U.S. Immigration/Customs/Travel Vent - Boy was that fun.

ashtonsmama wrote: We're home from Italy, as most of you know, and recovering pretty nicely, Ryan is sick with a pretty nasty flu that I'm begging the Lord we don't catch, and poor guy had some huge work commitments that he had to keep, so he's been back at work since Thursday, we got home around 12 PM Wednesday night.

Wednesday was SUCH a long day.

For some reason, the flight there seemed alot shorter, even though coming back it only took about an hour longer, 10 1/2 hours total from Rome to Chicago...and then about 4 1/2 hours from Chicago to Los Angeles. It was just really stressful, trying to keep a teething baby happy (I'm almost positive that's what it is, I see some white poking through), trying to get through so many lines, dealing with tons of rude and upset people in the airport and on the planes, dealing with sinus pressure, a cranky and sick husband, an airline mixup, and almost missing a plane...

I'm just amazed and happy we made it home to CA. What happened on Wednesday was that we reached Chicago, it was about 3 PM their time, and about 10 PM our time (in Italy), so we were all tired anyways, then we get off the plane in Chicago and take a look at the lines for Immigration and Customs, which was utterly ridiculous, and there were also those incidents of that lady trying to fly to D.C. with "bomb-making supplies" or whatnot...so security is already tight, it took us literally 1 hr. 40 minutes standing in the Immigrations lines, then we had to go to the Baggage Claim, re-claim our luggage, which consisted of the stroller, the car seat, and 4 large suitcases, then we had to stand in another line to get through Customs, write out all these forms on what we were declaring, get asked a bunch of questions, get patted down, by this time we were all starving, Ashton was screaming, and our next flight to LAX was already boarding. We had to re-check our luggage, take a subway to the next Domestic terminal where our flight took off, run to the gate, and convince the lady working it to let us on, even though they were almost about to close the door.

We finally made it to the plane, they served us some really crap food, and we all fell asleep (after I thoroughly emptied my boobs of all available milk for my son, thank you very much, I was feeling slightly engorged by then)...and he was already screaming during take-off, which was great, made us a ton of friends, and they wouldn't let me nurse him during take-off...

ANYWAYS.

Sorry to vent so much, I sincerely hope no one read all of that, I'm sorry if you did.

It was just a super stressful day.

Some of our stuff is still in suitcases, I'm supposed to be unpacking it all and washing all our clothes in a bit...so I better hop to it.

Thanks for letting me vent--and I just wanted to say a huge CONGRATS again to J-Rod and Steph on Baby Kyan's birth, and the same to Lisa on her surprise Baby Jonathan!!!

Hope everyone is doing really well, and I hope to be back in full PC force soon.
I've missed you guys!

CantWait replied: Welcome Home!!! I totally forgot about the extra security. Glad you didn't have to much trouble. Can't wait to see pics. *hint hint*

Bee_Kay replied: Welcome Home Amanda!!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: Sorry about the troubles with everything.

Welcome back to the States! Look forward to seeing more pics.

And many get well wishes for your DH.

ashtonsmama replied: Thanks ladies, I'm glad to be home finally, even though we all miss Italy (at least Ryan & I do, not sure about baby)!

And on the pics, I have about 200, I'm surprised I didn't take more, but I've been a little hesitant to post new pics lately because of an incident at another site involving trolls, etc.
So bear with me please!

I do have tons of buildings and gorgeous scenery, but I'm guessing the ones you all really want are the pics of my baby!

I'll try to get some up soon, maybe I can have the mods remove them after a day or something for my own comfort?

We'll see. But hang in there!

I'm glad to be back.

huggybugboy replied: sorry about the long stressful trip home. Why the HECK didnt they let you nurse him during take off??? Thats supposed to really help with the ears and everything!

CantWait replied:
You can always go back and edit your post and remove them, but whatever you're comfortable with, I can totally see why you wouldn't want to.

Brias3 replied: Have to say I cringed when I heard of the incident in London last week, knowing you guys were going to be flying home out of Europe soon after. Did you guys fly out of Leonardo da Vinci? As it stands, that airport is a treat on its own, not even mentioning the extra security

Sorry you had a less than desirable journey home. Glad to hear you made it safely (out of Fiumicino to start with! ) home and we've missed you! Tell Ryan to feel better soon and hoping little A's teeth stop bothering him

ashtonsmama replied:
They told me he had to be upright and sitting in my lap, not laying down.

I snuck a little milk in him though during take off. I couldn't believe they said that though...

ashtonsmama replied:
Thanks Marie. I figured that would be possible, I just know that after 30 minutes or so I think the post becomes un-editable. If that's a word.

ashtonsmama replied:
Thanks Bria. We actually did fly out of Fiumicino, which I guess IS the same as Leonardo Da Vinci?!?
I don't know, Italians make it so confusing. I saw the sign for FCO and then the sign for Leonardo Da Vinci...

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Wow what an ordeal! I'm glad you made it home safe and sound!

7thHeaven replied: Wow! I'm sorry you guys had to go through all of that. Glad that you guys made it back home safely!

ashtonsmama replied:
Me too. It's been a long week.