(Note: something changed in Playlist. If you want music with the post, it won’t start automatically. You need to scroll down and hit play.)
FYI: Playing the Rocky theme song immediately cuts the required effort in half for any challenge. Trust me.
June challenge has commenced, and after reading your June goals, I am fiercely inspired to do this. You paint that wall. You frame those pictures. You drink up those instructions in Knitting 101 and you chain, loop and purl like it’s your job. And I’ll be joining you. Stomping the pavement, pacing my breaths, rocking out my $2 Jet Blue headphones.
Game on.
A few of your challenges: (thanks for sharing)
The Mommy Therapy: For June I challenge myself to submit a piece to at least three publications big or small. The journey and joy of trying is most of the reward, right?
Tahnie: In June I will finally decorate my front living room wall with a fantastic polaroid heart of our sweetest memories. I will also finally FINALLY find the courage to finish writing Sookie’s birth story.
My Secret Rooms: Making every breakfast moment a “Hotel de la Anna”-moment with soft music, candles, napkins, juice and The New Yorker in the iPad. So, I’ll promise it here as well!!
Amypins: That’s my goal for this month. To learn some editing for my photoshop elements and actually order some pics to put in frames and show off in my house.
I’ll ask for some pics and stories later in the month. I love new challenges, starting lines, knowing there’s room for bigger and better. Exciting in that first-day-of-school kind of way. When the pencils are freshly sharpened, the backpack is organized and the Trapper Keeper hasn’t yet been covered with NKOTB stickers. It’s called potential, and I like it.
And now, Friday’s random bits of loveliness:
The Shift.
I know kids go through natural phases and therefore I don’t panic when my kids’ behaviors shift, as just about the time I’m worried, a new chapter arrives. Public nose picking is replaced with proper tissue techniques and grocery store tantrums intuitively transform to more acceptable forms of toddler communication. And while some behaviors carry on indefinitely like the state of a country’s economy, others are short-lived like phases of the moon. Lainey’s attachment to her puppy blanket is still in recession while coloring on walls lasted all of a waning crescent moon. My point is, I try not to concern myself with ephemoral stages. Nella will eventually choose to eat foods beyond applesauce, oatmeal and mashed spaghetti, and I’m not going to stay up at night concocting ways to blend spinach in her cereal because, frankly, I don’t care. She’ll eat it when she’s ready.
However, there has been a very recognizable attachment period for both of our girls that made me question if it was beyond just a phase and, I’ll admit, I wasn’t completely comfortable with it. Lainey runs to Brett, Nella chooses me. Always. I’m fine with “Daddy’s Girl”/”Mommy’s Girl” tendencies, but some times it felt unbalanced. While we’ve always made it a point to share all duties with both girls, we’ve been more thoughtful the last few months to shift our care and attention a bit. I’m so happy to see there’s a new moon this month.
When Nella hears Brett’s voice, she slaps the tile a little faster now, weaseling her belly across the floor, through obstacles to get to him. And when he’s holding her and I walk by, she doesn’t dive to reach me anymore. Likewise, Lainey’s been declining Brett’s help, insisting instead that Mommy ties her shoes, pours her milk, reads her Green Eggs and Ham. It feels good and balanced and how it should be. That is all.
Meals.
One good thing leads to another, and the good intention of lacing up my running shoes has overlapped into the kitchen where I want to be spending more of my time. Last night, we enjoyed lentil soup and crusty bread.
Mikey likey!
And I found a fabulous recipe for cherries. Country Living’s Fresh Cherry Turnovers. The cream cheese dough with crystalized ginger is delicious. I used 4-inch dough circles instead of 6-inch, mainly so I could eat three in a row with a better excuse. Like 10 donut holes is better than one donut because they’re smaller, right? And I threw a little sugar in our cherries even though it doesn’t call for it.
Target Escapes.
It is a playground of sorts for my kids. The perfect outing. I smell candles and browse cheap beach toys in the dollar section and the girls test out futon comfort, cracker samples and how fast it takes to run from one end of the towel aisle to the other. Win, win.
Water Babies.
Nella arches her back, twists, cries and contorts relentlessly to get to water.
And Lainey’s gills develop more every day.
June equals pruney toes and wet towels for us.
And sometimes, it’s easier not to redress them.
Playdate.
Wednesday, Lainey and I joined friends for making art.
She chose a porcelain jet ski for Brett and swirled a nice combination of colors onto its handlebars until she got tired and wanted to play with the hairdryer instead.
Post painting celebration followed at a hidden coffee shop downtown…
My girl loves her Beckham something fierce.
She said “I’m gonna give you a kiss,” and he closed his eyes. Heidi and I were dying laughing. Where’s Richard Marx when you need him?
This Doll.
Nella is hell bent on making sure this pacifier is always in this doll’s mouth. It’s her mission in life. If she sees the baby pacifier-less, she’ll crawl over, attach the plug and move on. Important work she’s doing. I think it’s her June challenge.
Cute Shirts.
Piccadilly Circus is back as a sponsor with a nice stocked shop full of their fabulous custom shirts. We love ours (and they wash great!)
Have a fabulous weekend!
Heidi took these pics, and I love them.
Bonus: My current favorite running songs. Use appropriately for any gotta-get-it-done situation. You’ve Got the Love – The Source feat. Candi Stanton , It’s Amazing – Jem , The Time – Black Eyed Peas , On the Floor – Jennifer Lopez , Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve , Black and Blue – Miike Snow , Human – The Killers , Just Can’t Get Enough – Black Eyed Peas , We are Golden – Mika , Rain – Mika , World, Hold On – Bob Sinclair , Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson , The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance – Vampire Weekend vs. Miike Snow , Amazing – Seal , American Boy – Estelle , Kanye West – Stronger
LOVED this post – and those pics of you and Nella are so precious!!
Add Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing to your running playlist. It’s a great one, too!!
As always, beautiful photos! And Nella’s June challenge made me giggle. Los Campesinos is my go-to for get-on-with-it-and-do-some-cleaning/jogging/whatever music.
I’m totally the same way about Target. It’s an addiction. I’d estimate about 90% of the clothing I own comes from there. Seriously. But their stuff is cute AND cheap…how can you resist?!
Beautiful post. I can’t believe how big Lainey and Nella are getting! So precious.
