Molly at 3

Today we took the kids in for their annual well-kid visit to the doctor, so it seems like a good time to do a little update on how each of them is growing and changing lately! Molly turned three a few weeks ago. They measured her standing up this time (and on the scale instead of the wall, plus she was not at all pleased to be on there, so I'm not sure how precise a measurement they got), and she is 39" tall (87%) and weighs 38 lbs (still 95%). She feels to me like she has stretched out and gotten a lot leaner in the past 6 months, but I think this is the first time that she's had a higher weight percentage than height percentage. The doctor said that her proportions are still great. Molly was anxious about the whole thing, especially about the doctor examining her, but she still did pretty well. (Sitting on Daddy's lap through most of the exam really helped.) She had one booster shot, and I was very thankful that Patrick was there to hold her - she really did not want that shot, but she calmed down pretty quickly.

Little ballerina in her leotard and tutu.

Molly is (mostly) quite a lot of fun to have around! She is a little chatterbox, and loves to talk and tell stories and sing songs. She makes up silly words and silly little songs all the time. She keeps us all laughing, and spends a lot of her day grinning about something. Her favorite toys are her baby dolls - she loves to dress them and take care of them, and would prefer to take them everywhere she goes. The other day in the van she was crooning away to her Bitty Baby, “oh, it’s ok, I’m right here,” over and over. So sweet! But she also loves to play trains with Elijah, with her pretend kitchen/dishes/food, and outside in the sandbox. Elijah and Molly have really been playing well together and like to make up silly games and pretend together. Miss Molly also loves to read and look at books, work on puzzles, and do any kind of art. She likes to dress up and pretend to be a ballerina or a cowgirl. The ladies in her preschool class at church say that she is "an angel" at children's church and is always willing to share and let everyone have a turn.

Molly is still very shy with new people, and usually takes a little while to warm up each time she sees people (even those she sees regularly). Molly is reserved around others at first, but she’s never quiet at home! She always lets us know what she’s thinking, and she laughs (and fusses) quite vocally. She does sometimes still have trouble when we leave her somewhere, like church class or with a babysitter, but usually calms down and has a great time once we’re gone.

Molly is still sleeping in her toddler bed for now, and says that she doesn’t want her big bed yet. She is potty trained during the day, and almost never has accidents, but still wears diapers for sleeping right now. She speaks very clearly and has a lot to say! Some of her favorite songs are “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and Psalm 23. Her favorite books are Bear Snores On, Goodnight Moon, Red Hat, Green Hat, and I Love You, Goodnight. She also loves Hello Kitty and everything PINK! She is very excited for her new room to be pink. She is always especially excited to see her own name, or any of the letters in her name or Elijah’s. She thinks we should name her little brother Molly Beth, and she is very excited to help take care of him.