It has been a long, long while since I've posted! We are in the middle of a move now so things are extremely hectic as you can imagine.
We are relocating to a home that is only a couple of miles away from our current house. So convenient for making trips with our belongings. I'm thrilled about our new place. It gives us much more space to entertain, which is a big thing for us. Brooklyn will have her own playroom and we will have a nice little wet bar downstairs.
Pics to come!
XOXO
Wendy
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Thursday, October 25, 2012
One Year Ago Today
We welcomed Brooklyn Sydney Bankhead into this world on October 25, 2011 at 9:36 pm. She was born at the Ogden Regional Medical Center by C-section. Cody and I were definitely not prepared to have her on this day as our due date was 10 days later-November 4th.
Today, we reminisced about what we were thinking and how our day went one year ago. We went to my normal doctor appointment that morning at 9am and Dr. Lesser told us that we were going to need to go to the hospital immediately and that our "sweet angel" was coming that day. We were stunned. We didn't have our bag and we were directed to go straight to the hospital. We checked in around 11:30 am. Cody was the sweetest. I have a terrible habit of popping my neck and he can't stand it. I mean, no one can! I know it's gross, but I have to do it or it gets really stiff. I told him I would have to do it and he told me to do anything I needed to do to be comfortable. He refused to leave me to go home and get our bag. We had no idea what was going to happen. We called our family on the way to the hospital and my parents had left to drive to Ogden. Cody told them he really wanted them to come. They somehow also arranged for my brother, Jeff, to fly in.
Sid and Pauline and Craig and Marmie got to the hospital at exactly the right time. My doctor decided we couldn't wait any longer and in I went to have my sweet baby! Cody was a true champ. He was by my side the entire time and I really don't know how he handled watching the surgery. When they got Brooklyn out he went back with the staff to clean her up and came back and told me she was 4 lbs. 8 ounces. WHAT?!! We had no idea she would be so tiny. She was perfect and healthy. They had to watch her under the lamp that night to be sure her body temp rose and it did. What a whirlwind of a day and night!
XOXO
Today, we reminisced about what we were thinking and how our day went one year ago. We went to my normal doctor appointment that morning at 9am and Dr. Lesser told us that we were going to need to go to the hospital immediately and that our "sweet angel" was coming that day. We were stunned. We didn't have our bag and we were directed to go straight to the hospital. We checked in around 11:30 am. Cody was the sweetest. I have a terrible habit of popping my neck and he can't stand it. I mean, no one can! I know it's gross, but I have to do it or it gets really stiff. I told him I would have to do it and he told me to do anything I needed to do to be comfortable. He refused to leave me to go home and get our bag. We had no idea what was going to happen. We called our family on the way to the hospital and my parents had left to drive to Ogden. Cody told them he really wanted them to come. They somehow also arranged for my brother, Jeff, to fly in.
Sid and Pauline and Craig and Marmie got to the hospital at exactly the right time. My doctor decided we couldn't wait any longer and in I went to have my sweet baby! Cody was a true champ. He was by my side the entire time and I really don't know how he handled watching the surgery. When they got Brooklyn out he went back with the staff to clean her up and came back and told me she was 4 lbs. 8 ounces. WHAT?!! We had no idea she would be so tiny. She was perfect and healthy. They had to watch her under the lamp that night to be sure her body temp rose and it did. What a whirlwind of a day and night!
In the hospital
Our tiny girl
On the couch with Dad
Big Girl!
For Brooklyn on her 1st Bday
We love:
-Your tiny hands; when you clap them softly after you see one of us clap.
-After you eat crackers your face smells like them.
-The way you madly swing your feet in your high chair or a shopping cart.
-Your sweet, high pitched squeal/screech when you're happy. You love your voice.
-Your messy hair right after a bath.
-How you grab your binky and twist it around until you find the right way to put it in your mouth.
-Your baby teeth. You have 2 bottoms and 4 on top.
-That big, incredible smile and your eyes sparkling along with it.
-How you crawl around the corner now when Mom is in the bathroom.
-When you come up to our legs and stand yourself up using them as a base.
-Your concentration when you're holding a new toy. Your lips purse together and it's adorable.
-Those darling little breaths you take through your mouth.
-When you say "Oh Oh Oh Oh"!
