Category Archives: Dagny

by Barbara

Growing Up

It seems like Dagny is getting bigger and I am not talking about size. Sleeping has never been an issue with her, she was/is a great sleeper. What we have noticed since we got back from Ohio is that when we put her down at night she stays lying down. In the past when we would put her down for the night, she would jump right up and start crying after me or Craig and after five minutes (longest five minutes) she would fall asleep. Now, we put her down and we are able to tuck her in without her jumping up. The first time she did this Craig and I looked at each other in amazement. We initially thought this might be because she was home in her own bed after being away for close to a week. But, it keeps on happening. She is growing up. We feel so much more comfortable about transitioning her to a “big girl” bed when the time comes, which we are not rushing to do.

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

by Barbara

My Lil’ Eskimo

So, it’s winter here, in case you didn’t know.

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!

by Barbara

Happy 2010!

This past year was perhaps the best year, ever! Can you guess why? OK, I will tell you…. DAGNY! Craig and I had the best time getting to know our little girl and enjoying our new roles as parents. I love everything about 2009. With that said, I am looking forward to 2010. I personally have lots of things I would love to accomplish this year, wish me luck, I might have bitten more off then I can chew. But, I am looking forward to the challenge and hoping for the very best outcome.

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

by Barbara

Our Day

Dearest Dagny,

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

by Barbara

Dagny’s 2nd Birthday Party

Saturday was a big day at the Johnson’s. Little Miss D turned two years old and we had a small party to celebrate the occasion. The original plan was to celebrate Dagny’s birthday when our families come up for Thanksgiving. But, that all changed when we went to Micky’s and Gianna’s Birthday party. I was talking with Jamie (the mom of the two cuties) and she told me I had to throw one. So, I quickly texted, emailed, and designed an invitation to send out. Unfortunately, because of the very short notice we had many people that couldn’t make it. Fortunately thou there were many that could.

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