Our trip home: Otherwise known as how Hello Kitty saved the day

We're home! Before I tell you about our trip, I'll share some more photos of the performing arts school on our last day. Willa got a HUGE smile on her face when the yo-yo performers appeared, and they brought me on stage where I learned how to do it as well!




We were really dreading the trip home, I must say. We got a late check out of our hotel but it still left us with over six hours in the Taipei airport before our first flight. And the moment we stepped in the airport door Willa started screaming non-stop. We still had over thirty hours of travel time and we thought, how on earth will we all do this?

Then, we found the perfect oasis - the Hello Kitty Nursery in the Taipei airport. It gets you away from all the hustle and bustle and various glares of condemnation of other travelers, is comfortable, provides hot water, and had bright designs that Willa loved, including hot pink leather sofas! We camped out there for about six hours.



We finally boarded our plane, all nerves. For the first 11 hour flight, Willa could not have been more perfect!! We flew EVA Air and got a seat with a bassinette in front of it. As Willa refused to sleep anywhere but on us, I thought it was going to go unused. I was wrong! She slept in it for about four hours! She slept on me for about three hours and she only fussed about five minutes during the whole flight! Amazing!

We then had a layover at the San Francisco airport and eventually boarded the red-eye for Minneapolis. We were exhausted by this point and worried that this flight wouldn't go as well because it would be daytime for her. And every seat of the flight was packed with business people wanting to sleep. We were surprised that she slept for about half of the three-plus hours. She was fussier on this one but still did really well!

Jia was very excited to meet Willa. I don't think I've ever seen her more tender and gentle. It was heart-melting. She also wanted to do everything Willa did. When Willa got a bottle, Jia also wanted a bottle of chocolate milk. When Willa was in the carrier, Jia wanted to be there too. When I was singing a lullaby to get Willa to fall asleep, Jia was there singing her heart out as well!

We finally got Willa to nap somewhere other than on us! Although I admire those who can successfully co-sleep, there was no sleeping on my part when Willa slept with us in Taiwan. She kicks so much that she actually rubbed all the skin off her little toe! Poor thing!





Facts about Willa:

When she's happy (or sleeping), she kicks her legs all over the place.
No one can make her smile better than big sister.
Her preferred place to sleep is in our arms.
She likes the bath!
When she fusses, she says "N" as in the letter, like "ennnnn." In fact, we called her Miss N in Taipei.
She loves shiny wrappers and looks at them like she's never seen anything so beautiful.
Everything goes in her mouth.
We love her!!!