Five Months

This is a little overdue, but Elise turned 5 months a couple of weeks ago.  Just look at that sweet girl and how big she is getting! 

Also, I've been keeping another blog since she was born. This might explain my lack of posts on this one. Have a peek if you're interested: BLOG

Happy Halloween!!

Elise and I hosted the Bumps and Babes group at our house for a Halloween party last week. So much fun!

Elise was so grumpy!

The E's: Elise, Eva, Erin 

We lined all the babies up on the couch

Lil Punkin Elise and her momma

One, two, three, FOUR months!

Elise is four months old today! As of this week, she can roll over...and boy does she love it! She can't quite sit up on her own yet. She can't crawl yet either, but she sure tries! I tried to take a similar monthly photo to the previous ones, but she will NOT stay still. Case in point: 

Happy Birthday Baby Elise!

Jebel Hafeet

We took a little day trip down to Al Ain this Saturday to check out Jebel Hafeet. Though it is not the highest point in the country, it is definitely the highest point anywhere nearby. There is a road that goes to the top where you can see some pretty nice views (on a clear day).  I was not too impressed with it - especially the amount of trash and general unkempt look of the roadway. It was one of those things that you just have to do while you're here though, so we went. There is a hotel at the top as well as a little convenience store. Outside there are some very old looking kiddie rides and a few pathetic games.

Quick stop on the way up

There is a palace at the top

The coffee shop was closed, but we were able to get some ice cream and water at the little convenience store.

Who would play this game?! All there was to grab was old foam squares and a really old looking watch.

Elise on one of the rides! (Don't worry, it's not moving...she's not old enough for that, yet!)

The road to the palace: "No Admisition"

Hazy view from the top

Elise Hosts B&B

Elise and I have been going to a weekly get-together held in our area since before she was even born! The group, called Bumps and Babes, is for pregnant and new mothers and their babies. It's a good chance to meet up with babies that are similar in age and commiserate with the other mothers. Right now, the group is made up of several babies that were all born within a few weeks of each other. It's pretty cool to watch them grow and progress together! This week, we hosted the group at our house. It was a good turn out! We cleared the living room so there would be plenty of room for the babies to play:

You can tell a couple of the babies are enthralled with Baby Einstein on the TV 

Happy Birthday Pete

Awhile back, Pete asked for some photos to decorate the blank walls in his office. I was pregnant at the time and too tired to really get around to it.  When I was trying to think of what to get him for his birthday, this finally popped into my head! Here is the little photo collage I put together for his birthday present.  Hope he enjoys it! :-) 

Happy Birthday Pete!

Roll-y Suitcase

The guy (Nushad) who hangs stuff up on the wall came over today to put a few shelves up. I snapped a quick pic of the little rolly bag that he brings his stuff in. I don't know why, but it cracks me up every time!

Elise's World

Elise's room is finally put together, for the most part anyway. A lot of people asked to see pics when I was at home, but I didn't have any because it was still in a bit of a state when we left for Ireland. So here ya go! 

Crib and rocking chair - wall decor courtesy of IKEA (and Uncle Steve)

Dresser and changing table (and bright sunshine-y window)

Every room needs a little camel.

Initials on the changing table (The animals they chose are a little random though! Elk, kookabura, and mole??? How about elephant, kangaroo, and monkey?!)

A new play area has suddenly popped up in the living room.

And finally, I just stuck these two photos in a frame together and I really love the juxtaposition of serious and happy. Too cute!

Tres Meses

She sleeps through the night...and giggles! What a joy! Happy three month birthday little one - love you so so much!

Libertyville "Family"

Elise and I made a quick stop in Chicago en route to Abu Dhabi. We stayed with our friends Brad and Molly for a few days and Elise got to meet her "cousins" Andrew, Linnea, and Emily. HUGE thanks to the Bacileks for having us. It was great to see you guys!

Andrew has lots of experience with baby girls!

Love this!

Emily enjoyed making funny faces at Elise. SO CUTE!

Farewell Colorado

Just wanted to give an (overdue) shout out to Bryan and Angela Reid. Thanks for having such a nice BBQ for me before I left! It was such a great chance to see everyone and I know Elise had a great time too ;-) Miss you all...

