Tuesday night.

Hello, Tuesday night! So, where to begin? First of all, I am typing this with my computer kind of propped up on its side because the charging port on my laptop is shot, and the only way it will charge is if it's at a particular angle. I usually try to charge it, then use it, but I forgot to do that so here I am in this silly position typing away. Secondly, yesterday was tattoo day! Cory tattooed me for almost five hours and it was horrible. At first I was feeling like it wasn't too bad- I think I even mentioned on Instagram that that spot wasn't terrible- but a couple hours into it I started hating everything. And five hours later I vowed to never get tattooed again. This whole thing happens almost every time, but I always somehow manage to forget the pain before the next time rolls around. With that said though, I do think this may just be the last bigger piece I get. I don't have any other large spaces I want to fill, so the only other tattoos I can see myself wanting are for future children. But we'll see. We didn't finish it (we have another hour left), so I'll post a good photo of the whole thing once it's completed. And for those who don't follow me on IG (username: danihampton), I got a portrait of my favorite poet, Sylvia Plath.

And then tonight was the Madewell event, which was really fun. I got to meet some super sweet readers and new friends, had a bunch of my favorite people stop by, and Henry, my Mom, and sister came too. Henry was a ball of energy and it's hilarious to me to see him turn on his "ham" side when he's in a group of people. It was a great night and I'll share some photos of that later on when I get back to my regular computer.

As for now, sleep calls. Last night was a BAD night of sleep so I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting a full seven or eight hours. Poor little Henry somehow wet the crib, and woke up screaming in the middle of the night. Even after the sheet was changed and he was in fresh pajamas, he did not want to go back in. I tried for a good hour to calm him down, but anytime I went to put him back to bed he would freak out. So I brought him into bed with me, which is always a gamble, and he didn't sleep much at all for a couple of hours. And when he did finally fall asleep I couldn't get any rest because I was so worried about him rolling off the bed without Hank on the other side. I felt terrible this morning from being awake all night, but on the other side of the coin it was so nice to just cuddle with him. We stopped co-sleeping at 6 months so it's always so, so sweet and special when he's in the bed with us.

And now speaking of bed I'm going to cut this short because I am falling asleep while I type! Goodnight!

A little hello/update!

a whole bunch of randomness- polkadots make everything better // visiting the ducks with  Henry // storytime with Grandpa // visiting Adie at work // books and more books // my go-to dinner, a  sweet potato with cheese and broccoli // my favorite treat, an In-N-Out protein style cheeseburger //  Henry at  our local playplace today, where our playgroup had a fun get together //  getting bloodwork done this afternoon

Happy Pi Day! I actually just exclaimed, "it's Pi Day and we didn't eat any pie!" to my Mom, who is here visiting for a couple of days. I was legitimately upset about it until Hank reminded me that we ate pizza for dinner...which is a pie, right? So all is well again in the world; Pie Day was celebrated.  And speaking of this special "holiday," I can still remember back to all of the wonderful Pi Days I had in college. That sounds so weird- "all of the wonderful Pi Days I had in college" (what?!), but being a Pi Phi, we always celebrated when March 14th came around. I have such fun/funny memories of eating pie in the chapter room with all of my sorority sisters and I still smile thinking back to so many good times we had over those four years. One of these days I'll write more about that experience!

In other news, tomorrow I have to get a cat scan and chest x-ray. Fun, right? To be honest I'm actually relieved to finally be getting some answers, or at least taking action towards getting answers. I talked about being sick a little bit in this post, but since then I haven't felt any better, and my weird symptoms haven't lessened at all either. I don't exactly feel ill; I'm more so just extremely tired all the time, and paired with some other things that are going on I finally decided to see yet another doctor and try and get to the bottom of it. To make a long story short, the doctor was a little concerned with some stuff going on in my neck/throat area and ordered the scans. So that's what I'm doing tomorrow...so think of me at 10:15am!

In other, better, non-illness news, I've had an LA trip planned for months, and this weekend it's finally here. I was a bit worried I wouldn't feel my best, and even though I don't, I'm still going to go and enjoy some relaxation time with girlfriends. This trip was planned way before the method San Francisco trip came about and I feel guilty leaving again so soon, but I am going to just enjoy my time and focus on not wondering about the results of the tests I'll get back next week.  We have a fun weekend ahead of us- lots of touristy things, good food, and most of all, great quality girl time with two of my favorite people. Someone just please tell my body to not be tired or feel out of it, because I've got plans!

Some other things I'm loving right now: my Mom being in town (I wish my parents lived closer), the Bachelor finale (I actually ended up liking Courtney), and the new Trader Joe's in town (I've already gone twice).

