Stick out your tongue!

After dinner fun

When the hard work of getting a full tummy is over, there is time to relax and have fun. No problem for Nina!

Nina's little hands

Ever since she was born, we have been fascinated by Nina's little hands. Miniature but perfect with those tiny nails. And she knows how to use them,too. Widespread, clenched in fist or folded. She has a pose for every occasion.

J&J are warming up

At first, Jip & Janneke were not too impressed with the new addition to our family. They were used to being in centre of all attention and now this little intruder called Nina was stealing the show. Not fair and they made that clear, hoping that 'it' would go away and they would get their life back the way it was. But, after two months, they have realised that Nina is not going anywhere and that they will just have to share their territorium. As long as she's not moving and crying too much, they are OK and they will tolerate her presence on their couch and their laps. And for Nina? Furry tails are just another fun toy to hold onto.

Nina's smiles

More and more often Nina decides to flash us a little smile. Here are a few we would like to share with you.

Sunny afternoon

Life is good in the playpen in the sunny study in Waukegan. Nina is taking a well-deserved nap after a demanding tummy time session.

Wigilia 2007

The first Wigilia (Christmas Eve) for the three of us in Waukegan.

Thanks to Anita's Kapuzniacki, Barscz, several types of fish and kompot, we brought a bit of Poland into Waukegan this evening.

With koledy on the background, gifts were exchanged and Nina got her personal polar bear outfit, that she did not want leave, so warm, cozy and cute. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2008!

Merry Christmas!

So now is come our joyful feast,
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is dressed,
And every post with holly.
Though some churls at our mirth repine,
Round your foreheads garlands twine,
Drown sorrow in a cup of wine,
And let us all be merry.

Now all our neighbors' chimneys smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning;
Their ovens they with baked meats choke,
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lie,
And if for cold it hap to die,
We'll bury it in a Christmas pie,
And evermore be merry.

George Wither (1588-1667)

Christmas tree

Last Saturday we went in search of a nice Christmas tree. To let us get even more into the Christmas mood, it started snowing while we were on our way. Neighbours had given us the name of a good place, with directions like just over the rail track, next to the church across from a bar, so that's where we found this year's beauty. Courtesy of the tree seller, they tied her onto the roof of our car, gave us big bag to burry her in when Christmas is over and off home we went again. Staszek's task to get her into the house. Anita's task (and Stas helped with the lights) to decorate her. Nina was watching all the action from her safari swing and fell asleep.

Nina waking up (or maybe not)

When Nina wakes up, she has to do her 'ochtendgymnastiek'. Sometimes her cozy little bed is so nice and warm that she prefers to just stay there after she's done.

Nina and her little friends

Nina likes to spend time with her cuddly little friends. Just hanging out together, have a laugh and make faces. But enough is enough after a few minutes.

Papa Staszek

When he is not working hard or travelling far away, Staszek is a busy man at home. There are still a lot of DIY 'klusjes' to do in and around the house. Spray painting the basement walls was one of them. And for that you should, of course, dress appropriately. And after that he's always ready to feed Nina, burp Nina and even tell her the story of the Fabeltjeskrant and juffrouw Ooievaar (Madam Stork) in particular.

Nina and her mama & papa

Nina likes to snuggle up with her mum and dad after dinner; for tummy time or just to relax and eventually fall asleep. Also, Jip doesn't mind joining in from time to time.

Sisters in Chicagoland part 2

Of course Mirjam and Liesbeth had to spend at least one cultural day downtown Chicago. It was a pity that the museum was closed by the time they got there after their major shopping spree. But they returned to Waukegan with lots of little treasures. Pampering Anita was another reason they had come for so every day there was time for a massage and Thursday was family face mask day. It was great having them over!

Nina's trip to the doctor

Nina had to go and get her monthly Synagis shot at the doctor's office. It's quite an operation to go out when the weather is cold, but she was completely prepared. Before getting her shot she had to be weighed and measured. She is now almost 50 centimeters long and well over 2600 gram! The shot was no fun, but fortunately Anita, Mirjam and Liesbeth were there to support her and the crying only lasted for a few seconds. Then back into the car seat again to go home. The sounds of the car engine seems to be soothing because before we had even left the car park Nina was already dreaming away.

Sisters in Chicagoland part 1

In the past week, Mirjam and Liesbeth were in Waukegan to spoil and spend time with their sister and new niece. It was great to see each other again and cocoon at home with little Nina for whom it was the first time to get to know her aunts. The world at O'Hare at arrival was observed through pink glasses and Liesbeth the bride-to-be was presented with a furry crown, which was later very much appreciated by Jip the cat. In Waukegan the inflatable 'It's a girl' stork was welcoming the guests. Everything during this stay has been documented either by photo or video camera so more to come.