We're home!

OK... no pix this time. Tough to do a photo shoot on a 14.5-hour flight when baby Tenley was most of the time completely inconsolable. She is one sick little girl and the flight was really rough for her. Sick, you say? Avian flu? SARS? No. I'm afraid her illness came straight from our family. As a matter of fact, health of our family was the most often mentioned concern when we announced our plans to travel to China. And there we were, hacking and spitting our American-acquired germs all over mainland China and Hong Kong. We just made it under the wire upon arrival into China where body temps are scanned at security. We were all fine then. Shortly thereafter, I was the first to fall with a nasty, lingering (just ask Jessi) sinus infection that started in Bethlehem. Then Ryan got what I had, then Hans got a stomach virus, then Tenley got what Ryan had. Now Jessi is sick. On several occasions, we saw Chinese people with surgical masks walking around in public places. Old thinking: How wonderful. They're sick and don't want to infect anyone else. New thinking: Those filthy Americans are among us! Can't believe we made it back. Can't believe a plane can stay up in the air that long. I know, I know. The physics of it all. But still. C'mon. It's virtually impossible. Overall it was a smooth flight, save the landing in 35 mph winds. A little rocky. (Not as bad as that flight to Guangzhou, though.) Customs was a breeze and my Dad picked us up in our van. Tenley has an appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow. We'll try to knock this upper respiratory garbage out once and for all. Until then, we're enjoying balloons, food, flowers and gifts from family and friends. We're so very thankful. I guess this could be the end of the blog, but we'll probably continue updating on Tenley's transition into our home and family. Casey already got her licks in. Tenley was not amused. Signing off for now. It's 10:00 a.m. for us...been up all night, It's 9:00 p.m. East Coast time. Can I go to bed now? d