Feb/04/09

Today Sofia climbed her first ladder.

She went all the way up and down by herself.  The last picture is my favourite, the look on her face is priceless!  She was clapping and saying "I did it".

Alicia needs ...

According to Google these are what "Alicia needs"

Alicia needs more funky beats and innovative tunes in her music.  (who doesn't?) 

Alicia's missing some of her toes and she may need corrective surgery on her hips in the future.  (the cat me is in kinda rough shape but still very lovable!) 

Alicia needs #!  (apparently I lost my cell phone and created a facebook group to get my friends numbers)

Alicia needs a new home.  (hmm, maybe Grant has something he wants to tell me?!)

Alicia needs a freshman class president slogan.  (the american school system confuses me, what's a freshman?)

Alicia needs to apologize for conceited comment.  (me? really?)

Alicia needs to find money to pay for her last semester.  (no I don't)

Alicia needs to continue to challenge herself in terms of the level of thinking, leadership, and writing abilities.  (I agree with the challenge myself part but I'd chose different challenging topics)

Alicia needs to know if there are scissors, crayons, paper, and pencils available at home.  (so she can make her diorama) 

Alicia needs new bike. (and grammar lessons)

Where's Sofia?

Rock, rock, rock, rock

Photo booth fun!

I love my mac!  Sofia is fascinated by our computer and likes to look at pictures on it.  Sometimes I flip through our photo albums with her, sometimes I let her look at blogs (and other EthioBabies) with me, but today I decided to take pictures!  She thought it was great fun and I have a feeling it's what she'll ask to do first thing tomorrow morning...

Day 1 down

Grant took this picture on the way to daycare this morning.  The report from daycare is that Sofia did great.  She was looking for her Dada mid morning but then settled back in again.  She even went down for nap easily and slept well.  

Sofia amazes me with how easily she rolls with life.  I know I've said it before, but seriously I'm in awe of her.

The tile looks amazing!  It's all cut and ready to be installed.  My husband is so talented, I'm such a lucky girl!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-Changes

Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

(Turn and face the strange)

Ch-ch-Changes

Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older

Time may change me

But I can't trace time

~David Bowie

9 months ago yesterday we carried Sofia through the door into our house for the very first time. Tomorrow morning she will walk out that door for her first day of daycare. Tonight I'm feeling sad. I know that it will be good for her, I know that it is the right thing for my family, I know that one day all parents must trust the care of their children to another ... but I'm allowed to be sad about it! We've come a long way in 9 months, children sure teach you the value of a minute, day, week, and month.

I'm not sure how to articulate my feelings. Up until now when Sofia has learned something new; a word, a song, an action; the other parent has been able to fill in the blanks. Now Sofia will be learning new things from a new person and we might not be able to get those gaps filled in. What if she learns a new word and we can't translate it? How frustrated will she be? Yes I'm crying and yes I'll cry tomorrow. Secretly I'm glad that Grant has to be the one to drop her off. I'd be a mess and that is a disservice to Sofia.

More changes: Grant tore up the laminate in our entry way. He has spent the day/night prepping it for the tile that he is going to install! After the tile Grant will be installing hardwood on the entire first floor. I'm not sure if I'm up for a reno right now but I approved the purchase so I guess I have no choice! Pictures to follow.

More changes: I finally got a hair cut! I've only been talking about it since the fall. My last hair cut was the first week of June, sad. It's a cute little bob, I like my hair shorter. Possible picture to follow.

Quiet child ...

We all know that a quiet child means trouble.  This is what Grant found the other day...

Yes that's a bar of soap in her armpit.  

Notice anything?

The Dybdal Family is shaking things up a little! Grant and I had talked months ago about ending the blog with in May of this year. It started out as a way to keep our friends and family abreast of the adoption proceedings. Then when Sofia came home it became a bragging platform for me to tell y'all about my amazing baby girl. The one year mark of her arrival into our family seemed like a logical ending place. Except for Sofia is just the beginning ... the Dybdal family is still growing.

I have really enjoyed writing the blog and sharing all our experiences. I spoke with Grant again and we've decided to change a bit. Instead of the blogs focus being Sofia it will be the Dybdal Family. We've got lots of exciting things planned for this year but you'll have to stick around to find out!

To be honest I'm not exactly sure exactly what the blog is going to morph into. I have chosen to not make the blog private. I know that there are many of you that enjoy reading but do not comment. I was very open during our families adoption journey and I'm feeling a bit less open now.  If you have our blog listed in your blog roll could you please remove it. I welcome you to continue following our journey but since it isn't an adoption blog anymore I don't want it "advertised" as such.  

Conversation

Sofia: Happy ... Yooou  (her version of the Happy Birthday song)

Mum: Your birthday is coming soon

Sofia: Yeah! (her standard answer)

Mum: Do you know how old your going to be?

Sofia: Yeah! (see, told you)

Mum: Can you say "I'm two"? 

Sofia: I toot (big smile on her face)

Mum: No "I'm two"

Sofia: eyyyyye toooot (enforced with a big giggle!) 

Mum: Noooo, "I'm two"

Sofia: Aaaaa CHooooooo!  

Pretty good for 21 months!  

Escape

Well we know Sofia is a good problem solver!  For the record the green chair has been put away in a closet.  Sofia never had a chance to open the door.  Part of wishes I'd let her because I'd like to know what she was going to do once it was open.