Finding God's Grace: Day 7: Heading Home

Breakfast and packing took most of the morning. Ivo called and wanted us to head out early because it had snowed more last night and he was concerned about making the trip in time. We made it by leaving around 11:45 with no trouble. I think our heavy luggage probably helped with the traction since the roads were snow-packed. Grace was really excited to leave and ride in the car again, so she put on her own scarf and hat. Every day she has been asking us if we were going on the airplane and we kept telling her no "later" or no "tomorrow." It was nice to tell her we were going today.

On the way to the airport, Ivo told us about his visit to the US and said that he envied Grace because her life was going to be so different in the US, and that she was going to have so many opportunities. He said he sort of wished that someone would adopt him, too. When we arrived we took a photo of him with Grace and he took pictures of us. We were glad to hear that the flight was not going to be delayed because of the snow. Grace took off her shoes for the security check without any complaints and our baggage all made the weight restriction with no extra fees. So far, so good. When we were getting ready to board the plane, we noticed a gift shop with traditional Bulgarian costumes in the window, but there were no children's clothes to be found. We had really hoped to find a traditional dress for her while we were there... We did find some beautiful plates and a little hand woven purse, though. If you know us at all, you know we aren't much into souvenirs, but we do want Grace to have a few things to keep that are from her birth home. Someday, they may be very important to her.

Grace really liked looking out the windows at the airport, but she preferred watching the trucks and cars since they moved around and the only airplanes we could see were just sitting there. She is so small that she couldn't see out the windows at all, but she sat perfectly in her seat for the entire first flight. She ate "soleties" which are pretzels and drank water to help her ears, but didn't complain a bit. I don't think she ever realized we were on an airplane until we landed and had to walk down the steps next to the plane to board a bus at the Warsaw Airport. When we turned her around and she saw the airplane, she was really surprised and confused.

In the Warsaw terminal there was a lot of confusion, and Grace decided to throw a fit. She was whining, wiggling, and obstinate. Finally I figured out that she was telling me that she wanted to go to the bathroom, but of course we couldn't until we cleared security again. I found a spot in the corner of the crowded room to hold and rock her, because we couldn't leave this tiny arrival area, and we couldn't pass through security until Mark had gone through a line to receive dinner vouchers and travel information because our next flight was going to be delayed...five hours. Apparently the plane we were supposed to take was delayed in New York because of snow and had not yet arrived in Warsaw, so we would not take off until 9:00 PM. Finally, we got to the bathroom and were going to head to lunch. Of course, we all had to go to lunch together to avoid another security clearance, so we spent another hour in line at the restaurant.The food was good, and I am glad to say that we ate Polish sausage in Warsaw, Poland...

Grace really needed a nap, but we thought it would be best if she slept on the flight instead of right before it, so we walked, and ran, and played as much as we could in the remaining 4 hours. The airport had small play areas with little tables, play houses, and teeter-totters so they were a huge help. Grace really liked it when other children came to play, too, but watching her demonstrated how difficult "bonding" is going to be for her. After a week of clinging to Mommy, we had thought the bonding process was well underway, but it really has just barely begun. When other mothers were around, Grace immediately felt compelled to get to know them and gain their attention. Understandably she went to them, tried to climb in their laps, wanted to smile at them and kiss them, and did anything she could to endear herself to them. The women all thought she was cute and sweet, which is how she has thrived for almost 5 years. I found it to be so heartbreaking, not because it hurt my feelings, but because it showed how insecure and afraid she is under that confident exterior. Her world has been one of many caregivers where survival required that she find a way to be noticed in order to have her needs met. She is great at being sweet and lovable to get what she needs. She also said, "Hey," to everyone who passed and waved "bye-bye" as people moved through the airport. Because she looks like a little doll, several people commented on how cute she is. She is really good at this attention-getting, sweetness routine. We were told that no one should hold her, feed her, or meet any of her needs except us for a while. Bonding is so important for her development. It is going to be really hard to tell people that they can't hold her when she is trying to crawl onto their laps...

Grace stretched out between Mark and me on the final 10 hour flight from Warsaw to Chicago. She didn't even play with her toys except for the glow bracelet that we brought. She loves anything that lights up. Mark and I both slept intermittently. With this new schedule, we arrived in Chicago around midnight, but we decided to try to make it home anyway. We easily found our van where Tom and Kay had parked it for us. It was nice to only have to pay for 2 days of parking at O'Hare, and Grace seemed to enjoy riding the train to the long term lot. I slept for the first hour of the drive after trying to get french fries at two different stops. Then Mark slept and I finished the drive. Grace loved being in the carseat (and playing peek-a-boo with her feet) because she could see out the windows and pointed out all of the cars and trucks on the road before she went to sleep.

The boys had the house in tip-top shape when we walked in the door. They even burned candles and Blaise made seven-layer cookies for our homecoming. It was so nice to see all of them and to come home to a clean, sweet-smelling house.

Grace looked around a little bit and met the boys...She really doesn't care for Vince's beard (which shows she has good taste. Mommy doesn't like it either.) Then we gave her a bath in hopes that she would sleep for a few more hours. Mark and I needed some rest. She loved her little toddler bed right next to Mommy, and I could actually sleep since she wasn't flopping next to me. It feels so good to be home!