Happy Halloween

Molly got all dressed up for Halloween and visited with her ghost and goblin friends (more like ladybug and pumpkins and monkeys) . She went to a friend's house for a little party and then we went downtown to walk around and see all the other kids' costumes.







The little ones wouldn't sit for on their own for a picture but when they were strapped in their strollers it was only Molly who tried to make a run for it. She wiggled and wiggled trying to get herself out and free... in the end, though, she consented to a picture with her buddies.

Push It

No independent (sorry for the earlier spelling error) walking yet but Molly's gotten progressively steadier on her feet. Her little walker is a lightweight plastic one so she often gets a little head of steam going and races around like a bat out of hell. Our living room is not blessed in the size department so this can get a little hazardous. The frustration of a 10 month old is quite a force when she's trapped like an upside down turtle against something and just flailing about trying to get moving again. Nonetheless, she usually manages to overcome her hurdles, such as her loveys, in her path and plow right through.



Outside can work better for walking because there's more space. Of course, one can't always be so dramatic in one's frustration on asphalt but she rolls with it well enough.

Baby, Baby

This little guy has a new baby brother. I think Ethan's going to be a good friend and mentor to the newest Stockwell. Welcome to little Adam!

I hope he teaches his new brother how to use the potty -- he's pretty good at showing Molly. I don't believe that this toilet seat has seen any use but I wonder how to break the news that this isn't the way that most kids are potty trained.

Mission Accomplished

This is how we get a diaper change done these days. Wriggling, unhappy-to-be-pinned-down baby gets a lot happier if we put her invisibility sunglasses on so that she can turn into a secret agent on a mission. Most of the time, it does the trick and life moves happily on. It's almost as if she likes to go incognito so that no one will know that she stayed still for half a second. It would totally ruin her rep.

Pillow Talk

We have a big floor pillow that Molly likes to take a rest on. She's pretty much commandeered the pillow although she likes it if other people flop back on it, like she's wont to do. Just please remember to get off so that she can take a rest as needed.

I have to mention that the pillow has a shoe pattern on it so I'm going to chalk it up to an early affinity for shoes. Maybe there is a little piece of me in there...

Fowl Play

We went to a Halloween party at a farm last week and got to see a bunch of kids all dressed up in cute costumes. Molly enjoyed the other party goers but this was her favorite guest.




I'll post some pictures of her in her full costume next week. She only wore the hat to her little witch costume this time because I was carrying her and she was pretty exhausted but next week she'll be in full regalia.

Our Own Autumn Almanac

It's certainly fall weather around here (I just want to clarify that for Holly and grandparents headed to warmer climates) and we're doing some of those fall things that you remember as being really fun but get to rediscover HOW fun when you get to watch through someone else's littler eyes. Last weekend we hit up the Topsfield fair and this weekend we watched our hometown boys play October baseball (NOT something I did much as a kid) with the Stockwells (minus the one who wants to stay warm and toasty inside) and did some other fun stuff outside.

Somebody loved the leaf pile. Rolling, throwing herself backwards, getting tossed into it -- these are a few of her favorite things.

Yes, eating is also one of her favorite things but this picture is more of a public plea to John to please let us turn on the heat.

Goats were Molly's favorite animals at the fair but she also liked the chickens, pigs, and cows. Bunnies were sort of "eh" on her excite-o-meter.

Ben was worried about being able to hear the Red Sox over Molly's yelling... I have no idea what he's talking about.


John's working on off-loading some chores to Molly. Don't worry, I'm onto him.

We also spent a fun few days up at my parents' house in order to celebrate my dad's retirement. Molly was having a rough day on Tuesday when we headed to a reception for my dad. She made herself known for most of the afternoon, for the car ride there, and through the parking lot. Once she hit the crowd, though, she decided that she was more interested in entertaining the assembled people than in fussing about whatever was previously putting ants in her pants. As soon as the reception was over, though, and we got in the car -- right back to her old tricks. Testing limits is a pretty fun stage to be in...

Jumbo Size

Before Molly was born, John and I went shopping for some baby clothes. I wanted to buy clothes that would fit the baby when she was born. John wanted to buy clothes that she could wear on her 12th birthday. His theory was that we could just roll up the cuffs and be on our way.

