We have moved in and have internet!

Now the blow by blow.

Everything started out very well with a nice breakfast at my in-laws and then we headed to the new Indianapolis Airport where the "fun" began and hasn't really ended. We checked in only to find that our 11 pieces of luggage could not be checked to Mumbai due to our extended layover in Amsterdam. We took what we could get and headed through check-in with our 5 carry on's, 5 personal bags (containing 3 laptops), diaper bag, camera bag, 2 car seats, stroller and 5 jackets. We made it just in time to start boarding and the flight to Detroit was uneventful - except for the fact that we had 20 minutes to make it to our connecting flight to Amsterdam. We were rushing and the plane was full and tried to get the kids and us settled ASAP. The kids were very good through the flight and the personalized entertainment center saved us many a headache. We also experienced our first medical emergency on a flight. I'm not sure what the problem was - but was interesting.

We arrived on-time in the Amsterdam airport and Scott went to check on our luggage to see if there was any way we could re-check it in. The kids were exhausted and I was trying to get them to rest while we waited when . . . Maddie threw up all over. We then began the arduous process of trying to leave the airport. We had a stroller, a train of carry-ons and 4 carts of luggage and a sick child. Thankfully Sam fell asleep right before Maddie threw up and slept the entire time. We would push a couple of carts, then go back for the rest throughout immigration and customs - then Scott saw a sign for baggage storage and we ended up getting lockers for the luggage. The kids and I waited for about 45 minutes and I found that the diaper baggies to hold dirty diapers also double well for a puking child. The kids and I proceeded on the shuttle to the hotel while Scott took the final load to store. We immediately went to bed as soon as the sun was coming up. We slept for about 8 hours and then had a very short Saturday - about 6 hours before going back to bed. We really didn't sleep well that night and Maddie was still throwing up. We even talked about delaying the trip and staying an extra day in Amsterdam - but decided not to. We left for the airport @ 6:15 local time right after Maddie threw up for the final time.

We arrived in plenty of time to get the luggage and get checked in. We were just headed to immigration when we were stopped by a KLM customer (NO)service. The lady was incredulous that Scott was pulling 5 carry-ons and told us we were taking too much baggage and we would have to check it. We had just spent $300 paying for an extra bag and I was not pleased. I tried to tell her that I had read the allowance on the internet and that it was within the limit and she just said she would call ahead to the gate to make sure they were informed. I was soo upset I couldn't decide if I wanted to throw up - or just cry. When we got to the gate we were of course told we had too much. I was arguing that we had 5 paying passengers and got it whittled down to 1 bag - when we asked how much - she said - no charge. What a relief! If we would have just asked in the beginning - there wouldn't have been a fuss. We ended up gate checking 4 of our 5 carry-ons and proceeded to Mumbai. The flight was uneventful except for our 2nd back-to-back medical emergency - they couldn't wake one of the passengers. We were close enough to this one to see that he was ok. Then we got to chaos. We had at least 3 porters eager to please (i.e. get paid) and our luggage was taken through customs and re-checked for the flight for Pune. The biggest obstacles were the customs guy not having a clue what caulk was and they were upset that we were leaving a "secured" area without our bags - but the porters helped us out of that one too. Even with just under 1/2 of our carry-ons still took 2 cars to the hotel that night. We had a decent nights sleep followed by a 24 minute flight to Pune. We were greeted by more porters - but this set didn't have quite the $$ signs in their eyes. We left the airport in 3 cars and found out through phone calls that someone could meet us with keys at our new apartment. We eagerly agreed and the drivers hauled everything up (using elevators of course) 8 floors.

Hindsight is - we should have stayed @ the hotel that night. Nesting instinct kicked into overdrive and I started unpacking immediately. By about 4 all the kids were asleep and Scott was too. We had NO food in the house (except a can of chicken soup that my friend Wendy convinced me to take - thanks Wendy). In addition to no food we had to local currency - which all the delivery places required. So Scott in a hazy sleep deprived state ventured out to get money and at least some basics. We couldn't figure out the gas stove - so our options were limited. Ramen anyone?

The night was rough - I just took Sam to bed with us and he was content as long as he was nursing. Then about 2 the girls started getting up saying they weren't tired. We tried to tell them to go back to bed. I think Joanna got dressed about 3ish and finally Scott went to lay down with them. As long as someone was with them - they would stay in bed. We ended up sleeping til 7 (interrupted of course) and then Scott headed off to work - a waiting cell phone was too much to pass up on.

Day 2 was in some ways rougher. I had most of the toys unpacked - so the girls were in hog heaven. I decided (soo unwisely) that Sam's problem was lack of a schedule. I decided I wasn't going to feed him except every 3 hours. I got him to sleep and about every 15-20 minutes he would start crying. Walking him in the stroller helped until about 10ish - I dutifully fed him, he played for awhile and then was tired and the battle that lasted the next 3 hours began. He screamed for what seemed like an eternity. Every time I put him down, every time I tried to get him to sleep. Finally 2:30 into this I gave in and fed him again. He fell asleep 1/2 way through but only for an hour. Finally after a round of baby food he finally conked out.

I'm turning into a pumpkin. Day 2 down - many more to come. We are working on getting a driver and our shipment so many more adventures ahead.

Dawn