-When you're done eating and we try to give you another cracker you just drop it off the side of your high chair.
-Your "da da da's" when you first wake up in the morning.
-When you lay your head down on one of our shoulders.
-When you nap sitting next to Mom in the late afternoon.
-How when we lay you into your crib for the night you immediately flip to your tummy in your "I'm going to do a push up" position.
-The way you stick your tiny bum up when you're sleeping.
-The way you never give up on your quest to get to the satellite box!
-Those amazing, soft, sweet little cheeks on your beautiful face.
-The way you splash in the tub with a straight little arm and flat hand.
-When Mom sticks her tongue out and blows, you do it back.
-How we bump heads and stare into each other's eyes and smile.
-Your soft arms-we love lightly squeezing them.
-Those chubby baby feet. It's hard to put socks on them because we just want to see them!
-You never get sick of "Rio" or the "Lorax".
-How when we lift you out of the carseat you look around so intently to see what's going on on the "outside".
-When you giggle. There isn't 1 better sound in the entire world.
-How you constantly tug on your ear.
-Those big, brown, doe eyes and long, thick eyelashes. They melt us.
-When you look at our faces and touch it like you are studying it.
-After you find a toy, you grab it, roll onto your back and shake it!
-How your little feet barely stick out of the stroller.
-When you have a little tantrum and vigorously throw your head back as if you can't believe what's happening.
-How well behaved you are in restaurants. It's unbelievable!
-When you act shy and bury your head into Dad's shoulder.
-When you eat Dad’s shoulder.
-How big your smile is and how excited you are to see Dad when he returns home from traveling.
-When we give you new food for the first time and you automatically pull a face like it’s the most disgusting thing in the world, yet you love it and always want more.
-That you tune the rest of the world out when you’re watching the Lorax on the Ipad in the car.
-When you spit your binky out to let us know you want a taste of what we are eating.
-How you wave goodbye when we are putting you to bed.
-When you drink Mom and Dad’s shakeology and fruit smoothies through a straw.
-How you make sure to eat every last crumb of the cracker.
-When we say bye bye you start waving right away!
-Your tiny hands; when you clap them softly after you see one of us clap.
-After you eat crackers your face smells like them.
-The way you madly swing your feet in your high chair or a shopping cart.
-Your sweet, high pitched squeal/screech when you're happy. You love your voice.
-Your messy hair right after a bath.
-How you grab your binky and twist it around until you find the right way to put it in your mouth.
-Your baby teeth. You have 2 bottoms and 4 on top.
-That big, incredible smile and your eyes sparkling along with it.
-How you crawl around the corner now when Mom is in the bathroom.
-When you come up to our legs and stand yourself up using them as a base.
-Your concentration when you're holding a new toy. Your lips purse together and it's adorable.
-Those darling little breaths you take through your mouth.
-When you say "Oh Oh Oh Oh"!
-When you're done eating and we try to give you another cracker you just drop it off the side of your high chair.
-Your "da da da's" when you first wake up in the morning.
-When you lay your head down on one of our shoulders.
-When you nap sitting next to Mom in the late afternoon.
-How when we lay you into your crib for the night you immediately flip to your tummy in your "I'm going to do a push up" position.
-The way you stick your tiny bum up when you're sleeping.
-The way you never give up on your quest to get to the satellite box!
-Those amazing, soft, sweet little cheeks on your beautiful face.
-The way you splash in the tub with a straight little arm and flat hand.
-When Mom sticks her tongue out and blows, you do it back.
-How we bump heads and stare into each other's eyes and smile.
-Your soft arms-we love lightly squeezing them.
-Those chubby baby feet. It's hard to put socks on them because we just want to see them!
-You never get sick of "Rio" or the "Lorax".
-How when we lift you out of the carseat you look around so intently to see what's going on on the "outside".
-When you giggle. There isn't 1 better sound in the entire world.
-How you constantly tug on your ear.
-Those big, brown, doe eyes and long, thick eyelashes. They melt us.
-When you look at our faces and touch it like you are studying it.
-After you find a toy, you grab it, roll onto your back and shake it!
-How your little feet barely stick out of the stroller.
-When you have a little tantrum and vigorously throw your head back as if you can't believe what's happening.
