Hungry Hippo's and Fist's of Power

5 weeks of life have flown by for our little Molly. She's very alert when she's awake, lifting her head up and looking around. When she's sleeping, she loves to snuggle. Sleeping and eating habits are still a little sporadic at times, but we're hoping to get a good schedule established in the next few weeks.


Molly is growing at a frightening pace and we joke a lot about our little hungry hippo. The informal weigh in on the bathroom scale last week reports that Molly is tipping the scales just over 10 lbs! She's starting to get little fat rolls and the double chin is quite pronounced. :)



She loves to stretch her arms and legs me and routinely plays a houdini on us, pulling her arms out of her swaddle wrap.

We're starting to see some hints at smiles now . I haven't caught a good one on camera yet, but I will soon....

And Molly has started with the "baby power" fist... Owen used to do this all the time... maybe all babies do, but I still think it's funny. I dug up a picture for a comparison. Here they are at the same age expressing their feelings. I think Molly has a little more attitude.

Owen has been a great big brother over the past few weeks. He's very helpful with Molly and loves her dearly.

Family Visits...

We've had a few wonderful weekends with family visiting to help out and meet miss Molly. Here's some pictures of everyone with the little girl.

Grandma & Grandpa Horvath

Molly's cousins were so happy to hold her...

Cousin Ellie

Cousin Riley

Cousin Alyssa

Aunt Mary

Uncle Seth

3-1/2 Weeks

Here's miss cutey pie after her bath this morning getting ready for the day!

And reading the paper with daddy....

Bath Time

Molly has been growing up a storm and been very pleasant for us during the day and night. At her 2 week visit, she was up to 8lbs already!

Here's Molly getting her first bath under the watchful eye of her brother who just finished his bath and was hanging out in his new blue bathrobe.

Molly

I wonder what the world will be like when she's old enough to care... this new little person, unaffected by the great unknown. I listen to her breathe as she sleeps in my arms and it's almost hypnotic. She is the picture of perfect peace... something we lose all to soon as we grow in age. When she's awake, her eyes are constantly looking around, taking in new sights and giving the occasional stare. I think she smiled at me today. I hope and wish I can give this beautiful girl the best life she deserves.... to be there when she needs me, give her the freedom to learn from mistakes, and provide a home filled with unconditional love.

Headed Home

The 2nd night in the hospital was interrupted by cluster feedings every hour and a half or so between 10pm and 2am. After the 2am feeding, the nursery was able to watch Molly while Allison and I got a few very appreciated hours of sleep.

In the morning, we enjoyed a quiet breakfast and relaxed some with our little girl. After meeting with Dr. DeAngelis, we were cleared for discharge and free to go once we filled out all the birth certificate data and other fun paperwork.

Grandma & Grandpa Stapler brought Owen in before lunch to help us get Molly ready to head home. Here he is admiring her "little" socks.


Owen would rub her head to help her feel better if she cried.

He really wanted to hold her "by himself". A few seconds were enough, and he was very attentive to make sure he supported her head.

Here she is awake and looking around!

And the more frequent state of peacefully sleeping in her swing.

The All About Women and Reading Hospital L&D staff were wonderful to work with and we thank them all for making Molly's birth and our stay a great experience.

The first day

Our first night with Molly was a flurry of activity. Between the tests, checkup's for Allison, bloodtyping, applying of security bracelets, feedings and baths, there was some activity or parade of people in and out of the room for most of the night. We did have a few hours of uninterrupted resting early in the morning. Here's the new lady bug on day 1.

Grandma & Grandpa Stapler brought Owen in to meet his little sister on Friday afternoon. When he got to the room, he was so excited to hold her "by himself". He scrambled up into the chair and held his arms out with the biggest smile ever. He was so sweet looking her over and checking out all her little parts.


Two weeks ago we got through all the fun questions when we visited Owen's new baby niece at the hospital....

"Daddy, why does her pee pee have a clip on it". (umbilical cord)
"Well Owen, that's where her belly button will be... she doesn't have a pee pee."
"Why doesn't she have a pee-pee like me daddy?"
"Becuase she's a girl ,and girls don't have pee pee's".
"oh... (pause).... Daddy, does mommy have a pee pee?"
"No Owen, mommy does not have a pee-pee because Mommy is a girl"

By then, Allison was on the other side of the room doubled over laughing because I was getting to field all these fun questions.... She got some good ones earlier in the pregnancy... like "how is the baby going to come out" and "how did the baby get in there". Gotta love the mind of a 4 year old.

Here, Owen was having a good laugh because Molly sneezed.

The proud big brother.

Grandma & Grandpa Stapler with Molly.