The Ball Pitt

I put Molly in the ball pitt even though she did not meet the minimum height requirement since no one was around. After taking a few minutes to figure out how to walk around she started to really have a good time. It didn't take long before she was kicking and throwing balls around and yucking it up.

As always, she wanted to share the excitement with Mom and loved watching me throw and kick the balls across the pit.

Some day Molly, some day.

After all the excitement, it was fun to kick back with Mario and have some tasty Jamba Juice.

A random picture from another trip to Grant Elementary to see Daddy. Molly loves being the center of attention and the kids love seeing her. I can hardly get into the building these days without hearing screams of "Molly! Molly!" and having kids run over to say hi and give high fives. It's great.

The Budding Artist

Molly loves to hang out with her big sister and buddies these days. Whatever the girls are doing, she wants in. The girls are good sports and usually let her tag along and join in the fun.

Molly recently discovered that when she drags colored pencils or crayons on paper, it leaves a mark. This is a monumental discovery and one she enjoys exploring.

She has a great time and loves to change the colors every once in a while to keep it interesting. Of course, I think this means she is an artistic genius just like her sister Delaney.

Contemplating the direction for the piece. If you notice, a marker somehow slipped into her hands. I didn't take a picture of the "after" but needless to say her face, shirt and hands were as colorful as her paper.

Molly and the girls after their "makeovers".

Johnny's Birthday

We were lucky enough to share a beautiful Sunday afternoon with two of our favorite people to celebrate Johnny's birthday.

We had a delicious lunch made by Laura and then enjoyed some tasty treats.

Molly is yet to meet a cake that she doesn't like.

She really goes to town these days!

After chowing down, it was time to head out to enjoy the lovely day.

We all chose hats from Johnny's extensive collection and played a little ping-pong.

Things got a little more serious when we decided to play doubles, the red shirts versus the straw hats.

As you can see the "friendly" competition quickly became rather intense.

Then we tried on some "Halloween masks" that a friend had sent Johnny and Laura. At least that's what they claim.

Even Blue Dog got in on the action! Poor guy.

Nana and Pops Visit!

We had another wonderful visit from my parents last week. Although it was a short one this time, it was so much fun to spend time with Nana and Pops and I know Molly misses them.

Having a great time with Nana and Pops at the Oakland Zoo. Molly loved the animals especially the monkeys. A few of them put on quite a show for us screaming and swinging from tree to tree and Molly was mesmerized.

Molly still loves to point at everything and now usually says "woo woo" looking adorable while making an "O" shape with her mouth as she waves her hand around excitedly.

Molly is quite the little lover and gave the goats in the petting zoo a kiss hello. She also kissed the boy next to her which his mother loved. She is such a sweet, loving little girl!

Molly also loves to share. She walked around picking up pieces of hay and distributing them to the other kids and parents in the barn. She even tried to share with the goat, but he wasn't interested.

She was having such a good time kissing and sharing hay that she didn't seem to notice these two goats when they started ramming each other. Good thing Nana was on the case and quickly whisked Molly away to safer hay stacks.

We also spent a great day at Fisherman's Wharf. Molly loved walking around the shops and riding the carousel. She especially loved the sea lions, of course! So we had lunch on the pier in a restaurant overlooking the noisy creatures. It was wonderful.

My folks in front of Alcatraz.

Thanks again Mom and Dad for another wonderful visit. It always goes by too quickly!

Making Friends and Hanging Out

Molly loves sitting in her chair reading these days and she is quite serious about her new hobby.

At least some times! She will sit in her chair for a long time flipping through books while pointing, talking and sometimes full out laughing.

She is also somewhat of a celebrity at John's school, especially during recess.

The kids love to swarm around her and everyone wants a chance to play with her on the play structure.

She even gets some time at Delaney's soccer games to hang out with fellow little sister and good friend Billie. They have a great time together and John and I love to actually get to watch the game!

In Memory of Grandpa George

Colonel George T. Pitts passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Thankfully John was able to make it to his bedside before he passed. I am so thankful that we were able to see him in April and that he met Molly and she got to meet him. Rest in peace George, you will be missed.

Twelve Month Checkup

Even though she was already thirteen months old, Molly had her twelve month checkup last week and here are the stats. She weighs an impressive 23 lbs, 4 oz. which is in the 75th percentile. She is 29 3/4 inches and her head measures 17 3/4 inches, both in the 50th percentile. The doctor says Molly looks great and is developing beautifully and I couldn't agree more.

She had four shots and took 'em like a champ, she didn't even cry until after the second one and didn't really get upset until the last one which the nurse said was the most painful. She was back to her happy self in no time which was good because she had to get blood drawn. Again, she took it like a champ and recovered quickly. I am so proud of my strong little girl. Keep it up Molly!

Molly is all over the place these days and is super active! Sitting down is not something she does often. In fact, she usually only stops to eat and occasionally to sleep. These days Molly spends most of her time exploring, she also loves to give kisses and hugs to Blue, dig in the dirt (like grandma), taste the dirt every once in a while, (like Aunt Kate!), gather, collect, give away, take back and play with rocks, sit in boxes (extra bonus if she gets to empty them out first), scrunch up her face and laugh showing off her teeth (one of my personal favorites), put things in piles or group items in different areas of the house (missing toys turn up inside pots and pans!), take off her socks and shoes or some combination of socks and shoes, lean back on a pillow with a book and "read" (another one of my personal favorites especially because she sits in the same corner of the couch where John sits to read), grab the fat rolls on her chest and stomach when she's not wearing a shirt (love this too, especially because she usually starts laughing hysterically), begging to get into the shower with mom and dad (she loves it!), carrying around purses or buckets and filling them up/emptying them out at random, feeding herself (for some time now we have only occasionally been permitted to feed her), and generally charming the pants off of everyone we meet.

Molly is such an amazing little girl and I feel happier every day that I get to spend with her. I am left wondering what this year will bring for Molly and look forward to all the new discoveries we will make together each day.