Walking on the table

Already for a long time, Nina loves to 'stand' on her own two little feet. And she's quite good at it, too! But walking on the table together with papa and showing off is even better. Before we know it, she'll be running around the house.

Happy Thursday evening

Just a happy Thursday evening on the patio with nice weather.

In the hammock

Now we have the perfect lounge spot in our garden: a double hammock. Nina and Staszek were the first to try it out. This is going to be a favourite for sure!

First time play outside in Waukegan

The weather has finally really picked up and now it's not only stroll-around-the-block time, but also play in the garden time. Fresh air, plenty to see, lots of space to move around and a great place for a nap, because all those new impressions take up a lot of energy.

Yemen

What a country!

Dogs on the runway and flights departing 'insallah'.

Yemen runs on qat; a leafy narcotic that made the Somalians feel they were invincible to to the US Rangers and Delta Forces during the US invasion in the early nineties.
In the afternoon it is difficult to spot a male who is not chewing it!

Lounging with daddy and favourite book

Saturday afternoon, the weather is not too great, time for a lounge session on the chaise longue in the window in daddy's den. Comfortable pillows, sheepskin, favourite book at hand: what more could a girl ask for?!

Play time!

When Nina was born, we got this mega exersaucer as a gift from Staszek's colleagues. Now we had to try it out, or better, Nina had to try it out. Lights, sounds, music, rattles, colours, shapes, you name it, it's there. An all-in-one playground for Miss Nina, who especially enjoyed entertaining us with her latest musical composition on the animal piano.

Nina sailing

When you go out on the boat, you need a life vest. As Nina likes to do everything 'in style' we got her a nice baby girly one and off we went to try it out and take the Wind Spirit out sailing for the first time this season. Apart from her stylish gear, Nina also had her comfy and safe carseat on board. The weather turned out not to be great that day so we turned back fairly quickly after taking off, but the Nina's first time on the lake is a fact.

Wind Spirit prep 2008

After some repair had been done to the Wind Spirit at the marina, it was really time to get her ready for the new sailing season. So we took her home and started the necessary after winter cleaning, painting, waxing, more cleaning, laquering, scrubbing. Yes, it's a lot of work and not the most fun part of owning a sail boat but once we'll be out on the lake this will be quickly forgotten.

Tummy time

Still not so very favourite, but Nina is able enjoy more and more time on her tummy. The sport is to collect as many soft toys as possible while doing so. Just in case her heavy little head gets tired and she needs a comfy place to rest it.

Jip socializing again

Nina's early morning feeding takes place lounging on the bed. Jip likes lounging too and since the bed has actually always been his (and Janneke's) territorium, he felt he should show off a little and join the lounging crowd. Nice and cozy when Staszek is getting ready for work :)

Queen's Day 2008

The Queen's birthday is a happy holiday in The Netherlands. The country spontaneously turns orange for the occassion. We travelled to Zwolle to celebrate together with Lycke and Jesse. Unfortunately we were a little bit too late for the parade, but there was enough time left to play with the cousins, try out the orange finery from the complementary C-1000 orange package, drink orange tea and eat orange cake.

Nina with cousins Lycke & Jesse

Cousins Lycke and Jesse wanted to be the first ones to meet Nina so, as a surprise, they had come all the way to the airport to welcome us. Unfortunately we missed them at the arrivals hall and only found out about this great surprise when already on our way to Apeldoorn. Fortunately they followed us quickly and at the Beiaardiershoeve, Lycke and Jesse could finally meet little Nini. Especially Lycke had been looking forward to it for a long time and she is now officially 'in love'!

Nina & cousin Sophie

Sophie welcomed Nina with open arms! There is only a two day difference between the two cousins. They look both so cute. And of course supercute in pictures together.

The uncles

There are more uncles, but this was the one who made it to an official 'with Nina only' picture: uncle Yoon! He came to Waukegan when Nina was a week old and was just allowed to observe her through the glass window of the NICU. This was much more fun!

The aunties!

For Staszek's sister Marysia it was a first time meeting as she gave birth to cousin Sophie only two days after Nina came into the world. Anita's sister Mirjam and Liesbeth could not get over how big Nina had gotten since they last saw her as a tiny little baby in November last year here in the USA.