Love love love it! Love the naked Nella and love Lainey and Beckham!! So incredibly sweet!!
such a couple couple those 2 are.
What is your recipe for the soup….it looks delicious
And as always, everything you all do is beautiful
Oh, that little friends smooch was too cute!!
Oh boy!!!! {literally.} That is so stinking cute. And I just seriously love the way Nella can contort!!!! LOVE.it.
Love the photos as always! Thanks for the list of gotta-get-it-done songs 🙂 Happy Weekend, Kelle~
If I could send you a gift it would be this print:
http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=nm35-examine-the-food-chain
I am a huge fan of Nikki McClure’s work.
Whew! I thought I was going to have to wait until tomorrow to get my Nella and Lainey fix.
This post has to be my new all time favorite! From the actual writing to the pics, it was a great read! We are also in some strange behavior shifts with our two girls. I am learning from you that it shall too pass. I adore all the pics of Nella, she is so tan!! And that little bum, come on now, could life be any cuter!! And then I got to the pics of Lainey and her new love….melts my heart. Thank you for the challenge and for a lovely post.
Love this. Super inspired.
But running makes me pee, so I’ll snap on my head phones and walk. Vigorously. To Ke$ha. Cuz I’m lame like that.
Nothing like a naked baby butt with lunch. Delish. Makes me miss my naked baby butt, I want to run to daycare and get him:)
Running…really? I’ve been saying I am going to face my deep, deep hatred of running head on since it’s not like me to avoid anything. You may have inspired me. May have…;P
LOVE Nella’s June challenge…that made me laugh!!! She is SO cute, I can barely stand it! Love that girl.
And Lainey and Beckham, really???? Those pics are the best, especially the kiss ones….way too cute! That Beckham is one handsome little dude so I can’t blame Lainey for loving him something fierce!!!!
As always, your post makes me happy and your pictures make my heart smile!!!
Happy Weekend!!!
I seriously love naked baby bums. SO much cute in this post that I could barf!!! 😉
Not 100% sure if this will fix your playlist problem… I can’t test it out myself since in Canada playlist.com won’t even play anymore, but somewhere in the code, look for p=0. Change it to p=1 and see if that works… if not, hey, I tried. Worked for me on my playlist from Grooveshark, so I hope it works for you!
dear Bring it on JUNE!
I am going to go find that Country Living recipe for fresh cherry turnovers(….I have a plan for steppin up that end of June birthday for my sistah)
Thanks for the inspiration to do something challenging for June. I have to get moving. Literally. I turned 50 in May, and love the feeling of making my 50’s the BEST decade of my life so far.
love,
The beginning Joys of June
in
NE
The pics of Lainey and Beckham are adorable!
You should check out the Manhattan Toy Stella baby doll. She has a magnetic binky and my 14 month old is CRAZY for it. Pops it on and off over and over. Of course sometimes she tries to stick on regular binkies too. 🙂
gorgeous nursing photo! ahhh, makes me miss those days. love your blog!
You’ve sooo inspired me 🙂 I teach this exercise class at a local park. I have a handful of mamas who meet me there with their kiddos twice a week. I’ve challenged them to a home workout every day this month. It’s quick and easy, just 25 reps of six different exercises. We are keeping a food/exercise journal to go over once a week, plus signing up for a 5k. I’ve decided to send them a motivational/inspirational quote of the day too. I can’t wait to see what this month holds 🙂
You are amazing, Kelle Hampton. I’m trying to pass on some of that inspiration you’ve got goin’ around!
P.S. I’m on track for my 5 pound weight loss…2 down, 3 to go 🙂
Happy Friday, friend.
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio
Forgot to say I adore the naked, nursing Nella pictures! And Lainey & Beckham, waaay too cute!
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio
I love reading your blog for obvious reasons, but I am enjoying it even more that my little girl who is just shy of 3. She loves to look at the pictures and make up her own commentary. Like “there is Lainey with her sister”, “there is another Lainey and she is swimming..in her new phwimsuit like mine,” she assumes it’s new. Who knows but it’s fun and she has to know everyone’s name. Fun times.
um…the photo with Nella’s sweet legs in the air above the pool? Shut the freakin door I adore it! It’s needs to be an ad or on a commercial or SOMETHING! GAH.
My husband and I have the same issue with our boys…the oldest gravitates to him and the youngest definitely to me. We fell into that habit for a bit bc it was easy (and my youngest knows how to throw a tantrum :)) but we’ve made very real efforts the last few months to make sure we divide our time more evenly. I take the oldest to his ball practices (we all go to his games) and then my husband keeps our youngest to himself. Or I take our oldest to do something so it is just he and I. It has helped a lot.
Also, I don’t run with an ipod but if I want music with running I’ve always found kind of hateful, drum beating music is good. Like the Offspring or Metalicca or the Killers or something like that :).
I’ve been working on my June Challenge and my kitchen cupboards have been cleared out, cleaned and re-organised.. Now just for the rest of the house lol..
Great post! xx
Great pictures this week! Nursing the naked baby is all fun and games until you start to feel that warm trickle (or gush) into your lap! Been there, done that! 🙂
Oh my gosh! That first picture of sweet Nella bare butt in your lap just warmed my heart. Sometimes it IS just easier not to redress them, and baby butts are just the CUTEST thing in the ENTIRE world. Even more than puppies. And then, to top it off with a secret shot of “the kiss,” my heart just melted. This was such a feel good post and the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon and gear up for the weekend. Thanks for the smiles. 🙂
I love the photo of Nelle above the pool with her legs straight up to her ears. I had to call my oldest daughter to see because her younger DS sister can do that too. The rest of us are a little jealous. 🙂
Ack! Nakey baby heineys are SO CUTE. 🙂
Good luck with the running thing. I personally hate running, however I’m determined to get in better shape. That’s my June resolution.
Lainey and Beckham??? OMG precious. Those should be on a Hallmark card or something.
And Nella and the doll made me LOL. Adorable.
So sorry about that, I meant Nella (not Nelle).
Love the shots of you and Nella! Isn’t it great when friends take snaps, and even greater when they take the RIGHT snaps?!!
LOVE Nella’s June challenge. Hilarious.
I have some of the same songs on my running playlist. Unfortunately, I’m not running as often as you.
