Back in Calgary!

Hello Everyone,

After a wonderful but busy trip in Houston, we finally made it home to Calgary!

We want to add a special thank you to Stephanie, Ed and Ben for their wonderful hospitality in taking care of the Turpins while we were there. Steph was a great driver getting us to our appointments on time, Ed was a wonderful chef, Starbuck's runner and laundry man, and Ben was a great playmate for Jakob (and taught him that brushing his teeth was not so bad...although still a bit of whining). We were also able to have a great visit with Aunt Penny, Uncle Jeffrey, Cousin Kelly, Cousin Jeff. Jakob was really on fire when they were there and he loves the quilt that Penny made for him. The Taylor clan was next to visit and it was great to see Jakob with Madie and Alex. Lastly, Grandaddy D came over and Jakob just loved him. He offered Dennis some bread immediately and was trying to crawl into Dennis' car and give him a hug and kiss when he was leaving. Dennis - I'm convinced you must have had some sort of "food bait" in your pocket when you came over...ha ha!

On Sunday morning, we had a very early trip out to the airport to fly back to Calgary. Jakob was hyper as anything when he first got on the plane. I asked Wayne, "who slipped Jakob sugar packets?" We let him get out as much energy as possible before we took off. Once in the air, Jakob feel asleep on my lap for about 40 minutes. He then was as good as a 2 year old can be on a 3.5 hour flight. At least on this flight, he did not do any lung tests like he did on the other. He continues to try to get people to laugh and always picks those most uninterested in him to "bother."

When we finally got into the Armada, he seemed very happy with the vehicle and laughed when he saw Wayne behind the wheel (as he had not seen Wayne drive before). Wayne had to get out of the car and close the trunk again and when he did, Jakob pointed to the driver's seat and said, "Dad-da, vrooom" to indicate that Daddy was driving the car. It was so cute.

We ended up stopping at the mall to grab a bite to eat on the way home and a few other errands. Once home, the beagles, of course, went crazy and were howling. Jakob seemed ok at first until Bailey jumped and touched his legs a bit. Then he was slightly terrified...or should I just say terrified. He was SO happy running around the house, looking at his toys, seeing pictures of Mama, Dada and Jakob all over the house (he pointed at all of them) and he especially loved his room. We stayed in the house for an hour or so before heading to the dog park. On the way out, we ran into neighbors Hilda, Brad and Nancy who all got to meet Jakob for the first time. He enjoyed showing off a bit and flirting. Jakob really enjoyed the dog park. When we first got there, Bailey was trying to eat something and I yelled "no." That was the only cue Jakob needed. He then repeated "no" about 15 times. Guess who is boss now? He was running through the dog park and it was so funny as the park in on a hill (we were at the bottom but still a slight grade) and he kept getting caught in a right turn as he could not run uphill. So, he would run a bit...keep going right...fall down...and then I'd scoop him up and put him higher and we'd repeat. Once home, we took him on his first grocery store outing. He seemed to enjoy it and pointed to all of the food he wanted. It was a bit confusing though because we'd ask him, "do you want this" and he would say, "dah" and so we would get it but put it in the cart and he had this look as if ..."wait, I want that....now."

By the time we got home and continued to get settled, he was still very nervous around the dogs and tired (mind you, we also had daylight savings time and an hour time change). He was SO tired that by the time dinner was ready, we ended up feeding him in bed and by the time Wayne walked out with his plate, he was already asleep. Wayne and I then went and ate our dinner. I was feeling a bit down as I felt so bad for Jakob and the dogs. You could tell everyone was a bit out of whack. I know it will take some time for all of them to be comfortable with each other. After dinner, I gave the dogs a much needed bath and washed all of their bedding. I had really missed seeing them so this was a nice way to give them some TLC (although not sure they saw it that way).

I forgot to mention, but Jakob and I both caught Wayne's cold so Sunday, so we were a bit cloudy and snotty (at least for me) on Sunday and Monday.

The next morning (this morning), we had to wake Jakob up at 7:30 AM. It is so strange to have to wake up a 2 year old! He seemed to be a bit more interested in the dogs and we continue to show them that they are ok, they will bark (they are dogs) and that they love him. It is funny as the dogs really know something has changed and they are being EXTREMELY calm for their normal personality. They are being so gentle and keeping their distance. It could also be they are afraid of Jakob's high pitched squeal when they get too close.

We spent the day just hanging out at the house, playing, eating (which he does a lot...doctor said that is ok as long as it is healthy snacks since he is only in the 5th percentile for weight), etc. Wayne left around 4:15 PM to go to our new Calgary office which opened today (new office space), so I took the dogs and Jakob to the dog park, dropped off the dogs on the way back, and took Jakob to the kid's park down the road. I then came back and cooked dinner before Wayne arrived home. This was good practice for me (and Jakob) to not have Wayne at home all of the time so we can get used to that (since Wayne has to return to work on Thursday). Jakob was still a bit nervous and out of whack this evening during bath time, but still goes to bed reasonably quickly. I think it is all part of the adjustment (this being the 3rd place he has slept in over the 2 week period we've had him).

Anyway - better get to bed now and nurse this cold. I can't believe I'm 3 for 3 in getting a cold after returning from Moscow...the Russian curse!

I'll try to post more this weekend as I don't have any Calgary photos yet.

Talk to you soon!
Courtney

P.S. For Calgary folks...we are ready for visitors and / or to meet up. Let me know...

Ben and Jakob laughing in the car while Wayne was tickling.