We made it. If only by the skin of our teeth.
The day started bright and early, at 3:30 AM to be exact. I got up, showered and gathered the 2,367 last minute things I needed to cram into our already overstuffed luggage.
Asher, having never even been on an airplane before, could hardly wait for this day to arrive. He’s wanted to go to China since I can remember and now, he is finally getting his chance to be there on one of his siblings ‘gotcha’ day. And I could tell, by the fact that he jumped up when I went to wake him at 4:00 AM that he, indeed, was very much looking forward to being on his way to China.
The flight from Boston to Newark went off without a hitch. Asher watched while we took off, staring out the window exclaiming, “Awesome!!” For a little while there, I thought he might become a pilot like his daddy. It wasn’t too much later that I realized there is no chance of that. No way, no how.
We spent the layover on Newark stretching our legs for the upcoming flight to Beijing. I tried to prepare Asher beforehand the flights and travel day to China. Exhausting. Wonderful. Grueling. Exciting. Occasionally painful. I think it’s similar to marriage and childbirth, no one can really prepare you. You just have to experience it for yourself.
After stocking up on magazines and Soduku, we managed to find our way to McDonalds for our last meal on US soil for the next 2 weeks. Seemed fitting, if not a bit pathetic, that we chose Mickey D’s. And I’m not gonna lie. It was good.
We finally boarded the big 747. Asher’s eyes were as bit as saucers when he realized the size of the plane we’d be calling home for the next 14 hours. Then he noticed the personal video players on the back of each seat. Score! These ended up being a lifesaver for both of us as we weren’t able to sleep at all until the very end of the flight.
Largely sleepless yes, but for the most part, the flight went incredibly well. We played games, watched movies, ate some yummy food (seriously. Continental food was either really good or I was really hungry) and generally enjoyed the fact that even though we were stuck on a plane for an insane amount of time, we were well provided for.
And then it came time to make our descent. I’m not sure what it was, possibly the turbulence. Or maybe the french toast and sausage. Could have been the fact that we’d been awake for over 22 hours and had slept less than 2. But Asher started turning green. And he started fidgeting in his seat.
Then I did something I’ve never had to do. The one ‘mommy badge’ I didn’t own until yesterday.
I pulled out the barf bag.
Asher proceeded to fill his bag. Then mine.
Thankfully I was able to grab the plastic sacks from the earphones and use those to hold all of Asher’s breakfast – lunch – dinner – breakfast until he stopped hurling. Ever been stuck in a plane stuffed with a gazillion curious onlookers while trying to comfort your son and conceal a plastic sack of barf? Yeah, me neither. Until yesterday.
After that, I assumed Asher would feel better. I mean, he’d emptied his stomach, and then some. But he just got worse. He could barely manage the walk from the plane to customs. And by the time we were waiting to have our passports stamped, I was worried they might not allow us entry. So we sat and waited. Then we got up and went as far as he could until he had to sit again. This pretty much went on for the rest of the day until we boarded our flight at 9:15 PM for Nanning.
The 6 hours we spent in the Beijing airport felt like 600.
After making our way to Terminal 2 (which, btw is about a 15 minute shuttle ride from Terminal 3, and the Terminal 1 buses are indistinguishable from the Terminal 2 buses, for anyone traveling here soon) with no more vomiting incidents, we stopped and started all the way to our gate. I swung between feeling incredibly sorry for Asher and feeling incredibly sorry for myself.
Asher finally fell asleep at the gate and managed a less fitful hour of sleep before we boarded. The 3 hour flight to Nanning was full of turbulence but we had prayed several times together that Asher would feel better, that God would protect us and that we’d arrive safely in Nanning. And we did. We had much to be thankful for, including not having to use the “clean bag” again.
In fact, Asher slept almost the entire flight, turbulence and all. I woke him after we’d landed and he had no idea we weren’t in the air any longer 😉 His stomach seemed much better and we were able to collect our bags and make it into the van headed to the hotel without incident. Isn’t it sad how frequently we miss the blessings in life ‘without incident’? Once again, He has managed to change my perspective. On the drive to the hotel, the guide told us that families just the week before us were snowed in at Beijing for 2 days.