Target is my go-to with my babies any time I NEED to get out of the house, can’t get anything done, it’s raining, bad mood, etc.etc.etc. Love Tarjay.
Happy running!
I love this post! All the pictures & your playlist 🙂
Some other songs I’m loving right now: Beat It (Michael Jackson) Born This Way (Lady Gaga) Crazy in Love (Beyonce)
AH! Kelle! I could kiss you!!! I’ve been on a mission to find more good running music!
I’m writing all of these down and creating a playlist!
I only have a few songs that I run to, but I never tire of them. My favorite running music is:
Crazy In Love by Eminem
The Way I Am by Eminem
My Body by Young the Giant
Good Life by One Republic
I loooove them 🙂
I really love this post, and I love the pictures they are amazing
Ya gotta add Bon Jovi to the playlist. It will get you through that last mile. Promise. Baby buns- ain’t nothin’ better!
Looks like you’re off to a GREAT start with your June challenge. Seriously the Rocky theme song could motivate me to do anything…like even go to the dentist.
Rock on girlfriend.
My hubby and kids will send you a big thank you for the cherry turnovers that will be on the table for Sunday morning’s breakfast. YUM!
Another Target lover! Hurrah! I could quite possibly live in that place…actually if you ask my hubby I do live there. I would camp out in the furniture and laze on futons like Lainey then we could have tea together and chat…ahhhhh.
And nothing says summer like a bare baby bum. 🙂
Have a great weekend and keep up the good work!
I love the shots of naked girl. It’s so great that Heidi captures these precious moments for you. It’s very special.
We LOVE Target. Dangerous place. I actually have to talk with Alex before we go in to set some guidelines: “we are not buying any shoes or any clothes today.” Somehow a little rubber frog made it in to the checkout line without me seeing. I guess I need to include frogs on the list too. Love Target. I should set up some guidelines for myself too. And here I think that I’m saving money when I’m shopping there. Ah, I crack myself up.
One of my favorite songs right now is Lullaby by One Republic. It’s melodic and dreamy. Thanks for sharing your favorites. I’ll check them out later.
Time to get back to decorating my daughter’s b-day cake, which is a glorious project on a day off from work.
-Jennifer from Annapolis
I have started and stopped running 1000 x. And before even reading your latest posts decided this was the month. My goal is 30 miles in 30 days. And I love your song choices…especially JLo’s On the Floor. Also on my fav running mix – Raise Your Glass by Pink!
Love your post! As I always do!
It was kind of funny for me to see your guys at Target. I’m like, ‘Hey, they go to Target too’!
1. I am Target obsessed.
2. Does your post mean Ellie might not always be Daddy’s girl?
3. California Gurrls, or however you spell it.
You inspired me to create a June/Half-year resolution. I’m vowing to get rid of the 10-15 excess pounds that NEED to come off! Continue with your reminders of your own June challenge, it creates great accountability for me to blog about my own challenge!
I love love love the picture of you nursing a naked nella. I lingered a little longer on that one because it made me feel good just looking at it. Honestly precious.
Oh how I enjoy my visits to your beautiful blog. So filled with joy. Hugs and Happy Friday!
Kelle, I loved your “frankly, I don’t care.” Well timed. Well said. Sometimes it feels so good to sigh a deep momma sigh of truth and admit that we’re not picking this battle becuase we.just.don’t.care. Our littles will turn out great anyway:) Happy weekend to you and yours!
I agree with the behaviors. I used to stress about eating and such with my oldest and my very laid back pediatrician assured me that they will be fine and eat etc, etc. I try to carry that with me now and not worry so much!
OMG. the pics of nella & you are so PRECIOUS! and even more precious are the pictures of Lainey kissing the boy! How stinkin adorable! <3 as always! 🙂
<3
Manda
http://mandaraye.blogspot.com
(failed attempt at project 365 turned back to regular blogging!)
Dear June Challenge,
June. You’ve been somewhat frustrating, and with only three days in, you haven’t made the best first impression.
I think I made the mistake of writing about summer {here: http://everythingelseissecondary.blogspot.com/ }, since the past two days have been freezing and with snow falling {in JUNE!}, you weren’t what I expected.
So my June Challenge so to accept the new place we are living in {The Great Canadian North} and go with it. Settle. Relax. Absorb. Love the parts that are great about this place {24 hour sunshine} and things that aren’t so great {snow falling in June}. Continue to be involved with the community and enjoy all that this new life has to offer.
Thanks June.
Ps: Great post Kelle, take in all that you can about your summer! You lucky duck.
Firework by Katy Perry is my favorite warm up song these days… loved your running pics and fierce face…
Right now I briefly interrupted my June challenge (pilates certification) to read your blog & now you got me ready to keep going with my studies!
Enjoy your weekend Kelle! u rock girl!
i decided to add a june challenge, too, one that i hope to continue through the summer: getting back in shape. i have to lose the grad school + kids pounds, and i want to do it by our 10th anniversary (sept).
your pics of you dipping nella in the water are fantastic! you both look so happy and beautiful.
oh, Kelle! gorgeous photos!!
And, oh! you would make my day, if you would leave me a trace at my place..♥!
My power song of the moment – Beautiful People, Chris Brown – love it!
I really enjoyed this post, as always! Funny that you all (states away in FL) have been up to the same things we have here in NC! Our Jack (12 months) doesn’t seem to want to eat anything but oatmeal, applesauce, and yogurt, I’m trying to get back into running myself (Outer Banks half marathon in November, anyone?!?!), and Jack’s been swimming THREE times this week (the first swims of the summer!). Oh, summer!
I will take on the running thing officially as my June challenge, too then … thanks for the inspiration!
Check out The “Jack” Pot at http://www.johnrhickling.blogspot.com!
Hope the playlist “fixes” itself…I always click on your blog, read it if its new and reread if it’s not – and then I open a new tab and listen to your playlist the whole time I am on the computer! Who needs pandora when you have kelle hamton’s playlist!
Ok, I am taking the challenge! I have been thinking lately that I have been slacking on posting recipes on my blog, and your turnover picture inspired me! So look out dailymaiermusings.blogspot.com, vegan apple crisp is coming your way!