As for now, I am headed off to bed. My Mom, Henry and I are going food shopping in the morning to get some chili-making supplies, I have my radiologist appointment, and then I am looking forward to some outdoor time. I'm hoping for a beautiful day, and I hope you have one too!

a little hello!

Henry and I have been spending some time in Phoenix this week before I head to San Francisco on Thursday, and I've had so much fun the past few days being able to see my Phoenix friends, hang out with family, and act like I'm 16-years old again. What? You don't revert to your teenage self whenever you spend an extended amount of time at "home?" It's seriously funny to me because last night I found myself on my parents' couch, eating some chips out of a paper towel (typical "Hawthorne" snacking style), yelling "Mommmmmmm! Can you get me a glass of water???" to my mother in the kitchen, while watching The Bachelor in my pajamas. The only difference between my 16-year old self and my current 29-year old self is that there was a baby monitor next to me.  I don't know what it is, but being here makes me feel like I'm right back in high school again.

Anyway, Henry and I ventured out to the mall today so I could try and find an outfit to wear this weekend. We had no luck, of course. Why is it that when you are looking for something specific it's impossible to find anything, but when you have no agenda it seems as though there are cute things everywhere you look?  Henry actually did get a few new fun things at H&M, so it wasn't a total flop. He is finally kind of okay with hats (kind of meaning he doesn't rip them off as if I've placed a burning piece of cloth on his head) so I'm hoping the clearance-priced beanie I bought for him will work. A couple random thoughts from today:

1. The elevator system at Scottsdale Fashion Square is pretty much the worst thing ever. PCLL? 1st Floor? 1st Floor Barney's? I'm so confused. Once the elevator made it's way down to us I ended up just pressing all the buttons and hoping for the best. I can't even believe I used to work there, or more so, how I ever made it to work on time!

2. I wish I could take naps. I have never been one of those people who can take a nice little 30-minute nap in the middle of the day and wake up refreshed. I occasionally find myself trying to be a nap person, but I either end up sleeping for Henry's entire 2-3 hour nap and cause myself to stay up hours later that night, or I stick to the 30 minutes, wake up groggy, and still can't sleep that night. It's a lose-lose for me. But on days like today where I feel exhausted out of my mind come 3pm, a nap would be so nice!

3. I have really, really loved reading all of the 11 Things posts around the internet! Some of the girls I've tagged have completed it, so check them out if you get a moment - Jen, Jess, Katie, Kaelah, and Mandy.

4. And finally, today was my Dad's 66th birthday! He's really the best guy I know (tied with Hank of course) and I feel so lucky to have such a good relationship with him. It's been amazing seeing him as a Grandpa and to watch him and Henry grow so close. It's really the best. Happy birthday, Dad!

A little update...and a little sugar!

I call this one, "baby-wrangling" or, "I can't get my 15-month old to take a photo. Ever."

It's Thursday afternoon and Henry and I just got back from a long walk around the neighborhood. It's unseasonably warm today so it was nice to take advantage of our lovely fake-spring weather and spend some time at the park. We almost always get a big March snowstorm so I'm not going to get too comfortable in this great weather just yet, even though I want to! This week has just flown by, and I am so excited about this weekend. Like I mentioned a few days ago we have three newly-turned-30 friends to celebrate and Saturday is going to be a busy but fun day attending a few different birthday parties. Can't wait.

Other than that it's been a pretty typical week, if you add in a crazy, teething baby most days. Although there is one notable thing that went on...I decided that because I felt so good, I would eat some dark chocolate (with sea salt, mind you. AKA the best chocolate in the world) so I did. You get that logic? I feel fantastic so I decide to indulge in the one thing I stopped eating, causing me to feel fantastic. Makes total sense, right? ha. But really, it was delicious, and I ate a whole bar and a half. AH! And I totally felt terrible afterward, not because I ate it, but because I hadn't had sugar in so long that it made me feel sick and almost hung-over in a way.  It was really interesting though because it made me realize that I absolute want to keep up with eating this way, and totally validated me doing so. But at the same time, that chocolate was the best chocolate I've ever had (food just tastes so much better these days) and I am going to treat myself when I want it...just not eat a million pounds of it.

So other than my great chocolate indulgence of 2012 life is good. Today is one of my best friend's birthday (love you Suki!), the weather is gorgeous, we got in some exercise and park time, and we're paying a visit to Hank's Grandma tonight. It's a great day and I am looking forward to curling up with a new book tonight. I'm going to choose one from my Amazon recommendations and I'm really excited- I've been looking forward to it all day actually. Oh, my thrilling life! ;)

xoxo

A Little Update!

