Thankful....but not for colds!

Time is really getting away from me!  Between a late Thanksgiving, holiday parties, weddings, sick baby etc, life has been a bit crazy lately.

Molly turns 6 months in just a few short days so I figured I better get her 5 month post up.  I can't believe I am the mom to a 6 month old.  Not a newborn mom anymore=(.

We FINALLY got Molly's nursery painted back to the way it was at the old house.  It took a few more weeks before we actually hung anything on the walls (which thankfully Berrena helped with on his last trip) but now we are back in business.

Here are Molly's 5 month pictures!  She was much more smiley and cooperative than in her 4 month pics=)

Month 5 proved to be a fun yet challenging one.  One of the fun things is that Molly mastered the art of rolling around and she will roll from one side of the room to the other in the blink of an eye.  She is a speedy little thing!  

Some not so fun things: Molly also got her second cold right around her 5 month birthday.....and she still has one.  You know what that means....NO SLEEP for Molly, Mommy, or Daddy.  We also found out that Grandpa Fred broke his hip.  We were very sad to hear he was in pain and that we would not be seeing him over the holidays as planned.  Right after we got the news, Molly sent this picture to Grandpa to let him know we were thinking about him.

Grandpa Fred still has a long way to go but we are proud of him for fighting through the surgery and rehab and glad to hear he will get to go home next week.

Next, the Ziegler family packed their colds up and headed to Hilton Head for Thanksgiving.  We always love spending the holiday with Mimi and Grandpa and Molly had fun on her first trip to Sea Pines (outside of the womb).

Molly and her Great Grandparents

Molly and I on our way to see the beach

When we got back from Hilton Head, Mike and I got right to decorating.  I plan to go all out next year since we are planning to spend Christmas in Atlanta but we did just enough this year to get ourselves in the spirit.  I don't have a picture of the outside but Mike did a great job on that too=)

Elaine and Berrena came the next weekend.  They helped us with all sorts of projects around the house and we are so thankful.  Now our house actually has some pictures on the walls!  Mike and I also got to go to my work's holiday party.  We had a great time but my hangover the next day was a not so friendly reminder that I cannot drink like I used to and vodka is not my friend.

The next week was a short week as Mike and I prepared for much anticipated wedding of Lauren and Brian!  The only thing dampening our moods was Molly's second cold/cough of the month.  This one seemed to be affecting her more than the first.  My mom was scheduled to watch her while we were away so I felt at peace knowing she was in good hands.

Lauren and Brian's wedding weekend was so much fun and everything turned out perfectly. Unfortunately Molly's cold worsened while we were gone and my mom had a feeling it was something more.  She took Molly to urgent care and sure enough....double ear infection.  Back on amoxocillin she goes.

Here are some pics from the wedding weekend (can't wait for the professional ones and the one's Lauren's mom took (ahem Lauren)).

Here is a pic of Gigi and Molly (after 2 days of antibiotics and a much improved mood).  Cuteness OVERLOAD.

And now for a photo dump of some other fav pics this month:

Molly and her boyfriend Landon....he's still warming up to the idea of holding her hand

Molly being cute naturally 

Our annual gift exchange....before we starting singing the "hills are alive.."

Molly's first taste of solids...sweet potatoes!  She took them down no problem!

Is there something on my face?

Feeling "Christmasy"

Holiday Party at Daycare with Dad

Zonked out after a long weekend.

Next up...Tampa for Molly's first Christmas.  We can't wait to see all of our friends and family and to celebrate cousin Olivia's first birthday.

Until next time...xoxo

Time Keeps on Ticking...

Hard to believe that Molly is closer to five months old than four months (insert sad face emoticon)!!!!!!!!

Molly has continued to be very popular among her grandparents and we are loving all of the visitors/help.  I had my first overnight away from Molly a few weeks ago for Lauren's bachelorette party in Asheville.  Nanni came to help Mike while I was away.