-Katie
Kelle,
As always the pics are fabulous. I have a question. When you are taking pictures in Target ( or other public places) do you get funny looks and just do it anyway? I recently went to a new grocery store in a neighboring town that was really cool (I know, I live a simple life!) and wanted to make pictures of the beautiful colorful veggies but was to self conscious. Any advice?
LOVE the pics of Lainey and her “boyfriend” especially when she kisses him. Just delicious! 🙂
Your blog makes me feel like life is THE BOMB!
I challenged myself to jog/walk 90 miles for the month of june, plus workout at the club on weights/stair master for 60 minutes 3x per week!
I NEED to lose 22 more lbs. so hoping this helps!
thanks for the challenge!
love the nakee bum shots and the nursing one, too CUTE!!!
my youngest nursed until she was 3 years old and I still miss it, she’s almost 10 now!
tara
Hi Kelle, This is Emalia, Kenzie’s mom (curly hair, alyssa is my other daughter I bring all the time) from Lainey’s dance class. 🙂 So super funny-my best friend from college who lives in Arizona sent me an email saying: “Do you ever read this blog http://www.kellehampton.com
I just figured I would ask since she lives in Naples and her little girl is in dance class and it’s a cute blog. And she has a little girl with down’s syndrome which made me think of your little nieces.” I thought, gosh, I wonder if I know her so I linked to your blog & there’s a picture of Kenzie standing next to Lainey in their little dance class & I just started laughing!! I thought what a small world. I blog as well, just not very frequently & mostly for family so we don’t fall completely out of touch. I’m at: tillotsonfamily.blogspot.com
I knew you were a talented photographer but WOWsa sista, you’re blog is just fabulous! I can see why you have 13,000 followers!! Good for you! I love all the photos–I showed my husband & he said–that’s inspiring, can I learn to take pictures like that? so kuddos to you. 🙂 Have a great summer! I’ll be following your blog to see what you guys are up to. If you & Aleena’s mom & your girls ever get together & they want to have a little dancer reunion let me know, we’d love to join ya. emalia.tillotson@gmail.com
tata for now. 🙂
I read your blog often but I never comment. I love the way you view life and your gratitude an love are contagious! I am a single mother (recently divorced) of a beautiful 3 year old little princess. I love my little family of 2 and I try to capture every moment with my camera. Her first year was so difficult. My then husband walked out on us when she was 9 months old after almost 10 years of marriage and 3 years of infertility treatment to conceive her. I thought I would never survive that year, but I did. I decide to learn photography to capture her many moments, this way if I missed out on something because I was “busy” dealing with the heartache of a divorce, I could always look back. I am so glad I did!!! … Seeing life through my lessens has helped me to heal and focus on the little things that make me so happy!. Reading your posts has inspired me to enjoy the simple things in life! thanks
As a response to your June challenge I decide to book a fabulous trip for Lyla and I. NY, here we can!!!
Thanks for sharing your soul through this blog!!! What a beautiful person you are
The girls are just darling…as always.
Happy weekend to you skinny girl.
I am glad running makes you happy.
Love this post…and I too have strapped back on running shoes post baby. One of my favorite in my playlist…K’Naan Wavin The Flag.
Love Nella’s summer challenge, just adorable.
I couldn’t have laughed harder at the photos and caption of Lainey kissing Beckham. So. Darn. Cute.
Also, can I just say how cool it is that through a wee blog, you’re able to get so many people from all over the world motivated and believing in themselves? Your ‘June challenge’ really encouraged me and reminded me that I actually CAN do it. Thanks so much for your positive, energetic spirit and wonderful writing. Love love LOVE your blog!!
Lainey & the darling little boy make a cute couple.
Watch out mom!!!
She already has a boyyyfie
okay no wonder lainey loves beckham…he’s a little hottie. those were precious. and that one of nella putting the pacey in her baby’s mouth…love!
i must have missed writing out my june challenge. i’ve got some new love handles. been stress eatin’ a little too much. i think i need to join you in the run thing. i need to jiggle them off asap;)
This post totally made me giggle. I love, love the pic of Nella holding her feet over the water. And those pics of Lainey and that little boy are soooo sweet. Thanks for the smile today. ;o)
*Beckham & Lainey: cute couple!
*”Nella’s June challenge”…hahaha!
*Nakey buns: I wanna cup ’em in my hands :0
*The pics of you and Nella poolside are so happy-filled!
*Lentil soup–YUM. We have friends here who are lentil farmers….lucky us 🙂
And I just finished my 1st June challenge: One tiny skirt made for Nora, 4 more to go….I go to bed dreaming about fabric (except last night; Nora has croup 🙁
Blessings,
Kelly
So happy I found your blog. You and your family are beautiful! My parents just bought a place down in Naples and I spent a couple weeks there this past winter. What a BEAUTIFUL place!
Oh my gooooodnesssss… I can’t read your blog ever without smiling. Here are a few reasons why I’m commenting today of all days.. Nella, so TINY and so SMILEY and she just looks like a little happy jellybean. i love how she loves her doll. The KISS.. such sweetness. There’s more but I’m sure someone else will say the same, so.. smiling. again.
First of all, those pictures of Lainey and Beckham are perfect little wedding photos!
Those mini cherries crescents…I am making some this weekend because they look absolutely yummy!
And Miss Nella’s little tush with you holding her…priceless!
Happy Weekend!
I truly loved the picture of you nursing naked Nella, the mommmy part of me awwwed at the sweetness! You have such a beautiful spirit and the girls are joy to read about.
My husband and I met when we were 4….We were best friends for many many years before we realized we were, in fact, soul mates. <3
Just sayin. :0D
Not sure which picture I’m more in love with… Nella nursing with her little naked tush hanging out, or Lainey’s first kiss. At least Lainey has good taste in boys! Hehe. Oh my goodness, are they ever cute! You are so blessed!
And I am glad to hear that the kids are reaching out beyond being Daddy’s Girl and Mommy’s Girl… My two-year-old is a total Daddy’s Girl, but since he’s been working long hours, she’s been really coming around to me. And my one-year-old is a total Mama’s Boy, but he’s been sooo excited when my husband gets home in the evenings. It’s a really nice change. 🙂
Loving Nella trying to get paci in baby’s mouth! Okay so I’m one post too late but typing it seems to make it more likely to happen. I really want to open at etsy shop for my silhouette paintings in June!
