Happy Mother's Day! 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm still struggling to catch up but I just had to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!

It's been a crazy.. crazy week. Lots of running around, a Mother's Day Tea and concert at preschool, My Dad's Birthday, Auntie Olga's Nephew in law Mickey suddenly died this week. So there were many phone calls and sadly a wake to attend.

Mickey's passing came as a shock to his friends and family. A 27 year old lung cancer survivor who apparently died because of an ear infection that was undetected due to the pain meds he had been taking. A loving husband and father of 3 young children. The youngest is just a few months old. His wife.. Olga's Niece Stephanie is just 23.

I'm telling you all about this heart breaking situation not to bring you down this very special Mother's day but to remind you how fragile life can be. How unfair it can seem. I'm hoping that you will all think about what you do have or more importantly who you do have in your life today. Make sure they know how much they mean to you.

~

So...

My first Mother's Day! Yay! Finally it's here.

I woke up at 3 am... thud...thud.. thud. I look at the baby monitor and there's Tamara getting back in bed. Yup.. she finally fell out .. landing on a cloud of pillows but ouch! That one hurt Mommy more I think. lol

I have no idea what today will bring. Probably a nice quite day at home with my little girl and her Daddy.

~

Below are some pictures taken about a month ago... yup still have lots of catching up to do. If Mommy has chance later I'll let you know how my day went. ;o)

Stay tuned!

Getting ready to leave for church.
She kept that hat on for hours.. amazing.

Cute no? I think so...

OK.. Mom.. just take the picture.

out front

We done?

After church it's ... over the river and through the woods to Baba's house we go..

Tamara helping Baba in her kitchen.

Potty break with Baba

Every time we visit Tamara checks to make sure the beds are made.

Playing with Baba... time to go downstairs and play pool.

Tickling Dido to get their play balls back.

Tamara loves her Baba and Dido

I printed out this picture for Baba... nice big 8x10

She loved it!

I think this is my personal favorite.

Getting some fresh air

"Oh what big eyes you have... Grandma"

LOL... she's such a drama queen.

On the run with Baba... actually they were kicking a ball.

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Back home..

Just being Pretty in pink

playing

Getting ready to read.

I actually think she may be starting to read. Every once in a while she'll do something that will make our jaws drop.

She always puts her toys away. Well usually..lol.

What?

Love that curl

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Helping in the kitchen

Tamara likes to plate our food. She's even getting the concept of presentation.

That's my girl.. ;o)

On the menu

salad, fish sticks, french fries and mixed veg.

She will actually eat them in that order. Salad first.. then the fish.. fries and yucky veggies.

Yup she's four..lol

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Again... Have a Wonderful Mother's Day everybody!!!

I can't believe one year ago we were waiting for our court date. Waiting to make our dream of bringing our daughter home a reality. ;o)

~~~

She wants a car... already?

She wants a car... already?

She wants a car.. in the worst way.. and this is how it all started.

Brody's 3rd Birthday party in March. Yup still catching up.

~

Below Tamara rides with a few of the girls at the party.

Tamara takes a spin with the Birthday Boy.

Happy Birthday Brody ;o)

Below our friends Kelly & Darren (Appleton) and their two boys Brody and Braydon

Time to blow out the candles.

Tamara appear in the left bottom corner.

A fun time was had by all. I honestly don't know how she managed to keep up the pace as this was the day after my cousin big party.

~

Still catching up.. stay tuned

Her first BIG Family event

Her first BIG family event...

Tamara has attended many parties since she arrived home.

Numerous Birthday parties for children and adults. Large family dinners, the holidays and of course her Birthday party.

This was her first BIG party.

One of my little cousins got engaged and the family gathered in full force to help Christina and Chris celebrate their love.

Congratulations!

~

The Happy Couple

Christina and Chris

Their first dance.

Below.. Tamara watches from the side lines.

She's warming up.

Katie comes by and asks her to dance

These two danced for 4-1/2 hours

They danced

And danced

And danced some more.

and more.

and more.

pretty cute no?

Baba and Dido tried to dance with Tamara

but there was no competing with Katie.

Christina and her Daddy (Uncle Nado) dance in a spot light dance.

Tamara and Daddy dancing.

Never too early to start practicing for her wedding. lol

Traditional Croatian dancing. Things can get a little crazy out there. It was a bit of a challenge keeping Tamara and Katie safe.

Auntie Olga takes matters into her own hands and takes the girls for a spin.

Round and round they go... when they'll stop no one knows.

Good work out Olga? ;o)

Tamara is so wound up.. Daddy tries to dance with her.

Katie cuts in... again. lol

A challenge keeping the girls on the side lines.

They both wanted to be where the action was.

Cousin Amanda dancing with Tamara.

Amanda and her boyfriend Andy dance with the girls.

Christina dances a traditional Croatian line dance with some of her friends.

Another spot light dance for the happy couple.

Time to get a little crazy.

Tamara.. tired .. no nap today.. past her bed time.

Mommy makes her take a break. She pouts for about a minute while she plays with some flowers.

Mommy and Daddy dance with Tamara.

A nice way to round off the evening.

This post is truly challenging Blog Spots limitations. ;o)

I wanted to post all the videos for family who had asked if I would. And give the rest of you an opportunity to experience a Croatian American party. Complete with crazy relatives, music and dance. Sorry no food pictures as it disappeared too quickly. ;o)

Enjoy!

