2 weeks left ...

... of my baby being 1. In less than 2 weeks Sofia will have been with us for a full year and will turn 2! How fast time flies! Every morning when I look into those big brown eyes and hear "Mumma" from those sweet lips I smile and am happy. Truly happy. Even lately when she's been waking up at a ridiculously early time, I am happy because I am her Mumma and I love that. All I ever wanted in life was to be a wife and a mother; I am that and so much more. I am blessed. Watching Sofia grow and change over this past year has made me grateful for all the little moments. I try to remember each day, each new thing, but there are too many. I do remember that this past year has been filled with more smiles than frowns and more giggles than tears. I know that is all anyone can every hope for.

Uhoh, the pregnancy hormones just got me.... I'm sitting at work trying to write this and bawling my eyes out! ugh Must change topic!

There's another type of countdown going on to. I have said for a long time that we would potty train Sofia when she turns 2. We've been potty talking with her since 18 months and she seems further away now than she was then. I'm scared! I will also admit that I'm feeling pretty lazy about it too. Having her in a diaper is "safe" and I like that. I can go into any store and not worry about them having a public washroom or the cleanliness of it. We can go out anywhere and I don't have to worry about making a fast break to find a washroom. If we are outside playing ... no biggie. No accidents, no tears, no extra laundry! I must admit the thought of a pregnant me holding a squirming toddler over a public potty and waiting for the magic to happen has me cringing! I know that in order for this to be successful I have to get over my fears. I have two weeks to make that happen! Guess I'm off to the library to find some books...

Baby Dybdal #2

As I mentioned the ultrasound went smoothly. I don't see my midwife for another 2 weeks so I don't know the details. I did double check with the tech scanning me about the top 2 things I was worried about and she was able to assure me that they didn't seem to be present. Nothing is ever 100% until the baby is born and able to be viewed with naked eye but the reassurance that we couldn't see certain things in the scan was good. Being a medical professional has it's perks and drawbacks. One of the drawbacks being that you can know too much and if your me that means you worry too much. There are a few other things that I am starting to stress over and I will be sure to discuss them with my midwife at our next appointment so they can be addressed. With all these extra crazy hormones floating around in my body I have to be sure not to let things fester.

We have chosen to not find out the gender of the baby, we are keeping it 'old school'. Grant will have to be prepared to do some emergent shopping when the baby is born! The thought of all yellow and green right now is too much and I'm trying to not buy anything for the baby. Plus we have no idea how big the baby will be when it's born so no use in spending money on clothes that will be too big or too small.

New Toy?

Sometimes the toys that are the most fun aren't toys at all!

This cupboard used to hold lots of counter top appliances that never got used.  During the reno when the island was moved to the deck they got moved somewhere and haven't returned.  I think Sofia will be happy if we never put anything in this cupboard again as I'm pretty sure she thinks it belongs to her.  While we are working in the kitchen she'll climb onto the top shelf and close the door behind herself.  Every once and a while you hear a "peek boo" and out pops some feet!  

18 weeks!

Hideous pictures of me, we took these first thing this morning before coffee was administered.

The ultrasound went great.  All the babies anatomy is normal and it is VERY active!  Luckily my full bladder cramped its style and the tech got all the measurements and important stuff scanned then.  Once I got back from the bathroom the baby had room to boogie and boogie it did!  This baby is as fidgety as its Papa and big sister!  looks like I'm going to have my hands full.  

I've been feeling the baby move a lot and was starting to think that maybe I was confusing the feelings for body functions (know what I mean?).  Getting to see the baby move on the monitor while I felt it move was really cool and reassured me that I know what I'm feeling.  From sun up to sun down this baby is a mover and shaker.  

We've got a few good pictures and I'll be able to post them on Friday.

Too excited to sleep!

That's how I feel.  I've got butterflies in my stomach and I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve...  Tomorrow is my 18 week ultrasound!  We get to have a really good look at the belly baby.  I'm excited to see it's little arms, legs, fingers, and toes.  I'm a bit nervous about a few things and tomorrow it should all be laid to rest.  Medical people know what I mean, there are just some things you worry about because you know a bit more than the average person.  

There will be pictures to show on Friday.  There's a belly shot coming too.  This bump has grown markedly in the past 2 weeks!  I think I look pregnant now and not just bloated.  I am starting to get used to feeling the baby move around and have been able to enjoy it.  