My favorite song right now, You Make Me Smile by Uncle Kracker. This is how I feel everytime I view your blog. Have a great weekend too!
I love that Nella is still nursing, and that you have the photographs to pull you back to that special place someday when she’s much older. Beckett nursed for 40 months to the day of his birth, and when he was ready to wean, I was ready for him to wean. He’s five now, and seeing a photo of just he and I sharing what only a baby and momma can, it takes me right back.
Don’t know what I love more: the pics, the words or the sweet angel faces. Those beautiful smiles just melt your heart, and the kiss…so sweet. Brings back memories of when my girl was little(she dances too).
Thanks for sharing!
One of my favorite posts! So very summer. I can’t stand the cuteness of Lainey and Beckham’s romance and Nella’s bare booty!! Keep rocking out the running!
Yes, I WILL scroll down and start the music…because I’m relatively new here and I realized during the Chicken Fried/Lainey’s b-day post that you perfectly match the music to the post and it even switches songs at the perfect place. Shame on PlayList, but it’s well worth the scrolldown. 😉 How in the world do you choose wall art, btw?! You have perfect wall portraits every post!!!
Love your June challenge…my challenge is to commit to a sprint triathlon on July 24th. My trainer thinks I can do it as long as I commit to it. So, I am putting it in words here:)
Love the pic of L kissing B….soooooo cute!!!!
And those last few pics of you and N…priceless!!!
Nakey babies are the best.
Lainey and Beckham…I.Could.Die. Cutest thing I’ve seen
I didn’t get to post on the last one but my goal is to do a little bit of a work out everyday and stick to my routine. I’ve been slipping lately! And I’m going to decorate my newly painted kitchen walls!
over 10 million views on this fabulous blog…congrats! 🙂
I just saw another commenter say this, but its true for me too. I read your blog religiously, but never comment- I think it’s because you get so many I think how does she have time to read them all? Ha! But, I’ve been spending a lot of time getting caught up on your older posts, aka reading EVERY one! and always laugh, sometimes cry (like last night) but always LOVE it! I have a 15 month old son and I know the love you describe so well. Just wanted to say THANK YOU for doing what you do! Rock on Sista! and Run Baby Run!
Hi, this is my first comment here. I actually like your blog without the music playlist. It’s very distracting sometimes. Your posts are to be read leisurely, and the pics, enjoyed with care, not swallowed up whole by music.
Nella has the CUTEST little tushy!!!
I love her June challenge too…
smart girl…she knows a binky makes a happy baby!
Brooke Annessa
http://www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
Can’t decide if I like this nursing pic better than the last one with yall in the field. But the bare bottom almost puts this one over the top. Sweet girls!
Aren’t baby tushies the greatest?! LOVE the photos. Nella has a great June challenge! Lainey & Beckham, oh my word… too damn adorable! 🙂 I wish I had a pool! xx
I think we go to Target at least three times a week just because it is easy to let the little one run around in there. Great entertainment for her, bad on my wallet… oh well. Babes come first right?
Another beautiful post that made me laugh and tear up. The picture of you nursing your precious, little Nella is breathtaking…and now I’m going to show it to my husband and force him to take one of me nursing my little 14 month old boy who owns a large chunk of my heart (him and his almost 3 year old sister). Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Lol! 😉
And, the sweetness of Lainey and her little friend is just too much!
Thank you for sharing your family, thoughts, and life with all of us. Reading your blog brings so many us such great joy. I am excited every time you post. 🙂
Nella’s June Challenged cracks me up!!! Go Nella!!! Go Nella!!! Go Nella!!!
Try Radio Nowhere, by Bruce Springsteen for running. Best.Running.Song.Ever.
The photo of Nella’s little bottom hanging off your lap as you nurse melted my heart.
Thank you for displaying such beautiful photos of you breastfeeding your toddler; I wish more people would be comfortable sharing such photos… perhaps it would bring acceptance to the normal, healthy beautiful thing that breastfeeding is – even into the toddler years!
xx
Ella
Oh. my. heavens! FOR THE LOVE of the necked nursing pictures!!! AAH! My favorite picture. EVER. I so miss nursing my son, but will soon have a new baby girl to nurse and bond with in three months! Can’t wait! Thanks for the motivation booster in this post! Needed it! And the whole parenting phases thing is SO true! Thanks for that reminder also! I was just concerned about a certain phase last night, but I have to remind myself it is a phase and will be gone as quickly as it came! Have a great weekend also! 🙂
omg what if Lainey marries him?!?! How funny…and Nellais right- that baby doll NEEDS that binky…that is serious chiz! brynn is the same way- she loves her dolls and she MUST give them bottles!
Love those Nella pool pictures!! Looks like Lainey will be quite the heart breaker:0) Have a wonderful weekend!!
My June Challenge: To embark on a new writing journey. Having completed my book, I’m in a bit of a dry spell and wish to start a new work in June.
I recently got Piper an amber teething necklace and am loving it so far.
Love this post…happy weekend!!
Oh. My. Goodness. The pics of Lainey and Beckham…melt my heart! So, so sweet. I love that you captured that moment, unscripted.
KELLE!!! So glad to see a post by you TODAY, for it is my BIRTHDAY! And, as you and I have agreed, they are surely to be celbrated and honored, that we were born into this Life. Mine was simple, but I just loved it. Celebrated with my two tiny grandkids and their parents. (the others live too far away). OF course, the 3 yr-old was more excited than me about opening my gifts (afater pizza and cupcakes). I let him open them. We all wore sily party hats (cuz he asked for them). This 56 yr-old grandma feels so very blessed. Love your photos – what is cuter than a naked baby butt?! Love to you and yours, from the Blog Mama~
I run about 5 days a week. In the winter I run on the treadmill and starting in spring when the weather warms up I head outside for my runs. I have to ask you…How do you run in that Florida heat?? I live in Western PA and it was hitting 90 earlier this week and when I ran one morning it was probably heading into the 80s with humidity and I was dying! Granted, we’re not used to that kind of heat, but I cannot imagine having 90-100 degree temps and running. Good for you! It’s great exercise!
3 Things:
1. From the pic of you holding Nella over the water – don’t you wish we could have even half the strength to be able to hold our legs up so high while our upper bodies are so straight!?
