So sweet.

Craig and Dagny

Dagny and Craig

Craig and Dagny

Barbara

funny girl

In other Dagny news. Her speech is at the next level. You can totally have a mini conversation with her. She is able to put three to four words in a sentence in with her baby language and you can make out what she is trying to convey to you. What is so amazing is that when you answer her back, she then moves forward with the conversation. It's pretty amazing watching this unfold. She is also starting to talk in Hungarian more and more. She has understood Hungarian for a while now, but now she is using it interchangeably with English.

"It's Daddy!"

Dagny knows her colors. Some of the colors are green (I think is her favorite), yellow, red, blue, pink, brown, black, white, and purple. When she sees Jeff (the purple Wiggle from The Wiggles), she says "Jeff...purple shirt."

our little photographer

She loves music and anything to do with it. She will dance and asks us all to join her. I have a dust wand thingy that she plays with all the time. Depending on time of day, that wand turns into a guitar, violin, flute, drumstick, or tickle tool. Her imagination has really taken off. She loves playing with her kitchen. She will say things like. "Dagny making soup." or "Dagny making coffee." and then brings it to us for us to eat or drink. The kitchen is a big hit.

I know this sounds like an old record, but she can recognize all her letters, without fail. She can count to 12. She knows more animals by name then I do. To name a few, she knows what a Walrus, Flamingo, Vulture, Nightingale, Quail, Yak, and Jaguar are.

This turned into a longer Dagny post than it started off.

kiss

Barbara

Everything takes so much more effort and time to do. Before the heavy coats, boots, hats, mittens, etc. Dagny and I would walk the driveway get the mail and play outside.

Today I asked Dagny if she would like to get the mail with me. She promptly said "Yes!". I put on her snow paints, boots, mittens, coat, and hat. 15 - 20 minutes later we were outside. Ugh! Even with all the hassle I must admit it was all worth it seeing her having fun with the snow, plus the rosy cheeks were pretty neat.

Here is My Lil' Eskimo.

hi

hi

hi

hi

Barbara

P.S. Happy Birthday to my brother, Emeric and our good friend, Troy!

We had a great New Years Eve. Our friend, Eva, is visiting with us and was here to ring in the New Year. We all had a wonderful time munching on homemade h'oeuvres.

Here is Dagny with her Daddy.

never gets old

Last year we took Dagny on a Carousal ride on New Years Day. We decided this is going to be a new tradition, until Dagny doesn't think it's cool any longer, which might be sooner then later. Right now thou, she loves it. She kept saying "Dagny on horsey" over and over again.

waiting our turn

loving the ride

Happy New Year's to you all!

Barbara

Dagny enjoying her DVD player (taken on my iPhone)

So, with that said, the trip was smooth, with no issues at all. What a difference six months and technology makes.

When we arrived, Tim, Craig's brother, was also there. He flew in from Texas a few days before. It was so wonderful seeing him again. Dagny just adores her uncle, all she wanted to do was be held by him and look for Benny, the family cat. Here are some photos of them playing.

"I'm going to get you"

cutie

Lily enjoyed herself too. She loved to look outside and see if she could get a glimpse of the deer, that are frequent visitors in the backyard.

Lily

the visitors

Dagny enjoyed Grandma reading to her, actually more like quizzing her. Dagny loves to be quizzed. The new thing she has been doing for a few weeks now, is answer for Bear. We have to ask Bear the questions and she responds for her/him.

Grandma and Dagny

Here is Dagny sitting in her Grandma's rocking chair from when she was a little girl. So sweet.

pretty girl

Here, Dagny looking at the ornaments with Uncle Tim.

Tim and Dagny

We had a wonderful Prime Rib dinner with all the fixings. Yummy.

Here are the two brothers looking at Little Miss D.

Brothers

The Johnson men.

the Johnson men

Here we are.

us

Dagny wasn't very into opening gifts. She just didn't seem interested. I am sure that will change next year. But, when she did open some, she was SUPER slow. Every little piece she ripped off, she walked it over to her Grandpa, which was very cute.

opening gifts

The big gift that we Santa got Dagny was a kitchen set. When we got home Dagny found her kitchen set under next to the tree waiting for her. Here she is seeing it or the first time.

