First Birthday Party

I had my first birthday party. It was the bomb.com. So many of my friends and family came to our church to celebrate. They were so happy I made it a whole year. My buddies Luke and Micah came along with: my cousins Autumn and Noah, my uncles Scott with his girlfriend, Bethany, uncle Ryan, my grandmas Vickie and Kris and grandpas John and Terry, aunt Vicki and uncle Rick, Emma, Timmy and cousin Vanessa and Matt, Jenna and Tom, aunt Erin and her boyfriend Alex. They gave me so many cool gifts. I even got gifts from great-grandma Judy and aunt Vanessa and uncle Tom. 

I received some way-cool clothes and toys. Some neat blocks and this really cool chalk board highlighting my first year. 

Here are some of the photos from my party. 

 Saying hello to everyone 

 A small taste of the cake mom made for me. 

 One of my cakes held by my grandma Vickie 

 My cousin Autumn was not too thrilled with my eating habits on Saturday. 

 Dad! What is happening with all these cameras?

 Good luck trying to convince me that green beans are good. 

 Getting cleaned off by my grandpa and mom. How embarrassing to have this happen in front of my guests. 

 I had a great time with Timmy. It's always great to see him......












until I sneeze on him

They have been at so many of my events this past year. What great friends. 

This is our album cover. 

Me with grandpa, grandma, mom and cousin Autumn. 

Just for the record; they (my parents) were eating food that day too. They just didn't have a thousand photos taken of them eating. What's the big deal? Have you not had cake before? Geez!

The after-party was just as cool. We went to the hotel that grandma and grandpa Ehlke were staying at and there was the BIGGEST bath tub I have ever seen. So big that everyone was able to get in it at once. I did not want to leave. I had so much fun swimming with everyone.  

Thanks to everyone that made me feel super-special for my birthday. Thanks for Tom and aunt Vicki sharing their birthday with my party. 

I tried raisins this week too. They were ok. 

Year One

 I turned my blog over this week to my parents. I am sure I will be properly ridiculed at daycare on Monday for this.

First year with Dad:

Becoming a dad is great. Now, when I am at stores and I speak out loud it's no longer, "Wow, look at that crazy person!" It's, "Wow! look at that very attentive father. He is so amazing."

Molly has been a wonderful delight. I have enjoyed so much watching her explore the world around her. Having a daddy-daughter day every Monday for a few months was exciting and challenging.

This photo was from the first week she was home. This is also the last time that I was able to fit a hat on her head over her hair. 

Becoming a dad has been everything I have always wanted. I don't think I could be an happier with my life. 

This is still my favorite photo I have taken on Molly. I am sure I will have a new favorite shortly. 

First Year with Mom:

I prefer mother.  Just kidding I'll take anything!! Mama, mommy, lady with the milk.  When Molly was around 3 or 4 months old she was saying Mamamamamama all the time. Now? Never.  Just Dadaddadada. But I digress.

I didn't really think that this year went by all that fast.  There were some really challenging times that slowed things down but now looking back at some of these photos where she is SOOOO small... it did.

I'm really surprised how much I love her.  I'm good at holding a grudge. (What? Sweet Melissa? You bet.) But Molly can cry all day and fidget around while I try to cut her nails and poop in the tub and hit my face; a moment later she can just give me a giggle and I'm not mad anymore. That's God at work right there.

Things I love to do with Molly: Dancing, walking around the house holding her hands, bath time, anything to get her to do her happy jumpy dance, making faces in the mirror, watching her muse at the simplest of things, picking her up from Jill's.

Things I don't really love doing with Molly: Trying to brush her teeth, trying to cut her nails, trying to comb her hair-- basic hygine-- carrying her carseat around.  Picking up her cup after she threw it on the floor 16 times, trying to keep _____ that doesn't belong in her mouth-- out of her mouth.  If you didn't think this section would be here I apologize, it ain't all sunshine. Just mostly.

Molly if you ever happen to read this down the line: I love you. So much.  I promise I will do everything I can to do what's best for you.  You might not always agree that it's best. I might make mistakes thinking it's best at the time.  I will try so hard for you to help you accomplish your dreams.  "For now let her sleep for when she wakes, she'll move mountains."

Relaxed Weekend

I cough cough had a tough weekend of not feeling well. I took lots of medicine* and had lots of snuggle time with my mom and dad this weekend. That is how sick I was. I even snuggled with my mom and dad on Saturday and Sunday. My parents keep telling me that I am getting teeth in. I already have two. I like these two. How many more am I going to get?

*I know you guys snuck the medicine into my food. I KNOW IT

Mom and I sent a message to my friend, Clara Ray. Mom reads me stories of Clara from time to time and we pray for her. I hope that she feels better. It sounds like she is a lot more sick than I. I hope she feels better so maybe we can see each other and play.

I am working on my hair for my birthday party. Good start so far?

