Fish & Lions

Well, Kiyomi had a successful debut at the Dovercourt Pool yesterday. The facility has an excellent toddler pool which is quite shallow and has warm water. They even supply the toys! Kiyomi had a fun time splashing around with Mom and Dad and watching the other little kids play. It's clear that she enjoys being in the water, and doesn't even mind when she splashes up a storm and gets water all over her face and in her eyes. As you can see she modestly decided on the one-piece though it was a little big on her and the suit often became and off-the-shoulder model...

As reported on Wednesday, she also got to open the giant lion that Tamara's Dad sent. Unlike with the giraffe, she was a little apprehensive with this one. Clearly she knows her herbivores from her carnivores. After a short while though she successfully tamed the lion and it has now become one of her favourite toys. KT the cat however seems somewhat defensive about this large new competitor on her turf.

Kiyomi also received her very first piece of identification this week. Last week she applied for her OHIP health card and she received it in the mail this week. She is now a real person, though hopefully we won't have to make use of this card too frequently! Now we're waiting for her Permanent Resident Card and her Social Insurance Number Card. Once we have her PR Card she can apply for citizenship so that she can become a real live hockey-loving, poutine-eating, complaining-about-the-weather Canadian! She can't wait.

Speaking of health, she's still doing really well. We think that she's gaining weight - she seems a little more "robust" (chubbier) than when we picked her up though we haven't had a chance to weigh her. She eats and drinks well. Sometimes she really struggles to "do her business" building up tears and sweat in the process. We're not too worried for the time being though as her poops are regular and well-formed.

As for her folks, Mom seems to have finally kicked the cold she had, with only a few tenacious symptoms remaining. As for Dad, he's healthy except that every new trick Kiyomi learns seems to involve a sore back for her parents. Formerly it was Kiyomi walking with Mom or Dad holding her hands. More recently, it's having Mom or Dad tossing her into the air, which never fails to result in all sorts of giggling.

Today is Kohji's last day off work. Come Monday, he'll be back behind a desk and Kiyomi and Mom will have to look for mischief on their own. Stay tuned.