How far we've come

July 12th is sort of Olivia's other birthday. That was her original due date, but she had other plans. Plans that involved a lot of drama, worry, sleepless nights, and trips to the hospital. But thanks to God, luck, friends, family and modern medicine, everything turned out great. So every now and then we remind ourselves of how far we have come.

Playing with Tanja

Olivia and Marica, our au pair.

Walking!!!!!

Saturday was a big day for baby O.  We were in the Northwestern University basketball gym watching Marin play at a high school tournament, and Olivia was playing with Gordana's Prada shades.  Since she was so focused on the shades, I put her down on her feet and let her go, and she was able to stand on her own.  Then Gordana took her shades from Olivia's hands and asked her to come and get them.  And Olivia did.  She took 6-7 steps on her own.  Our baby girls made her first steps on the basketball court.  How appropriate!!!!!  The fact that she was motivated by Prada shades does worry me though.  She is developing expensive taste.

Olivia and Karen in front of Welsh-Ryan Arena, home of Northwestern University basketball, the site where Olivia took her first steps.

Cooling off in the lake.

Daddy and Olivia.

Summer is here

It has been a pretty cold and rainy spring, but the weather finally warmed up here in Chicago so now we get to do a lot more activities with Olivia outside. Marica (our au pair) is doing a great job with Olivia, and the two of them are already buddies. Olivia is almost walking on her own, and 2 weeks ago, she finally crawled.



Afternoon walk on the beach













Enjoying the swing




















Hangin' with my mommy












Exploring Toni's backyard





























Father's Day dinner at Toni's house, baby O with some Cro-boys (Duksi, Marin and Toni)

What am I so angry about?

Bye baka Zina, welcome Marica

Last week was pretty busy!!! On Saturday, our au pair Marica came from Croatia. Marica is 21 and has a lot of experience with kids. We brought someone from Croatia because we want Olivia to speak both English and Croatian language.
Then on Tue baka Zina left for Croatia. She showed Marica little secrets of dealing with Olivia, and so far everything is working out great.
Thank you Mama for everything you've done for us in these 8 months!!!! We'll miss you!!!

Michael's Baptism

Olivia's cousin Michael was baptized this past weekend, and we were in Boston to witness that special day.  This was Olivia's first plane ride, and she was awesome on the plane.  We had a wonderful time at Dan and Kelly's house, just relaxing and enjoying the time with family.

Michael all dressed up for his big day

Olivia loves to swim

Michael in the hot tub

Grandma and Olivia reunited

Michael and Jakobe

Olivia getting dressed up for the baptism

Culture and Excercise

This weekend was filled with culture and exercise. On Saturday, the Modern Wing of the Chicago Art Museum was opened so we decided to check it out. It was a beautiful day and the perfect time for baka Zina to experience Chicago.
On Sunday, we walked to Lake Michigan in Highland Park and took some pictures of Olivia in the park.

Also, here is the link of a video of Olivia learning to walk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=capTMduUJyE

Day in Chicago

We finally had a sunny weekend and we decided to do some fun stuff downtown Chicago. We walked the Magnificent Mile, took a Chicago Architectural Boat Tour, and had lunch with our friends Bruno and Tamara.



Baka and Olivia in front of sculpture replica of the famous painting American Gothic






























Olivia playing. For non-Croatian speaking audience, her T-shirt says: Tatino cudoviste = Daddy's Monster