Week 40 Picture

Grant took this picture just before we headed to the hospital. It was as close to 40 weeks as I got, 39 weeks 6 days. I'm still thankful that our girl decided to show up on time, very nice treat for an impatient mother! I look at this picture today and I don't even remember being that big, or what it was like. Already I know that I would like the opportunity to do it again.

Sofia loves to hold Maizie and asks if she can many times a day. She does well and pats her back and says "you're fine". When Sofia hears Maizie fussing she calls out "it's ok baby I coming". Sofia is becoming such a big girl and wants to try doing everything "by-self". There is something about this picture though that makes her look a bit babyish, I like it!

Our Maizie girl. She regained her birth weight in 4 days and at 7 days was already 5 ounces over that. She and I must be doing a good job with breastfeeding.

Baby Pool Winner

Congrats to Betty the winner of the baby pool.

Nikki's Mom (Betty) said...I wanted to guess too: So I guess a girl, 6lbs 9oz, born on Sept 20th. I'll have to have Nikki keep me up to date. Take of yourself until then.

I must admit I'm a little creeped out! I didn't imagine that anyone would be able to guess EXACTLY! They'll have to be some extra special chocolates.

Oh and for those wondering, Maizie was born on her due date, how punctual.

Sofia has a baby sister!

The Dybdal Family is pleased to announce the safe arrival of

Miss Maizie Kaitlyn Dybdal

born: Sept 20/09 at 0511

weight: 6lb 9oz (2993 grams)

We are all doing well. Sofia is doing great as a big sister, she loves to hold Maizie and is a good helper. Maizie is a sleepy baby and so Sofia gets to help us wake her up when it's time to eat, what big sister wouldn't enjoy that? We are all finding our stride. I am so thankful that Grant was able to take time off from work to be here with me this week.

What Mummys Do

September 2009 edition

Sofia made her own bead necklace

She learned some fine motor skills and I learned some patience.

I found it really hard to sit back and let her do it all by herself.

It was a good exercise for both of us!

The finished product I'm not sure who's more proud.

The morning after she made it her first words of the day were

"Good Morning! I want my necklace please. I need my necklace right now!"

Sofia and the baby playing hide and seek

Non-Stress Test

I've been doing this every Thursday for the passed 6 weeks. The first couple of times it was cool but then the novelty wore off. I'm really hoping that I don't have to go again next week (meaning that the baby will be born before then)

Ultrasound

I have to have one every second week to make sure that the amniotic fluid level stays in the safe range. So far so good. Again I am really hoping I don't have to do this again next week. Although it has been nice to see the baby grow and change I'd rather see it in person!

What Daddys Do

September 2009 edition

Grant bought Sofia a ukulele and is teaching her to play it

Who would let a 2 year old eat a lollipops on the sofa?

(and leave incriminating pictures on Mums camera?)

Watching some tv with her lollipop

(must have been time with Daddy)

Sofia at dance class

Sofia all ready for soccer class

(look at those tiny soccer boots)

Practicing being a goalie

Daddy didn't get one passed Sofia

A neighbour gave Sofia an old bike and Grant refinished it

Purple and black it's sweet!

Sofia loves her big bike

Mummy/Daughter Day

Yesterday Sofia and I had possibly our last Mummy/Daughter day before the baby comes. We had peanut butter chocolate chip "panpakes" for breakfast, went for coffee, went shopping, visited with friends and had Ethiopian for "munch". I had such a great time with my little girl!

As we were driving in the car she said to me;

"Mumma is the baby coming soon."

M "Pretty soon"

S "Yeah, we'll see. Ask me tomorrow but not today."

M "Yep, that's it. Not today but maybe tomorrow."

S "That's ok Mumma, I be patient."

