HOME!

We were to be at the agency at 8:20 am. Todd & I were up until close to midnight packing and up again at 5:00 to begin our journey home! After our last continental breakfast... I wonder if the attendants will miss our entourage not rushing into the Resident's lounge every morning and having the kids greet them with 'anyo haseyo!'

We made it to the Agency closer to 8:30 - apparently if you need a larger taxi, instead of taking 2 taxis, the hotel has to place a special call for a Jumbo Taxi (yes, it's really called Jumbo Taxi) to come pick us up. At least there was ample room for us and the luggage!

The foster mother was there with Olivia. As we transferred our luggage from the Jumbo taxi to the agency, the kids were taking Olivia's hands and walking around with her!! She seemed to really like that - our kids were in heaven!! The foster mother also seemed to like watching them interact. Then our social worker said, we should go into the car and the foster mother would hand me Olivia. I started getting choked up a bit, I noticed the foster mother was not crying, though seemed very sad. Olivia, came and sat between me and Matty. And seemed quite content. Throughout the ride to the Incheon Airport, Matty would put arm around Olivia and lay his head next to hers and pat her cheek. If Lucy or Jacob, tried to touch Olivia, Matty would say, "No, mine!"

Starting the trip home on Korean Air, Olivia did really well. So did the other kids. Jacob and Lucy had seats together in the middle section, then there was an aisle, then Todd's seat, Matty and myself with Olivia on my lap. They had also brought us a bassinet which affixed to the wall in front of us. The kids loved being in the "front" row as their monitors were more adjustable. Jacob and Lucy did well most of the trip - they sat and played games and puzzles together and watched some movies. Lucy had 1 rough spot towards the end, but pulled it together - poor thing was just so tired. Matty... well, he was a bit more rambunctious this time. Slept really well at first, but then had a touch time sitting still here and there. Olivia... Olivia, as I mentioned started out well... she even took a nap in the bassinet for a couple hours. But when she woke up and saw it was still us, she was not happy. A flight attendant came over to see how she could help. Wanting to know if she wanted food or had an upset tummy. I said, she missed her foster mother. She gave a knowing smile, said she understood. Said, baby would likely not eat, why not let her hold the baby. I said, OK as I could see Olivia liked it that the flight attendant was speaking to her in Korean. For the next SEVERAL hours, the FAs took turns taking Olivia around the plane and playing with her. Every now and then they would bring her by just to wave at us. Or have me come up and say hi, but then go back to my seat. A couple times Olivia did stay with us, but as soon as she got fussy, a FA would come right over and swoop her up in their arms! We were OK with that!

After Korean Air, it was back to American Airlines in Chicago for our final destination - home!! It was a bit of a shock for Matty- he wanted to know where his TV was. No FA offered to swoop up and carry Olivia around when she got fussy (though they were very nice!!). We were just thankful it was a very short flight!!

By the time we headed for our car - we were all completely exhausted and half-asleep!! (By the way, Olivia did not mind being buckled in a car seat - which they do not have in Korea) By the time we arrived home, all 4 kids were sound asleep!! We were greeted by a colorful display of welcome signs, both inside and out, balloons and dessert treats - from our wonderful neighbors!!
The 3 older kids all went to bed right away. Olivia was awake and walked around a little while. Then she and Daddy took a nap on the couch!

It's great to be home with our entire family!