-How well behaved you are in restaurants. It's unbelievable!
-When you act shy and bury your head into Dad's shoulder.
-When you eat Dad’s shoulder.
-How big your smile is and how excited you are to see Dad when he returns home from traveling.
-When we give you new food for the first time and you automatically pull a face like it’s the most disgusting thing in the world, yet you love it and always want more.
-That you tune the rest of the world out when you’re watching the Lorax on the Ipad in the car.
-When you spit your binky out to let us know you want a taste of what we are eating.
-How you wave goodbye when we are putting you to bed.
-When you drink Mom and Dad’s shakeology and fruit smoothies through a straw.
-How you make sure to eat every last crumb of the cracker.
-When we say bye bye you start waving right away!
Collage by Uncle Jeff
XOXO
Wendy
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Little Lady
This week I'll be prepping for B's 1st birthday party. We thought about how big we wanted it and decided this first one will be family only. With just our immediate families there will be 20+ attending. Whoa. That's plenty!
Cody and I chose Ladybugs as the theme because we have always called Brooklyn "Little Lady" and we thought it fit just right. Trust me when I say this will be a pretty simple party. I have seen lots of really cool and elaborate 1st birthday parties but I just don't think that's us. At times I feel like I'm not a good mom because we are doing such a low key party, but I think it will be perfect. As long as our little girl is surrounded by the people that love her most all will be right, right?
XOXO
Wendy
Cody and I chose Ladybugs as the theme because we have always called Brooklyn "Little Lady" and we thought it fit just right. Trust me when I say this will be a pretty simple party. I have seen lots of really cool and elaborate 1st birthday parties but I just don't think that's us. At times I feel like I'm not a good mom because we are doing such a low key party, but I think it will be perfect. As long as our little girl is surrounded by the people that love her most all will be right, right?
XOXO
Wendy
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Independence
I was holding Brooklyn on our couch today while watching "Rio" for the millionth time and she decided she wanted to get her pacifier in her mouth. She's becoming so independent and I am just amazed by her and how she works to get to the bottom of things. She must have put the "binky" in her mouth upside down five or six times.
She didn't give up.
I just watched her and resisted the urge to turn it right side up for her. She has to learn things on her own, right? Her little eyes and hands worked together to finally get it right and I cheered inside for her victory. My baby girl has come so far and will be turning 1 soon. It is truly incredible to see her learn to do things on her own. I feel abundantly blessed to be able to be home with her to see it every day. Thank you, Cody, for giving us this life. You are the best father and husband in the world!
She didn't give up.
I just watched her and resisted the urge to turn it right side up for her. She has to learn things on her own, right? Her little eyes and hands worked together to finally get it right and I cheered inside for her victory. My baby girl has come so far and will be turning 1 soon. It is truly incredible to see her learn to do things on her own. I feel abundantly blessed to be able to be home with her to see it every day. Thank you, Cody, for giving us this life. You are the best father and husband in the world!
Here are a few pics of our little darling!
Brooklyn helping Dad set his Fantasy Football line up. She offered him great insight!
Kickin' back during a shopping trip at Target. Doesn's she look relaxed?
B and Uncle Jonny getting a drink during our road trip to Butte. She doesn't want to let go!
XOXO
Wendy
Friday, August 3, 2012
Are We Insane?
Yes. Obviously.
Cody and I decided...okay...I decided that we were going to do Insanity approximately one month ago. Let me tell you, the title of this little fitness program is 100% fitting. It is fast, challenging, sweat inducing, muscle burning and has been known to cause occasional swearing. We love it.
I am so glad that Cody's doing it with me. What a guy I landed! Having a partner is the very best; we hold each other accountable to doing it every day and to eating pretty darn healthy. Full disclosure, I actually have TWO partners doing Insanity with me. My lovely friend, Jen Rook, is my long distance partner. Having a tele-partner is just as helpful, I swear!
We are now in our 5th week which is the "Recovery Week". We go into the second phase next week and I am JACKED! It is going to be more difficult but we are R-E-A-D-Y. The results so far are fantastic for us. The scale is not the way I choose to measure success, so I am trying not to weigh. However, my clothes are looser and my arms are toned. I know they are because I flex or look at them in the mirror multiple times per day. Yep, I do. I'm not afraid to admit it. (Cody and Jen do, too. I know they do.)
