Spring has Sprung

We spent a wonderful morning at the Arboretum with the Hubach's running, rolling, kicking and, of course, eating in the sunlight.

Just waiting for my baby

Mollie was excited about her new stroller, and is waiting patiently for her new partner in crime to join her in it.

Annie - and Grandparents - Part III

We just said "bon voyage" to the whole fam. Was such a wonderful week with so much joyful noise in our house. It will be shocking and sad to wake up to quiet tomorrow morning. We finished off our week of family with tons of outside time, laughs in the bath and at ballet and a big send-off brunch under the sun before everyone goes back to the cold. Mollie loved every moment of fun and relished in all of the attention. Thanks Mom, Dad and Annie for a wonderful visit. We love you and miss you already!

Annie - Part II - Grandpa's 60th Birthday

SURPRISE!!!! Mollie had been looking for a reason to have a party, and we couldn't think of one better than all being together for Grandpa's 60th birthday. She almost gave away the surprise when she said "Happy Birthday Grandpa, we're going to have a party" the minute he jumped out of the car from the airport, but he was still very surprised (or at least fooled us) when he walked down stairs to a homemade banner and ice cream cake courtesy of his three little girls, and some fun decorations and presents for happy hour! In addition to helping Grandpa eat cake, Mollie's favorite part of the party was that she was able to open her valentine's gifts too!

Happy Birthday to the best role model, father, grandfather and inspiration I know! We love you and were so happy to be able to celebrate with you Dad!

CHEERS!

Aunt Annie - Part I

Part I of Aunt Annie's visit was action packed and wonderful - we've danced, cuddled, dined out, baked, read books, danced more, dined more, baked more, read more and hit the zoo. The highlights of the week were eating sweets, reading with Aunt Annie, showing off her ballet, and the carousal ride. Mollie went on it three times and rode five different animals. Her smile lit up and her laugh was pure joy once the ride starting spinning around.

Part II of her visit is still to come and we're excited to keep on celebrating!

Bathtime

still so much fun!

2 1/2 Years Old

Our baby is getting bigger!

What to say to my two and a half year old - You are still the joy of my life. Every moment that I would spend being sad about you growing up, I would smile thinking of the new wonderful things you do and ways you grow every day.

You say something amazing or accomplish something new every day, and as your personality continues to shine, this seems like is has to be the most fun phase of your life. You make me laugh every day. You amaze me every day. You blow me away with your humor, inteligence, vocabulary, memory and kindness.

You love reading. You like to be read to. You love anything that has to do with books, the library, the book store, your books! We cuddle in my bed the minute you wake up and read books. This is one of my favorite times of day. After breakfast, you go over to the book shelf and page through books by yourself. In the car, you bring at least five books and page through each one. You read before and after nap, and Daddy and I take turns reading to you in our bed before we say goodnight. We say pick two books, but you always try to sneak in a third. Now you even sleep with your books.

You also love ballet. You wear a tutu almost every day. You wear your ballet slippers everywhere you go. You switch from being a mermaid ballerina to a fairy ballerina, to just a ballerina. Sometimes you are also characters from the Nutcracker, such as the scary mouse or a soldier. You request the Nutcracker music almost daily and spin, leap and lap around the family room to your favorite music acting out various scenes of the ballet. You dance at restaurants, you dance on the streets.

You say the darndest things. You sing your ABCs. You introduce yourself as "Mollie Hanratty". You have an amazing imagination. You talk on the phone often. One of my favorites was "Hi Prince, It's Mollie Hanratty".

Some of my favorite quotes:

- When I come in to get you in the morning "Mommy, there's a doggie roofing outside and there was a birdy yelling at me"

- I ask her if she wants a fork, "I'm eating with my hands, I'm not having good table manners"

- Is mama your friend, Daddy asks, "Yes, Mamma makes me happy, she's nice to me"

- Waking up to a snowstorm, "Look, there are so many snows"

- A response to many of my requests "I can't, I'm busy right now"

- When you had woken up from a nap you said "Mama, nap is over. I was just dreaming". About what? "The Nutcracker"

- When we tuck you in to bed, you say "I'm cozy... I love you... see you in the morning... Goodnight".

- One of the things we hear the most "I'm happy!"

You love family hugs. You say that I'm your best friend. You are the light of my life. I love you and am so proud of you beautiful girl!

Happy Valentine's Night

We finished off the wonderful Valentine's celebration by giving daddy his heart shaped Valentine's day brownie. "Look Daddy, we made you a giant heart Daddy!" She was very excited to present it to him and more excited to help him eat it. Then they capped off the evening with a couple more laughs (above) and a good book! Love to my whole, wonderful family!