First canoe outting of '09

Sofia is big into boats right now, so Grant and I decided today was a good day to take her out in our 'boat'.  She was super excited when we told her our plan.  

However as you can see from her face once we got to the beach and had the canoe in the water she wasn't so sure.  It didn't take long for her to start enjoying it though.  I think we are going to have to get her her own paddle though because she kept asking to hold Grants.

Ok so she doesn't really look all that happy in this picture either but she did really have fun and didn't cry at all.  Grant and I both wear our life jackets to set a good example but I'm not sure how much longer mine will fit over my belly.  At least I sit with my back to her so she won't be able to see that mines undone.

Hair

Fresh out of the bath

My first beading attempt.  4 ponies and 2 beaded braids.  

I think I'm hooked! and Sofia LOVES them.

Sofias hair amazes me.  I love that I get to 'play' with it although it hasn't always been like that.  Sofia is becoming more patient and doing her hair is becoming less of a chore and more enjoyable.  Today she was being very good and since I've been wanting to try beading her hair for a couple of months now I saw my oppourtunity.  She loves her beads so hopefully now I'll be able to get her to hold still while I do more.  Her hair is very slippery and so we only keep her styles in for 2 or 3 days, by then it's very frizzy.  Since the styles don't last very long I really don't want to have to spend too much time on them.  The more I can practice though the faster I'll get.  Just even with the 2 I did today I learned a few things and the next ones will be better.  

Now to increase our collection of hair beads!!!

EGAD!

What have I gotten myself into?

Holding my 3 week old nephew Gage

I think I look pretty good holding a little itty bitty baby.  Even though my parenting skills start at 12 months old there are some days when I think I'll be good at being a mother to a newborn.

Notice the blur that is Sofia!

Then I realize that I will be the mother to a newborn and to a 2 year old! and I start to get a bit panicky...  I know that it will all work out but EGAD! 

11 months

Sofia was carried through our front door for the very first time 11 month ago tonight.  Grant and I have spent some time this week remembering how far we've come... 

Last Thursday while I was doing dishes Sofia got her boots & hat on, grabbed the dogs leash, and came to ask me if we could "Take Qimik walk beach?"  She's getting to be such a big girl, full of ideas and humour.  I feel so lucky that Sofia is able to express herself but sometimes I worry that she is becoming precocious.  I'm glad that she is going to be a big sister at the end of the summer.  It will be so good for her to not be an 'only' any more.  She is going to make and excellent big sister, she loves babies and enjoys helping.

This weekend Sofia learned to open door knobs.  So on Tuesday morning while I was getting our breakfast ready Qimik scratched on the back door saying he wanted in.  I asked Sofia if she could let Qimik in and this is what I heard.  "Hi Qimik.  Qimik outside.  Qimik come inside? Qimik, be patient.... Good boy"  Seriously ... "be patient"!  HA you can guess who she learned that phrase from!  At least she proved that she understands what 'be patient' means.  See why I'm worried about her becoming precocious?

Vancouver Aquarium

This weekend we met up with Sofias old roommates, Owen & Mady, and visited the Aquarium.

The 3 friends watching the beluga show

The Dybdals

Watching the dolphins

Seeing the belugas underground with Magra and Dadda

Sofia LOVED the fish or "pish" as she calls them.  I was a bit nervous because it's the first time we've ever taken her any where like this but she did amazing.  This kid seems fearless and was pressed right up against the big fish tank within minutes of being through the front door.  She ran from tank to tank talking the whole way!

We had a great time.  I have never had any interest in living in the greater Vancouver area but I am sad that it's so expensive to get there.  It makes things like trips to the aquarium so inaccessible for a young family.  There is an aquarium opening in Sydney (on the Island) this June and after the success of this weekends trip we'll be sure to be going.

More long weekend stories to follow.

Spring has Sprung!

Today the temperature was 21!  WOW!  It really feels like spring is finally here.  It's about freakin' time!  I was in such a great mood going to work this morning; the sun was shining, there are flowers in bloom along the road, the cherry trees are all in blossom.

Today I am 16 weeks pregnant.  4 months down 5 to go!  I have been feeling random flutters for a couple of weeks now but on Saturday the baby decided to boogie!  I'm sure it was helped by the orange pop and brownie I had at the BBQ but it was having a dance party in my tummy.  I don't know if at some point I'll get used to it but right now I'm finding it distracting.  Today at work I was trying to start an IV and the baby chose then start kicking.  I needed to take an extra few seconds to regroup. 