Maybe I'll post before and after pictures in 30+ days when we've finished....maybe I won't. Stay tuned to find out!
If you or someone you know wants to get Insane you can find me online at:
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/wendybankhead
http://www.facebook.com/wendybankhead
http://www.twitter.com/wendybankhead
XOXO
Wendy
Cody and I decided...okay...I decided that we were going to do Insanity approximately one month ago. Let me tell you, the title of this little fitness program is 100% fitting. It is fast, challenging, sweat inducing, muscle burning and has been known to cause occasional swearing. We love it.
I am so glad that Cody's doing it with me. What a guy I landed! Having a partner is the very best; we hold each other accountable to doing it every day and to eating pretty darn healthy. Full disclosure, I actually have TWO partners doing Insanity with me. My lovely friend, Jen Rook, is my long distance partner. Having a tele-partner is just as helpful, I swear!
We are now in our 5th week which is the "Recovery Week". We go into the second phase next week and I am JACKED! It is going to be more difficult but we are R-E-A-D-Y. The results so far are fantastic for us. The scale is not the way I choose to measure success, so I am trying not to weigh. However, my clothes are looser and my arms are toned. I know they are because I flex or look at them in the mirror multiple times per day. Yep, I do. I'm not afraid to admit it. (Cody and Jen do, too. I know they do.)
Maybe I'll post before and after pictures in 30+ days when we've finished....maybe I won't. Stay tuned to find out!
If you or someone you know wants to get Insane you can find me online at:
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/wendybankhead
http://www.facebook.com/wendybankhead
http://www.twitter.com/wendybankhead
XOXO
Wendy
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
In the Crib
We finally decided that a change had to be made.
Brooklyn hasn't had the best track record when it comes to sleeping. She despised her bassinet so we bought her a cradle swing which was a life saver. She has slept in that plush, musical, little swing since she was just shy of 2 months old. Well, our little girl needs more space to sprawl out and twist and turn so we had to change the scene. We tried the crib a few times but could only handle listening to her cry for about, oh, 3 seconds. Seriously, isn't it heartbreaking to hear your little baby crying?
We obviously are first time parents and just weren't ready to let her cry it out, so into our bed she went. Four or five weeks have passed and I swear that none of us have slept more than three broken hours a night in those weeks. "Fairly cranky" is a phrase that could be used to describe me when I'm sleep deprived and my poor husband has to work for a living! Most importantly, Little B needs her beauty rest.
We knew what we had to do.
On the fateful day of July 22, we had the resolve to lay her down in her crib. Cody and I prepared for it all day. We read passages from a book that was given to us, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and we reassured each other that we must try again and it is the very best thing for our baby. We went downstairs, watched "The Bachelorette" (Yay for Jef!) and listened off and on to her cry for about 25 minutes while we squeezed each others hands in solidarity. She woke up a few times during the next two nights but on the THIRD night, that little princess slept from 9 pm until 7:00 freaking AM!
Happy Baby!
Parents, this stuff is hard and it puts you to the test. RIGHT?!
Brooklyn is 9 months old today and she was ready. We know it will help her in the long run and it's pretty great for Cody and me, too. I like to call this a WIN WIN WIN!
XOXO
Wendy
Brooklyn hasn't had the best track record when it comes to sleeping. She despised her bassinet so we bought her a cradle swing which was a life saver. She has slept in that plush, musical, little swing since she was just shy of 2 months old. Well, our little girl needs more space to sprawl out and twist and turn so we had to change the scene. We tried the crib a few times but could only handle listening to her cry for about, oh, 3 seconds. Seriously, isn't it heartbreaking to hear your little baby crying?
We obviously are first time parents and just weren't ready to let her cry it out, so into our bed she went. Four or five weeks have passed and I swear that none of us have slept more than three broken hours a night in those weeks. "Fairly cranky" is a phrase that could be used to describe me when I'm sleep deprived and my poor husband has to work for a living! Most importantly, Little B needs her beauty rest.
We knew what we had to do.