Back to the bachelorette party for a minute.  We had so much fun singing karaoke, wine tasting, and dancing the night away.  Unfortunately, I did not come back well rested (not sure why I thought I would) but we made some great memories and enjoyed celebrating Lauren!  If you ever find yourself in Asheville, take the wine tour at the Biltmore and request Michael Smith.  He was simply the best!  Here are a few photos from the weekend.

One of the beautiful rooms in the house (Lauren's friend Kourtney and her family own this house and we were so lucky to be able to stay there)!

10 am and the champagne is flowing!

Delicious wine and even better chocolate from a local shop.

My fabulous pumping partner haha

Boots on the roof!

The mountains are calling and I must go!

The group with our fabulous guide, Michael.

As I mentioned earlier, Elaine came to Atlanta to spend time with Molly and Mike while I was gone. Mike thought this was the perfect time to dress Molly in all sorts of outfits that I normally would turn my nose up at.  Case and point, Super Molly and Bat Molly.  In his defense, she is a very cute super hero.

Wish I had a picture to prove Nanni was here but I think in my tired state, I forgot!

The next week was Halloween.  Most of my friends know, Halloween isn't my thing.  But as are most holidays, having children makes them even more special.  We had fun dressing Molly up in her mouse outfit from Grandma Karen and Papa Tom.  Molly was asleep before the trick-or-treaters came by but she did get to show off her outfit at the school parade!

Molly's fan show continued as Gigi stopped in on her way to the mountains.

 Here are a few other recent favs as well as a video of Molly breaking it down.  Mike and I get the biggest kick out of these dance sessions.

Me and my girl

All bundled up for a walk

Way too big for her Rock n Play but we still use it bc it's so easy and portable

Humoring Mom with this headwrap

Very hungry here and tired of shopping for Dad's suits

And....when you are home on Saturday nights, making these videos is VERY entertaining=)

Months 1-4 Recap

***Disclaimer*** I have no idea how to format my blog/don't know html.  Please excuse my amateur looking blog/photo arrangements.

Month 1
We got to leave the hospital on Saturday.  Soon after we got there we were greeted by Nani and Papi aka Elaine and Berrena.

Then on Monday, Molly's Great Grandparents, Mimi and Grandpa Gerry, stopped by.  Molly is one lucky gal.

As I mentioned earlier, Molly had lots of visitors when we first got home.  Especially due to the fact that we have very gracious friends who brought us food almost every night for a week!  To all our friends who came by to say "hi" or bring us delicious goodies...Thank you!

The next family member to visit was Uncle Brian.  Molly clearly thinks he is very comfy=).    We had a fun but low key weekend (newborns don't tend to like bars/clubs).

Nana Robynne and Papa came a few weeks later.  I think it's clear from the pictures that Molly has a strong resemblance Papa.  This surprised me more than anyone.  I was sure she would look just like her daddy since I think Mike's family has "strong" genes.

Molly getting snuggles from her Nana Robynne.

Here are a few other favorite pictures from Molly's first month.

One Month Photos!

Month 2

Month 2 was a busy one!  Grandpa Bob came to visit and we made the crazy/stressful decision to put our house on the market and move to the suburbs.  If you are thinking we are crazy to buy/sell a house with a newborn....you are right!  I don't think we quite understood just how stressful it would be.  It was definitely nice to have Grandpa Bob there to help us get the house ready to go on the market and help Mike with the inspection on the new house.  The one thing that went way smoother than we ever expected was selling our house.  We had multiple offers within 24 hours!

The Ziegler men and Molly in front of our old house.

After we were under contract on our old and new house, Nanni came back to visit and help out (Nanni is quite the expert packer)!

I'm cute!

Nanni and Molly

Mom has to indulge sometimes in "selfies" with Molly

The "last hurrah" before I had to go back to work was my 10 year high school reunion down in Tampa/St. Pete.  I drove down with Molly on Wednesday to stay with my Mom aka Gigi.

