Back to Oki

Well, Quinn and I made the long journey back to Okinawa last Thursday!  We took off from Edmonton around 12:00 noon on Wednesday and arrived in Okinawa Thursday evening at 8:50pm!  The Hoden clan helped me check in my luggage at the Edmonton airport, which was a great help.  I had the big BOB stroller, a carseat, suitcase, and a pack 'n play.  Glad they were able to come help and say our goodbyes at the airport, although those "goodbye's" are never fun.

The trip started with a fast entrance into the security line.  When you're a single parent carrying an infant, you get a whole lot of help!  This held true the entire way to Japan (more on that...)
So as I was waiting to put my bags on the belt to be scanned, a kind gentleman took my bag from me and pushed it through.  He asked a million questions about my travel ahead... did Quinn have the appropriate shots, was I planning to nurse on flight (weird question I thought!), was my tetanus updated, etc.  Turns out he was a pediatrician in Canada with small kids of his own.  He was giving me all sorts of tips for the journey ahead.  I thought this was a good sign to start off the 20 hour travel day :)

So we arrived in Calgary just an hour later.  Calgary is a 2.5 hour drive from Edmonton so the flight was a whopping 35 minutes long.  That was awesome.  Quinn slept most of the way so I was able to relax a little bit.  When we got to Calgary, I strapped on my K'tan (baby wearing) and made my way to A20 gate for my 10 hour 40 minute flight to Tokyo.  My only anxiety for this trip was, of course, how Quinn would do - and just praying that she wouldn't have an outburst of tears and wake up every passenger on board.  Well, she didn't.  If she woke anyone up it was because of her LOUD talking she was doing!  Quinn was an absolute rockstar.  We flew Air Canada to Tokyo as well and the best part is that we got a whole row to ourselves! (Air Canada is my new favorite airline).  My mom and I spent many nights talking about what would be best to bring on flight for Quinn and decided on a memory foam pillow which THANKFULLY we brought!  She never did sleep on it, but she spent about 3-4 hours on flight laying on it, talking, playing, etc.  It was a lifesaver when I needed both my hands whether that was to eat, get something out of my backpack, or just a break!

We made it to Tokyo and boy was I tired.  I think I slept maybe 20minutes on the long flight and now I had to get all my luggage, go through customs, and do all that annoying stuff.  Well, like I said - when you're a single parent carrying an infant child - PEOPLE HELP!  Someone at the Tokyo airport helped me put all my bags on a cart.  I was wearing Quinn at the time and although I probably could have gotten it all on the cart, it would have been tough not having the help.  I was very thankful...When I asked the gentleman who helped me (he was Japanese and didn't speak english) if ANA (my airline to get to Okinawa) was "this way" or "that way"  he thought I was asking him to wheel all my stuff TO the ANA counter.  OOPS!!!  So he did.  I felt bad, but I decided to just continue to be thankful.  Besides, I was dead tired.  Checked in on the ANA flight, sat at the gate for 2 hours -and boarded!  This flight was a little under 3 hours and again, we had our own row!  Quinn slept for the whole flight in my arms (where she would sleep on every flight)...

Our arrival to Okinawa was pretty awesome.  I was beyond excited to see Tony and have Tony see us.  I knew he would be so surprised at how big Quinn was!  That he was! :) A lot happens from 5weeks to 11weeks!!! No one is allowed through the glass door to the baggage claim so Tony asked the guy working if I could just hand Quinn to him through the door quick so I could get all the luggage ..baby-free.  That was actually a nice 20 minute break :) I couldn't help by to stare back at Tony holding Quinn the whole time.
An hour drive back home and here we are 4 days later.  Home sweet home.

Edmonton to Calgary flight.  Happy girl!!!!

Sleepy girl :)

Calgary to Tokyo!  She had room to kick, turn, and roll! :)

I turned this monitor on about 10 times during flight.  The time went by fast!  You can see where we are and the direction we went.  

Watching the beverage cart.  The flight attendants loved her :)

Watching a little TV.  This was a perfect "I don't know what to do with you for 20mns" activity.

My luggage in the Tokyo airport.  I was at the ANA counter at this point.

ANA counter still.  Her body time at this point was 3am :( poor girl.

Slight smile in her sleep because in just 30 minutes we were going to see DAD!!!