Exactly one week ago, I called Duane and uttered those three long awaited words:
We're Coming Home.
For the next 6 days, we worked both DST and EST, coordinating with India and the U.S. to ensure the safe arrival of Master Cheeks.
We secured him a bed in the NICU in one of the best hospitals in the world.
We packed (or at least started to until we ran out of suitcases)
We got the babies' exit visas
And, of course, we donned our best sparkle for a farewell dinner with our incredible family of IPs.
Only none of it mattered.
... because we're not coming home.
And while I'm not able to share much about anything at the moment, please know that we continue to appreciate the prayers and good wishes that we will somehow find a way to get these children home.
And in the meantime, enjoy the pictures...
We're Coming Home.
For the next 6 days, we worked both DST and EST, coordinating with India and the U.S. to ensure the safe arrival of Master Cheeks.
We secured him a bed in the NICU in one of the best hospitals in the world.
We packed (or at least started to until we ran out of suitcases)
We got the babies' exit visas
And, of course, we donned our best sparkle for a farewell dinner with our incredible family of IPs.
Only none of it mattered.
... because we're not coming home.
And while I'm not able to share much about anything at the moment, please know that we continue to appreciate the prayers and good wishes that we will somehow find a way to get these children home.
And in the meantime, enjoy the pictures...
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| Princess gifts The Cheeks with his very first Rakhi bracelet |
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| We return to Bangla Sahib-- our favorite place to pray. |
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| Shopping for rice cereal. (Princess does not eat processed food.) |
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| Princess' first foray with the rice. |
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| The Cheeks' first foray with clothing. |
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| Hard to believe he could get any cuter. |
 |
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| The Cheeks moves into Mommy and the Princess' neighborhood. |
Oh how my heart went from feeling so full, to having the bottom dropped out. Bernadette, I have an immense amount of respect for you, the journey your have been on and the struggles you continue to face. Your strength is indescribable. And inspiring.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us are sending thoughts, prayers and positive energy your way.
XO
Continued prayers coming towards you and your dynamic duo. Soon! Soon! Soon!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I got so excited! Well, still glad Cheeks is doing good. The day WILL come! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteWe are keeping you in our thoughts and eagerly await news of your family reunion stateside.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
KJ+B
Oh, no! I keep hoping I'll see an update on here that you're headed home! I can't even imagine how hard this must be for you and Duane. I hope the prayers at Bangla Sahib are answered and all of you get home safely, soon.
ReplyDeleteHang in there guys . . . thinking of you constantly. If there's anything I can do, of course let me know.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Oh Bern!! I just knew you would be on your way home by now!!! Just keep on keeping on...as the song says...dang girl...hang in there!! As always, thinking of you guys and praying for you all...Hang in there!!!!! Kiss the cheeks and the princess!! And might I add, loving the Indian attire!!! Tell your baby nurse hello for me!! Just think...you are closer than you have been so far!!!
ReplyDeleteOoooh Good Luck!! I hope all goes well with the journey home and I can't wait to read all about your US adventures now!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your sweet family xx
ReplyDeleteHuge letdown that you 3 did not get to travel on airplane yet. Must have been and be so hard. Lots and LOTS of people's best wishes are with you on this matter.
ReplyDeleteVery glad Mr. Cheeks now gets clothes, love token from Princess and... his new chapeau in a 'mommy and princess's neighborhood'.... I hope, with non-jinxing hope, that this means he is now back living with his sister....and is released from hospital care??!! Fingers crossed. Soon, hopefully, Daddy can hold all three of his best beloveds in his arms as well as his heart.
No plane on top of the electricity going out. Not fun. Yet you still are showing a positive outlook. Such an impressive mommy!!!
old ca grandmother
P.S. Loss of Mr. Cheeks' adhesive mustache looks good! Now to dismiss the adhesive soul patch...
ReplyDeleteThat will be such a joy to see.
Prayers..... OCG.
oh man...I was so excited for you and then so bummed for you. I can't imagine how you must feel :( I'm so sorry you can't come home yet
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine the roller coaster of emotions that you're going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you're family.
ReplyDeleteIt sounded like it was happening. What the heck??? On the other hand, it sounds/looks like Hayden is somewhere other than DNB now so I'm hoping that your commute to visit is majorly shortened! Here's hoping that the "We're Home" post is soon to follow!!!
ReplyDeleteBernadette, sending you my thoughts , prayers and wishes that this is only a minor setback for you and those words I am going home will be replaced soon with "we're home we're home". Take care of you and your beautiful children
ReplyDeleteI was instantly teary eyed with joy with the picture of you holding up their exit visas and the immediately bummed out to read the change in plans. Hayden looks like he is finally packing on some weight somewhere other than his cheeks, so that's good news. And I am sure he is going to turn into a little chubster once mommy gets ahold of him fulltime! Hang in there guys!
ReplyDeleteThe elation on your face....holding those precious exit visas...oh man - even the suitcases look like enormous grins!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear those plans were thwarted but hope everything is ok with Master Cheeks. Oh for a magic wand.
We are sending good thoughts your way from Australia! I know you will be happy to be home soon
ReplyDeleteOh my stars, I am hoping with all my hope that you get those two babies & yourself home so very soon....I check your blog so often to see how you are going, I only wish that I was a really wealthy person & had a private plane to send to you to get you all home safely. From Sydney Australia please know that all my friends have you in their heart & prayers to get you home safe with the babies....God knows you have been through so much.
ReplyDeleteArrrrggghhh Bernadette, Im praying for Hayden. There seems to be roadblocks everywhere you turn. You don't have to share any details with us we just want good health for your beautiful little man and the same for Scarlett and yourself so you can be reunited with the rest of your family. Email me if there is anything, no matter how small to help. Praying you find a way to get through, around or under those roadblocks. Best wishes always.
ReplyDeleteYou are so close now. Sending lots of positive vibes for a safe trip back the states. It must be a relief to have Hayden in your neighborhood and he long trips to Delhi newborn are over.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are ok hun and had abetter day today!!
ReplyDeleteHope Hayden has settled in at the new hospital!!
Thinking of you all!!
I think about you all often!! I was so happy to start reading your post-and then so sad! I'll continue to pray for you guys :)
ReplyDeleteThank God you have incredible endurance...whatever it takes...
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the postponement of your travel plans. Best wishes that a new plan will come together quickly. K&J
ReplyDeleteUgh! I open the blogs every day hoping to see a photo of you, kids and hubby standing in your own kitchen. The caption will read - 'Home at Last". I know it is coming even though it probably does not feel like it. You are the epitome of motherhood - a warrior mom that will travel around the world and do whatever it takes for her children. Keep the faith and know that we are all thinking of you and sending best wishes for a safe return - soon!
ReplyDeleteOh boy H. is so cute in his little outfit. Hope daddy gets to hold him very soon. All the best to you and your two cuties.
ReplyDeleteKathrin
My fingers are crossed so very hard for you, Bernadette. Even though I dream of and am so curious to stay in India for a longer time, I understand how frustrating and hard it must be for you. Being there all alone without your husband and with one child in the hospital must feel as not being a whole person. You are so strong and beautiful. Of course you are going to make it back very soon, of course everything will be fine soon. I hope soon is very soon! Wiking hugs from Sweden!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry sweetie. You have such strength and courage. You are such an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteYour family is in our thoughts and I am hoping for a trip home soon for all of you.