Nina's new friend

Now that Nina knows how to use her hands, she's welcoming new friends into her life. This time it was the cuddly blanky mouse. For now the friendship is rather short term as, after the introductory cuddle session, her little friend was in desperate need of a bath and line dry.

Nina's little hands - part 2

We had already discovered them, but now Nina has too: her cute little hands. And there are so many things you can do with them. She's practicing hard. Halelujah!

Nina sharing

She young but she's already learning to share: share our attention with Jip and Janneke, share her Boppy pillow with Jip & Janneke and even share her Bugaboo with Jip & Janneke, who love the warm furry liner in it. Undoubtedly there will be a lot more sharing to come.

Jip gives in

From the time Zwitsal came into the house, Jip has decided to follow the 'if you can't beat them, join them' path. Guess he just loves the Z-smell on Nina and gets a nice little pillow for his afternoon nap on top of it. No bad deal. Jip is cool!

Finally fireplace

After numerous smoky living room sessions and three experts taking a look at why our chimney would not draw, we finally found out that when the new chimney was rebuilt during the renovation, they blocked off the wrong vent (there were two). At the beginning of the new year we had a liner and a damper installed and since then it's working great. As temperatures dropped quite a bit here during the past few weeks, we could use a little extra heat.

Korean outfit

When Staszek was travelling in Korea in January, he bought a cute little Korean outfit for Nina. It was strange that all the outfits were so small and that he had to buy a large for his baby daughter. It was funny that they had stuffed doggies dressed in the outfits at the market stalls, but only when he got home and saw the Me & My Dog embroidery, the penny dropped. Never mind. Jip was delighted to show off his perfectly fitting new finery and, OK Nina, you can try it on too...with the matching handbag.

Winter in Waukegan

We had already had quite some snow, but when Guido and Delphine were visiting winterstorm alert was called out over Chicagoland. Fortunately they were more than happy to help dig out the cars and the driveway. Not without snowball fights though... There was a plan to make a snowman, but after almost three hours of deplacing the white stuff, enough was enough.

First guests of 2008!

Already in September last year we knew that they were coming so the guest room was ready and waiting for Guido and Delphine when they arrived in Waukegan on February 2. A welcome diner from Mama's Southern Style 'restaurant' (enough for the whole week or the whole street), cuddling with Nina and, Delphine's biggest challenge since she's terrified of cats, petting Jip! He was thrilled when he finally had won her heart. And of course, lots of snow, but we have dedicated the next post to that
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Superbowl Sunday!

Sunday February 3 was Superbowl Sunday: THE American Football event of the year. We were invited to a Superbowl Party by one of Staszek's colleagues, to share the fun and excitement and watch the game together with some 20 other people. Guido and Delphine had arrived just the day before so they went off with us for their first American experience. Of course food and drink were present in abundance as well as not one but two huge plasma tv's. No idea who were playing and who won, but we sure had a good time. Nina enjoyed herself too, going from arm to arm to eventually fall sound asleep.

With papa on the couch

Playing and practicing sitting with papa on the couch in between dinners in the evening.

In the play pen

Every day there is play time in the play pen. With so many interesting things around you it's hard to stay still so it's action time for Nina. Watching the mobile go round, grabbing little duckies or cuddle with the snake: lots of fun things to choose from.

Bath time

Nina did not care so much for her baby bath tub. Ever since we swapped it for an ordinary bucket, bath time is a lot more fun. Nice and cozy in the warm water, she is now really enjoying herself. But getting out into the cold air... Fortunately mama has nice warm towels waiting!