More Photos from the End of 2009

Kian has enjoyed putting on the blue Mardi Gras beads that I got at a friend's bridal shower. He also likes putting them in a cup and pouring them back out again. This picture brings us much joy and could be the source of much embarrassment for Kian when he's older! :)

Kian loves to "read" books by himself. He also has strong opinions about which books he wants us to read to him at bedtime, emphatically pushing away or closing the cover of a book he's not interested in at the moment.

One of his recent favorite breakfast foods is gluten-free mini-waffles, either with dairy-free butter or with peanut butter and blueberry jelly. He is still allergic to wheat, dairy, and eggs, but we're glad that he can eat peanut butter.



Kian has enjoyed attending Gymboree classes, thanks to Grandma Gei and Grandpa Matt. Here he is in the "Play and Learn 4" class, which is for 16-22 month olds. That girl is much too old for the class and makes Kian look shrimpy! He's actually in the 90th percentile for height (as of his 15 mo. check up)!


Mr. Independent loves walking around on his own, usually refusing to hold anybody's hand. In this picture, Kian leads the way at the Woodland Park Zoo with Ryan and Nana. (Photo by Althea)

Kian paid no attention to the LIVE Western Lowland Gorillas, but is quite interested in these sculptures, even trying to get this baby gorilla to take his arm off his head.

Kian pets one of the gorilla statues.

Another attempt to get this guy to move his arm! Finally, Kian has met his stubborn match!

Kian "helps" pick out a Christmas tree at the Holy Rosary tree lot.

The perfect Noble Fir that we brought home and decorated with unbreakable ornaments for the lower half.


Notice the panda ornament casualty near Kian's foot. He is holding the orange and blue plastic coins from the piggy bank toy that has been a favorite for the past few months. It's getting less playtime these days (now with so many new Christmas toys!), but he loved it in November and most of December and especially enjoys walking around with two coins in his hands.

Ryan, Kian, and Grandma at Fuji Sushi for lunch on Christmas Eve.

The three of us at sushi. Kian is slightly blurry in this shot because he won't stop moving!

Nana Joan, Althea, Ryan, Kian, Grandma Gei, and Grandpa Matt in the tatami room.

Nana, Kian (with a yam chip), and Althea at Fuji Sushi.

One of Kian's cool new toys: "Click Clack Track"
from Rob, Marti, Rachel & Clare

Thank you, all, for giving Kian so many fabulous, fun, and educational gifts!

We have yet to try out the Baby Sleigh from Grandpa Andre, but we will post photos as soon as we get some snow!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Kian at School

Kian's first piece of artwork, painted at school in November.

Kian has been at La Escuelita Bilingual School for about a month and a half, and we are so happy with it. After a couple weeks, the crying during drop-offs stopped. Now, as we walk toward the building he smiles at his little friends, who are looking out from the window with beaming faces. The other day, one kid walked over and gave Kian a little orange and blue basketball, probably knowing that it's one of Kian's favorite things to play with at school. A few kids are 4-5 months older than Kian and are even saying his name when they see him.

Here's a photo of Kian clamoring up to greet me in the afternoon. It's a bit of an odd angle because I didn't want to get other children's faces in the shot and have to deal with parent signature release forms for posting their images on the web. :)



Kian's fleece "Panda Book" is his form of a security blanket. We have several of them between school, home, and grandparents' house. The original was given to him by Uncle Rob, Aunt Marti, and their daughters, Clare and Rachel. Kian sleeps with it, and it helped during the transition period morning drop offs, when he'd clutch it tightly.

Here's a series of photos of Kian putting it back into his storage drawer at school.