Happy Birthday Molly

Today is Molly's first birthday! I can't believe my little girl is turning 1. To think that almost at this exact time 1 year ago, they were inducing my labor and like 13 hours and a great deal of pain later, little Molly made her appearance. Most mom's say they forget the pain of childbirth, well, I am not one of those moms. I remember vividly the intense pain it was having Molly but there is no doubt it was well well well worth it.

It is hard to believe how fast kids grow, especially those first 5 years (or so I hear). Molly is running around everywhere, chatting away in her Mollyese language with a few distinguishable words here and there. She understands so much and really listens now! If I say, lets go pet Sam (our rabbit), she makes her way to Sam and starts trying to pet him. Or if I say, do you want to go to playgroup? She will reach for me and not mind getting in the car. I didn't realize children could understand so much at this age. She also is starting to disobey at times and we are having to figure out age appropriate discipline for her. And when I say disobey, I mean she throws food on the floor at dinner time, will occasionally push kids away if they want her toys or if I hold them and she is jealous.

She sleeps 10-12 hours a night (unless she decides she's rather play and gets up for a few hours). She takes two naps for like an hour each. She loves fruit and veggies and especially loves frozen veggies. She could eat frozen peas all day. Her newest food likes are tomatoes, cucumbers and fish sticks. She still takes a bottle pretty often during the day. I tried to start weaning her last month and it was so horrible, I'm sure the neighbors were thinking about reporting me to DSS. She absolutely adores her bottle, so for now, she is still sipping away.

She loves reading books, especially ones with black and Asian children in them! She is fascinated by their skin color. At playgroup the other day, there was a black family who just got to base and this was their first time at playgroup. Molly walked over and touched the mom's arm, so mesmerized! When Uncle Chris comes to visit, he's in for it!! She will be attached to him!

She loves elmo! We got her a little kids couch for her birthday and she will sit on the couch with the remote and watch her elmo video. It is adorable! The past few months she has started copying everything I do. If I'm folding laundry, she wants a piece of clothes to fold. If I'm making dinner, she wants a pot and spoon to stir. I love it! She also gives lots of wet slobbery kisses and big hugs and is very affectionate.

We are having a birthday party for Molly today. My parents and Bryon's dad and step mom are coming from the US to celebrate with us and we are soooo excited to have them! We are grilling out and we rented a bouncy castle for the kids to go wild in. Molly's play group friends and some people from church and Bryon's work are also coming. While I am very excited about tonight, I am a little sad in my heart that my baby is growing up so fast. I am EXTREMELY thankful that the Lord enabled me to stay at home with her this past year. It has been hard for me giving up my career. Several times I prayed that I would find a part time job to keep up my skills and the answer to all of my prayers had been, there is a time and season for everything. I am thankful that this season of my life can be dedicated to my children (Molly and the little one to come!).

We will be sure to post pictures after the festivities.