One

To my dear one year old, Kiera:
We are so incredibly thankful to have you in our family! You have been a most unexpected blessing! We have loved watching you grow up over the past year, from the quiet, content baby that first entered our lives to the loud, giggly, goofball of a one year old that you are today! Here are a few things about you that we never want to forget:
You are LOUD. Especially at meal times. I guess that is what happens when you are number three - you need to yell or not be heard :) Well, my dear, you have that figured out!
You like to eat ... or do you? You keep us guessing! You certainly love some foods - crackers, cheese, bananas, apple sauce, MEAT (you *inhale* all kinds!), cheerios. You do not have a great fondness for others - vegetables in particular. I guess we will have to work on that!
You are a good player. You love toys - especially the ones that Seth and Maddy are playing with. You definitely fit the role of "little sister"! Your favourites include balls (you like to hit them around the house with anything stick-like), stacking toys, and anything long and skinny (read: anything dangerous that you should not be putting in your mouth and walking around the house with).
You are on a good schedule. Kind of. It starts a little early in the day for me, but that is okay. You usually wake up around 6:30 or 7:00, nap around 9:00 and again at 1:00 and are back in bed by 6:30). You eat at the same time as we do.
You LOVE to go outside. As soon as I start walking down the back stairs you get all excited and start jumping in my arms. Once outside you like to wander around, eventually making your way to the sandbox.
You have encouraged mom (and Seth and Maddy) to keep the house very clean since you like to put *everything* in your mouth!
You LOVE your baths. You like to splash, scoop and pour.
You LOVE your daddy. When he comes home, you greet him louder than do Seth and Maddy. You often jump out of mommy's arms to get to him. You are wiggling your way *very* deep into his heart :)
You LOVE to play with mom's cell phone. You hold it up to your ear (or at least in that general direction!) and start to babble.
You LOVE hats ... but will not keep them on. You take them off, then *attempt* to put them back on ... sometimes it works, most often it does not.
You know how to clap, wave and do "hooray". You shake your head every time you hear someone say "no", and can also nod (although that takes more effort and time for you to remember how it works :P). You have also learned to shake your head "no" when offered food you are not a fan of. Uh-oh!
You LOVE to walk. You were determined to learn and are very happy with your progress (although the numerous blue bumps on your face suggest that perhaps you should slow down a little??!) You love to walk the "circle" in our house - through the kitchen to the living room, back to the kitchen ...
Well, dear Kiera - that is you at one. You have brought much joy to our house. We look forward to getting to know you better and better throughout the next year :)