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

…try telling that to two brothers who love her a “whole” bunch. There’s no half about it. We are a blended family, but that just means there’s more love blended in the mix.

…the boys in the house sleep in. So, as not to wake them, we sneak out for early park days with Baylee. Today’s fun:

(the chimp crawl as we call it)

And a few more from yesterday… (Baylee’s daddy is getting a framed 16×20 of this for Father’s Day…but he doesn’t know yet!)

…and anyone who knows Lily knows this picture is so her…the little light from heaven just ENVELOPES her!