Anika Will Have a Baby Brother

Well, we now know that Anika is going to have a baby brother. We found out last Thursday. Any ideas on names?

Big Girl Bed

Last Sunday we tied a new twin mattress and box spring to the car, took down Anika's crib and put on Dora sheets on Anika's big girl bed. She is doing fine and is just learning that she can get out by herself without receiving prior approval. Raimie still sleeps with mom and dad and we hope to get some bed rails in the next few weeks.

New Baby Brother

Kara got to visit Ben Skramstad's brother, Thomas, this afternoon.  Quite the emotional experience for Kara. 

Learned a new saying from Anika..."You get what you get and you won't pitch a fit"  Too bad that didn't work tonight when Kara was away.  We had a difficult time communicating this evening.

Chilin' with the Godfather

Just posted a few pictures to the Picasa account of Uncle Greg and Anika. It is scary how well they played together. Hopefully this one is even too young for him!

Anika's Moving Up

Anika has begun her transition into a new classroom with new friends and new teachers. She will go full time beginning next week. Mom and dad are happy for a couple of reasons. First, she already seems to be more tired out from the additional activities in the class. Second, tuition goes down...dad is really happy about that. So far, the teachers all say that she is doing well and she showed dad her new room today; stars on the floor and the fish. However, I'm sure she will be missing Jack, but Jack will join her in the next couple of months, and he is just next door.

Basement Completion (for now)

Well, we finally put a closet into the "spare bedroom" in the basement. Kara's parents came down and we very helpful and knowledgeable in assisting in the project. I have a feeling other projects around the house were completed during this Memorial Day weekend, but I'm not going to ask for an update.

Anika, of course, was helpful and honestly, rarely if ever, got in the way. All and all it was a pleasurable rewarding experience. But that is just my opinion.

Anika's First Dance Recital

Anika had her first dance recital at Ebenezer yesterday. Kara stayed home and planned on going into work after the show; I went into work and Kathy Harmon came with me for the performance. Kathy and I also went to see Kathy's mom who is a resident at the long term care facility and to see the "turkey" in the stairway.

Kathy and I arrived a little early and decided to go and see Anika prior to the start of the recital. When Anika saw me, she smiled and then immediately broke into tears and became upset and clingy. It was strange given that her teachers said how she was so excited to go and dance.

Anika never seemed to snap out of her funk and never made it up on stage to show us her moves. Oh well, I guess that is how it goes.

Is It Beginning?

A friend of mine recently mentioned to me that his friend kept a blog to keep an electronic journal of their family's life, specifically their children. I had considered this when Anika was born, but never really stuck with it. However, as I watch Anika grow and Kara fill in the baby book, perhaps this can be my contribution to any type of family history. I can not promise that this will continue, but will do my best.