~~~

Wa La a new baby to play with

Wa La a new baby to play with.

Tamara loves babies. Imagine her surprise when one suddenly appeared at our door.

Mommy can we keep it?

Many of you may remember our old neighbor Barbara.

Well she's a proud Grandma these days and came by to show off her new grandson.

What a cutie. Tamara didn't want to let him leave.

When I see Tamara with babies I feel a slight twinge of guilt that she doesn't have a younger sibling. I know she would really enjoy and benefit from having another little one around.

It would also be nice for her to have someone when she's older. I imagine being an only child growing up can't always be easy.

~

Mardi Gras at preschool.

Tamara models her mask for me.

She loves her arts and crafts projects.

Loves to dress up.

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As I mentioned before this year was not a very good year for snow and snowmen. While I was out shopping one Saturday Tamara and Daddy were making snowmen in the driveway.
When I returned I found this adorable little snowman family waiting for me.
Tamara was a little disappointed when they disappeared the next day. All she found was a little wet spot. :o(

~

New Rain boots. Had to try them on and of course dance in them.

Action shot..lol

First soggy day we had to test them out. Yup.. they work.
She is a cutie!
~~~

Here Kitty Kitty

Here Kitty Kitty

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty... she says now.

I was hoping to capture this on film for you but well.. you know how 4 year olds are.

We'll get it.. sooner or later.

Tamara loves to help so we've given her some chores if you will to give her a sense of responsibility and belonging.

One of the things she likes to do is feed the kitty cats.

~

Below Tamara fills their bowls

She tries to get every last morsel out for them. She's very persistent.

Tamara cuddles with her Fur Real Kitty

What is she thinking?
What does a kitty say?

~~~

A hidden talent perhaps?

A hidden talent perhaps?

Tamara loves her Baby Grand piano. From the first time she sat at the piano on Christmas day she somehow seemed comfortable with it. Knowing what it was and how do use it. Which in it's self was somewhat odd. As any parent of a preschooler will tell you capturing those special little moments is not easy. 4 year olds are often described as having the attention span of a Nat. lol

Below Tamara seems to be writing / composing her own music? Very cute to watch and especially exciting as she is starting to play on her own more often. Yay!

Enjoy!

Pretty cute stuff .. no?

What do you think... Piano lessons in her future?

A hidden talent perhaps?

~~~

Put your dancing shoes on...

Put your dancing shoes on...

Tamara loves to dance and sing. She loves music.

When we heard that there would be dancing at my cousin Christina's engagement party we just had to practice. So Mommy dug up an instructional dance DVD that was designed for weddings. At first Daddy thought I was a little crazy suggesting it but Tamara loved it and practiced for hours with Daddy and I.

Below Tamara puts on her shoes in preparation of her dance lesson.

Go like this Daddy

These two are so cute together. Lots of giggles and they actually did start to get the steps.

~~~