I'm glad that she can be patient, I think we are all doing pretty good in that department. I will admit to having a couple of pretty grumpy moments lately. I like planning and not knowing when things are going to start happening is wearing on my nerves a bit. I feel great! a bit more tired than usual and I've had a few restless nights lately. For the most part though I can't believe that it's almost over. Finding out that I was pregnant seemed so surreal and it's still hard for me to completely wrap my head around what is happening. My house is full of newborn things; clothes, bassinet, car seat. Just the itty bitty-ness of all the things is overwhelming for me!

Sofia is excited about becoming a big sister and talks about coming to the hospital to meet the baby. She has taken the addition of the crib in her room in stride as well as all the other things around the house. Sofia is in a big helping phase and I think that's going to benefit us greatly. We just have to harness her powers for good and try to avoid the evil. The desire of a 2 year old to help can go south very quickly! So far Sofia is open to reason and if you can explain to her why it's better for you to do something for her rather than let her "do it by-self" she's willing to accept it. I never dreamed that I would be able to have the conversations with a two year old that I can have with mine. Her vocabulary, both spoken and comprehensive, floors me.

Today I plan on spending the day baking. I need to make cookies and I want to make some granola. I'm trying to keep some healthy snacks in the cupboards lately, I've put on 43 pounds in the last 33 weeks. UGH! The target they give you is 25-35 lbs so I blew that out of the water! Although I was expecting to gain at least 35 because I had lost 10+ lbs from my "normal" weight when I was home with Sofia last year.

Well, I'd better use my energy while I still have it.

Randomness

Accordion lessons with Daddy

Learning how the bellows work

At the beach with Shauna, Molly, Selamu, Dexter, & Daddy

ROAR!

(Thanks Molly, Sofia is still talking about how much fun she had!)

Becketts 2nd Birthday

Sofias cousin Beckett celebrated his birthday at the local gymnastics club. We got to free play with the equipment for an hour. Grant had a BLAST playing with Sofia and I even got in on some of the action too. Getting out of the foam pit was pretty tricky but very worth it.

Grant jumping over Sofia and into the foam pit.

"I do it by-self"

Neither of us could believe that Sofia was wanting to jump from up so high. At one point Grant flipped her into the pit and she landed upside down. With her feet waving in the air Grant flew in beside her to pull her out, she was crying. Once she calmed down and we could here her words we all started laughing. "No Daddy no. I do it by-self!" Our crazy kid couldn't care less that she landed wrong side up, she was upset because Grant didn't let her jump herself!

Getting some hang time.

One of her favourite activities is hanging from the monkey bars, this was more fun because she could drop into the foam. She was even swinging her legs back and forth to get herself rocking a bit.

Balance beam walking

I think she prefers balancing on logs on the beach but she did try a couple of balance beams.

The Fair!

Last Saturday we took Sofia to the Fair. Grant and I have been looking forward to and talk about it since last year. With every new stage she's hit over the passed year we've said "The fair this year is going to be so much fun!" I could hardly sleep all last week imaging how much fun we were going to have. It was more exciting for me than Christmas.

Luckily the Fair and Sofia didn't disappoint. Sofia was so joyful and exuberant. She was thrilled to see all the animals. We have yet to take her on a ride, maybe next year. For us the fair is about the animals and the food!

Feeding the goats. Sofia was the very most excited about seeing the goats. She was talking about them all week. I'm not sure what she loves about goats so much but right now they seem to be her favourite. The squeals, excited hand clapping, and skipping when we entered the barn with the goats had everyone around us smiling!

Sofia also really seemed to like the horses. She asked if she could ride one. I told her that she needed a special helmet and I'm hoping that buys me another year or so. I'm afraid of horses and I was really hoping that my children would be too. In trying to be a good mother though I dutifully get as close as I can to them without starting to cry. I think my Dad needs to move out here so he can take his granddaughter riding!
We have the same picture from last year. Ah, the changes. Next year at the fair we'll have 2 kids!

Still pregnant...

Everything is going great. I've been spending lots of time in the kitchen this week, storing some healthy food away for after the baby is born. We had an amazing & busy long weekend and I do have lots of pictures to share. I'll get them up tomorrow or Friday.