I don't know if I'm shocked at how much change this year has brought. I think I'm more surprised by how quickly it has gone by.

Watching Kiki grow, sprouting into a rambunctious little one year old, when this time last year she was just a precious - and quiet! - little baby :)

She has made me realize the importance of family, of having loved ones close by, of having somebody to come home to, to give another reason to be.

I can't wait to see what the new year brings, and I hope that all of you out there feel the same. To you, your families and all those you love -

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This isn't Kiera's first Christmas, but she was too young the first time round to do much. She made up for it this year by tearing through all the wrapping paper and shredding tissue everywhere!

It made me think of all the excitement I used to feel on Christmas, and for a few moments I saw myself in her, and my parents were right there watching us so many years ago.

Merry Christmas everyone!

My parents bought a pink lounge chair for Kiki a while ago, but she was too short to get in. Or if we put her in, she was stuck with no way out :) That all changed this week, when her legs suddenly got long enough for her to get in and out on her own.

Now she pushes or pulls the chair where she wants, gets her Pooh dolls or a book, climbs in and hangs out like she hasn't a care in the world.

We set aside a morning to take Christmas photos - the same one where we took the photo for the photocard - and I finally had a chance to go through the rest of them, and pick them out. Here they are for you to look at.

These always depend on Kiera being in a good mood, and only Ann can make her smile on demand. As I always tell everyone, you guys just keep on looking at the camera, we'll take the picture when she looks good!

We put a baby gate up at the computer room - there're too many things to break, and its not as baby safe as it could be. It keeps me off the computer though - you can only do so much when your kid's standing at the gate, watching your every move with sad eyes.

Jane came over with Baby Ewan - we add "Baby" because he has an Uncle Ewan, and there is much confusion when they're both there - and we had a playdate!

I vaguely remember when 'coming over' meant taking out the bottle of vino, but now it involves diaper bags and having kids who are 'learning how to socialize'.

Well, they socialized all right.

They smacked, whacked and knocked each other over a few times, got back up, and liked it so much they did it over and over again. We laughed loudest when they were playing chase, and ran into each other when they got turned around the wrong way.

They laughed, they cried, but I think they mostly had a good time. And somehow the parents managed to have a good time too :)

Our bath routine is set. I clean dinner off her and its off to the tub. I say 'Stick'em up!', and she puts up her arms so her onesie can come off. I then set her down, and she claps happily while her tub fills.

A quick rinse, soap and shampoo, and then its into her tub! The next twenty minutes pass by pretty quickly, as we splish, splash and play all her favourite bath time games...its always one of the highlights of my day.

We just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the best of a Happy Holiday season! It is times like these when you miss family most, and to all those dear to our hearts, warm hugs, lots of kisses and best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.

To family close by, in Edmonton, New York, Bermuda and Malaysia, to friends down the street, across the river, throughout the country, the US and Japan, and to all those who read up on the Adventures of Kiki - we wish you were all closer, and that we got to see you more often!

XXX OOO,
Ann, CK, Kiki & Kit

When we sit around the kitchen island for dinner, Kiki gets a small selection of yum yums so she can have something to eat with us.

Today we had chilli which is a bit spicy for her, but she got some of our cheese & green scallion quesedillas with sour cream, a side of parmesan panko chicken fingers and macaroni in consommé. Dessert was good organic yogurt and... ORANGES!

It was all we could do to get her to finish her food before she got to eat them. She even likes eating the peel!

My friend Sam came over to say hello and borrow some Christmas music, and when Kiera saw her, she bawled bloody murder..

That lasted for about 5 minutes. Once she was safely in my arms and saw that Aunty was actually a rather good sort, they became great pals!

She's at that age where she's wary of strangers, but it doesn't take her long to become your friend. Then she's just the cutest little thing :)

Mom and Dad bought a Bright Red Scooter for Kiki, and gave it to her as a before-Christmas kind of present :)

Its not a girl's kind of scooter, but I was glad for that - who can honestly say they'd ride a frilly pink thing with tassles on the handlebars?

Kiki took to it right away, though she didn't ride it for a while - she pushed it around until my Dad put her on the seat, and after that she figured it out. She also seems to have developed a real liking for the horn.

Must... take... horn... off!

Her legs aren't quite long enough though - she can sort of push with her tippy toes, but even then she motors around pretty good. Give her a few more weeks, and we'll soon have Maria Andretti zooming around the house...

Ann's parents went home to Edmonton today, and the house seems very empty without them. We'll really miss their company and the extra pair of helping hands, it made such a huge difference!

So thanks Mom, thanks Dad, we will all miss having you around!

After we dropped them off at the airport, we filled the by cleaning up. By that I mean that ANN kept busy cleaning up ;) My job was to entertain the kBug and make sure she didn't get in the way!

As you can see, Kiera's walking very well now, and she has a new favourite toy!

Kiki likes oranges.

She likes them the way she likes spaghetti - messy, juicy, splattered everywhere and mushed up on every surface she can reach.

She takes a piece of orange, places it ever so gently on her high chair table, and then ... violently mushes it into helpless submission!!! After its well squished, she plops it into her mouth and sucks on her fingers to get every drop of juice.

Poor orange....it never had a chance!

We were having breakfast at 8:00 AM when we had a brilliant idea. Lets head downtown and walk around Stanley Park!

Alas, we had forgotten the First Law of Parenting - that the presence of a 1-year old will doom any travel plan to abject and horrible failure. We planned to be out of the house by 9:30... and barely escaped by noon. An unscheduled nap, a car seat re-install, packing enough supplies for a 3-day hike - for 20 men - it all added up!

Once we actually found parking. Kiki decided she wanted no part of the stroller, and let everybody on the planet know by crying all the way from Georgia to Davie. Before the Ministry of Family & Children could write me up, I decided to carry her instead.

I would end up carrying her the rest of the day.

Have I mentioned that I have developed really strong arms this year?

Oh yes, Stanley Park. Well, we never did make it. We got stalled at a little tourist trap on Robson Street, and in the next four hours, managed to get as far as Capers, which was across the street.

But y'know, it was fun. What they say is true - its the journey, and not the destination. I wonder how far we'll get next weekend :)