Dagny with her kitchen

Santa, Aunt Edit and Uncle Emeric had a conversation because Dagny got play food, an apron set, and a shopping cart filled with goodies. Dagny is in imagination heaven.

ready to cook

Hot Pancake

In case you didn't know there lives an Elmo fan in this house.

someone loves elmo

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Barbara

2009 tree

I can't tell you how wonderful it was for all three of us to go out as a family this past Sunday and pick out a tree and then decorate it. I am a firm believer of having your child be incorporated in things, but with full understanding of their limitations. I get, that she doesn't get that we were picking out a tree or what the purpose of ornaments are. But, that doesn't mean you can't still have fun. We had a blast playing peek-a-boo (perhaps her favorite game at the moment) as we went from one aisle to another looking for a tree.

having fun

having a blast

pretty girl

Later on in the day, Dagny helped with putting some of the ornaments up, I gave her the ones that were non-breakable and she loved doing it for about five minutes. Then she left to play, but kept coming back to put more up. So, I do get her limitations, but those five minutes are what it's all about. I cherish those moments and I hope one day she will cherish them as much as I do.

helping mommy

Last year I got this Swedish Nativity set to tap into some of Craig's Swedish heritage. When I saw this, I fell in love with it right away. I just love the simple design. I think it's beautiful.

Nativity

Before we started to work on the tree, Dagny found the snow globe. Wow, I didn't expect her reaction. She just watched it and kept asking us to shake it so she could see the snow.

This is Craig's favorite shot of it.

Craig's favorite

This is my favorite.

my favorite

For dinner I made my very first Chicago deep dish pizza from scratch (from the dough to the sauce). The reviews were all good by the masses.

deep dish pizza

It was a busy Sunday, but wonderful. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I will end this very long post with a shot of our middle child.

ho ho ho

Love to all.

Barbara

Happy Birthday!

You are the first person that I have witnessed time passing by with every birthday you celebrated. I was old enough to really appreciate you being born, but young enough to get into the mix with you. I was in High School when you were born and here you are graduating this year and going off to college.

These past 17 years have been so amazing because I have had the privilege of knowing you. You are such an amazing young woman, with an amazing heart and soul. I have enjoyed so much of our time together, and I look forward to getting to know the young woman you will become in the coming years.

You are and always will be my girl.

pretty girl

We love you.

Barbara, Craig, Dagny, Agi Mama, Maxie, and Lily

One year ago today, your Dad and I stood in a Russian courtroom and heard the most beautiful words we have ever heard; that we were your parents and you were our daughter.

That day only rivaled our first meeting when it came to our emotions. I remember waking up that morning and thinking that this day forever will change our roles in the world. Nerves weren't an issue for me at that point, that came later in the day. I was as calm as a nail, which is out of character for me. I am usually the nervous type. But, I knew that you were our daughter and the Judge would see it that way too. As we waited to be called into the courtroom, one of our team members, Vlad, wrote up a request in Russian to the Orphanage Deputy Director requesting permission to have custody of you for the 10-day waiting period. I remember your Dad and I signing it and thinking, "WOW, she might be in our arms today forever." That was very emotional. While we were in the courtroom and we were waiting for the Judge to come to a decision, I was sitting next to your Father holding his hand and looking forward. If I would of looked at him, I think I would of lost it. The Judge came back and we stood up, and she made her ruling that we were your parents. There was a big lump in my throat and tears rolling down my checks. It was the happiest moment in my life, Dagny.

After court we drove back to the Orphanage to see you and to drop off the Deputy Director. At this point we still didn't know if were taking you back to the apartment with us. When we got there you were taking a nap and all we knew was they were getting you up. The next thing we knew they were asking for the clothes we brought along just in case. As they were dressing you, your Dad and I were watching. You were so tiny and all ours. That is when the nervousness kicked in for me. I was a Mom and I was now responsible for another human being. It can be a little overwhelming. Up until then our mind was about the adoption process and how to bring you home. When we got through court and all worries were done the reality that we were now parents set in. When I looked at you, all I kept thinking was how lucky I was to have such a beautiful daughter and you were put on this earth for us to be your parents.

After they bundled you all up, we walked out of the orphanage with you in our arms. You were closing that chapter of your life and we were doing the same. We were now beginning the most beautiful thing, a family, our family.

