Memories of Molly

We just returned from our bi-annual family get together in Mexico. It was our first opportunity to meet Katalin our 8 month old niece. Watching her giggle and smile brought back fond and not-so-fond memories of Molly when she was much smaller.

One of the things that made (and still makes) Molly special is she’s not content being little. She’s always wanted to be more like the big kids: stop taking naps before she was 2, play on the jungle gym for 5-7 year olds, and climb the rock wall at REI like the 9 year old girl. (Who I just couldn’t capture on film, because she was too agile and quick. All the photos were blurry.) It makes for one frustrated kid.

Morning in Newburyport

One Saturday morning in July of 2006, Molly and I were playing in her room while Anna slept off one of her more wild nights (you know how she is). Molly decided this just wouldn’t do; so she crawled out of her room and down the hall to our bedroom.

Although she was disappointed at first that Anna wasn’t awake, Molly didn’t let that stop her. She crawled into the room making enough racket that Anna didn’t stand a chance — although, truth be told, Anna sleeps with ear plugs in because someone in the next apartment snores.

Trouble Brewing

Now that Katalin is starting to push up, crawling won’t be far behind. I don’t envy Bob and Aileen. Although I always said I couldn’t wait for Molly to become mobile and start talking, I know we weren’t prepared for her crawling when it started.

These photos don’t do Molly’s crawling justice. By this point, Molly had been crawling for most of a month: she was bloody fast. One minute she’d be farting or making disgusting gurgling noises (neither of which she learned from me — I taught her to blow raspberries when she was two) on the mat in her room, the next minute she’d be halfway down the hall.

Of course, Bob and Aileen live in Texas. So they’re probably adept with a lasso and Katalin won’t stand a chance.

Black Friday Lives Up to Name

If this is the “Christmas Spirit” I’ve heard so much about, I think I really may become a pagan after all.

In other news, Jeff and I celebrated our anniversary by taking Miss Molly to see Bolt, and had a delicious little Carvel ice cream cake. Five years later, and we still take this day off from the madness of life to remember the simple things, the things that don’t cost a dime- especially love.

The Joy Children Bring Us

This morning as Anna was getting ready for a family outing to the movies, she discovered that her rings were missing. She has 3 rings:

1. The silver ring I gave her when she accepted me back into her life.
2. The diamond engagement ring I gave her when she agreed to marry me.
3. The wedding band I gave her when she said “I do”.

Each of these has emotional significance beyond simple monetary value. And each of these is irreplaceable.

Molly admitted to playing with the rings this morning while I was making breakfast. So far, we’ve recovered the silver ring and the wedding band.

Now, remember, each of these is irreplaceable. But frankly, the diamond engagement ring is rather more irreplaceable than the other two. With the exception of our cars, it’s the single most expensive item we own.

There’s probably a lesson to be learnt here.

Update: After spending most of the day tearing apart the house, we finally found the engagement ring. I’ve no idea how it wound up under Anna’s night table.