In her pink baby book, tucked somewhere between the “bringing baby home” page and the immunization chart is “The Page of Firsts,” a special place reserved for careful documentation of all the miraculous things littles do in their first year. I remember being somewhat intimidated by it when I first saw it…laden with blank lines under all the things my little newborn was supposed to do. First smile. First solid foods. First word. First tooth. First Laugh. First time she sits up alone. Everything seemed so far away.
…but, slowly the lines filled. Every month has gifted us another first be it the first time her pudgy little hands could clap out the beat of “Patty Cake” to her first crawl.
At first glace, the page looks complete, full of neat handwriting that curls around the pages in places there wasn’t enough room. There are dates, explanations, and far more details than anyone (besides a slightly neurotic over-documenting first time mommy) would care to read.
But, take a closer look, and there’s one little line that hasn’t been filled, way at the bottom….
…My First Steps…
…hasn’t been filled, that is….until tonight.
Ladies and Gentlemen, a very special thing happened in our home tonight. There were cheers and tears as Cubby finished her final task for her Page of Firsts.
Houston, we have a walker.
*The above photo is a reenactment based on actual events that occured in the Hampton home this evening. The official first steps could not be recorded due to a Mommy and Daddy preoccupied with cheering.
…oh, but the official steps WERE to her daddy…and I’m so happy he got to have that moment!
…more to come on Cubby’s new feat!
…and in other enjoyment today…
an absolutely delicious afternoon thunderstorm sent Cubby and I to my bed where we read books, cuddled under covers and watched t.v.
…and upon Daddy’s return from work, watching him teach Cubby how to blow bubbles
…and then just this face, which reminds me of this recent conversation between B and I:
Brett: You know what?
Me: What?
Brett: If we didn’t have any kids and Lainey was someone else’s baby, and I saw her, I would SOOOO point her out to you and say, “Now that’s the baby I want.”
Me: Me too, Brett. Me too. (Smile)
She ain’t just fabulous ‘cuz she’s ours…she’s fabulous ‘cuz she’s Lainey Love.
…enjoying the small things. ~k
WOW! You have a BEAUTIFUL family! You are an AMAZING mommy! I am in awe! :o)
That pic of you and LL snuggled up in bed, reading books is PRECIOUS beyond words!!! LOVE it!
I also love that pic of LL in that dress,and headband! FABULOUS!
Shit. I just got home from watching Sex in the City movie (fab for the most part) and post-movie wine with five of my girls. I don’t know why before going to bed I thought I’d check in with your blog and I am crying over Lainey’s first steps and this whole post in general. Good night to you and your sweet fam.
omg, im in tears over here! the buildup to her first steps was incredible! I knew what you were alluding to, but I still cried! Major chills!! I’m so proud of her!! This is a monumental day!
WOW!!
These pictures are out of this world!! So are you!!
Chills and love!! Wow!! And I love the reenactment disclosure. Too funny. And that conversation with Brett?! Wow!! He’s amazing. Love pouring from Michigan all the way down to Naples today!!
WOWSA-Kelle-that was one of the most loving and thrilling posts I have ever read. I know you have been waiting to write down that First:)
Our little Lainey is a walker now!!!!!!!! Love to her, and Brett, and you! I love the conversation between you and Brett…so sweet…so true, she is an amazing little girly girl:)
xoxo
Yay for all the firsts accomplished and so many more to come. Life is full of them! But I think first steps and first time saying momma and Dadda are the best! Love you guys and miss you!
Congratulations Lainey! You’re such a big girl…what a role model for AJ!!!
LOVED reading todays post, so happy for Brett that she took her first steps to him. The BW pic of you and LL is meant for a wall. I love it. I love how excited Brett’s face is when he’s blowing bubbles to Lainey. And then the icing on the cake – that bottom pic. Her shoulder up, looking a bit coy, delightfully delish, in a word – divinity.
yippee!
oh how exciting! i love those first steps and can’t wait to see them here as well…
maybe lainey could give cora a lesson in first steps, and not driving mama crazy waiting for them?
and your husband…what an awesome daddy…good choice of words!
Way to go, Lainey!! What an exciting time. The fun gets even more fun now!
I LOVE the reenactment picture! Is she walking all over the place today? I bet she thinks she is the bomb…oh wait, she is!!
xoxoxo
love these pics! I love the expression on her face as she is walking…like she can’t believe what she is doing.
and the mommy time one in the bed is the bomb.
that is what life is made of.
love it, love it, love it!
totally agree about the thunderstorms and cuddling time…pure joy!
what I really love is Brett’s expression when he looks at his daugther’s reactions…now that’s love.
walking kelle?? where does the time go?
and how appropriate that the song ‘let go’ was playing as i read this post!
oh stop growing…i wish they would just stop sometimes…..
First steps–long anticipated and finally celebrated! Steps that will lead her to mysteries and mischief. Steps will lead her to the wonder of a Christmas tree piled with rustly packages, to first days of school, to doctor visits and dairy queens. Steps that will lead her queued with classmates to receive a diploma. Steps that will lead her off to a college dorm. Steps that will lead her down the aisle to her beloved. Steps that will someday lead her off to her world of destiny. But today…they are steps to daddy’s waiting arms. Enjoy and savor these tiny steps that keep her near, for someday…those steps will leave you two, embracing each other and wondering where did all the years go…that’s what I think of when I hear my baby’s baby has taken her first steps. I love you! (It’s almost Fathers Day, so indulge my maudlin memories.)
Congratulations Lainey! You are getting to be such a big girl. So Beautiful and Sweet. Mommy captures how beautiful and sweet you are in every picture she takes. I can’t get enough of you and love to be with you! xoxoxox
Stephy
Congratulations Lainey!!! I love the picture of the two of you in bed, reading, too. You look so comfy all snuggled in 🙂