Somebody at work told me I looked pregnant today.  :)  It made me smile.  He knew that I am pregnant but he said "today I can tell there's a baby".  

Sofia was particularly funny today.  She got told not to climb up on the side table and afterwards she returned to the scene of the crime and told Grant and I why she was in trouble.  "Da-eee (said) no no no.  Mumma (said) no no no.  I no get up, I get huwrt.  No climb.  Get owies"  At least she learning, hopefully soon she'll start listening!

A Perfect Day

We headed out this morning for Tower Point our favourite beach.  We got to see three eagles circling overhead and listen to them calling to each other as we walked down the trail to the beach.

Sofia is into collecting treasures.  In this picture she has 3 rocks in her left hand.  "I throw in wawa".  Today she was collecting rocks, sticks, pine cones, and flowers.  At the moment we are able to talk her into leaving all her 'treasures' at the beach.  I know one day soon we'll have containers of 'treasures' in our yard and house.

Sofia enjoyed watching a dog swimming to get its ball.  Qimik is not a fetch dog so Sofia didn't really understand why the man kept throwing the ball in the water and why the dog kept swimming out and bringing it back.  She kept calling the dog back to the beach.

Sofia's getting better at climbing.  She likes to try but gives up pretty quickly.  I think I would too if someone would carry me up the hill!

Sofia with more treasures, here she has pine cones in her left hand and flowers in her right.

An impromptu street BBQ for dinner.  We are all celebrating the mercury being over 15 for the first time this year!

Princess Sofia and her best friend Morgan eating their hot dogs.  This isn't a very good picture of Morgan but look at how Sofia is sitting.  Seriously?!?  My kid was born with attitude!

Morgan, Dawson, and Sofia eating.  Dawson and Sofia were grooving to the new Tragically Hip CD.  Dawson is so good with Sofia and she absolutely adores him and his younger brother Noah.  They live directly across from us and on the weekends the kids watch out the windows for each other to be out playing on the street.  It is impossible to keep Sofia inside once "Dawson and Nono ow-side".

What a fantastic day!  Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be even better.  I'm so stoked that spring is finally here!

Good Week

This week I'm on evenings so I've struck a deal with Sofias daycare lady, D, instead of dropping her off at 8 like we usually do I drop her off at 11.  There are a lot of bonuses to paying for a full time daycare spot.  Sofia and I took the dog to the beach for an hour this morning!  It was such a great treat in the middle of the week.  When it was time to leave Sofia said "Bye beach, see you tomorrow".  I guess I've already been told what we are doing tomorrow!

I really like D she's very warm and caring.  I know that Sofia is being taken very good care of and that's all any mother can ask for.  I was really sad about having to send Sofia to daycare but she loves it so much that now I'm sad I'll have to take her out of it after the baby is born.  Unfortunately D only takes 4 kids full time so even though 2 days a week would be great for us, it's not an option with her.  I'm hoping that we'll be able to find a 2 day a week spot for her somewhere in the neighbourhood.

Although evenings aren't my favourite shift to work, I've actually been spending more time with Sofia and better quality time too.  When I work days I get home around 5pm we have dinner at 6 and bedtime's at 7.  We are all tired and some days cranky.  These mornings we've both been fresh and full of energy.  For the first time in years I'm actually looking forward to my next week of evenings!

Alicia through the looking glass

I have always thought that our children are a reflection of us. However being the mother of an almost 2 year old has brought this to my attention in a whole new way. Sofia's latest 'mummy-ism' "Ummmm" I didn't realize that I said it so often or used the 'phrase' so widely but if Sofia is my mirror than WOW ...

The first time I realized that Grant and I need to be careful of how we chose our words was last summer. I asked Sofia to do something and she "yeah yeah yeah"ed me. It only took me asking Grant to do something to realize where she'd gotten it from. Grant and I are both guilty of the 'yeah yeah yeah'. I think it's common when you know how your spouse is going to end their sentence.

I am now more conscious to use full sentences, say "yes" instead of "yeah" or "yep", and always use my manners. I also eat all my vegetables (although as the person that plates the food I get to make sure that only the veggies that I like make it onto my plate!) I do hope that it is not too late for my little Nigist. "Ummm ok" is not a very attractive sentence starter from a 2 year old. It does sound very cute though. I must also be more conscious to not giggle reinforcing-ly!