On the fateful day of July 22, we had the resolve to lay her down in her crib. Cody and I prepared for it all day. We read passages from a book that was given to us, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and we reassured each other that we must try again and it is the very best thing for our baby. We went downstairs, watched "The Bachelorette" (Yay for Jef!) and listened off and on to her cry for about 25 minutes while we squeezed each others hands in solidarity. She woke up a few times during the next two nights but on the THIRD night, that little princess slept from 9 pm until 7:00 freaking AM!
Parents, this stuff is hard and it puts you to the test. RIGHT?!
Brooklyn is 9 months old today and she was ready. We know it will help her in the long run and it's pretty great for Cody and me, too. I like to call this a WIN WIN WIN!
XOXO
Wendy
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Two Words
GIRLS TRIP!
Tomorrow, I'm traveling to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, to meet some dear friends for a ladies-only getaway. This is the first time I will be away from B for more than 8 hours. Luckily, I have one amazing husband who is ready for some "daddy/daughter" time and is 110% capable of doing everything for her (well, almost everything). I could devote an entire blog about how hands on and incredible Cody is. Maybe I will do that one next :) But for now, back to my girls.
We are all mothers. We have been friends since grade school. We need sleep. We need cocktails. We need to be free to talk and laugh and go to bed and get up when we want. We are all looking forward to spa treatments, boating on the lake, and in case I forgot to mention, COCKTAILS. I love each of the incredible ladies who will be a part of these next 5 days and feel so fortunate for the opportunity to spend this time with them. We will be strolling (ehh....stumbling) down memory lane and it will be GOOD.
Bon Voyage!
XOXO
Wendy
Tomorrow, I'm traveling to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, to meet some dear friends for a ladies-only getaway. This is the first time I will be away from B for more than 8 hours. Luckily, I have one amazing husband who is ready for some "daddy/daughter" time and is 110% capable of doing everything for her (well, almost everything). I could devote an entire blog about how hands on and incredible Cody is. Maybe I will do that one next :) But for now, back to my girls.
We are all mothers. We have been friends since grade school. We need sleep. We need cocktails. We need to be free to talk and laugh and go to bed and get up when we want. We are all looking forward to spa treatments, boating on the lake, and in case I forgot to mention, COCKTAILS. I love each of the incredible ladies who will be a part of these next 5 days and feel so fortunate for the opportunity to spend this time with them. We will be strolling (ehh....stumbling) down memory lane and it will be GOOD.
Bon Voyage!
XOXO
Wendy
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Is Life Over?
When Brooklyn was born I thought my life would never be the same. I feared that I would never have fun again (I know, dramatic, much?!) and would have to give up much of my Cody/Wendy time. Before we had her the two of us did everything together (travel, Harley rides, dinners out, skiing, etc) and I really was a little (understatement) selfish about my time with him.
Well, the first few months were difficult but with the help of my wonderful husband, and encouragement from friends and family, we started going places....gradually. We finally ventured out to restaurants (mostly the Olive Garden!), friends' homes and eventually did our first road trip to Butte, MT, over Super Bowl weekend. Once we started, we couldn't stop! I finally felt normal again and began to "get" this parenthood thing and how to balance it all. You can actually have a normal life after a baby? Wow!
I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with B and so we travel with Cody during some of his work trips. We have gone with him to southern California, Billings, MT and have incorporated family stops into our travels as well. We have seen Jeff in Vegas and my parents in Butte. I have to say, I couldn't ask for more. Here are some pics from Butte, California and Vegas.
First time dipping her toes in the ocean at Manhattan Beach
Proud Papa Sid in his office at Northwestern Energy in Butte
Grandma P in her Easter Wonderland with Little B
Cody and B in Huntington Beach
Uncle Jeff with B at the Springhill Suites Pool in Vegas
Mucho has the BEST happy hour in Manhattan Beach (if you ask us). They have specials on beer, wine and appetizers. The bbq shrimp tacos are RIDICULOUS!They were so kind and even let us park our stroller by the hostess stand. Needless to say we went there twice.
See? You can even go to happy hours with a baby! Ha! http://www.muchomb.com/
The best advice I can offer to new parents is to get out as soon as you feel comfortable and do the things you did before. If the baby cries, it's ok! It won't be perfect but you'll feel like you're living your lives and not stopping for the baby. That is exactly what you'll need!
XOXO
Wendy
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