Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Well, we've been in this house now almost 3 years and we are finally getting the front yard redone.

Our home...before the new landscaping

The first step was getting the old plants removed and now we've had the old cement sidewalk removed.

Karina and Mommy outside amongst the rubble

Here are some photos of Karina in front of the framework for the new sidewalk.

"They're going to make me a new sidewalk!"

Notice the multitude of wires sticking out in the background?
The bulldozer pulled them all up accidentally!
We now have a lamp post that doesn't light anymore!

"I'll bet I won't even remember the old sidewalk!"

Outing At Wind Lake

"Hi everybody...we're having fun by the water!"

Karina and Mommy maneuvering up the dock

Tom's friend Mike Miller from childhood now lives on Wind Lake with his wife Sally and their kids Luke and Jenna. They had a get together for Memorial Day and a great time was had by all. We also got some great photos with the beautiful scenery...but we started with the stereotypical sophomoric humor of adult men lapsing back into the adolescent days in these photos.

Karina, the little baby, sucking on a beer. Ha, ha, ha.

The bottle is, of course, empty.

The beer bottle quickly to be replaced by the sippy cup of milk...by Mommy.

Karina getting tickled by Daddy

Having a blast at the lake.

But as I mentioned earlier, we did get some really nice photos of Karina and her Daddy...who always tells me, "I love her so much!"

Made In The Shade(s)

Lately, it's been nice enough to sit outside while Karina eats...so of course, we had to try out the sunglasses. They're a little big...but oh so stylish!

Modeling her shades

Eating breakfast on the patio

Showing her "tough guy" pose

Elsa's Baptism

Today was Elsa's Baptism up in Mequon. It was a surprisingly chilly May 26, but still visitors from all over came for the event.

Elsa's Aunt Ellen and Uncle Dave were her Godparents

The gang listening to the Priest

Karina and Daddy looking in on the proceedings from the pews

Elsa enduring the Holy Water being poured on her head

Karina hoping Elsa's okay

Afterwards we all went back to Elsa's House and the kids got to play in Elsa's Playroom (a.k.a the Living Room.) They seemed to have a lot of fun and even "posed" for a photo...I know not one of them is smiling but, hey, we were happy to just get all three of them in the photo together in any way, shape or form.

The guest of honor with Karina and Elsa's other cousin, Carter

Karina still focused on trying to give Elsa a kiss after their Mother's Day outing "kisses"

Sixteen Months Old

Karina doesn't have a sibling, but she does have brother in our kitty, Bart. The two of them have been "friends" ever since Karina was in utero when Bart would lay with me during a nap and I swear he'd always put his head right by my belly and knead at it with his paws (like kitties do), basically giving Karina a massage.

Here's Karina getting a kick out of Bart "standing up" to get the ribbon

Although, Bart doesn't always appreciate Karina's attempts to play with him, they get along quite well, and often Bart is entertained. Sometimes he seems to be trying to ignore what she's doing but it's like the kitten in him can't keep from coming out and attacking that string...or cord...or whatever Karina's dangling in front of him.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty!"

Bart and Karina playing tug of war

Walking, Talking and Eating

Karina enjoying some watermelon on the back patio

Karina's really been having a lot of fun now that she is learning how to walk. Grandma and Grandpa Mattern and Quentin and Lisa were over when she shocked us all by taking about 12 steps in a row while turning a corner! She walks a few steps regularly and usually stays near something to hold onto, however today she's started walking right out into the middle of the room.

What a pretty smile

She's been enjoying eating summer fruit...like watermelon...and she got another tooth (the left front bottom...the second of those.) It seems to be mostly in today. She now has 10 teeth...only 10 more to go!

She's been talking up a storm lately...saying "cheese" and "trees"...which I know sound similar but she says them in contextually appropriate situations...like while pointing at trees during our walk, and when I get out the cheese for lunch...so you'll have to trust me that they are different words. She always answers the question, "Karina, what does the kitty say?" by saying "Neow"...yes, neow rather than meow...while using the correct intonations. She knows "duck", "ball", "go", "Jesus"(from her crucifix from Great-Aunt and Godmother Beth) and of course "No!" It's really funny when she starts doing a chorus of "Oh, no!'s, because for no apparent reason, she'll say it once and seem to like the feeling of saying it and will proceed to say it over and over and over again, often using a concerned tone and wearing a worried expression.

"I sure love my Daddy!"

The word "Dada" or "Daddy" seems to be eluding her...much to Daddy's dismay. She'll say it occasionally when prompted, "Karina, say Dada," but when referring to Daddy she unfortunately says, "Mama." She loves her Daddy so much, I have no doubt she'll be saying "Dada" too often soon enough!

Thank You Aunt Lee

Karina's adorable one year old birthday announcement!

I need to offer a much belated but extremely well deserved thank you to Karina's Aunt Lee for designing her birthday announcement. We shouldn't take for granted having a talented graphics artist as a relative...we're such a well-announced and well-invited group of people because of her! Anyway, I told Lee what I wanted and she made it happen...it couldn't have been easier for me...and for that I also thank her so much! I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the announcements, too...and I know this was not just lip service, because I see the announcement displayed at every home we visit!

Thanks again, Lee! Love, Karina, Tanya and Tom!

Mommy's Birthday

Today was my birthday...and Karina (with a little help from Great Aunt Beth) made me a cake that is also a piece of artwork!

Isn't it just beautiful?

It was very tasty too! I feel very loved! Thank you Karina (and Beth) for my lovely and delicious birthday cake! And thank you Tom for the awesome iGroove! Now you'll have to listen to my music all around the house! New Order? Who are they?