It's Thursday, Hank is home from his business trip, and all is well in the world. Kind of. Today while half walking/half running, Henry fell and hit his mouth. I was almost able to grab him before he hit but I didn't make it in time and he now has an upper lip that rivals Angelina Jolie's. Poor baby. It's horrible to see your little one in pain, and I feel terrible that it happened. From what my Mom friends tell me though it's only the beginning with a little boy (or really any rambunctious toddler).

Outside of Henry's tumble it was a pretty good day though. Miss Madeline got a bath and nail clip and I watched an entire episode of Teen Mom without crying. Or throwing anything at the television. Yes!

Some awesome things going on in my world right now:

1) Transitioning Henry from two naps to one.  Before he was napping from 9am-11am and again 2pm-4pm. That's a lot of sleep but more recently the two hour naps were becoming shorter and shorter, and he was getting increasingly harder to get down for that early nap. It was also a little difficult because all of the fun baby stuff (story time at the library, Mommy and Me, our playgroup) happened during that first nap. I usually would just push it and still go, but that was never fun in the end. So, for reasons beneficial to both of us, I decided to make the switch. I think it was the right choice though, because for the past few days he's been sleeping 12pm-3pm. 

2) My appointment with a naturopath tomorrow. Since having Henry my body has been all wacky. My skin is not at its best, and although I'm sure it's hormones, I just feel unbalanced. I haven't been to the actual doctor in years, and I also think it's time to get a check up. So...I took the recommendations of a few friends and tomorrow is my first visit. It's an hour long intensive appointment and I'm looking forward to seeing what she says! I'll keep you guys posted.

3) The Bachelor. First of all, I know how ridiculous it is to even include this on an "awesome things going on in my world" list. And secondly, I understand this isn't exactly quality programming...but I can't help it, I am such a Bachelor fan. I've been watching both The Bachelor and The Bachelorette for years and years and I always enjoy every episode. For the past few seasons Adie and I have spent Monday nights at my house indulging in our favorite show (and snacks and girl talk) and this season is shaping up to be a good one! So much drama! So many psychos! Let's talk about the ladies for a second- the model chick? She's the worst! And how about Blakeley? Both crazy.  It's a trainwreck up in there!  Do any of you watch this show? Who is your favorite so far? Mine fave is definitely Kacie, who was date #1.  But really, let me know all about your opinions on the season- I'm super intrigued. And if you hate the Bachelor let me know too. ;)

I'm signing off but I'll leave you with this fun photo I put together using the Diptic app on my iPhone the other day.  The first baby is me, Henry's in the middle, and Hank is on the right! I can see my facial shape in Henry but I feel like he is the spitting image of Hank! Neat, right?

xoxo

Sunday!

a Saturday afternoon sweets date yesterday - we split a red velvet cupcake and Henry wanted some of it so badly!

Sundays are the best, aren't they? On this particular Sunday we woke up at my parents', and I can hear Henry and my Mom playing downstairs. After I fed Henry and handed him down to her, I snuck off into another guest room to let Hank sleep in for awhile longer. If we were at home I'd most likely be nice and do the same, so I'd be the one out playing with Henry- so I'm grateful for this little block of time to do as I please. And how am I using this time? Like any internet-loving girl: I'm blogging, playing on Pinterest for a bit, and I will (maybe) answer some of the many emails I need to get to.

Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week. I feel lucky that my parents were never the type to force us out of bed. This sounds crazy, but when I was teenager if I wanted to sleep in until 2pm my Mom would let me! I think it's because I worked so hard during the week (and most weekends) playing sports, so I think my parents saw any day I could sleep in as a special kind of thing. I just feel very grateful they weren't the "rise and shiiiiiine, sleepyhead" while throwing open the shades kind of parents.

Now I'm a morning person on my own, and having a baby has solidified this even more. Most mornings I'm up in the five o'clock hour, and often just lay there, half-sleeping until Henry finally gets up around 7am. Lately though as the mornings have stayed darker for longer, he's been sleeping in longer and the other day he slept in until 8:30. I was beside myself with what to do, but then realized good old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was waiting patiently for me in our DVR. Thank god.

The rest of today will be fun- in a moment I'll wake Hank up, then my family and I will head out to do the Sunday ritual we always do when down in the valley, breakfast and a Trader Joe's run. We don't yet have a TJ's two hours north up where we live, although miraculously they're building one set to open this winter (YES!).  After that I'm planning on a nice, long gym visit, then it's back to my parents' to get ready for Danny and Janay's wedding! Like I mentioned on Friday, this is the seventh wedding of 2011 for us, and the last, so I'm looking forward to dancing the night away with Hank.

Happy Sunday, everyone!