2. I love that you show wonderful pictures of you nursing Nella. They are so real, so modest (yes anti-BF people, not everyone flashes by-standers) and it makes me want #3! PS> did Nella pee on you without a diaper? 😉 The second my almost 2 yr old boy has his diaper off, he’s peeing all over the place!
3. Another good running song – Ludacris – Move B!tch 🙂 Fierce baby!
Kelle, I’ve been a follower since shortly after Nella was born when a friend send me a link to your blog. I’ve never commented till now…. But it’s that pic of Lainey kissing that little boy and him just basking in her attention. Well it just totally stole my heart. Love from Regina, Canada!
Desiree
I hope they fix the playlist thing. I’ve been spending the past 45 minutes trying to figure out what i did wrong trying to get that darn thing to play on my blog. I like it playing as soon as you pull up the page! It makes it fun.
It is virtually impossible for me to get out of Target under $100! Their marketing staff is probably (rightfully) highly compensated!
Thanks for all the workout music links – I am always looking for more and will check them out! I can’t run anymore because of my knees and shin splints (boo), but I rock the eliptical and free weights when possible! By free weights I mean my two 40 lb toddlers!! 🙂
I LOVE your blog! You and your daughters are absolutely gorgeous!
You’re a brave mama! I have to say I have never nursed a naked baby (and I have nursed three). I would be afraid…my 7 month old son has some serious aim! LOL!
Richard Marx comment made me laugh 😉
Love, love, love the pictures Heidi took. I have a similar picture of Catie and myself taken by a girlfriend who was not yet a Mama. She was all scrunched up nose saying “what if she pee’s or worse what if she you know…” I remember shrugging and saying “then she does, no biggie” Gf had this look of complete shock, it just would not compute for her! She became a Mama last year, and I took a similar picture of her and her son. I said “what if he” she cut me off, jumped out of the chair, hugged me, and said “I totally get it! Your baby could do just about anything on you, or to you, and it’s all good. It’s your baby!” We gave each other the knowing we are so in love with our kids look, and then her son peed on both of us! I will cherish that day forever.
Kelle- Have you ever read the book “I was a really good mom before I had kids.” I could be wrong because I read it awhile ago…
but I believe there is a chapter on how browsing the aisles of Target is better than an hour of therapy. If you haven’t read it- pick it up. It’s amazing, right up your alley 🙂
playlist seems to always have issues, I switched to mixpod- way more selection too 🙂
I can’t believe how many teeth Nella has now!
The pictures in this one are absolutely outstanding!! The ones of Beckham and Lainey as well as the ones of you and Nella… Speechless!! =)
Happy weekend Hamptons!! I’m gonna go sleep off my crazy friday!!!
~Beth
LINDA – Happy Birthday!! Sounds like you had a great time with your family!!! Birthdays are definitely more fun with kids around… I’m gonna be 27 in 9 days *yay for Geminis! LOL* and I think this one’s gonna be a tough one for me!! I had a whole different “27” planned… never did I think I’d be living in Florida when ‘it’ hit!! LOL
Hope you carry your birthday celebrations on through the weekend!! Milk that Friday birthday like it’s your job!!
<3 Beth
seriously LOVE the pic of Nella’s naked bum bum while nursing….O.K as I typed that it sounded like it could be taken the wrong way so here is my disclaimer(totally in the mama appripriate way)
I so admire how mindful you are when parenting. In the midst the silly target trips and fearless swimming adventures you are ensuring that your family stays ‘balanced.’ Amazing.
Lainey apparently knows how to pick ’em. Beckham is adorable!
American Girl by Tom Petty had carried me through some tough miles 🙂 Have fun hitting the pavement this month!
Kathleen in Chicago
love her naked little bum in those last pictures. too cute. nothing like a little sweet baby.
Baby butt AND nursing? BLISSSSS… I LOVE your parenting philosophies. Rock on, sista mutha. You’re doin it up grand style.
I love Nella and her baby. She learns her nurturing technique from someone…
My little nurturer is more attached than I had realized. After a weekend away with no babies, it was her first toy when we returned and has yet to put it down.
Gotta love seeing your babies being mommas!
I added I Can’t Wait by Nu Shooz to my workout playlist. Gotta get down with a little 80’s old skool.. LOVE IT!!
did i make a june challenge for myself? probably not.
i challenge myself to figure out a really good june challenge.
like making it to classes at the y at least 4x per week … followed up by a shower while the kids are in the daycare (yippee! a quiet shower!) and time spent at the splash pad.
so there it is … we are going to be spending all of june at the ymca. at least you’ll know where to find me if you come looking.
I love the naked breastfeeding picture, and you holding Nella by the shorts with her legs out straight!!!
naked nursing baby…love love love 🙂
Wow, I guess my June challenge is really on now?! 😉 Feels great!
Seeing your photos reminded me, this time, to notice photo moments and places I don’t usually concider “photo worthy”: like going to our Target-like store. Of course it’s worthy!
Interesting about the mommy/daddy thing. I guess both My boys have been mama’s boys (the older one had no option) but when I went ahead and moved south in advance and only saw The Boy weekends (horrible) he soon became a daddy’s boy. So, it sure is changeable.
Again your post fills me with life bubbles swirling!
I’ll swirl on them this evening, going to a fancy wedding 😉
Have a wonderful weekend, looking beautiful jogging in gorgeous Miami!!!!
Ahhhh the pics of Lainey and Beckham were the sweetest ever!
Nella and the pacifier fixation: LOVE!
Lainey and Beckham: LOVE!
Your girls are so lucky that you not only make an effort to *enjoy* the small things, but you capture them and make it possible to relive those memories on another day. 😀
I missed posting on your last blog post, but my june challenge is to lose another 10kg. I lost 10kg last month and I just know I can do it again! I’ve lost 3 so far and we’re on day 4!
Love your sweet posts as always . You capture the simple moments of life so well and with so much joy! Your girls are too cute and Lainey’s outfits are adorable!!
I actually snorted drink out my nose laughing at Nella and her pacifier plugging! My 21mnth old does it non-stop with any doll, hers or otherwise, like it is her life mission. Super cute and hilariously funny!
Oh my goodness! Lainey and Beckham are beyond adorable! You and Heidi certainly have beautiful and charming children. 🙂
oh! How I miss nursing my babies! So sweet! And the pictures of Lainey and Beckham – too adorable! Run on girl!
