Frosty

Over the holidays, Lily, really took to the classic movie, "Frosty the Snowman" It became a show/movie we watched daily. And Lily even knew the whole song (which she doesn't do a good job of in the video below). It was a given that with this snow fall we would have to recreate, Frosty. That we did. Lily and I had a BLAST in the snow. It is perfect snow to roll around in, make snowmen, and snowballs. Not so fun to shovel though!

Why is Molly not in any of these pictures?? Well as Lily and I were pouncing around in the snow this morning, Molly sat ever so bundled in the foyer of our house....alone....and with the door shut, obviously! Don't judge, I was right out front. How else am I suppose to entertain a two year old in the snow while I have a newborn, AND while I am home alone??? I can assure you that I checked on her periodically and she was still asleep each time :)

BIRTHday to SNOWday

It was just last week that Mike decided he wanted a day off, and he decided it would be his Birthday! January, 26! Happy Birthday, my love! And thank goodness he chose this specific day too!!

But guess what? Mike could care LESS about his birthday and it is hard to even acknowledge it with him.

You ask...'what would you like for your birthday?'....he says....'nothing'

You ask...'what do you want to do for you birthday?'....he says...'eh, nothing special'

You ask...'well what would you like to eat for your birthday, Mike?'....he says...'umm, i don't care, what do you want??'

Ahhhh, he is so difficult! I deal with this every year! But I must admit, it would be way worse if he was an actual birthday brat!

So, on this fine day we relaxed! It was glorious! And what was even MORE glorious.....it snowed. So while the rest of Northern Virginia was sitting in their cars on major highways, for hours and hours and hours because of the snow, we stayed inside (except for when we shoveled), made birthday cupcakes, ordered a free pizza, drank wine and spent quality time together as a family. To Mike, I know, this was the best kind of birthday.


It is a bit dangerous to bake with a two year old, but I am trying to be as patient as possible. It is all about the learning experience and time spent together that is more important than to have perfectly iced cupcakes, and non germ tasting cupcakes. (Lily's hands were in the icing and batter...A LOT...okay, so were mine ;) )

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Molly can't quite bake, clearly because she can't reach the countertop, oh, and because she is one month old. Instead, she sleeps ever so peacefully in her second home...the bouncy chair! While Mikey, shoveled, Lily and I enjoyed the snowflakes! It was a great storm and she loved it!

On facebook, as everyone was wishing 'Happy Birthday' to Mike, I couldn't help but notice most comments said ".....enjoy the day with all your girls!"

Well....that is what he did! What a perfect man to be a Daddy to two girls and have a wife such as me :)

"Peace out people!"

ONE MONTH MOLLY

ONE whole month has past since this little delight has entered our life. I can say nothing but the best for this little one. She has lifted my spirits throughout the last four weeks, making it a smooth, and should I dare say easy transition to motherhood of two, UNDER two. She, so far, is picture perfect. Sleeps appropriately (for a breastfeeding infant), eats appropriately, poops appropriately, and even interacts appropriately. She fits perfectly into our lives.

And even for Lily....I won't say much of her, because I feel like this post should be more about Molly...but she has been such a joy too! The love she has shared with Molly is indescribably one of the most cutest things to witness daily! It is also thanks to Lily that has made my life that much easier to transition as well.What kind of "Mom/family' blogger would I be if I wasn't sharing pictures?? It wouldn't be the same "One Month Molly" post if I didn't take cliche 'ONE MONTH" photos in a onesie displaying "ONE."

Thank goodness for Lily's tutu that I ever so sneakily bunched behind Molly to make it appear as though it really fits her.....and for the leg warmers that are clearly too big but match PERFECTLY to this ensemble!

My sleeping beauty!
Okay, Okay, I woke you up! I'm sorry, but how else would I have taken such GREAT shots if your beautiful eyes weren't open??? (will they stay blue?? prob not, but everyone is definitly rooting for it)

Molly, your presence in our life is nothing but a blessing. I know your days as a newborn are now small in numbers and the term 'baby' is now how you will be referenced so I will continue to cherish these short, speedy days of your infanthood, but cannot help to think of you when you are old enough to laugh, walk, talk, and play with Lily. What joy it brings to my heart to be your Mommy!

Molly's newborn photoshoot

After my best friend, Christie, had her baby, she hired a photographer to take newborn pictures at her house. The shots turned out amazing and I was really wanting to do the same with Molly. Well with being on a bit of a budget this maternity leave Mike immediately shot my idea down!

Christie and I decided to be creative, and go ahead and use our own Nikon cameras to capture some sweet moments....

Christie did a GREAT job! The pictures we took were so close to professional I almost feel like I should pay her. (but I'm not..hehe)

Here are some of my favorite!

our baby Molly is here....3 weeks ago

So...as Lily would say in her most cute voice... "I did it!" I attempted a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean), and I succeeded! It was a total shock, up until the very point of her being placed onto my chest. I had kept my expectations low for a vaginal delivery and prepared myself for another c-section, but I wanted to at least try.

To my surprise I went into labor on my own Tuesday, Dec. 21, something that didn't happen with Lily. I was in shock to feel my contractions become more painful, because I was sure they were going to go away. I tried showering, cleaning the kitchen, dusting my bedroom, cleaning the floor, and I even wanted to vacuum, but Mike wouldn't let me at 12am in the morning with Lily sleeping. All of this, and the contractions were still there every 7-10 min and continuing to get worse.

It wasn't until about 2:30 am I felt the urge to get to the hospital because I no longer wanted to be in pain. I had called my Mom to come on over just in case we did need to leave in the middle of the night. She has been watching 'House Hunters' with me while I was trying to decide if I could get a nights rest on the couch. But alas I was in a bit too much pain. I woke Mike, who had JUST fallen asleep and to Fairfax Hospital we fled.

