a birthday party for the princess.

yes, this is a lot late.  her party was two months ago.  two long months in which i haven't even looked at my blog.  but i'm trying to organize my life and get back into blogging.  i had so much fun planning mollie's party and putting it together.  i was inspired by a dress i saw while browsing mini boden's spring line.  purple + bumblebees.  i knew i wanted to do a honey bee theme.  between etsy and pinterest i found all of the inspiration i needed.

the beehive cake that wouldn't have happened without my sister and my dad.

i had so much fun doing this party and mollie was the perfect party girl.  she knew that this day was all about celebrating her...well, she pretty much thinks that every day is about celebrating her, but this time there were other people there to acknowledge it :)

the details.  the details are my favorite part of any birthday party.  i think that the details make a huge difference.  i'm 85% certain that they make a huge difference to me and maybe like 2 other people.  everyone else, to include the child that the birthday party is actually for, doesn't notice.  but i can't get the details out of my head.  

thank you gifts: local honey from a beekeeper.

favors: sugar cookies from a good friend.

keepsake birthday plate.  from aedriel originals.  

that beautiful picture of mollie in the background was by shannon ho photography.

honey tasting station.  and in the background, smitten kitchen's salted brown butter rice krispie treats = heaven.

etsy has become my go-to place to purchase all of the fun, crafty items that i can't get here in town.  i love putting everything together.  sometimes things i buy don't work out like i think and i have to scrounge at hobby lobby to find what i need, but for the most part it all works out.  i have learned to start buying stuff at least 3-4 months out, otherwise you're caught the week before the party paying for express shipping ;)  some of my favorite vendors for this party were:  


aedriel's originals - she did custom artwork for a keepsake plate and cake stand.  can't say enough about how wonderful she was to work with.


the papered nest - all sorts of fun paper and party decor supplies.  i especially love her stamped wooden treat spoons.


bahana splits boutique - great paper items and baker's twine.

mollie kat at 12 months

{stats}
27.5 inches, 17 pounds

you are such a happy little baby!  you love to smile and laugh.  you still love your brothers so much, though i bet when they start taking your toys things will change...but for now, you get the BIGGEST smile on your face when they come and greet you in the morning.


you are the best eater in the house.  i think you can eat more than the boys combined.  so far we haven't found much that you don't like to eat.  graham crackers and fruity cheerios are about it right now.  and you are the first to love pasta.  it is exciting to finally have another italian girl in the family.  you drink all milk, still from a bottle.  you do love to use a sippy cup, especially when you find one that is your brothers.


you can crawl so quickly and don't stay in one place long.  you've stood on your own for a few seconds, but once you realize you aren't holding on, down you go.  i am sure you'll be walking soon, but for now i am enjoying the calmness of just crawling.  


you sleep through the night almost every night and you have been for quite some time now...i think since about 5 months.  you wake up happy most mornings and go to sleep without making a sound.  you take 1-2 naps/day...it is hard to keep you on a specific schedule for your naps since we are often running around with the boys, but you do need your sleep and if you take one nap it can get really long...3+ hours.


we are excited to see you grow and change.  i am sure by the end of this summer you will seem more like a little girl than my baby.  

a birthday party!

mollie kat had a hello kitty party this weekend at the lake.

she was quite the party girl and especially loved everyone singing to her (most unlike her mother).  and she enjoyed her cake too (that was just like her mother though).

i really enjoyed planning my first girly party.  so many decorations to choose from!  i had found all sorts of fun ideas on pinterest.  so in an effort to keep the craziness to a minimum i decided to not do absolutely everything myself....it was definitely worth it!  the food came from a local restaurant, picked up about an hour before the party completely ready to serve.  i purchased the hello kitty fondant toppers off of etsy.  sooo easy and cute!  my friend made the most beautiful cookies for the favors.  and i picked up some fresh flower arrangements the day before and combined with the martha stewart tissue paper pom made for easy decorations.  and even though you can't see it that well, another friend made mollie the most perfect little party onesie.

the lake was the perfect setting for a summer party.  we were able to take a cruise on the boat and there was lots of water time for everyone.

it ended up being a perfect day and a great way to celebrate mollie's first year with friends and family.  

one year ago

our sweet little girl was born.

she is so cheerful and loving.

she has completed our family and brings us so much happiness.

we love you mollie katherine.

on the move!

look who is crawling...

the boys had better watch out!  actually they were both super excited that she is crawling.  but i know the second she tears up those train tracks they'll be singing..er crying a different tune!

8 months

happy 8 months, little mollie kat!

hard to believe

it is already december AND we have a 6-month old!

* she so wants to crawl. i am so not ready for that.

* she started eating solids (baby oatmeal) a few days ago. so far she loves them and eats better than the boys ever did.

* she smiles at EVERYONE. and i mean everyone. she is just so excited when anyone gives her a look or walks by or talks to her.

* she LOVES her big brothers. they are in her face daily and she thinks it is the greatest thing.

* she is a joy and keeps us laughing and smiling every single day.

rolling along...

she did it! just a few days after turning 3 months she rolled from her back to belly for the first time.

she's since done it several more times. ethan is especially excited about her accomplishment and likes to help roll her back over when she is ready.

sadly no final pictures of the actual roll-over...i had already packed up my camera for the day and by the time i got it back out you know she wasn't going to perform again :)