Forgot a song – La vi boheme (sp?) from RENT. LOVE it to run… and to get faster at the end!
Wow, I actually missed the June challenge, but posted about the same thing just a few days ago!
http://littlegreenroom.blogspot.com/2011/06/part-2-of-goal-post.html
I dont’ know if you have time to read it or not, but it seems like we’re all on the same goal-y wavelength.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, i LOVE LOVE LOVE the nursing pictures of Nella. It’s SOO nice to see a child being breastfed that’s older than 6 months. 🙂
Love the Target photos! We have some very wintry winters in Buffalo that seem to last forever- so Target is always a great escape especially when it’s too cold to go outside and take a walk. I guess the same goes for the summer time too. When it’s too hot, go to Target. And, we’ve had our eye on that futon for over a year. What is Lainey’s verdict- is it worth buying?
Yeah for running inspiration! My goal this June is to complete my half marathon training…I am getting burned out! The run is on July 10th…so close. Thanks for the music and bad-ass runner-girl photogs. You should join our “team…” Girls Gone Running, Best of the West. (You could be our East coast satellite member!)
Had to come back again. Forgot to mention Richard Marx….hahaha!!! He played here in Lewiston at a park 2 years ago….2 blocks from my HOUSE! I ended up standing 15 ft in front of the stage swaying my lighter…..actually, my cell phone. He sang it all and still has great hair!
Love your playlist! What’s with the commercials now? Heard a Lowes add a few songs into the playlist…
In the very first pic of you, you look like Sarah Connor from Terminator 2…which is to say, totally badass!!!
Bare naked baby bums, simply the cutest 😉
Love the June challenge list!! I love your posts so much, my little guilty pleasure is checking in and catching up. Never to be dissapointed! Thank you Kelle~
Leona~ xo
So I stopped in again – looking at your pictures again while Lyla’s napping – and noticed the Hampton Lane sign … is that the hampton lane by longshore drive?? That’s where the family that I nanny for used to live! I used to walk Lyla over there all the time!!
Lainey has a crush, oh my word how adorable!
Love your blog!!!!! My blog also wouldn’t automatically start. I read on in and playlist disabled that feature because some other websites were complaining about the music. I changed to mixpod. It’s really annoying and it took forever, but if you want your music to automatically start, that’s what you will have to do.
Your girls are so beautiful!! You are so blessed! Lainey, LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU!!! Your Brett is lucky, 3 absolutely beautiful girls!
eeekk!! I LOVE the photo’s of you nursing Nella and the baby bum!! I love how you just love your babies up..I just love it!! My Challenge was to finally get the courage to book boudoir photo’s for my husband for our upcoming anniversary.After having 2 C-sections I have decided just to rock it out..You inspire me.Thank you. xo
BETH!! THanks SO much for your lovely BD wishes for me! Yes, they are better, with kids around. Almost everything is. Not doing much, for the wknd, after our little celebration. It is RAINING here inear Santa Cruz, CA-who’da thought?! Ooh, YOUR BD is soon. Yes, YAY for Geminis’! (tho we are far apart in age. ha). Yes, you are somewhere other than you thought you’d be for this BD But it sounds like Life is going pretty good~ I should “see” you on here before your BD to wish you a happy one. Love from the Blog Mama~
Love the photo of you Kelle standing at the street sign of “Hampton Lane”!
Love the photos of Beckham and Lainey! Geez. And love your June Running Adventure. So awesome.
We finally have 75 degrees today and I wish I had pruny toes! Soon, in your place. I get to lanai often. Soon.
x
Happy belated Birthday, Linda. I have been so delinquent in comments as my home computer had a deep clean done by a tech guy and then it wouldn’t let me leave comments…but I read all of these and “think” my comments! I still get teary with life’s utter beauty…with the precious innocense of children and our wonderful gift to draw from their energy in little conversations and observations. Therein is the fountain of life, in discovering the awe of seeing the beauty and wisdom in the littles. Well, tomorrow I will be part of our hospital’s wonderful Cancer Survivor event…a thousand people gathering just to be grateful. If you are a survivor, feel my hug! If you are not, take a day off from whining about petty things–others near you are just happy to be above the ground!
I need to take a page from your book on taking my kids to Target. Mine are not allowed out of the stroller-let me defend myself by saying I do have 2.5 year old twins! And if we get a cart, I have to get that huge bus one that you need a license to operate! There is hair pulling, biting, and scratching involved as well. Maybe I would be better off letting them run wild!
Love the pics of you and Nella by your friend. Just beautiful.
OMG…I LOVE the pic of Nella in the Piccadilly shirt….those little shoes and the maybe 2 inches of calf sticking out…I dont know how you manage to not kiss her long enough to take pictures….Lainey kissing her little friend is so cute. I have a similar of my now 10 year old and my friends son when they were small…they both blush at the site of it now…lol
HeHe! I love that your girls like Target! Our Target is over an hour away and we always make a super special trip when we go. Great pictures and another great post kelle! :0)
Can I just say “adorable!” Love it all. Thank you again and again and again Kelle. I even had a dream the other night that we were girlfriends hanging out and having a blast makin’ memories! Thanks!!!
you’ve inspired me to get my run on!
Thanks Kelle!
And thanks for the new playlist 🙂 The new J-Lo song can motivate me to do anything I swear.
I think you could only find a paint-your-own-pottery jet ski in Florida! How funny!
My boy is still super attached to me, generally wants to be picked up, carried, changed, dressed, etc. by me instead of Daddy. Until this weekend when my mom came and I got thrown off for Grandmother! He wailed every time she left the room!
I work nights, so I wish desperately that Target was open 24/7. Of course, that would be bad news for my wallet.
Enjoy your weekend!
What a good mix of what’s going on…loved it.
Thanks for mentioning my June challenge. Now I really have to follow through. I’m working on it! Thanks for the accountability.
Have a great weekend!
