here’s the cool thing about getting married: you get a husband…and by default, you get a whole ‘nother family. and while, to some that is unfortunate baggage, for me it’s a rather serendipitous inheritance for not only does the hampton family tree bear some pretty cool branches, but these branches all love my little twig. there’s nothing like knowing these extentions of family–grandpas, grandmas, aunts, cousins, etc.–love lainey somewhere within the same realm i love her…family.

yup. i promised an e.t.s.m. post …just for you, jennygirl.

yet another rainy, gray day, but nevertheless, the glass is never ever half empty. no, it’s full. in fact, there was enough rain today to fill every glass in the entire universe.
with that said, we ventured out today…

1. we enjoyed a cinnamon scone at borders while thumbing through stacks of books and magazines, playing with puppets, listening to michael buble’ croon overhead. there’s something perfectly cozy about a bookstore in a storm…the books, the lighting, the quiet people, the coffee…while just a window-width separates all that comfort from this cold, gloomy scene outside:

2. …and borders brought us a little surprise. we’ve been searching for a stuffed bunny for lainey…one that actually sits and looks something close to the real bunnies she’s become infatuated with. while passing a post-easter clearance rack (WAY post easter, therefore WAY clearanced), i saw lainey smile at the sight of this, who we just had to adopt and take home:

and, since doing, it’s been in her arms most of the night. LOVE when something makes her this happy.

3. …so loving the way lily grace has her cute little tongue stuck out all the time. just makes me smile.

4. i found an old journal of mine yesterday and got side-tracked reading it…came upon an entry i wrote during my last year in college when i was staying in chicago for a month. i wrote about an awesome leather satchel i had bought downtown that day. …which got me thinking…where is that awesome satchel? a little closet digging last night unveiled the hidden treasure–even softer and more worn than i had remembered–perfect. so it is…my new (old) purse.

5. her impish grin.

6. the way she stands up to my knee, looking up at me with little “hold-me” eyes…simply irresistable.

7. seeing her coming-home dress hanging above her dresser every time i change her and remembering every time just how wonderful bringing home that little tiny baby in that little tiny dress was…

8. finally catching latte mid-laugh today. she laughs…she really does.

9. saying to brett every single night when i’m putting her to sleep….”i love her room”…and him pretending to roll his eyes because he’s heard me say it a million times…but secretly smiling because, i know, he loves it too.

10. my decision to “let the photos remain” every time i contemplate the clean and simple fridge look. there’s just too many people i love up there.

11. looking at her once again and despite the two skeeter bites on her face and a mommy-cut-her-bangs-too-short moment…thinking she’s just too absolutely beautiful and perfect to be ours.

we’ll be in illinois until sunday, and although we’ll miss our daddy horribly, we’re so excited to be with brett’s family. they always take such good care of us. pics to come.

…enjoying the small things. ~k

first of all, i’m breaking my own rule by posting this picture because i don’t believe in photographing your child when they’re behaving “itchy.” but, these shots were semi-accidental not to mention she may just still be little enough not to realize her negative behavior is being merited attention.

enter exhibit a: the fit.

(gotta love the hands-in-the-air. her future drama teacher, i’m sure, would give her an “a” for effort.)

the fits are coming full-force these days and, although they certainly aren’t scathing her overall personality (there’s just too much sweetness to make up for these small bumps on an otherwise perfectly paved road), they can’t be ignored. when they were fewer and further between, i would tell her she mommy was not happy with her fit and put her in her crib to “fit” it out. but, now that they are happening a little more frequently, i realized the crib makes no sense at all as we are right in the midst of trying to make her crib a secure, happy place for her to fall asleep. i don’t want crib = punishment.

so, we decided today to designate a “time-out” chair, one i will venture out tomorrow to find and eventually paint all cute (not that “time-out” is cute…ha!). so, we’ll see where that goes.

in the meantime, lainey and i are getting ready to go see brett’s parents up in the chicago area, and we’re excited to go, but we’ll miss daddy too. there’s been lots of small things to enjoy, but i’ll admit miss enjoying-the-small-things herself is sick and tired of this depressing rain (cozy? begging for tea to be made? sorry…i’m over it).

so, i promise a really good enjoying-the-small-things post tomorrow…laden with yummy pics too!

oh, here’s my sweetie not throwing a fit. see…she’s precious!