Jake flew on an airplane!!! Jake and Mom had a very special adventure together. They flew to Ontario for one week so that Jake and his Poppa could meet. The travel to Ontario was about 7 hours long, and returning was about 9 hours. Jake was a wonderful travelling companion, and the flights and airport waiting times went the best that they could go.
Mom and Jake travelled with the frontpack, so that Jake could have a great view of all that there was to see in the airports waiting for flights or walking to connecting flights. The diaper bag backpack was loaded with some new-to-Jake toys that he could explore, some baby foods with lots of spoons and napkins for clean up, and extra clothes just in case (which we needed in between the Vancouver to Toronto connection in the airport).
Time on the plane went reasonably well. We were in comfort since we were flying business. Both ways there were empty seats beside us, so Mom had space to organize things for Jake and an extra tray to eat her meals off of. Jake nursed on take offs and landings, so had no problems with his ears. He played on mom, they walked about the cabin, they ate food, watched the cartoon movie, he sat on the empty chair next to Mom
and even had some space in front to play on the floor on his blanket.
He was a lovely baby to travel with, and he got lots of kind words and smiles from everyone.
This trip was the first time that Poppa had met his grandson, and it was love at first sight for both of them. Jake certainly did enjoy spending time with his Poppa. He wore his special birdie shirt that Poppa had bought him.
They enjoyed cuddling in bed
sitting in the big chair watching the birds outside
wandering in the garden, even getting to eat one of Poppa's self-grown green beans
Poppa helped Nan with changing a diaper. Apparently Jake and Poppa were laughing so much that they really weren't much help for Nan. Poor Nan. Poppa also helped out with looking after Jake while Mom and Nan headed to the mall for shopping, and he helped with getting Jake up from his naps.
And of course, the trip meant that Jake got to visit with his Nan again.
Jake sure does love his Nan. And she was excited and delighted to have Jake come stay at her house. She had been busy getting a playpen, high chair, stroller, food, bibs, rubber duckie for the bath
and all sorts of things for his arrival. And what an enjoyment for her to be able to go for morning and evening walks with Jake, and to bath him and feed him his meals.
Jake loved being on vacation. He even got a special holiday excersaucer to enjoy time in the living room
and in the yard.
A highlight of the trip was Jake meeting his Great-Nanny, who turned 100 years old on July 24th. When we walked into her room, it did take a couple of seconds for her to register who he was, but she was instantly delighted that he had come to meet her. She held him for the whole hour that we were there.
It was very important that we had this opportunity to visit Great-Nanny, since she has been asking Nan about meeting Jake every week since he was born. It was an opportunity for four generations to share a visit.
Jake met the rest of his extended family when Nan and Poppa had a wine and cheese afternoon.
Nothing gets the Parent family out like wine.
Jake met Aunt Rhodell and Uncle Tom
(though Aunt Rhodell did 'hog' Jake and spent a lot of time holding him)
Aunt Ros and Uncle Guy
Cousin Brenda
Cousin Carolyn and Second Cousin Sammy
(Jake wondered when he would be able to grow long hair like that)
and Cousin Steve, Cousin-to-be Kaitia, and Nan's friends Jeannette and Marilyn.
Last but nowhere near least on the trip was a couple of days visiting the Cooks. Marie is Mom's best friend, and they have been friends for 21 years! Who would have guessed that some day they would go from good times at the pub to good times with the kids.
Madeleine is now 6 and starting Grade 1, Sophie is turning 4 and starting Junior Kindergarten.
We did crafts, played games, went to the park
where Jake went for his first swing ride,
and had a general grand time. Madeleine and Sophie were wonderful to Jake, they helped to feed him
and teach him some signs, they brought him toys and played with him.
They have lots of practice being big sisters since the arrival of Violet in May.
She is such a precious flower. It was a tender gift to be able to hold a small newborn again. Its so hard to remember that my Little Dude was such a little potato once too. Violet makes tiny little cooing noises when she nurses. Ah, the memories.
It was great to catch up with Trevor, who is one funny guy. He cracks me up. He brings laughter and good times to the household that's for sure. And he was such a good sport to come to the airport late at night to pick up Jake and Mom; circling for an extra 45 minutes while we waited for our delayed baggage. Thanks to Marie and Violet for the ride back to the airport when it was time to leave.
Thanks to our family and friends for such a great visit, you helped to make it smooth. We had such a good time.