Exhausted, stinky and wrung out, I suddenly realized we had MUCH to be thankful for.
So we’re here. In Nanning. Where it’s raining and we don’t have a thing to do. And we’re happy.
And ridiculously excited.
Vivi day is tomorrow!! We will meet tomorrow at 2:30 PM!!!
Wow!!! What a post! So very excited for you!!
I'm so sorry that you had such a hard trip to China! I will be praying that everything from here on out will go smoothly. Christy
Wow! What a ride! Glad everything is better now! Can't wait to see your baby in your arms….probably in the same building in Nanning where I got mine!
Jill 🙂
You have a great story to tell, maybe not great yet but someday it will be. Can't wait to so little Vivi in your arms.
Amy
I've never posted a comment before . . . and actually, my big, tough husband is making me post this one! 🙂
He just wants you to know (with tears in his eyes) that he's proud of your son and we all will be praying for you in the coming weeks!
What a tough way to start your trip – but God has great things in store for all of you!
Oh, Stefanie…I really do feel for you. On our last day in Hong Kong, my husband started throwing up, and we had a similar trek (with four kids…new baby included…and a mother-in-law in tow) from the top of Victoria Peak, across the harbor and back to our hotel. Then I had to take him to a Chinese hospital the night before Chinese New Year, got no sleep and had to get everyone on the plane the next morning. I felt the same way!
So the hard part is out of the way! It's all fantastic from here! In just a few hours, you'll be meeting Vivi! Can't wait! Praying for you!
Asher…Your the man!! Hang in there Mister and have a great time in China. Your Mom and little sister will need you!
Tell Asher that even seasoned aviators use those "clean bags". My hubby used to grab them off commercial flights to put in his flight suit pocket. He used them almost every time until he realized that eating a HUGE pasta dinner before a flight wasn't working so well for him. 😉 Can't wait for tomorrow!
So glad you made it, I just wish you and poor Asher could have had a more pleasant trip. Wow does that bring back memories, I did not do well on the way over either. Praying for a smoother Gotcha Day. I'm so excited for you!
So sorry that the trip was rough for Asher and you. Glad you are in Nanning and will have Vivi day tomorrow!!! So amazing it has happened so quickly for you.
Praying everything will go wonderful from now on!!
Blessings,
Jody
So happy that you made it in – and so sorry it was such a hard landing for Asher. Will be praying for you. Can't wait to read your post tomorrow!!
Oh my goodness. Poor poor Asher and poor you!!!! How awful the situation for you both. Glad things are looking up for you two now. Looking so forward to your Vivi pics tomorrow!
Somehow you made your miserable experience into a gut wrenching nervous laugh for me. I am visualizing all of us mothers out there who have traveled on long sleepless plane flights with children who have not experienced this but can imagine every second of it with you!
Glad you are happy in Nanning and can't wait to see Miss Vivi with you!
Poor Asher! (and poor you!) but what an awesome and brave big brother for making such a huge trip to pick up his new little sister!
Like everyone else… can't wait to see pics of Gotcha Day!
So glad you made it…barfing and all 🙂 Seriously CAN. NOT. WAIT. for Vivi day! You have waited so long to hold her! Blessings to all of you…
Oh my gracious, MY stomach felt "turbulent" just reading about poor Asher. What a way to experience your first plane ride.
SO happy that you are there safe and sound though and I'm downright giddy for you to meet Vivi!!!!
I've had to do that before–hold the barf bag. And oh, that's a bad job!
So excited for you that you're in Nanning! We will always love Nanning. I can picture the building you'll be in tomorrow, meeting your sweet little girl. Man, I want to go back there!
Best of luck! Can't wait to see the post tomorrow!
Poor Asher 🙁 and poor you too. I'm so glad Asher is feeling better and Vivi Day is in HOURS!! I'm so excited for you!!!!!!!!
