Thursday, October 18, 2012

Getting Used to My New Normal


The kids have been home for 11 days.... and it blows my mind how much my life - our lives - have changed in this short time frame. They have been, for the most part, absolutely amazing. I can't believe how they have handled this transition.

On October 6th, we carried them on a plane (with the help of their two brave aunts) and flew them to the other side of the world -- to a place completely new and utterly different. If I was them, I would've been freaking out.

There was minimal crying on the plane. I am telling you little angels. Although after 20 + hours  on Ethiopian Air's new Dreamliner (which is not that dreamy!) we finally made it to Dulles Airport where they all decided to  have a meltdown in the security line. Screaming bloody murder at the top of their lungs. You can't blame them. Me, Ken, Aimee (my sister) and Wendy (Ken's sister) all started to have a slight meltdown at that point as well. Sleep deprivation can do some crazy things to your body and mind. We were all laughing and crying at the same time!

Fast-forward to today - I am still sleep deprived. I haven't taken a shower since Tuesday and I barely managed to peel off my barf-soaked Red Sox shirt (thanks to Nola Grace) and jeans before crawling into bed last night.

But I wouldn't change one minute or one second of my new normal. It's everything I've been dreaming about and more. After all, who wouldn't be happy to wake up to these little face every morning.

p.s. more to come on our trip, the birth family visit and a must-have packing list for people traveling to pick up their kiddos in Ethiopia. 
Attie my wild man. (although he looks pretty tame here!)

Emerson my big guy!

Nola Grace my sweet pea.





16 comments:

  1. Your kiddos are precious! One of my sons had an epic meltdown at the security line. I still remember all the Ethiopians in the line next to us staring. Not great adoption PR! I then had a meltdown on the other side of the security line, away from other eyes.

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    1. Thanks so much. The kiddos are pretty cute if I do say so myself. Glad we're not the only parents to have a meltdown in the security line. It was one of the longest days in recent memory - not b/c of them - but b/c the flight was so damn long... and the delays! Looking forward to reading your blog!

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  2. The guy in the customs line was so sick of hearing our kids scream that he told us to go ahead and had our friend stay back with the paperwork. That's right...he didn't even speak to the new adoptive parents, just our friend who traveled with us. My husband counts it as the single worst hour of his life.

    The kids are adorable. Hope you get a shower soon!

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  3. They are beautiful! And I am so happy to hear how well you and the kids are dealing with this huge transition. You're the best. Congratulations to you and Ken. Can't wait to hear more stories. Love you!
    Mimi

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    1. Mimi! Can't wait for the Shrew Crew to meet them in person! love you guys.

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  4. They are so cute! I'm glad your new normal is shaping up pretty well. We had a sleeping angel in the immigration line... and a baby screaming bloody murder for hours on end on the plane. I had a meltdown in the bathroom while C had her for a minute. That exhaustion is nothing to be messed with!

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    1. We had the opposite... like I said - angels on the plane - and screaming eagles in the security line. And you are so right - exhaustion is nothing to be messed with on the baby side or the parent side. I try to take my naps when they are napping!

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  5. Absolutely adorable!!! My trio is almost 18 months & I consider myself luck if I get a shower every other day, lol...

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  6. I had forgotten that one of mine did this as well. The guy looked at him and said in an annoyed voice, "Come on, it's not that bad." He wasn't too happy with me when I calmly responded with, "I guess when you are a toddler and you fly around the world, it must be this bad." Hopefully they were all nice to you since they had already seen us.ha! --Elaine

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  7. The triplets are adorable! It was great meeting you and your family in Ethiopia. I have been I contact with a family that is adopting an older child from the same region as your babies. She would like to talk to someone who is familiar with that region. Will you email me your email address at fraleykatie@yahoo.com so I can connect you to this family.

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    1. Katie -
      I tried to comment on your blog after we got back to drop you a note - but the computer kept rejecting me when I typed in that "password" thing. Anyway -so glad you are home and doing well. Ken and I would love to talk to the family traveling to Benishangul. He had an amazing experience. I will reach out to you asap!

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  8. Hi Karlie
    Welcome home! I hope you are doing ok after this storm and Hurricane Sandy. We are thinking about you! We are out here on the other side of the country (Bellingham, WA) remembering our journey home from Ethiopia with our twins. WHAT an adventure. Remember I am out here supporting you! (We mothers of multiples have to stick together!) :) SO happy that your sweet family is home! The real adventure of course, is only beginning!

    Warmly
    Vicki
    360 305 2868
    rossvix@comcast.net

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    1. Vicki -
      Thanks for checking in. Fortunately - we were one of the lucky ones who did not lose power due to Sandy. I can only imagine how crazy my life would've been with triplets and no power for 7 days! Yikes. When did you get home from ET with your twins?
      Talk soon -
      Karlie

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