Fun time at Guido's house

Mom's Bday Wish: A Hike with the Fam

Elise and I spent our next-to-last weekend in the USA by taking a trip down to Farmington, NM and Durango, CO to visit my sister and my aunt and uncle. It was Leigh-leigh's birthday on Saturday, and her birthday wish was to take a hike! We went to Haviland Lake outside of Durango. The weather could not have been better and Elise enjoyed riding in the Baby Bjorn. Afterwards we headed to Uncle Robby's house for a birthday dinner of BBQ chicken and corn on the cob followed by a delicious chocolate raspberry cake. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

 

A New Blanket

Elise has received many wonderful gifts in her short little lifetime. Today, she got a really cool one in the mail from my aunt, Gail, my mom's sister who lives in California. She decided to take up sewing again after not having sewed anything in the last 30 years.  She just finished an adorable blanket for Elise. Not just any blanket though. This one has a story! It's made out of Hawaiian shirts and has a hand-sewn sun in the middle of it. How cool is that?! Elise just happened to be wearing a dress today that matched the blue/Hawaiian theme of the blanket. What a nice present! THANKS GAIL! :-) 

El Rio Grande

The Mexican food in Abu Dhabi leaves much to be desired...and let's not even TALK about the margaritas they have on offer.  Every time I make a trip back to Colorado, enjoying a tasty margarita at The Rio is always on my to-do list. So, I finally made it up to Lone Tree to get one of my favorite beverages of all time with some of my favorite people of all time. YUM!

Two Months...

Happy TWO MONTH birthday to my little Elise. Look how much fun we've been having in Colorado! 

Bathtime with Leigh-leigh

Trip to the Shrine on Cheyenne Mountain

First trip to the ZOO!! (with your adopted Grampy Dave)

Meeting your cousin Taylor

and your Auntie Katharine

It is amazing how much it seems like you have grown up in such a short amount of time.  I am starting to see some of your personality in the form of lots of funny faces and little giggles. You are getting a lot better at sleeping now, which is making me love you even more ;-) Everywhere we go, people tell me how adorable you are (and they also comment on your unique stroller quite a bit too!) I'm so looking forward to the days, weeks, and months ahead where I will get to know you a little more each day. I love you SO MUCH little one. Happy birthday!

Elise in Action

These videos are mostly for Pete, since he is missing his little girl, but you can enjoy them too! She's getting so grown up!

Ireland!

Here's my little video of pics from our trip. We had a blast!  ENJOY! :-)

If you have any questions about where some of the pics are from, just post them in the comments.

Whilrwind

Elise and I said goodbye to Pete at the Dublin airport and are now back in Colorado for a summertime visit. We had an awesome time in Ireland and Elise was on her best behavior for most of the trip! I'm working on  a slideshow of our pictures...so stay tuned. Until then, here's a snapshot of our trip:

Ireland, here we come!

Pete and I took Elise on her first plane ride on her 1 month birthday. We are now in Ireland to attend a wedding this Saturday and then we are taking a little road trip around the country for the next week. The wee one did an amazing job on the plane! She was chilled out the whole time and we were lucky enough to score and empty seat next to us. We had the whole row to ourselves and Elise could stretch out. 

Ready for take-off - how huge does that seatbelt look compared to her?!

The family, so excited to be escaping the heat!

One Month Tomorrow

My little Elise...

Is it possible that a whole month has passed already!? It has been so amazing getting to know you the last few weeks. It has been a time full of sleepless nights, gross smells, and quite a bit of spit up...but it has also included some amazing things too! 

Like crazy hair days

And naps with your daddy

And meeting new friends

And a whole lot of snuggling with your momma.

I love you so much! Happy ONE MONTH Birthday little one. 

She's ready to hit the road

Passport photo courtesy of Steven 

Introducing...Elise Katharine Molnar!!!

Sorry for the er....delay...in putting pics up of our baby girl. I've been pretty busy and exhausted since her arrival. She was born at 6:55 pm on Tuesday, June 15th - weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs 13 oz! She made her debut 24 hours after (Grandma)Leigh and (Uncle)Steven got in from Colorado. After a brief stay in the NICU (due to low blood sugar...she's fine though!) we were able to bring her home that Friday afternoon. Isn't she cute??? :-)

At the hospital

Finally home, hanging out with Daddy

Sleeping in her Bugaboo

Reading books

Nesting, Part III

The rest of the house is NOT inspired by the HGTV Dream Home. In fact, I liked the master bedroom so much that I never really looked at any of the other pics of the house. Anyway, here is our living room:

Before:

After: 

A wedding gift: "May the warm winds of heaven blow softly on this house"