it's vast population. As we departed from China, we had such immense gratitude from its greatest blessings that have filled our hearts and completed our family...our two precious Girls. We were excited to be going home and starting a new stage of our lives. A sense of celebration of our new family especially because on this very special day we were also celebrate Timmy's birthday. When the flights were originally booked it seemed like such a wonderful idea to be celebrating his birthday with his new daughter's home coming. Well, in retrospect, what were we thinking?

Our day started with a final attempt to pack and hope that we were within our baggage allowance. Somehow, we had managed to add another suitcase and yet we had not done much shopping as I had expected that would require a new suitcase. Since we did not have enough time to shop during out stay, we agreed to do a final visit to the Pearl Market in the morning.

When we flew from Guangdong to Beijing, the 3 hour flight was not a pleasant one for Rebecca so we were already anticipating a rough time.

It all started off well as I had her strapped to me in a snugly but once the seat belts were buckled Rebecca became agitated and the screeching started. She would not sit still and squirmed enough to almost loosen herself from our grip on several occasions. Tim was great in offering to hold her during take off. Right away the passengers in our area started glancing our way with some disapproval. I looked right at them and asked them what their problem was. It infuriated me because they had no idea what my baby had just gone through in the last two weeks and that this behaviour was due to such drastic changes in her little life. Yes! if someone handed me over to strangers who didn't speak a language I'm familiar with and I could not understand why they were taking me from hotel, on an air plane to another hotel and then once again on an air plane...I would definitely be screaming for help too.

Nonetheless, we had expected this so we were somewhat prepared for a rough time, but no matter how bad I imagined it would be....it was far worse to actually see my baby in such distress. To make things worse, no sooner was the air plane moving, Ms Rebecca pooped and it was a foul smell that started to spread throughout the plane. Tim and I couldn't help but laugh because her timing couldn't have been more perfect. I will admit, I was cynical as I smirked at the complaining passengers and saw their faces. Tim tried everything to calm Rebecca down and thought that tapping his knee would do it. Nope, it didn't, it only made it worse because her soiled diaper was now leaking right onto his pants and we had not even begun our 13 hour flight.

Once the flight was on its way and Tim was able to get up and change Rebecca, off he went into the tiny toilets to clean up a big mess. I was worried and hoped he would be OK doing this but then all of a sudden we hit turbulence and it was rough stuff. I was anxious as visions of him in the toilet during the turbulance bouncing around with the baby in one arm. It worried me but at the same time could not contain the laughter that hit me at the visual of my poor Timmy and the baby bouncing around in the tiny space. I'm sure the passengers thought I was losing my mind because I honestly got the major giggles with tears streaming down my face. It took him almost 30 minutes to return. Just as I had calmed myself from laughing I looked back and there he was with a frazzled look on his face, holding Rebecca who was no longer wearing any pants. The poor guy looked distraught and made me laugh even more as he described how he was all rattled up in the tiny room. I had given him a brand new package of wipes and he brought back less than half the package as he had practically ended up cleaning the toilet room......and then I laughed even harder, especially to see Rebecca all smiles and looking so innocent. As for the pants, I washed them and had them hanging in the side of my seat. Believe it or not, they were dried by the time we began descending in Toronto.

The whole flight was horrific with only a couple intermittent hours of silence only when Rebecca slept. I dared not move to avoid her waking up because the screeching would start all over again. Not only did I not get much rest but having her strapped to me in the snugly didn't leave me much room to eat, but that was ok because all I really wanted was to make time go by quickly and quietly and get off the plane.

Bethany was fantastic on the flight, once she put her headphones on and had her TV screen on her cartoon movies she didn't even bother with her hysterical sister. Even when she fell asleep and lay her head on lap and her sister continually kicked her, she was so tired that she slept right through it.

Once we finally arrived at Pearson we faced 2.5 hours of immigration line-ups. Customs was quick but as Rebecca was a new comer to Canada we had to complete immigration paperwork and that's where it took the longest because there was only one person handling a very long line-up.

After all was done we literally ran out of the immigration office and down to gather our luggage which was waiting for us and finally walked out to meet my family. It was the most incredible feeling to finally see their faces in person rather than on skype. Even at my age, and I believe forever, there is just nothing like seeing your Mom and Daddy's faces smiling at you and giving them the biggest hug that says so much from I missed you, welcome home, I love you and congratulations Mommy.....and of course, then I cried.

Not only were we greeted by my family but also by our loving and amazing friends who are our extended family and were there to welcome Bethany home 3.5 years ago. Galito & Senora Teresita Maldonado were also waiting for over 2 hours to welcome us home. There is nothing like their friendship and love as they share the great joy with our family once again.

When we arrived home it was almost 10:30. My family had welcome banners, balloons, a gorgeous cake and dinner for us. They had also tidied up the house and most importantly put their loving touches on Rebecca's room. As we walked around the house with Rebecca to show her around, her eyes were as big and beautiful as the first day we met her. She still looked concerned or scared but clung on to us tightly.

It was so surreal to be standing with her in her very own room, freshly painted by daddy and Abuelito as well as beautifully decorated with little butterflies, not to mention the dresser and closet filled with clothes. Even today, five days later, I still get emotional to walk into her room and see her in her warm soft crib sleeping so peacefully. It's such an incredible feeling to actually have her home.

Upon meeting my family, Rebecca seemed to be comfortable with them, especially with her Abuelito. It wasn't long before she was smiling as she curiously looked at everyone's faces. Undoubtedly, she saw and felt the happiness and love emanating from her Abuelitos, her Tia and big Brother. Cristian was instantly in love with this little beauty in front of him.

There is no place like home and family.