I had a post of substance planned, compiled from a string of good thinking. But I pulled it out of my mind oven tonight, stuck a toothpick in it, and it came up gooey and unfinished. So it’s going back in to bake a bit more.  Thankfully, the freezer is always full of Enjoying the Small Things for back-up plans. (p.s.: analogies are my oxygen)

Dinner is served: Enjoying the Small Things.

Aloha.  With three weeks to go (I kind of just realized that), Lainey finally chose her fifth birthday party theme.  Spa Night and Puppy Vet were also in the running, but she was digging the hibiscus, so she went with a luau–or as she calls it, “a hula party.”  And today we learned Sister has mad hula skills.  There were snakey arm movements.  Shakira hip action.  Little fingers waving to the steel drum beat. Brett was stunned. “Where the hell did she learn that?” he asked.

I said “Dora” because she seemed like a good answer.

I am back in party mode, and, well–that just makes me happy.

Cold Surprise.  Our April nights have been worthy of open doors and sweatshirts and socks on the babies’ feet at night. We hold tight these rare crisp evenings and enjoy them while they linger as they will soon be gone.  A hat in late April in South Florida–not too many times we’ve been able to pull that off.

Caught in the Act.   Sister’s favorite little “naughty.” 

She Runs. So fast, I have to run to catch her sometimes.  For the most part, she knows that when she hits the sidewalk line in our driveway, she has to turn and that walking toward the street is danger.  If she pushes the limits, Brett says, “Nella, do you want to go inside?”  And that’s the worst consequence possible to a free-spirited, side-walk conquering sister.  So she turns around and listens.

Sometimes running fast makes her blow out a sandal and she falls.  That happens to her mom on occassion too.

Tree Climbing.  Without any help now, she can make it to the second tier branches on the tree in our front yard.  She’s very proud of this fact.

The Golden Hour.  Nella wakes up first every morning, announcing her welcoming of the day with laughter from her crib, a few side railing shakes and, if all else fails, the uttering of random words–anything that comes to mind.  Sometimes it’s appropriate, like “Hi” or “Mama.”  Sometimes it’s hilarious, like “Walk” or “Ho Cow” (holy cow).

That hour is ours.  Sacred and sweet and quiet.  There’s coffee for me, cereal for her. 

She is so happy learning new things.

And I am so happy witnessing both my girls practice the balance of testing limits, crossing lines, exploring what’s beyond the boundary and yet still wanting to stay close, be protected, get a hug.

I’d like to add that this post took twice as long as usual because of Blogger’s new post layout and the fisticuff I just had with HTML.

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With that said, guess who’s back? My true love, sponsor Darlybird–delivering happiness to the world in the form of must-have products for home, wardrobe, baby, mama, party, etc. Or, as they put it, “Darlybird is all about gotta-have non-essentials…We specialize in a definite hodge-podge of the hard-to-find, one-of-a-kind and well-designed: jewelry, baby and kid products, gifts, entertaining essentials, and stuff that makes life both easier and more visually stimulating.” Did I mention Darlybird is impressively affordable? My new favorites:

Left: Flower Vignette Earrings; Right: Pacific Opal Filagree Earrings

Left on Nella: Vintage Be Brave Bow

And I am in love with my new Owl Fabric Wall Hanging.  Dude, it’s only $18.

Left: Vintage Embroidered Trim (only $2 a yard!) , Right: I Never Forget a Face Matching Game (a fantastic game that introduces diversity; plus the cards are thick and durable)

Use Code BLOOM and you get two things: 10% discount off your purchase PLUS Darlybird will match that 10% and donate it to Nella’s Rockstars for the NDSS

In addition, TWO comments from this post will be randomly selected to win a $50 gift certificate, courtesy of Darlybird.  Tell me five things you are enjoying right now.

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BLOOM updates:  Thank you for continuing to share the book.  We’ve made NYT Best Seller List three weeks in a row now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the e-mails and stories (and pictures of you and your books) you’ve shared about how Bloom has mirrored your own challenges and triumphs in life.  We all face the unexpected at times.  We all have opportunities to make something good of it. 

I will be in Michigan for book signings in Macomb Twp and Monroe the weekend of June 8-10.  I will continue to update any events here on the blog and through Facebook.

I’ll be back on Thursday evening for a Hallmark post.

Surprised a group in Baltimore last night with a LIVE IN PERSON Book Club Meeting. More from Baltimore soon:

It is a good day because my kids and I all have new pajamas tonight. I think things like new pajamas don’t get the attention they deserve. I mean, why aren’t more people blogging about new pajamas because, to be honest, I can’t stop making the mental note of “these pajamas are fantastic.” No, I’m not going to write an entire post on new pajamas. But, just so you know, I could. And it would be fantastic.

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This morning, shortly after breakfast, Lainey walked out holding a balled-up t-shirt in her hand. “Wear this,” she said. I opened it up and recognized it as the shirt a friend of mine had made way back when Nella was a baby. Screen-printed on the front is the photo from the cover of the book–Nella’s little feet stretched out against blue sky. “Mama, it’s your book,” Lainey finished.