Mother's Day

Today was my second Mother's Day and I couldn't feel like a luckier Mom to have a sweet, smart and adorable daughter like Karina! Also, I have a husband who is basically the Dali Lama of the gift world and always seems to find me a present even though I feel like I have everything I could ever need. But now I have a beautiful new watch...which, given the fact that my wrist has been bare for going on 4 months now, should have been an easy one for me to anticipate!

"Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!"
...or at least I'm guessing that's what Karina's thinking

We met Grandma Mary and Opa, together with Aunts Katie and Lee, Uncle Bob and Great-Aunt Beth for a Mother's Day brunch. Karina and Elsa sat together...right across from Grandma. I think she had the best Mother's Day of all! They were very cute...sharing sugar packets (pink, blue and white!) as well as trying to share a kiss...Karina loves giving kisses!

"Mmmm-aaahhh"
The sound Karina makes when kissing someone

Karina and Elsa practicing their "moves"

I'm not sure what they're doing here, but I think Karina might be teaching Elsa how to do the "tapping-fists gimme-five"...you know, when you tap fists instead of slapping hands for a "Give me five!" (Please excuse my ignorance but I have no idea what that's called! And now I'm actually freaking out because I've just had a glimpse into my future when Karina's 15 years old and is completely embarrassed by me because I'll be so clueless about what's "hip!" And to illustrate that point, let me highlight that I just used the words "freaking out," "clueless" and "hip" and I'll bet those are already phrases that would cause the average teenager to howl with laughter!) But, I digress...(us old people...we do tend to ramble on...)...

Playing with sugar packets

Anyhoo, it was a lovely brunch and a good time was had by all. The only downside to this Mother's Day was that we didn't get to see my Mother...Grandma Joy, but we were thinking of her and Karina and I (and Tom, too) love her very much! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Karina Took Her First Steps!

Well, we figured it had to happen sometime! Karina finally took her first steps today! She was a late crawler so we weren't surprised that she'd be a late walker, but nonetheless we've been waiting for the fateful day. I got my Mother's Day present early! What a poignant gift!

Our little walker with her Bun-Bun

It was a bit atypical because instead of the event being witnessed by only me (fairly typical because I'm alone with Karina a lot), Karina took her first steps in front of not only me and Daddy, but Quentin and Lisa, too. They were over spending some time with us...as they're so kind to do almost weekly...and I thought we should give the walking another try. She'd taken a step or two out into a room on two occasions and then fallen promptly to the floor, so we figured her best chance was to try to "walk" (read "falling forward while moving her feet") between two people only a few feet apart. All five of us were in the kitchen and Daddy and I knelt down. Karina had her balance from the start...which is actually the key...and then took a handful of steps to Daddy! Everyone went crazy clapping and cheering, including Karina...it was so cute how excited she was!

Karina exhausted after a hard day of walking...not really...but it could have been!

She proceeded to do it a few more times right then, and also a few more times throughout the night. Unfortunately, she didn't get a whole lot of practice, because she kept getting derailed by the desire to "jump." Karina also recently learned how to "jump" (read "squat down for a few seconds and straighten your legs as the grown-up lifts you up as though you actually jumped"...and don't forget to yell "zthump"). Walking and "jumping" both start in the same position, and since "jumping" is always successful...thanks to the grown-up... and therefore much easier and more fun than walking (for now!), Karina did much more "jumping" than walking that night. But, it doesn't really matter because Karina still took her first steps today!

Using The Lil' Dipper

I love peanut butter!

Having Fun with Opa and Grandma

Wrestling with Grandma

Playing Peek-a-Boo with Opa

Making silly faces with Opa

A Karina close-up...really close up!

Let's Get Physical...

Ok, so this is one of those photos that Karina will probably hate me for, but I swear when I bought the headband I had no idea it would make Karina look Olivia Newton-John in baby form! Sorry honey!

Here's a little flashback to the '80s! Did we actually dress like that!?

On a positive note...observe how proficient Karina has gotten at using the sippy cup!

A Trip to the Zoo with Elsa

Today we went to the zoo and met Aunt Lee, Uncle Bob and Cousin Elsa. It was a little brisk so we all bundled up a bit, but a good time was had by all. Lots of animals were out today and Karina and Elsa were really able to enjoy seeing them.

Daddy, Karina and Elsa enjoying the chimpanzees

The Daddies and their little girls

As Aunt Lee put it best in Elsa's blog..."As you can see both girls could totally take on the baby gorilla!"

Coincidentally the peacocks, which roam free throughout the zoo, seemed to be in their mating season...this is of course coming from a completely uneducated source (me!)...and were making all sorts of noise while strutting around with their tail feathers spread.

The funniest moment was probably when Karina did a very convincing job imitating the peacock's mating cry, by squawking back at a peacock in the walkway as her Daddy strolled her past him.

The peacock and Karina sharing a glance
as the peacock determined decisively that Karina is not a lady peacock!

The last tidbit I want to mention about this zoo trip is something I didn't notice until I looked at the photos. Look at Elsa in this next picture...contentedly hanging out in her stroller. And then in the following photos check out her initial apparent obsession with getting her mouth on the stroller tray...and then her somewhat snake-like (sorry Elsa...I can't think of a cuter animal with a long tongue) tongue tricks. I just had to put it in the blog...I was giggling too hard by myself to not share it with you all. Here are Elsa's thoughts (as I imagine them, of course)

"Yup, here I am at the Zoo...just hanging out in my stroller"

Hmm...I wonder what this tray thingie would taste like if I could get my mouth down there?"

"If I could just lean over a little bit more..."

"Oh well...forget about that stroller bar...what can I do with my tongue for fun?"

"Oh yeah! Now this feels interesting!"

See what I mean! She's so funny and cute I just couldn't stop smiling!