Pitter Patter

There is the most beautiful music in our home. It's the sound of little feet pitter pattering on the floor, toys playing their sweet songs and our son's giggles echoing through the rooms. We are home!!!

Milo was a super trooper on the flights. He definitely had his moments, but considering his age and the circumstances he did pretty darn well and I was so proud of him! It took plenty of snacks, toys and just a little Benedryl to get us through. He made friends and flirted on every flight, and he slept for about half of the Amsterdam-to-Memphis leg.

The trip was grueling for me. I didn't sleep and desperately wished I had taken a stroller. Milo wasn't much for walking, and I had no way to contain him with the exception of carrying him (which I did 90% of the time) and he is the kind of child who takes off running the second you let go of his hand. He was in rare form in the Amsterdam airport toddler play area during our layover there. He was playing at a full tilt -- almost frantically -- hurting himself often and even running out of the room four times. I've never seen anything like it and it exhausted me even more than the flights. A kind-souled woman in there offered to bring me a cup of coffee. I took her up on it! Later we made our way into the nursery area and I put him in one of the cribs to contain him for a few moments. He stood there and wailed while I regrouped my belongings as quickly as I could. That was a tough layover!

We did have one big scary moment in Memphis when the escalator tried to eat my carry-on bag, which threw us off balance and caused us to fall just a few feet from the top of the escalator. I was holding Milo, who hit his head pretty hard, and I've got some big scrapes and bruises, but we're OK. My bag broke open and the contents went everywhere, right down the steps of the escalator. Luckily we had many good souls around us who helped us out. I did break down crying in the ladies room once we got away from the crowd. I guess the scare broke my spirit for a few moments. I had been strong for so long and I was just plain tired of being strong.

Thankfully there were no unexpected delays, and we pushed through to make it home right on time. We were greeted warmly at the Charleston airport by one very eager papa and many of our family and friends. My mom, dad, sister, niece and nephew came down from Indianapolis to surprise us too! I cannot even express the anticipation and relief I felt walking off that plane. I will never ever forget it. I was practically hyperventilating rounding the corner to the lobby in the airport. I felt joy to the bone. As I approached the group of people I knew was my tribe I couldn't make out faces through my tears, but then Frank stepped out and walked toward me. Our stars realigned the very moment he put his arms around Milo and me. As I sobbed into his soft, warm shoulder all became right in the world again.

Milo remembered Frank, but clung to mommy for a little while. He was shy meeting everyone at first, but after a few minutes of introductions and high fives I put him down so everyone could get a good look at him. They were just staring at him with big smiles and taking pictures, and he was just staring back in his little red, white and blue outfit. Then he suddenly got a grin on his face and started clapping and hamming it up, much to the delight of his admirers! By the time we made it to the luggage carousel he was on fire and being his silly little self. What an entertainer!

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up to the airport so late at night. You were all a beautiful sight for sore eyes and we all felt so supported and loved. It was a moment we will remember forever.

Milo has hit the ground running and has adjusted to his new environment incredibly well. I am amazed! He is such a happy boy and almost always smiling. He is just all around wonderful and is capturing hearts left and right. He has has gotten comfortable quickly and our eating / sleeping / playing routine is going pretty well. He and Frank are right back where they left off too. You can tell he feels the love around him and knows that everything is going to be alright. Sometimes I can't believe he's here. It's just the most incredible feeling, made even better by having our loved ones here to share it with us. Our home feels so full and so complete!

Thank you to everyone out there for following along and sending your good vibes and prayers for our safe journey. They worked! We finally made it through the most excruciating, mind-blowing, unforgettable experience of a lifetime, and our sweetest dreams have come true.

We are a family, and we are now living in the happily ever after. It is the end and the beginning.

Big love,
Frank, Regina and Milo Ruopoli

P.S. Stay tuned for more updates every few weeks!

Notice the fresh scrapes on my left leg from the escalator incident!

After all the freeform car rides in Kaz,
Milo was not happy about being restrained!
But mommy rode in the back with him
and he calmed down for a pleasant trip home.
Yes, HOME!