Poppa Rik!! SO very glad to see you commenting. And not just cuz of your BD wishes for me. But THANKS for those. I just turned 56 and spent my BD with hubby and one of our dtrs and her little family (incl our 2 tiny grandkids). I loved it. Yes, you have been delinquent in commenting, indeed. I have wondered about you. It wasnt too lon gago that I and (I think it was) Beth (Feas- – ) commented that we had been missing you here. I miss your great words, like those in this comment; I miss your spirit shining thru. That Cancer event sounds awesome. I am not a cancer survivor ( just a soul survivor. ha). But, I, too, am glad to be above ground. I will definitely not whine tomorrow and think of those who re just grateful to still be alive. Love you, Poppa Rik! From the Blog Mama
I always find your posts inspiring.
As for my aim for June, it’s to slow down a little and live in the moment day to day with my 4 little ones and Hubby.(Too much crazy busy stuff going on here lately and we all need to chill a bit.)
My favourite thing is that you are still feeding Nella. Well done Kelle!!
Isn’t breastfeeding just the most blissful, best thing? My two year old is in no rush to give it up and I must say I will be very sad when she does, especially as she is my last.
I am so inspired by it I have just started training as a breastfeeding counsellor!
Loved this post, the pictures were just so much fun to see. I want to move to your street. I need more fun! :o)
Okay, how cute is Beckham? I mean, seriously…I can see why Lainey kissed him. What a beautiful boy 🙂
Katrina
They All Call Me Mom
Happy Birthday, Linda! I hope you felt loved and celebrated on your day! Sending Blog Mama birthday wishes your way! xoxo
You’ve got slammin’ taste in music! Love the recommendation play list for gettin’ it done! 🙂
Kelle,
I love those sweet pictures of you nursing Nella by the pool too! So adorable! How do you always look so cute too?
Sweet KELLE, thank you so much for the BD Blog Mama wishes! Yes, I felt very loved (as I always do) – especially being around the “littles” here. OH, Poppa Rik was right about them being the fountain of life, etc.. And i know how much YOU know all of that. Yes, we celebrated in our smaller way, but it was great. Little Ryder had to open my gifts of course; he was more excited than me, I think! He is almost 3 and sometimes it shows how jealous he is of little baby sister. Like, we have to remind him, no we dont “accidentally” knock our sister over as she has just started walking (10 mos). Hmmm…Love you, Kelle~
I love nakey nursing babies. <3
I love that Lainey is wearing Minnetonkas! I have many a pair of those myself, and they are so comfortable and cute.
joiedeveralynn.blogspot.com
Lovely…all of it!
1) LOVE that you’re still nursing Nella. I am nursing Libby too (she’s 3 days younger than Nella).
2) ADORE the naked baby photos…too cute! Reminds me that I need some more photos of me and my girl. I am always shooting the pics and need to get in them every so often!
Happy Summer!
Just adore those photo’s of you and Nella. Sweet baby-Mama moments captured always make my heart sing.
Just love Lainey kissing Beckham too cute!
http://bitsofreallife.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-beginning.html
your pictures always make me smile.. but your playlist.. really had me smiling.. good for you to hit the pavement…
So happy you gave us you’re current fav running songs – been looking for some new ones!
xoxo,
Bug & Ruby’s Gram!
After two long years of excuses about how hard it is to find time to exercise with two little ones, today we ran! I pushed the little one in the stroller and my four year old rode his scooter and we did pretty well. It feels great! Excited to get out again tomorrow!
LOVE the nakey nurser pic! I WILL take more nursing pics with my new little one. They’re so beautiful. And it’s such an accomplishment.
I just love your blog! You are an amazing photographer and your girls are adorable!
ha ha, i love me some naked baby butt. and lainey kissing beckham was precious.
LOVE the photos of you nursing Nella at the toddler stage. My 2nd child is still going strong at 13 months and I cherish each and every feeding. She loves her feet rubbed while she strokes my neck. LOVE.I love that you have those precious moments captured. I need to get on that!
Nothing about this post specifically, but my friend and I (who read your blog regularly and also read other blogs, check email, upload photos and videos, window shop online, chat with friends, etc, etc..) struggle balancing computer/online time with offline time. We are stay at home moms and we find ourselves drifting back to the computer throughout the day to do meaningless and meaningful things.
We were wondering how you do it? It seems like you must do a lot of online/computer work just to get your blog and photos up…and also for whatever else you do online. How do you find the time for it? Do you do it all at once in a chunk or do you do little bits here and there? Do you have days were you absolutely don’t go on the computer? Do you struggle with this at all or do you have the balance figured out?
Love the water babies! So fun!!! Love your running songs…thanks for sharing =)
Can I just say how yummy that soup looks??? I’m such a soup girl – how do you feel about parting with the recipe?
Seriously, I’m salivating….
Nella is a doll! Her smile is so precious! 🙂
I wasn’t so sure of myself; I didn’t know if I could accept that June challenge of yours… but I have! Each day I start the morning walking to and through a nearby trail, stopping at the midpoint for a playful rest of swings and slides for my toddler, Thomas. It’s a 5 mile walk and something fierce. I’m absolutely loving it! Thanks, Kelle!
add “Die Another Day” by Madonna to your playlist – it is the best, “I’m gonna rally” song! Thanks for the June Inspiration – this is my birthday month and it holds a special place in my heart – I’m headed back to the gym this month and hopefully will begin running as well!
Love, love, love, LOVE the nursing photo – Go Heidi!!! Way to catch those precious moments! 🙂
RUN ON GIRL!!! Running has been my vehicle to help carry me through this new journey I am on with my baby AJ and in sometimes in the middle the most amazing thing happens….I find this incredible sense of peace and personal satisfaction…..ahhh!
A little girl kissing a little boy….SO sweet! I love baby bums, too! 🙂
such a sweet post! i love those pictures of lainey with that boy… reminds me that theres no feeling like grabbin’ your guy’s face and pulling him in close to plant a wet one right on him… well, to me anyway. 🙂 hope you’re having an awesome week!
Just yesterday I was outside with my son while he was in the kiddie pool and he wanted to nurse, I did the same thing – pulled him up on my lap and didn’t put his suit on either! I was pretty sure he wouldn’t pee on me since i knew he’d just peed in the pool a few seconds earlier! What a lovely thing to be able to stop so easily during playtime to nurse and then let them continue on with their play!
The soup looks yummy…would you share the recipe. Thanks!
Love the pix of sweet Nella and the toilette paper!!!
Game on!! Absolutely love everything in this blog today (and always…but especially today!)
Love, love, love the pix of sweet Nella with all the toilette paper!