Hugs from Australia 🙂
ugh nothing worse that spew!! I so glad that that has stopped and hopefully that will be the last of the sickness
i am so grateful for this post and to know you both are safely "next door" in china. after several international flights with kids, i am convinced there is one in every family that gets air sickness. sam wears that badge of honor in our family. hope you are both resting peacefully now. can hardly wait for the next post with sister vivi!
love and blessings from hong kong,
kim
So glad to hear you arrived safely, although sorry to hear about Asher getting sick. The first time I flew, my mom had to go up and down the aisle and ask people if they were using their barf bags. I can't even begin to tell you how many I went through. On the way home, my mom gave me Dramamine which knocked me out so badly that some stranger had to carry me off the plane. I was 15. :). I feel for Asher. And for you. I hope you can both get some rest today, before your big day. Woooooo hooooooo!!!!!!!
Oh my! I feel just awful for Asher! Then I feel just awful for you!! Then I start to think of the flight attendants and the bags!!! Thrilled that your are in Nanning and praying that you both get a good night's rest and God restores your body and mind for your Gotcha day! Praying for Vivi that God will heal her heart and that she will allow you to comfort her when she grieves! Can't wait to read your post and see pictures of your sweet Vivi! Stacy
Oh, poor Asher! I hope that he wakes up tomorrow (Today? Not sure of time difference…) feeling good as new – and ready to soak up every experience of this big adventure!
Can't wait until that "Gotcha" post!
Oh, I am hoping Asher feels much better now. Soon you will meet your precious new daughter! So excited for you.
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and soon to be home El
http://threefingerprintsofgod.blogspot.com
So glad you made it there. I'm sorry Asher got sick. Praying it will be smooth sailing from here.
Can't wait to see Vivi in your arms.
You are SO precious to post about that SILVER LINING!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are an amazing mother and I have goosebumps sitting here thinking of you with tears in my eyes – God will give you the continued strength that you need, like seeing that little girl won't be enough!!
Steph-
Poor Asher-I hope he is much better.. just another chapter for the adoption journey book for you-and you have some good ones.
Just wanted to say hello and I am so excited to be following another one of your journeys. I can't wait to see Viv on gotcha day!
Prayers and blessings,
Ann
Our Hannah puked the end of the trip….to china and back (be prepared) air sickness I guess, lack of sleep etc.
So glad to read that you made it safely. I remember our trip to pick up Vivi Claire….my oldest daughter, 13 at the time, could not get her ears to pop and she cried and cried for hours on that plane. It was the longest flight of my life. So glad to read that Asher is feeling better!! Can't wait to see Vivi in your arms 🙂
Stefanie, I earned that mommy badge two years ago when my husband and middle child boarded the plane from GA to CO and came down with a stomach virus as soon as we got on the plane! They both vomited and my four year old threw up more times than I could count while my one year old climbed on my head and the lady behind us layed hands on me and prayed for us. My husband was so weak he passed out 36,000 ft in the air! White as a ghost!
So my prayers are with you, especially as you journey home with that sweet baby Vivi! Keep Asher away from all stomach upsetting foods before that flight home!
Very excited to see you get Vivi and watch the bonding take place!
Blessings!
Robyn
Oh Stefanie – I'm so glad that you and Asher arrived safely! Asher is so brave and you are too. Hope you are both feeling more settled and are able to get some sleep.
Can wait to see Vivi!
Way to go – we're keeping you in our hearts and prayers!
hugs – aus and co.
So, so happy that you and Asher are there safely…and so, so sorry Asher had a rough end to the long flight! Something tells me that a little someone he will meet soon, will put those memories to the back of his mind!!!
Prayers continue for your trip!!
Blessings!!! Ashley
Glad you made it safely. Poor Asher. I know it's miserable being sick, but having to be sick in front of strangers, into a small bag (why aren't they bigger?). What a tough young man he is.
Praying for a smooth transition for your sweet Vivi.
My dad – a fighter pilot – once threw up for an entire flight from Cancun, Mexico to Washington, DC. Later we found out he had food poisoning. Tell Asher it happens to the best of them!
So excited for your day tomorrow, Stef. Lots of prayers going up.
