Bedside Bloggin' Back On!

Moving was and still is exhausting! During the run-up to the BIG MOVE, Ryan and I had been comforting ourselves by saying "once we get on the plane, the hard work will be over..." Well, weren't we a little deluded in our self-talk! We had 7 checked bags and 4 carry-ons, plus a stroller - and Burl and Ivo. This would have been do-able if some of us pitched in and carried their weight - I'm looking at you, Ivo and Burl!

Let's just say this, even though it offers shuttle service from the train station to the airport, do not expect Taiwan's High Speed Rail stations to have carts available. Neither are there porters. Our friend Nick was just returning from Taipei and he tried to help us but the HSR staff - seeing our pathetic and impossible situation - wouldn't let him. The staff must be carefully instructed NOT to help women and children and that under no circumstances should an employee of THSR tap into his/her humanity and carry a passenger's bag. An agent told us that, "Carts were unsuitable for train stations." We ended up taking 2 cabs up to the airport.

The trip was SO LONG - 44 hours give or take. Burl and Ivo were EXCELLENT - they slept during most of each flight - in fact, their eyes closed simultaneously just after take-off on all three legs of our journey. However, we could have used a sheepdog to corral them in during our waits at the airports and the boys were a little ungainly- like lumpy moving luggage - during line-standing. We endured several delays, including being detained at immigration for 2-1/2 hours and missing a connecting flight due to a delay out of Vancouver.

But YAY! We arrived in Fredericton after 1am on Wednesday 7/9. Home by 3am. In bed by... 6am.

Ivo and Burl are serious about their jet lag! Up at 3am every day but today...

It is now just about 4:30am on Tuesday and everyone is sleeping - except me - that's a big improvement! -I spoke too soon, Burl's up!

Here are a few pics from the plane. Ivo's hair went completely straight on the first plane! He's since had a haircut.

And some of the best shots so far...

Pics from our pre-dawn walks - we've been up before the cows!

I'm surprised it took me so long to post. Even with all the wonderful Doug and Gail support, I just couldn't find time or energy to blog or use the computer at all. We're all adjusting and I'm looking forward to a little routine - like day/night differentiation! The first few days, Ivo asked, "What is dis, bweakfast?" at evening meals.

And before I forget, Burl has really leapt forward in his communication and personality (not that he wasn't charming before)! It's almost like his Taiwan environs were too small spaces for him in and now he's got ROOM to grow and kick his development into overdrive! He's opening doors, wagging his finger and saying a perfect "NO." He spends at least half his day outside in grass and the sandbox Grampie Doug made... Sooo great:)

Fishing with (same-aged) cousins Landon and Eric!!!

More soon. Including details on our most excellent living quarters!

As ever, click on pics to see a bigger version.