i bite my thumb at you!
Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

Kiera has learned about her thumb, and sucks on it often. She smiles and laughs all the time - our favouritest moments! - turns towards noises, and is enchanted by bright lights. She also prefers her Mom's voice to mine - if you've heard me sing, you know why.

We make sure she gets lots of tummy time, even though she hates it. Its starting to pay off though - I even got a smile or two from her while she was on her tum-tums.

papa-san
Tuesday, December 27th, 2005

Kiera and our papasan swing chair didn't get off to a good start.

She cried and wailed when we first put her in, but she loves it now. Plop her in when she's fusses and all is magically made better- yaaay! Some features to look for when you shop for one:

1. Able to swivel to swing back & forth, or side to side
2. Attachment points where toys & mobiles can hang
3. Easy portability
5. Able to adjust chair for newborns and older ages
6. I really wish it took a cord, and not just batteries

merry christmas!
Sunday, December 25th, 2005

From Ann, Kiera, Kit and I, to all of you out there - Merry Christmas! Be safe! We hope you are close to all your loved ones.

Special Christmas hello's to:

1. My sister, half a planet away in sunny Bermuda
2. Ann's brother, mom & dad in cold and icy Edmonton
3. Ann's sister, family (four kids!) in brrrrrr New York
4. The rest of my family in tropical Malaysia
5. Friends scattered throughout the world, from LA to Japan

Miss you lots, wish you were here!

baby steps
Friday, December 23rd, 2005

As little Kiera grows up, so do we as parents. What seemed impossible six weeks ago is now second nature, and the hills ahead are now challenges we look forward to.

There is also a realization that only now do we know how our parents feel about us. We thought we did, but it took having Kiera to finally understand.

Thanks Mom, thanks Dad. For everything now, past and future.

growing up
Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

KikiBug is no longer the cute little thing that came home six weeks ago.... she's now cute and BIG, and its a workout carrying her! Why we ever worried about her being underweight, I don't know...

I caught myself wishing today that she's a little older, or even a bit more grown up, just so I could see what's ahead. Then I realized she'll never ever be this small again. So I gave her an extra special hug, and told her not to be in such a hurry - Daddy & Mommy can wait :)

It was the last visit from the public health nurse today, and Kiki posted a good show: ten pounds and thirteen ounces... 2.7 ounces a day! At that rate, she'll outweigh me by sometime next week :)

reunion
Sunday, December 11th, 2005

Visitors came by this morning: some from out-of-town, and some who're closer but just haven't been able to make it out yet. We haven't seen each other for a while, so it was nice to catch up and say hello. No one could remember the last time we were all in one room together, so here's the picture to prove that it happens now and then :)

I miss those days when we saw each other almost every day. The older we get, the harder it is to stay together...

Wonderful time last night at Johanne and Martin's X'mas get-together. Ann finally got to hang out, relax and feel 'normal' again. So thank you guys, it was such a nice evening, we're really glad we got to come!

Fun day today! Kiki was in a good mood, and smiled and laughed very easily. She really enjoys her baby massages - thanks Raina for teaching those to us!

So I was thinking of going to the gym today, but Ann decided that she likes me chubby.

Now I ask you this.

How many times will a guy ever hear that in his lifetime? Just between you and me, I think she just wanted me to stay home and help out ;)

The Gospel known as Ann says, Kiera is a month old today, because she was born on Nov 6th and today is Dec 6th. The Truth known as CK however, says it was a few days ago, because we're counting strictly by weeks, right?

Right!

Thirty days is a major milestone for the Chinese. If we follow tradition, there'd be a big block party, pull out the stops, no holds barred. Roast suckling pig, red-dyed eggs, Kirin beer and plenty of cash in red envelopes.

What they were thinking! Honestly, I'm ready to celebrate with a good night's sleep.

The party we'll be throwing is the Hundred Day Feast, which is a Korean tradition. That's an event all onto itself, but Kiki's 100 day falls on Valentine's Day, which seems fitting doesn't it?

Put up some pictures of Kit, our 3 year old Sheltie. He's been such a good boy with baby in the house, Kiera's going to have fun growing up with him around.

piglet! :)
Monday, December 5th, 2005

Huge relief! Kiera checked up at the doctor today, and has caught up to the weight she should be at. Not that I had doubts, but it was nice to see it on the scale.

She must have sensed our relief, because she was all smiles when I got home - I even got a few of them on-camera!

Kohen is the eldest nephew on my side of the family. He's almost three, cute as a button, and he's as smart as he is mischievous.

And he is very mischievous :)

His favourite things (besides his Mom & Dad) are trucks, Ah Kong's noodles and going to the mall with Chia-Chia.

He calls me 'Bek Bek'. 'Mm Mm' is what he calls Ann (somewhat to her consternation). 'Ah Kong' and 'Chia-Chia' is Grandpa and Grandma, my side. This is what Kiera will call them as well.

Happy one month birthday Kiera! She's four weeks old today. Feels like four years with the lack of sleep around here...

smile!
Friday, December 2nd, 2005

We had our first 'purposeful' smiles from Kiki today - I was told today that all her previous smiles were because she was... gassy. OK! I was better off not knowing that. Mom was playing with her, singing a silly song and clapping her hands when it happened - smiles and giggles from our little baby!

It was thrilling... and totally amazing that a little thing like that could make our hearts leap so high.

That pretty much sums it up :)

It seems like The Time Continuum speeds up when Kiera's sleeping, and slows down when she is crying. Please. Someone revise the laws of relativity. Add a section that proves how babies have the power to manipulate the fundamental fabric of reality...