The trip back

Look at me. 2 posts in a week.

Let's go back a few weeks and let me recap the trip here. It was eventful, to say the least. Isn't it always when you involve kids and any sort of travel?!

It took 3 days and a few long nights for me to get everything packed. I was interrupted a few times. :) I was trying to pack as well as possible since the lovely airlines have started charging $70 for the second bag. I think that's a little evil for international flights, honestly. Since my parents were coming with us and not staying long, they "gave" me one of their checked bags. That meant I could have 3 big bags without paying anything. I knew that was impossible. I was planning on paying for at least 2 extras. Guess I didn't pack that well. Between each of the kids' clothes for the whole year (you know that's a LOT for a newborn-1yr), cloth diapers, baby tent, breast pump, my clothes, and miscellaneous items we needed, I ended up with SEVEN suitcases. Woops! Oh well. We needed it all. So, imagine this picture: 2 grandparents, 1 momma, 1 toddler, 1 newborn, 7 large suitcases, 1 duffle bag, 3 rolling carry-ons, 1 backpack, 1 diaper bag, and 2 purses. Let me tell ya..it wasn't pretty at 5am. :)

So we drove up to KC from Branson in 2 cars, because we had to with all the cargo. My parents stayed at a hotel near the airport so they could park their car there and I stayed at a friend's house, where she let us park the other car. On the way to the hotel, Dad rear-ended me. Tiny damage, no one hurt. But ya know, just adds to the story. We ate at Chipotle one last time. I inhaled that burrito. We stopped to see the boys' new baby cousin as well. He and Malachi look quite a bit alike!

Then it was past bedtime. I planned on staying up late to try to get on China's time zone the next day. My sweet friend set up her house for the boys. She had toys, a pack n ply for Josiah to sleep in...the works. I tried to put Josiah to bed around 9.30, and he wailed. He was scared to death of the new room and new people. I knew then he wouldn't go at all, so I was hoping he'd just crash on the couch while my friends and I chatted. No such luck. He was awake until 1.30!! He wouldn't even sleep on a couch next to me. So we shared one; he was on one end, Malachi and I on the other. Needless to say, I barely slept. haha. I woke up at 3.30 to get everything and everyone ready to leave by 5.

As you can imagine, Josiah was a disaster with 2 hours of sleep. So glad my parents were there to help. Sadly, none of our seats were together. The flight from KC to San Francisco was going well until the tiredness hit Josiah again. He didn't want to keep his seat belt on. The plane was TINY. Everyone kept looking at us. My parents were about 4 rows up and couldn't do much. Finally, Dad and Josiah switched seats and we all got a little shut-eye.

We had a 2 hour layover in SF that turned into 5. Doesn't it always?! It was a frustrating wait because we were all getting even more tired. Josiah had several tantrums, but Malachi was an angel. Since I had him in a carrier the whole time, he was knocked out the ENTIRE trip. Quite a praise since he had been such a bad sleeper before.

We finally got on the plane and my parents were not only not beside me, but were also separated. Mom was 2 rows in front of me, Dad 6 rows back. Neither on the aisle (nor were we), so none of the people we were sitting by wanted to switch seats. Can't say I blamed them..everyone wants an aisle seat on those long flights. So, we did a lot of handing children over people so we didn't have to get out every time. Josiah slept just a few hours during the 13-hour flight. By the end, he didn't know which way was up, but still wouldn't crash. I finally handed him to my mom for the last hour and he was out cold. Only to have to wake up again!

Reuniting with Michael was blissful. Adjusting back hasn't been bad. Typically, Josiah takes the adjusting period pretty hard. He usually deals with it by not eating well..even foods he tends to love. This time, though, he jumped right in! I think it really helped that my parents were here for a few weeks. It kept a sense of normalcy for him. It didn't seem to phase Malachi that he literally slept for 24 hours. Maybe he was catching up?! He has been sleeping well at night since we arrived. A downright miracle!

Next post: I'll back it up even more and share Malachi's birth story!

Love my boys!

I've been a blogger slacker. Not on purpose. I truly have several blog posts running through my head. If only I could find some time to sit down and write them all....

Quick stories from today:

We're finally getting more settled. I've been wanting to move Josiah out of the crib and into a bed for a while now, but it was easiest to wait until we got back here. Once here, we needed to find a bed rail. After looking online, we were disappointed at how expensive they were. Then my GENIUS husband remembered we have the parts to a bunk bed on our porch. Waa-la! The rail from the bunk became his bed rail. Fits perfectly! We started rearranging this morning, and put him down for a nap in his new bed. Michael's idea to make it smooth: don't make it a big deal. Did I mention he's a smart man?! Josiah was knocked out within 20 mins and I had to wake him up 3 hours later. Ha! (He doesn't normally sleep that long--must've been extra tired.) He went to bed just as easily...as if nothing was new. Love how that kid is learning to adapt. (Most of the time.)