I was already 5 cm when I was admitted and I was ready for my epidural! With the help of my epidural I was able to get some sleep. And by some sleep I mean about 2 hours. All my nurse friends were so excited to see me there in labor we were too busy chatting into the night over whether we thought I would push Molly out, or if I would end up in the OR. I stayed optimistic, but realistic. I was taking it all in very cautiously!

By 6am I was 6 cm, and my doctor went ahead and broke my water. My contractions had slowed down a bit, but there was still no need for pitocin. Around 8:30 I was in a bit of pain again! I could feel my contractions and some pressure so I was dosed with some more medicine through my epidural. 9am, Dr. Kusic checked me and said, COMPLETELY dilated (10cm) lets start pushing!

What? THAT FAST? I was in shock, but totally excited! I gave it a couple pushes, and my Doctor said, 'no problem, this baby is coming out this way.' Meaning he knew I wasn't going to need a c-section! An hour later, and at exactly 10:00am MOLLY WAS BORN, and placed right onto my chest! All I could say was, "I can't believe I did it! I can't believe I did it!" The whole room was full of cheer to Miss Molly! December 22, 2010, 10:00 am 7 pounds 8 ounces, 20 1/4 inches longMy heart had instantly grown two fold! The love that I was afraid wouldn't be there was, and with a single beat I could feel my chest grow with more love. I was in awe of her, so was Mike. We gazed at her beauty and couldn't decide if she looked like Lily or not.

Welcome to the Peterson Family, Molly! We love you 'to the moon and back'!Lily meets Molly! She is instantly in love! Her 'baby sister'! It was a great moment to have them both together on my lap! Our first family photo..My rocks, my L & D dream team! All of this made possible because of them. Their support, cheers, and love is just what you need to make a perfect delivery. I could not ask for better coworkers and most of all friends!from Left to Right: Michelle Lopez, RN-the ultimate baby nurse who was present during Lily's birth, and again at Molly's. She is responsible for the girls cute outfits right at birth. How creative! The most impressive part of it all is that she is still on maternity leave with her two sweet newborn twins at home, but still she came to be with me! Dr. Mike Kusic, MD-my doctor who I have been with since my pregnancy with Lily. His whole practice is full of doctors who I utmost respect in every way, but it was special to have him deliver both Lily and Molly! He preformed my c-section, did a great job, but most of all he supported me through my wish to attempt a VBAC. His sense of humor and silly laughter makes him extremely likable and very comfortable to be around. Kristin Reese, RN-my excellent day shift nurse, but more importantly, my friend! Kristin and I have known each other since freshman year of college, we have lived together, and went to nursing school together. Now we work together and I can proudly say she supported me (held my leg) during Molly's delivery. This is very special to me! MIKEY-my husband! I couldn't have a better partner for life! Through ups and downs of my pregnancy he was always supportive and excited for the birth of our daughter. It was a thrill for him to see me deliver vaginally, cut the cord, and then have baby Molly right there on my chest while he was right next to me. Heather Altland, RN-the first blonde..hehe, my night shift nurse partner! Heather and I have worked together for 5 years, taken vacations together and she even went to high school with Mike. She stayed over into the day shift to see me deliver. Her excitement to see Molly born was just another boost to get me through it! Kate Callahan, RN-the other blonde..another very special friend! We, too, have worked together for 5 years, and also taken vacations together! Kate's energy and positive attitude also made it possible for me to push little Molly out!

Some people may say I am crazy to have my friends see me in my most vulnerable state, half naked, and legs spread open (excuse me for being graphic), but I couldn't imagine it being any other way!!! Some days I may hate going to work, but my job is such an important one. Seeing a baby born is so special and I am so glad I shared it with my friends!

Grandmas capture their first glimpse of little Molly girl....A proud G Pa of his second grand daughter! He has so much love for these little ones!Most of the family joined me in the hospital right after she was born. We spent a lot of time with Molly in her first couple hours! It was such a different experience than with Lily. Something I can now cherish with Molly! I was wide awake, I felt great, and my family was in awe that I had just delivered a baby! There is nothing that I regret about Lily's delivery, and my c-section, but I am so grateful that I was able to experience a non surgical delivery!At the hospital, after Molly was born and Lily was able to spend a little time with Mommy and Daddy, we gave her a big sister gift...a Christmas Mickey Snow Globe. Hmmm, maybe not the best gift for a 2 year old because it has since been shattered! Poor Mickey, maybe we will invest in another next year AND keep it out of the hands of our darling girl.

I was discharged to go home on Christmas Eve! A blessed Christmas present to be home as a new family!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

...my two girls and their first matching pjs :) there will definitely be more to come of those! And by the way, I LOVE saying 'my girls'! Ok, I know they are not just MY girls but Mike and my girls, but it is just amazing to me to say I now have kidssss (plural), and it is even more wonderful to call them 'my girls'

We ventured to my parents house for lunch Christmas day. Keep in mind (no I'm not bragging) BUT I am 3 DAYS postpartum! I think I was a little delusional to think I could be riding around town house to house. I definitely wished I had used to the excuse of just having a baby in my favor! Meaning I should not have left my home, and those who wanted to see me and the baby should have ventured to ME! Oh well! What's done is done, and I am grateful that Molly was able to meet all my extended family on Christmas day!

Our first family photo shot where we are all appropriately dressed.

Uncle Craig meets his new niece.....

Memaw and Pop with Molly....Just as special as the rest of their great grand children...Molly is number 4! I am so happy to have them around to experience a fourth generation!

On another note...what do I do about my blog? Should I be changing the name? I mean we are STILL the Peterson's but I took a spin on Lily's name because we call her 'Lil'....what to do, what to do....

Molly's Birth Announcement

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