2009

In case you're still in suspense awaiting news following our 2008 Christmas Letter, our daughter Avery was born healthy on a cold January 6th, 2009 in Ottawa. Here she is at one day old before driving her home in the snow storm and also at ten days of age with her proud parents.

Amy was on maternity leave with Avery until mid June, playing with old friends and making new ones at various fitness classes across the city. Surprisingly enough, Avery has often been the big kid around, as a number of our friends had their first babies later in 2009.

Avery has become well acquainted with that modern holding tank, the aircraft cabin, having already flown to Saskatchewan, London England, and the Dominican Republic. Her chubby cheeks and curly hair were well appreciated by family and stranger alike wherever we went.

I had a special guest spectator (and medal inspector) for my third running of the Ottawa race weekend half-marathon. Amy heroically maintained her volleyball prowess, playing only weeks after Avery's birth, and enthusiastically attending a team Canada match with her sister.

In June, I assumed full-time baby care as Amy went back to work. Apart from napping, we spent most of our time out of the house: at Ontario Early Learning Centres, visiting with family and friends, at the YMCA, at the library, and at the Military Family Resource Centre.

Avery has met large parts of her extended family, most notably at the Bauche family reunion in Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan and spent time with the Ottawa Okes as witnessed at Thanksgiving dinner at the cottage.

Autumn and winter brought major kitchen renovations to our home consisting of removing two wall segments, new paint, new cabinetry, new counters, and a new back splash. Despite three months of toil and trouble, we three have emerged from the darkness unscathed (see picture before & after).

Avery has taken a fondness to her backpack style carrier and now enjoys being taken walking, snowshoeing and even cross-country skiing in it. She likes to talk, saying 'da da,' 'ba ba,' and 'uh-oh.' Recently Avery has started appreciating sleep more, readily accepting nap time and bedtime, and often waking only once through her twelve to thirteen hour night. She is not yet walking, but crawls around the house and up and down the stairs.

Amy, Avery and I have had much to celebrate in 2009 and will remember with fondness our many fun times spent together as a family and with friends.