I smiled, realizing that maybe she understands more than I give her credit for. We talk about things and she’s aware of why I went on a trip. She’s flipped through the pages of the book and pointed out her favorite pictures, and I’ve explained a bit before on what this whole book thing was about. But today I felt the need to tell her more.

“Do you remember what the book is about, Lainey?” I asked.

She smiled sweetly and I sat down, pulled her on my lap and reached for a copy of the book on my desk while I quickly prepared an answer.

“I wrote this book because I love you and Nella so much. It tells the story of all the special things we’ve done together and how much I love being a mommy. Someday I’ll read it to you. And look–” I flipped open to the dedication page and pointed to her name. “I dedicated this book to you. All by yourself. See your name right there?”

And her smile stretched further into her cheeks, wrinkling her nose and squinting her eyes.

I can practically hear her growing lately. Her curiosity, her courage, her independence, her wit–it’s palpable, and I’ve caught myself looking at her in a way that searches for glimpses of who she will be. I see a teenager, a young woman, a mama.

Our first visit to Children’s Museum of Naples, Tuesday

Both girls have been completely entranced with babies lately. Lainey takes an extra five minutes to buckle her dolls in the back seat before we head out. Nella drags dolls down the driveway, pushes them in strollers, kisses their foreheads. Both girls relieve Heidi of her mothering duties the minute she walks in our house and sets the car seat down. They swarm for Ivy. So it was only appropriate the other day, after Lainey and Nella both stood over Ivy and gently touched her head, waiting for Heidi to finish nursing, that Heidi smiled and gushed, “Kelle, they’re going to make the best mamas someday.”

I smiled back. “I hope so,” I answered, “–but Nella…” And I stopped.

Heidi quickly continued, “Oh Kelle, I’m sorry. I mean, she can–right? But if she–I mean…”

We talked it out in the way best friends needfully talk things out.

While individuals with Down syndrome can certainly get married, have intimate relationships and yes, have children, it’s complicated. But the fact remains for both of my children, that the future is unknown and the choices for the events in their life truly belong to them. We guide those choices in the beginning, but gradually we let go and listen.

That’s hard for me sometimes. Because I know the things that make me happy–and I want my girls to have those same things. I want them to like the beach, yellow, adventure, music, writing, babies and pretty things.

But my girls might have different dreams. They might express themselves differently. They might need me to show love in a way that is different from how I want to be shown love. Maybe they won’t dig unicorns. And that’s okay.

I am learning, not just in parenting but in every relationship, that multiple languages exist and not one is superior to another. The more I listen, the better I love.

In picturing my girls as teenagers, as young women, I often wonder “What will they say about the kind of mother I was?” I hope they say that I made mistakes but learned from them. That I taught them how to be happy not by expecting them to choose what makes me happy but by pursuing whatever it is that makes them come alive. I hope that at least one of them becomes a mama so they can fully know the depth of how I love them.

But really, it’s all about happiness.

I just want them to be happy.

Life didn’t go as planned for me, and I’ve never been happier. That truth is about the most valued thing I can give to my girls.

I did give applause tonight as I proudly watched my four-going-on-fifteen-year-old dance in her new pajamas right before bed, her arms outstretched before her, her right foot perfectly pointed just how she learned in ballet.

“Little girl,” I said, “I wish I had a daughter like you.” She stopped dancing, ran to hug me and smiled with all her Chicklet teeth.

“You do,” she answered. “I’m yours.”

For now.

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Congratulations to the Linkel Designs $50 gift certificate winner, Comment #219, Charlie’s Mommy: First off, I am so delighted to say that I am almost done reading Bloom on my Nook. It’s bitter sweet…cause I don’t want to stop reading.
Secondly, Nella looks so grown up in these pictures. It’s like she has sprouted inches within the last weeks. I love the pic of her in the white dress reading the book! Lastly, I’m changing it up a bit for me. I just registered for a 7K run that helps with our city’s health initiatives. This is ludicrous for me….I don’t run unless I’m chased!! Have a great day!

“Charlie’s Mommy,” please send your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net with subject line LINKEL GIVEAWAY WINNER, and you will soon receive a coupon code.

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Welcome back to Melody Joy whose beautiful handmade mama bird nest jewelry is making quite a splash. My two-egg nest ring and necklace are some of my favorite pieces to wear and always conversation starters. Several friends also wear Melody’s art, and our kids love to point out which egg is “theirs.”

Melody’s nest egg jewelry makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, and she is currently offering Buy 2, Get One Free for all nest jewelry. Plus, use Code BLOOM for free shipping! Check out Melody Joy’s shop (cowls and paintings too), and make a mama happy!

One comment will be randomly selected (random.org) to win a $75 gift certificate, courtesy of Melody Joy.

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I have new pajamas. It is a good day indeed.

(P.S. Any People magazine readers? There’s a full page review of Bloom in the April 22 issue!)