Welcome Home...

We arrived home tired, but safe, on Friday, September 7th.

Here is Eric at Narita Airport in Tokyo and you can see below how much luggage we had.

The 11.5 hour flight to Chicago went mostly well.  Taka slept soundly at the beginning and the end but there were a couple of hours in the middle that he was pretty fussy. We tried everything and finally landed on a selection of jazz from the headphones that chilled Taka out. 

Obviously...he is a pretty cool dude.

We had a welcome home entourage when we got off the plane.  Robin, mom and Roger, Eric's dad and, the biggest surprise, my 10-year-old nephew, Nathan, were there to meet Taka and give us hugs!

Robin, Nathan and Roger had to go home but mom and John came home with us.  Once we got home, baths were a must and Taka was first. Here he is loving his bath time!

And, Taka has had more visitors, too!  Here's Parker and JJ each getting their turn holding Taka.  They are going to be such good friends growing up together.

The Kansas City Pabens and Takahiro!

Kristy, also known as "Aunt Krizzel" also stopped by to give Taka hugs.

At church, Taka got to meet the Thomas clan, too.  James and Taka are only 5 months apart.

Mindy and Taka at our first lunch outing...of course it was the Blue Moose!

Taka snuggling up with Grandma Marcia!

And asleep on papa once again.

Taka holding on to Papa's thumb.

Our friends, Laura and Becca, brought over pizza and beer for a nice dinner outside.

It hasn't been all fun and games.  In fact, we've all had a little jet lag to get over.  

But, we've had some fun, too!

Greta has her arm on Eric as if to say, "This is my dad, too"

Taka loves his Papa!

Overall, we are adjusting well. With jet lag and "Taka Time" we have been pretty tired but it's been great to have Grandma Marcia and Papa's help. We are trying to find our new schedule at home which will come. The cooler weather has made everything so nice that its been great just to be home.

Now, if we could just get as much sleep as Taka. ;)