Week 44 - Mollie's First Christmas

After our return from Paris, we went straight to my parents' house for Mollie's first Christmas celebration.
Mollie was a little tired, but also ready to party and so excited to be off the airplane. She also was curious to see what this whole Christmas business was all about.

"I don't know you guys, that half-lit up tree is nothing to write home about."

"Ok - if it involves a costume, I guess I can get excited"

The guys eventually got the full set of lights working and the ladies decorated and santa came and distributed presents. Now it looks like Christmas!
A little excited Mollie-girl? (Testing out her Notre Dame dress).
Pooped again from a big day of presents, family and eating. We had an amazing holiday and were so thankful to my parents for all of their help with our re-entry, all our amazing gifts, and many fantastic meals!!

Paris Continued

The wedding went into the wee hours of the night - Miss Mollie was such a trooper and made it at the wedding until midnight (it went until three and the dancing didn't start until close to 1 am!). The next morning she did us a huge favor and slept until about 11 am. Once everyone was up, we met for a family lunch at Louie's and my favorite restaurant in Devorah's neighborhood - Chez Janou. We got a big table and hung out eating and drinking for about 3 hours while it snowed outside - we are tres Parisien.
Chez Janou has the most amazing chocolate mousse. It was even featured on the Food Network. It's seriously worth the entire trip to Paris just to have this chocolate mousse. Just ask Mollie. (She's sucking it off her top lip).
Here's our happy group after lunch. From the left - Annie, Louie, Sarah, Mara, Mollie, Bob, Devorah, Naomi, Jean-Bernard.
We spent the rest of the day roaming the streets of Paris looking for cute shops and gifts to bring back to our families. By the end of the day, Mollie was too pooped to make it through dinner. Fortunately, Sarah was up to the task of serving as her temporary bed.
For a very long time.
The next day we headed back to make it to Bethesda in time for Christmas with the McDermott family.

Paris Continued - Devorah's Wedding

In case you were wondering, we were in Paris for Aunt Devorah's wedding (we did not just decide on a whim to bring our 10 month old overseas). Here's the happy couple at their rehearsal brunch. Don't they look so in love? It's really amazing to see them together. And it was great for us to get to meet Jean-Bernard after having heard so many great things about him. The wedding was beautiful and so perfectly French. Here's the elegant bride at the ceremony.
Mollie watching attentively.

The ceremony

Mollie greeting her Great Aunt Sarah.
After the ceremony, we all headed over to this lovely little cafe for wine and/or coffee before the reception. After the cafe, we went over to the reception site for some dinner and dancing, and of course, champagne. Everything was so lovely!

Margie posing with the ice sculpture.
The happy couple - now Mr. and Mrs!

Paris Continued - Happy Birthday Louie!

Since it was Louie's birthday while we were in Paris, we had a great dinner with Louie's grandparents, Naomi and Bob and his Aunt Sarah. A toast to the birthday boy.Delicious French bread for the daughter of the birthday boy.
Some Mollie-Naomi hang out time.

Week 43 - Paris!

This week, we packed up Good Gollie Miss Mollie and headed to Paris. The day before we were supposed to leave, Mollie got a stomach virus, causing her to vomit profusely. Fortunately, by Wednesday she was well enough to get on the plane, but Louie and I were absolutely dreading the flight. She was a dream on the plane. And besides one leaky diaper, we had no problems. Once we got to Paris, we did some sightseeing with Auntie DeeDee. Here we are at the Rodin Museum with the Thinker and the Eiffel Tower in the background.
It was very cold. Mollie was such a good sport!
As part of the tourist experience, we went and got macarons at Laduree. Mollie loved it!

The rest of the Lauter family arrived shortly after we did. Although many people got the same stomach virus Mollie had, we still got to get some good visiting in. Here we are at dinner at this great little place in Dee Dee's neighborhood, with Auntie Margie and Andrew.
Mollie loved visiting her Aunt who she doesn't get to see nearly enough.
And getting to know her soon-to-be Uncle, Jean-Bernard.
Devorah got Mollie to sleep in the restaurant - quite an accomplishment. She swears by the head rubbing technique.

Last night of Chanukah

For the last night of Chanukah we had a little party with our friend Miriam and Auntie Margie. Mollie showed Miriam her peekaboo books.Margie showed Mollie how she can sing some Chanukah songs.
And we lit the candles and ate take out Italian food. It was lovely!

Week 42 - Chanukah Celebrations

Happy Chanukah! Mollie celebrated with some bagel sticks - probably the best invention ever. Wide enough that she cannot ram them down her throat, soft enough that she can kind of eat them. Good find, Pop-pop.

We've had some indications that little Mols is something of a bully at daycare. Look at that bully face. Jake is obviously terrified of her and her celery stick.

"Dad, pass those potato latkes"

We opened presents at Nana and Pop-pop's. Mollie loved her packages as much as her gifts.
Finally, Mollie engaged in a McDermott family ritual - jumping on Barty when he's tired, resting, comfortable, basically anything. He loved it. Especially because Mollie has lots of germs to share.
Here's another night of Chanukah. I think we have our nights out of order here. But, this is from night 2. Mollie with her Mollie-friendly, fire-free menorah.
Last weekend we had Mollie's newest best friend, Yael, over for a Chanukah party. Isn't she so little and sweet looking?
I tried to capture a Mollie-Daniel kiss, but I missed it. So here they are playing blocks instead. Probably better that Louie not witness Mollie's first kiss anyway, no telling how he'd react (not well).
Mollie also decided that if the rocker was out, and another baby was using it, she'd better test it out to see if she still likes it. Look how much she's grown!

Week 41 - Happy Holiday Season

We kicked off the holiday season with a visit to the Gaylord Resort's Christmas Ice Show. We decided going into the 10 degree ice show with Mollie was probably not the best idea, so we settled for looking at the holiday decor and got a photo with Santa. Mollie practiced strutting her stuff on the red carpet.
And we saw this tree made out of Peeps. Abby Cadabby was really impressed with all those Peeps.
In new developments - Miss Mollie is standing hands free. Check it!
This week marked the beginning of Mollie's first Chanukah. Here she is on night one with her new bib and her first candle lighting.