Molly and I at Gigi's house

The next night we went over to Papa Keith and Nana Robynne's house for dinner.  Molly got to meet Uncle Taylor and Aunt Megan!

Molly with Uncle Taylor (guess I forgot to take one with Megan!?)

Friday morning we were off to the beach for the reunion.  Nanni came down to Florida with us and Gigi drove up from Brandon. We had lots of fun.   Molly also got to meet some of her honorary aunts who are my oldest and very best friends!

Molly's first time in a swimsuit (I think she has her mommy's pake skin...)

Aunt Austin is all smiles

Molly rocking her outfit from Aunt Liddy

Molly, Gigi, Aus, and Mille

Our attempt at a group picture 

The reunion crew!  B'dale Class of 2003!

Aunt Austin and Aunt Chach saying their farewells=(

Rockin a bonnet 

Molly and Madeline's first time meeting

Our first date night (and 4 months later...still our only one)

Molly and her BFF Madeline a few weeks later

My awesome gift from Caroline (a Mother's necklace with an "M"
and a pearl)

Happy girl on her playmat

2 Month Photos!

Month 3:

Month 3 was a BUSY one.  There was a 2 weeks span where we were living in our old house but Molly was in daycare up in Johns Creek by the new house.  That meant even less sleep and lots of time in the car/sitting in Atlanta traffic.  We survived and I am so glad that is in the past. 

We moved to our new house on August 29th.  We are beyond thankful that Mimi and Grandpa and Gigi were able to come up and help with the move/watching Molly.  We couldn't have done it without them.  Also, big thanks to the hubs for handling much of the move on his own.  I actually went to work the day the movers came because it was too soon after my maternity leave for me to ask for more time off.  The day we moved in my Grandpa noticed our refrigerator was broken (how nice of the sellers not to tell us...).  Knowing that my liquid gold aka breast milk was on the line, Grandpa and Mike rushed to the rescue to buy an interim freezer until we could buy a new one.  Just one of the many "exciting" moments of our moving process.

Gigi and Molly Out and About!

Molly loves the Noles

Molly and Aunt Lauren

Molly with the future hubs Landon

Some of the gals at Madeline's baptism (Molly didn't love church but she hung in there long enough to see her bff get baptized.  P.S.  Madeline napped during her party)

 Out at Twisted Taco with Aunt Caroline

Happy Girl

 
Me and my mini-me

Molly looks like she needs coffee more than Daddy

Ready for School Pictures!

We tried to create a bday gift for Daddy but getting a 3 month old to cooperate is hard!

3 Month Photos

Month 4:

In month 4, we started getting settled into the new house and our new routine.  We also had a long awaited visit from Aunt Amy as well as a second visit from Papa Keith and Nana Robynne.  Molly starting rolling over like a champ and trying to crawl.  She ends up just moving in a circle but it's still quite impressive to me that she is even trying!  Also, her spitting up as been in full force which means multiple wardrobe changes for the both of us.  Molly also got a really bad cold (turned ear infection) right after her 3 month bday.  That translated into less sleep for everyone.  Over a month later we still haven't quite returned to the good ol days where Molly was sleeping through the night pretty frequently.  We will get there soon I hope!

My Seminole Princess

Molly at Aunt Chrissy's Housewarming Party

Chillin in her Boppy

Aunt Autumn came up for a Visit!

Molly thinking she is funny because she spit out all of her Amoxicillin 

 Aunt Amy came all the way from Denver to meet Molly

Molly's school surprised us with this gem=)

The 3 Gals

I can't help myself....

Molly loves her new toy

When Mike came down with Molly dressed in her Seminole tutu he won big points!

Dad replicating his cow picture that he has with (uncle) Brian.

Family photo at the pumpkin patch

Molly at the pumpkin patch with Nana & Papa

4 Month Photos - All Molly wanted to do was eat her sticker and put her feet in her mouth..."Deal with it, Mom!"