I've now taken over the clothes buying (along with some helpful grandparents) and I'm glad that the division of labor is such. I'm pretty sure John would still be trying to put her in some extra large clothing if he were in charge.

I Love You Like I Love Myself

Like I said before, Molly likes to look at herself. As I was sorting through pictures to post Molly helpfully came over and laughed at the ones she liked best. In case I didn't get it the first time, she would bounce for extra emphasis.

Who wouldn't be happy after a three hour nap?

Have you ever seen anyone so excited to take her vitamins?

Dancing can occur from either a standing...


or sitting position.

We Like to Party

I have a soft spot in my heart for October babies and we got to celebrate with a pretty cute one yesterday. Hannah's first birthday party had everything it should: party hats, cake, presents, and some overtired participants.

Despite her slightly dubious first impression of her cake, Hannah's attitude towards it improved in a few quick moments.


In fact, there was some serious carnage left behind.


And the birthday girl earned herself a quick trip to the bathtub.

Molly was excited to be included in the birthday celebrations and she had her cute outfit on and clean for about .25 seconds...
before her first cake-eating experience also turned into a trip to the bathtub to hose her off. Not the cleanest girl on the block...

After some poor attempts at a nap, the girls did try out some of Hannah's birthday presents.

Like Father Like Daughter

There are many things (most things, really) about Molly that are reminiscent of John. There's the most obvious -- the hair "cut" -- and the less obvious things that maybe only others in the Doyle family might notice. Besides the physical similarities, there apparently is a hobby that they both enjoy:




And then the little vanity plate, all on her own, managed to find her own blog page. She was content to look at the pictures of herself for quite a bit.



And I got a big "pbbbbbbbbbt" when I tried to move along to something else. She clearly had more looking to do. At least she doesn't have any tresses to toss over her shoulder.

Try, Try Again

Until a few years ago, I didn't believe in the supernatural much. It wasn't some dramatic visit to Area 51 that changed my perspective, rather it was getting to be friends with Ben. Now, thanks to Ben, I believe in ghosts and superstitions. Just the other day, on a walk in our local state park I felt pretty confident talking about the ghosts who live there -- one might even say cocky. The state park is the site of an old estate so I think it goes without saying that there are some folks lingering around there. I think that most ghosts are nice and like to dance -- those are my criteria for being accepted into ghosthood. As to the superstitions, I think Molly's Red Sox onesie (see previous post) might be bad luck. So, it was with some trepidation that I put it on her again tonight (I'm not gross, she is bathed regularly at night). I also thought that maybe my post was bad luck so I'm changing that too. I'm hoping that maybe a twice-worn Red Sox onesie combined with a new post might bring some good luck. I don't believe in werewolves or vampires (but I do believe wholeheartedly in John's impression of Teen Wolf) but the more I watch Vladimir Guerrero, I do wonder...

Molly is many things these days and perhaps one of her most prominent features is her vocal technique. She likes to laugh and yell really loudly. She has found being tickled and someone making surprised faces at her particularly funny lately.

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Molly wants to give all her favorite players her wholehearted support (thanks to Whits and Carrie for the gear)! She's been well outfitted this season and the only time she didn't have something that fit, the Red Sox sort of slumped. She's ready to cheer the hometown boys on with her post-season onesie, though, and hopes to take on the cry baby Dodgers soon.

Hippie Head

Katie and I did a little shopping the other day and I had to pick up one more hat for Molly. It's her new rain hat that I think brings some brightness to gray days. And yes, those are rhythm sticks that she's gnawing on -- have you met our little hippie baby? She can play a mean version of hot cross buns...

Big Head

We've had some nice fall weather lately (in between the rain drops) so we've hauled out our cold weather gear to see what fits (not much) and to see what will keep our piggies warm this season. Molly tried on her hats for me the other day so that I can assess how warm her ears will be. She was psyched by the fashion show, believe you me.

I think she might change the channel on this one. I mean, it is a 2T-3T size because someone's noggin is giant.

This one is for Uncle Greg since he isn't a fan of head wear with some sort of animal face on top. He thinks it's creepy but I like it. Molly is wondering how big her head was at birth since she did wear this hat last winter. Let's not go there.

Big winner!