I know my party is far away for a lot of people so if you can't make it, don't sweat it. You can send me a letter. I will open them when I turn 18. Maybe there will be flying cars by then.

Molly Ehlke

N82W13262 Fond du Lac Avenue 

Apartment 7

Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Dear Molly,

Hey Grandpa, you read this right? You're so into the internet now...thanks for this hat you sent me!

Happy Birthday to my Great-grandma Judy on Wednesday. Remember this time we hung out and I did not cry?

Speaking of birthdays, my parents have set something up for my big day. Since most will not be able to see me on my first birthday they are trying something neat they found from cousin Vanessa. 

People can send me a letter!!!

I can't open them until I am 18.  Will they even have real mail then?? What a mystery.

Letters can be sent to: 

Molly Ehlke 

N82W13262 Fond du Lac Avenue

Apartment 7

Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Hope to hear from you soon...or like 17 years from now. 

Mo11y-Months-Old

I turned 11-months-old this past week. Here is an update on what my likes and dislikes are since I am almost the big O.N.E.

Likes

-Walking when anyone holds my hands.

- Eating tons of food. 

- Taking piles of things and throwing them around. 

- Throwing things off my highchair and onto the ground. 

- Putting things in my mouth that my 'rents say are not food. 

- Checking my investments to ensure they are diversified. 

- Dancing with mom in the mirror. 

- Love playing peak-a-boo. 

- Checking the strength of my new teeth by biting and ripping things a part. 

- Taking bathroom selfies with mom. 

Dislikes

- Bedtime. 

- The boogieman/boogiemen.

- Bottles.

- Sitting up on my own. 

- Waiting on food. 

- Baby doll. 

- Having my hair did. Unless I have something to play with.

- Learning sign language. 

This weekend I got to hang with grandma and aunt Erin. They came for a baby shower that I did not go to. I hung with my dad and cousin John.  I am starting to like hanging out with people that are not my mom and dad. It takes a moment for me to realize that they are not burglars.  

I got to see my cousin Asher, James and Candice this weekend. We played with blocks and had books read to us. Uncle Tom was impressed with how nice we took a photo...ummm Uncle Tom, we have two photo pros right here!! Asher and myself.  It was great to catch up over lunch. 

I am excited about my new coat. Look at me try and fly like a bird. 

The Dentist

This week I had my two little buds (haha get it?) checked out at the dentist. I had Dr. Bell look over my mouth. Great news, no cavities!  I wish my folks would have told me we were going. I would have liked to hit a little mouth wash, I just ate a whole thing of squash before. Yuckcity (Pop. Me) 

Speaking of meeting new people in the medical field; I met Dr. Erika D this past week. It was your typical gals night-- dinner, drinks, (next round of milk on me gals!) Came home and tried out bath bombs and gossiped. She told me little Leah D has the same book about Pigeon finding a hot dog, can you believe it?!?! Small world. 

I have had lots of dinner with ladies lately. I spent some girl time over Christmas vaca with Alicea. My dad's friend's wife. She is way cooler than Jeff or at least that is what my dad says a lot. 

Dad and I are excited to watch the Lions in the playoffs* this year. Wow! playoffs the first year I have been a fan of this team. Is this what it's like every year? If so, sign me up!

*Editors Note. Molly did not stay up to watch the game and watch the Lions lose. She still doesn't know and it will be explained to her when she is 18. 

Holidazed

This past week has been a nightmare. A pink nightmare. 

My parents have been hyping up this thing called Christmas for the past month. I have to admit that I have been getting excited. It sounded so cool. Fun treats, presents, the birth of Jesus and going to Michigan to see all my grandmas and grandpas. I should mention that when I signed up for this whole Christmas thing that I am not good with large groups. In fact they terrify me. I saw so many people this weekend that, fun fact, are a fan of my blog, I PANICKED. I cried and I cried and would not let mom or dad out of my sight. The only one who could hold me was aunt Heather. I was so scared to see everyone. 

This is what it would look like if grandma, grandpa, cousin Noah and I were a totem pole. 

I did get used to the idea of ripping the paper off some pretty cool toys and clothes. To be honest I like the paper more I can tear it, crumble it, eat it or simply throw it at dad. 

I did get used to Izzo being on the floor. He even licked me once. I needed a wipe right away. 

I got this cute baby doll from Santa Claus for Christmas. I have not named her yet. What should her name be? Leave me your suggestion in the comments. 

Look at this cool hat cousin Autumn got for me to wear. She was not there for Christmas and that made me kinda sad. I was really looking forward to some girl cousin time. 

Mom and dad let me stay up until 8:45 P.M. on New Years Eve. We went to church and then we came home and par-tayed. My New Year's resolutions are to walk, talk and maybe try hot dogs.  I am currently reading a book about hot dogs. I hear it's a taste sensation.