Home in Castro Valley

The trip home from China wasn't easy just because it's such a long flight, but thanks to Elise's planning and insistence at the ticket counter, we got one of the only bassinets available on our China Southern flight from Guangzhou to Los Angeles. Leslie was able to sleep most of the twelve hours of our night flight, which was her normal sleeping time anyway. If you're planning to adopt from China, don't forget the bassinet on your way home!


After our long flight across the Pacific, we spent a night at a Travel Lodge near LAX and then went to Denny's the following morning. Here's the newest U.S. citizen enjoying her first visit to Denny's! (No, we didn't order her a Grand Slam or anything like that, don't worry.)

Together with Leslie's new grandpa, our friends Kahn and Veronica welcomed Leslie to her new home with colorful balloons and a banner. We had made it all the way home from Guangzhou, driving up the I-5 from L.A. after staying the night there. (Leslie adjusted pretty easily to her car seat. She had never used one in China, where babies are carried in the car on laps.)

And here's Leslie, sleeping off the jet lag in a beautiful crib from our neighbors Amy and Ed.