Oh man…I feel bad for both of you. I get sick on planes, in cars, etc., and I know exactly how Asher felt. (I once got airsick on a flight with my 18 month old and was holding him in one hand and the vomit bag in the other–trying to hide it from my seat mates. GROSS) I hope everything goes better from here on out. Can't wait to read about Vivi day! 🙂
Oh my Stefanie! As I'm reading your post I waffle between laughing, crying, nodding my head in agreement, shaking my head in amazement…WOW.
You are right; It's all about perspective and it sounds like yours is right as it should be, sister!
We are praying for you all!
(Oh, and I have to add: We thought Continental was awesome too! AND, we had a 7 hour layover in the Beijing airport before flying to Candie's province. Wow, that one was H.A.R.D. I feel your pain; and I feel your joy at all the blessings too!)
Sending BIG Alabama hugs!
I am so glad you made it safely to China despite the lil hiccups along the way! Both of our teenagers got sick on our China trip, but that was small in comparison to all the exciting things we did & saw while we were there! Praying that tomorrow is awesome, God-filled & hiccup free!
Bless that boy's heart (and yours) I SO know how he feels….just as you approach Beijing…I too used to the barf bag…and proceeded to puke in the Beijing airport! (thankfully in the restroom!) I feel so horrible for you guys! BUT YOU ARE THERE SAFE AND SOUND!! And "Vivi Day" is just a matter of hours away!
We love you and will continue to pray over you!
OH my" I was going to say how I loved flying continetal food and everything…but then I got to the rest of your post and the food didn't sound all that good anymore. Poor Asher! We flew 4 kids over and 5 home…oh that could have been us!
Glad you are staying put for a few days. Enjoy!
Can you get some Dramamine in Nanning? I couldn't do China without the Transderm patch. I was a different person. Poor Asher! Wonderful you're there. Blow Nanning a kiss for me and Grace. Can't wait to see Miss Vivienne!
Leigh
So excited for you! 🙂 And I love this post! YES you have much to be thankful for 🙂 Can't wait to hear about tomorow and see pics and all 🙂
Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
http://www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com
Well that would not be the flight that any mother would want…so glad that you are there safe and sound. So excited to see little Vivienne in your arms!!!!!
So happy you are there safe and sound. Poor Asher and poor Mama. At least if it was any type of bug he got rid of it quickly and in time to meet Vivi! Can't wait to check first thing in the morning and see her in your arms!
Blessings,
Amy
I'm so glad Asher is feeling better. I know just how he felt. I got sick on our last trip to China from turbulence. We had 5 suitcases and a 4 year old and 5 year old with us. Thank God for 6 hour lay overs. Lifting you and your family up from GA.
Machell
Oh poor Asher. I will say that our son had the same issue flying to China on our second trip. We decided he played too many video games and didn't drink enough water. On the way home, he limited his video watching/playing, drank water whenever it was offered, and slept as much as possible.
Oh my goodness. I just read this! Bless you Asher!!!
Today is your day!!! What you endured on that plane trip will all be worth it when you get the first sweet smile form your new little sister!!!
She is going to LOVE you!!!!
Blessings,
Diana
Oh Boy! What a flight…I'm so sorry to hear that Asher got so sick…and so sorry for you too…that is ROUGH!!
Praying that is all behind you know as you make your way to your sweet Vivi!!
Your THERE!!! HOORAY!!!!
OK, I missed this post somehow???
I HATE THROW UP. Enough said.
Do you have motion sickness pills and/or drops? Might help for the flight home. Bonine I think is what it is called. We ALWAYS take these before flights. ALWAYS.
I thought I would lose it on the flight from Beijing to Kunming as it was like being in a sardine can full of cigarette smoke with NO AIR and we were doing loop-di-loops (or so it felt).
I think The Prez finally knocked me upside the head (not really but I wouldn't have blamed him) as I was whining and holding my "clean bag" and telling him I was suffocating all at the same time. And I wanted him to fix it all. At 30,000 feet. :)))) I'm not usually high maintenance (well maybe sometimes) but not usually that bad.
VIVI IS JUST SO BEAUTIFUL!!! And you are so blessed!!! I am so thankful you and Asher are getting to have this time together. What a great gift for you both and Miss Vivi too!