This first year went by in a blink of an eye and I realize the years are going to continue go by that way. Everyday I try and take a moment and just look at you and soak it all in. You have grown so much in one year it's unbelievable.

Just know how much me love you and how much happiness you have brought into our lives.

We love you very much.

December 1 2008

Riding away

With Mommy

December 1 2009

Today with your buddies

one more

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Last year Craig and I made a stop at Binghamtom for a quick Thanksgiving linner at my brother's before heading to Long Island to spend the night. The day after we had a flight out to Russia for court and to spend three weeks in Moscow with our baby girl. This year the entire family was together again celebrating not only Thanksgiving, but also Dagny. This was Dagny's first Thanksgiving with the family and it was wonderful seeing her with her family. She just loves them all so much and they all love her!

So, instead of a long wordy post I thought I would give a visual breakdown of our turkey weekend.

Here are the ladies in the kitchen getting the fiesta ready.

the ladies

Here, Dagny is running back and forth between Erika and Tim. Simple things like this makes Dagny a happy toddler.

Erika and Dagny playing

Uncle Tim and Dagny playing

Here are my favorite three kids in the world getting ready to eat.

My three favorite kids

After dinner, we had Dagny open some of her birthday presents from her family. Here is Dagny's very first bike (Radio Flyer) from Uncle Emeric and Aunt Edit. Dagny loves it!

Dagny's new wheels

Here is Dagny playing with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's gift. She loves anything to do with animals and the alphabet, no joke. Needless, to say she loves her present.

Loving the Zoo

Because, Dagny's new bike is tad bit big, Uncle Emeric and Aunt Edit got her a 4-wheeler that she can ride right now. She is one lucky girl to have such loving Uncle and Aunt. Currently, Dagny is riding it around the house with her Bear as her passenger.

Yet, another from Uncle Emeric and Aunt Edit

Here is Emerson and I watching Dagny play with her new toys. I love this boy so much!

Me and my boy

This might be my most favorite photo of the weekend. Here is everyone reacting to Dagny's excitement playing with her Uncle Emeric's chips. I just love everyone's reaction.

Favorite photo of the weekend

Here, Dagny is helping out Uncle Emeric by being his good luck charm. "Yay! we won!"

Uncle Emeric's good luck charm

Here is Emerson saying good-bye to Dagny. Ok, how sweet is this? It makes my heart overflow with joy seeing this.

Makes me melt

And here is Dagny playing with her Daddy and Uncle Tim.

Dagny playing Magic with her Dad and Uncle.

We have so much to be thankful for, especially our beautiful daughter!

Barbara

the invite

I made a teddy bear cake for Dagny, because this child LOVES her stuffed animals, in particular her bears. I am a little proud of myself, I think it came out pretty good.

getting ready to blow out her candles

I am so angry at myself because we didn't take many photos. Lucky, other people took some.

Jacob and Dagny

Here are some photos of Dagny playing with her gifts.

cool lady

I don't think I have ever run across such an amazing four year old boy. Jacob was the most well behaved, warm hearted, helpful little boy. He was so cute and so nice to Dagny. I was so blown away with how well they played together. Dagny was very sad and practically cried when Jacob went home. Even the following morning she asked for Jacob.

Here is Jacob helping Dagny open her gifts.

what a sweetheart

Here they are playing.

playing so nicely together

Jacob showing Dagny the ropes

Michael and Gannia came a little later to the party, but it was so great to see them. I swear they grew so much these past two weeks.

sweet little Michael

Check out my little anti-social bug in the back. That's not fair of me, she was actually very much in the in mix.

pretty little G

Earlier in the week, Craig and I surprised Dagny at school with a Sesame Street themed birthday cake cupcake.

The cake is actually made up of individual cupcakes. I think that is the coolest thing I have seen since the iPhone. Seriously, how cool is that?!

Elmo cake

All the kids cared about were these two little guys.

Big Bird and Elmo

Look how they are eyeing it.

classmates

Here is my child going downtown on her piece.

yummy

yum

Part three of the celebration is going to be when our families come up for Thanksgiving. It's so nice to be able to celebrate Dagny's Birthday with so many different people. She is such a special little girl and she deserves all this love and attention.

Barbara