We are back :(...

We had an amazing time in Croatia. It was so nice to see all the family and friends again, and of course, to show Olivia to everyone. She had a great time hanging with her cousins Ivan and Dora, swiming, playing on the beach and getting pampered by everyone. We have around 1000 pictures from this trip and it is impossible to even attempt to pick the best of them. Here is just a few of Split, Maslinica and family.

Leaving for Croatia

We are leaving for Croatia on Wednesday, and we are very excited. It has been 3 years since Karen and I went there, and of course, this will be Olivia's first trip.
We'll be spending a lot of time on the beach, so here is how we practiced for that.

Summer activities

We haven't posted anything in a couple of weeks, but here is a glimpse of what we have been doing:
Posing for pictures

Spending time by the lake

Enjoying the water park

Taking walks

Laughing

Occasional photo shoot meltdown

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!!!