Tonight, during team night, we were praying. Josiah did a nice job of joining us by closing his eyes and clasping his hands. Then I look up and he's nodding his head in agreement with the pray-er. HA! Then I saw his little lips whisper "thank you Jesus for the food" (the only prayer he knows). Then he started looking around at people with his squinty eyes...secret, right? haha He even resumed playing his game on my phone with squinty eyes...hilarious. Then my teammate said "In Jesus' name" and Josiah promptly said "amen!" haha. Everyone cracked up. We had to explain there was more to come. :)

Malachi has been a rough one to handle. The first 6 weeks of his life, he would cry all the time. Even right after he ate. Isn't that when he's supposed to be happiest?! Before getting here, my family did their best to help me hold him while he wailed. We had no idea what was wrong or how to fix it. Lately, he's been calming down. His awake times have been more pleasant and less noisy. :) Today was great. He actually put himself to sleep 3 times! This is ginormous, people. We usually hold/rock him for a bit until he's quiet (haha), then lay him down and let him cry. (Yes, we checked on him..) But he just couldn't figure out how to fall asleep. Even when I'd give up on letting him cry and hold him, he still wouldn't sleep well. Who knows. But it seems like he's getting past that. Whew!! Only to meet the next hurdle, right?

Finally, Michael is great. He always has been, but the month we were apart really made us appreciate each other even more. It's been fun to be back together with these new perspectives. Even with the busyness/craziness of 2 little ones, it hasn't been bad because we've had this shift in focus in our marriage. Loving how the Father is working in us!

My contacts a dry. Must go to bed. Maybe someday I'll get another picture on here..

One week til lift off!

Sadly, I found out none of the computers in this house will take my camera's card, so I can't upload any pics. You'll just have to wait and trust me that Malachi is getting even cuter. :)

We booked our plane tickets!!!! We fly out October 5th at 7am. Can't WAIT. I miss Michael a TON. This time away has definitely made my heart grow fonder. By the time we reunite, it will have been a month! I know that's nothing compared to what other people have to endure (shout out to you, Erin), but it was tough nonetheless. I now realize what a great daddy he is to our boys. Here's a short list of what I've come to appreciate all over again:

(Disclaimer to my fam: Know that you have been great to us while we've invaded your home. I appreciate ya'll as well!! There's just no replacing Daddy, as you know!)

- He's incredibly patient. Way more than me.
- He makes the extra effort to play and have fun with Josiah. Little man has missed that.
- He comes and takes the crying baby from me, without asking.
- He speaks encouraging words.
- He makes me laugh. A lot.
- He will (gently) force me to have time alone because he knows I need it.

Ok, obviously this list isn't exhaustive, but it's hard to think when a baby is screaming. *sigh*

Speaking of the little screamer, he's doing better. Week 2 and 3 were pretty bad. Cried all the time. Even right after he ate--isn't that when he's supposed to be the happiest? haha I've tried many things, but he's finally beginning to calm down and actually sleep by himself. Not sure what worked and what didn't. Still trying everything. Perhaps he just misses his daddy?!

T-7 days!!

Josiah's song

You know the classic "clean up" song. And you know "happy birthday." Well, when Josiah cleans up, he combines the two. Goes a little like this...

"Cleam up, cleam up, happy to you" Repeat.

Love that kid.

Baby is here!

Ok, so I'm almost 2 weeks late. And I'm not even going to post much today. I'll write more when I don't have a child in my lap. Oh, wait....

Malachi Li joined us August 29th at 10.12am. He weighed in at 7lbs. 8oz. (TINY compared to Josiah's 8.12!!) and 20inches. He's been so fun to hold and cuddle!

I don't even have a pic for ya...so sad. Next time!

Yay! A home!

We FINALLY got word that we'll actually have a place to live once we get back to China. This has been a year-long battle of broken promises and lots of waiting. We packed up our apartment since the school promised they would move our stuff, but we kept our expectations floor-level low. To our surprise, they actually moved it! We're expecting to have a 3 bedroom, brand-new apartment....WITH an elevator! Yippee! No more climbing 80 stairs multiple times a day! Although, that could affect my plan to lost the post-baby weight quickly...hmm... Maybe biking with both kids (baby strapped and Josiah in his seat on the back) will make up for it!

It'll be a whirlwind unpacking and such when we get back. Michael will be there the 2nd week of September, so he'll be able to start the unpacking process. I'm sure it'll only be bachelor-style though. :) The plan is still for my parents, the kids and I to go back late September/early October, after all the baby's travel docs come in. So in order for this timeline to happen, this baby needs to come SOON!

39 weeks. C'mon buddy. It's much more fun out here.

Ready, ready, ready!

You all know this point of pregnancy...near the end and just waiting for the arrival of the little one. I've been there for a week now. Officially have 2 weeks until "due date," but when is that ever accurate anyway?! I'm just REALLY hoping he comes early for several reasons. The whole pregnancy, I've felt he's going to arrive early..but that could be 1 day in his little mind. He would....

After he arrives, it's going to be a crazy whirlwind of events. We'll spend about 1 week in KC while I recover enough to make a 4 hour road trip. Then we'll head to Branson and scurry around getting last minute items, loads of paperwork for Baby, and packing to return to China. It's going to be nuts! But, thankfully, my family will be there to help AND my parents are coming back with us to help us get settled and see what we do there. Sooo thankful.

My closest friends threw me a baby sprinkle yesterday at the Melting Pot (fondue restaurant). Uhhh..YUM. It was so fun! I love those girls. They have been so genereous, giving, and loving this summer. I might miss them more this coming year. Thank heavens for Skype!

Ok, off to do some jumping jacks or something... ;)