Denver Visit Recap

It started with parking at the airport. John Wayne airport is like a long hallway and the parking is just across the street. Except when you fly during a busy time of year, then parking is several blocks away down the street and you have to take a shuttle to the airport. Great…just what we needed. Two toddlers who are cranky, two carseats, two suitcases, two diaper bags, a double stroller, getting out of the car, on the shuttle, off the shuttle and in line for the check in.

Then our flight was delayed 1.5 hours for some unknown reason. This means a long wait in line with two impatient, hungry, tired toddlers who want to run around and explore. We fed them all their snacks (no food available until you get on the other side of security), then pulled them out of the stroller and let them run free in a relatively contained area. I attempted to chase two toddlers in opposite directions, carefully choosing who to go after first based on who was in the most dangerous situation while Chris stood in line with all our stuff.

We got checked in managed somehow to get through the security line with crying toddlers who were not happy about being tied down in their stroller, only to be un-strapped, then strapped in again, and finally un-strapped and forced to sit on our laps for 2+ hours.

Neither of them slept on the plane and both ate continuously. The toys were boring but the peek-a-boo lady behind us kept the entertainment up for at least half the flight. By the time we got to Denver it was already bedtime. After getting our stuff, loading on yet another shuttle to get a rental car and then driving to Mikael and Che’s, we were all exhausted. The kids went to bed 2 hours later than normal and were VERY cranky.

We all slept in the same room the first night and every time either child moved or if we rolled over, everyone woke up. Then we had to get up at 6:00 (2 hours earlier than normal) to get ready for court. Both babies catnapped in the car on the way to and from court.We rushed around and got to court (after a stop at Starbucks) on time, only to wait 20 minutes before going in.  

Cooper played by the drinking fountain:

While Charlotte kept everyone entertained:

Court was amazing! It was wonderful to share the experience with friends and family. Cooper tried to crawl on the table the entire time and Charlotte was yelling so loud we had to ask the judge to repeat the questions! Of course snacks fixes any problem for Charlotte, so she was great after getting food. The judge was so sweet and we felt overwhelmed with joy to hear that she is entitled to all the benefits of a biological child and that her new name is Charlotte Rai Derichsweiler!!

The remainder of the visit in Denver was also great. It helped that we moved Charlotte out of the room and everyone slept much better (Cooper is used to our noises, but not used to Charlotte getting up and yelling ‘Cooter!’ at him).

Grandpa came and visited the kids on Wednesday and then we went to dinner with Mikael and Che for a celebration and afterwards played near the water fountain. Thursday included some errands and then time with Grandma Anita (my mom), Auntie Savannah (my sister) and Charlotte’s birth mother (my sister). This visit went really well and so much better than I expected. I hope Charlotte has an opportunity to have a healthy relationship with her birth mother for many years to come.

(Me, Charlotte and Angel, Charlotte's birth mother)

Auntie Savannah, Charlotte and Grandma Anita

Friday included some errands to prepare for the celebration on Saturday and then dinner with the Hilgers’ family. I honestly don’t remember my two every being as tiny as Ryan! She is a little doll and becoming so expressive now! Dinner was fantastic and it was great to share a glass of wine and cook together.

Even Charlotte and Cooper enjoyed dinner:

Saturday was the big party day. Charlotte woke up not feeling well and running a fever, but a little Tylenol went a long way. My sister Lisa made all the food, and oh my gosh it was all amazing!!! I think she would be an amazing caterer! I let her have free reign to cook what she wanted and she had the best ideas that turned out amazing. Everyone commented on how great the food was.

It was so nice of Mikael and Che to let us have it at their house…it is a perfect set-up for entertaining! We had the best time at the party and it was exactly what we wanted. Thank you to everyone for coming and for helping us put it all together!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Charlotte seems to warm up to males faster than females.  Here she is with cousin Lane, who was learning that toddlers are a bit squirmy (Uncle Mike helped and cousin Hayley watched):

Grandpa Larry had a lot of fun with the kids, although Charlotte was a little unsure with his big beard:

Cooper telling Grandpa to get something for him (I think that's what the pointing meant):

We got to visit with lots of friends and family.  My friend Raeann:

Mikael's family (here's 'Nana' and 'cousin' Justin):

'Grandpa' and Mikael and Che: 

'Aunt' Nicole and 'Uncle' Lonnie:

All while the kids had fun:

We left early Sunday morning and had a wonderfully uneventful   flight home. Except when Cooper puked all over me at the end of the flight. By the time we got home it was obvious Cooper wasn’t feeling 100%. By the following day we both weren’t feeling well. The last few days haven’t been fun with being a little under the weather but we are all feeling much better now.

Now we are packing so we can move on the 10th...we are so excited to move in our new place since we got that 4 bed/3 bath place around the corner!  It will be so much better for us!!