Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas from The Lankfords!


It's the most wonderful time of the year...


Connor had a busy but fun first Christmas.

Filled with family, friends, food and festivities (and my many Christmas outfits)

which included:

Thursday night Christmas with the Lankfords / Hunt family. Connors great grandparents were in town from Colorado and his aunt and uncle (and cousin in the tummy) were in town from Dallas. Connor got lots of presents and had fun looking at the lights on the tree!

He is such a lucky boy to have great-grandparents! His Great Gran'ma just loved holding and feeding him and he chatted away to her! He also loved his Great Papa's deep voice.

On to our next gathering...


The next morning, Christmas Eve day, my family were invited to breakfast with the Kolbs and their extended family (my sister's boyfriends family) and had so much fun with a "white elephant" gift exchange. Their family give really nice white elephant gifts instead of gifts for each person. The kids all draw names for eachother and give one cousin a nice gift. They had so much fun giving and receiving their gifts! We got a massage envy gift card and some books with $20!

Connor wore these adorable sheepskin slippers that his cousins from South Africa brought him for Christmas! He's feet were toasty warm!

After a nap and some quiet time at home, we headed on to meet Santa on Christmas Eve!

The Gross family had a fun Christmas Eve party and Santa came! Connor was asleep and woke up to lots of flashes going off and he was in the arms of a white haired man in red.... poor little thing was so confused.
(There was a really bad rain storm, which is why Ryan and I are both soaked.)

We then headed on to Christmas Eve dinner with my family.

Mimi joined us for dinner and fed Connor his Christmas dinner!

Then Aunty Kiks gave him a bath and put on his Christmas PJ's!


and read "twas the night before Christmas to me"... (from her iphone)


We all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner that mom made for us. We sat around the table and ate, laughed and chatted.

The next morning we opened presents at Nana's house and Connor was very excited that Santa came!


Connor was so lucky to get such special presents from his Nana and Aunts.
He got a very cool piano activity center, new shoes, a giraffe pillow and some other fun goodies!

After a great morning we all went to Ryan's moms house for Christmas lunch / dinner.

(Connor's Great-Gran'ma wanted to sit and hold him in the living room. They cuddled and chatted the whole time!)


The next morning we celebrated Christmas with Ryan's dad. Again, Connor got more presents! His Grandpa Larry gave him a cute outfit with puppy dog feet, a warm cozy blanket and a really soft Giraffe to cuddle with! Connor slept really well because we were sitting in front of the fire!


Despite feeling a huge void with dad not being here, especially during the holidays, we had a good Christmas.

Last but not least... our Christmas card (which didn't go out until close to New Years... oh well)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!



Thursday, November 18, 2010

He has arrived!

Our baby boy arrived on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 8:07 a.m.

He weighed 7 lbs 15 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

He is just the sweetest thing. We're learning a lot about parenting a newborn and just love cuddling, kissing and staring at him. We've laughed (i've cried a little) and laughed some more over things in our first few days. We have some great stories to share later.

We've fallen in love with him and are happier than ever.

Here are a few pics from our first days with Connor and bringing him home....








Sunday, November 7, 2010

We're Ready!

We're ready! Connor's nursery is done, our bags are packed, his car seat is ready and this Lankford house is as ready as it'll ever be for our newborn boy to come home!

His bassinett is ready in our room...

Here are a few pics of our baby boy's nursery...


A little hard to see, but my baby china set, Beatrix Potter, is out on the shelves. He also has a piggy bank, special pictures and my favorite ultrasound picture of him.

Connor has the most comfy glider / rocking chair with matching ottoman. We're looking forward to lots of story times, night times and special cuddles in this chair!
You can't see it in this picture, but we were given the cutest little pillow with Connor's initials monogrammed on it. He also has a very soft blanket with his name on it.

I made these wooden blocks - they say "NOV 11" so hopefully he doesn't come on another day! :)


I'm in love with Connor's infant carrier. It has the cutest giraffe and blue print cover!


Now all we need is the cuddly baby boy!



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

My dad... our angel

The third day of every month is hard. Each third day of the month marks another month that's gone by since we lost my dad. Today will be 11 months. That means that next month will be a year. I can't believe that. So much has happened in a year. Most days I just get a "punch in the gut" feeling and it will hit me that he's gone. Almost like i'd forgotten. How did this happen?? How can a year change so much in your life?? I went to pick up my car from the mechanic recently and the guy couldn't find my account under my name. The owner, a family friend, came to help the guy and said "it's under Ian". Again - that "punch in the gut" feeling. My dad always handled our cars. It was just his thing. He loved cars. I think he was a frustrated mechanic at heart.

This third of November is a little different. Today wasn't any easier than any of the previous 11 months, but I do have something else on my mind this month. It's impossible to not think about this little life that is growing inside of me. I know he's a gift from my dad. I know that I would not be pregnant if we hadn't lost dad. I know with all my heart that the two go hand in hand. Our baby boy's middle name is Ian. I love that my dad will continue on in our little man. I'll teach him all the things my dad taught me and we'll do all the things that dad would have enjoyed doing with his grandson. He would be such a great "papa/gramps/dude" (all our names for him)

One of the best gifts my parents have given me is a childhood. I had a wonderful one. I have such special memories of growing up always feeling loved and knowing that my parents loved each other. This is what i'll strive to give my son.

As we get closer to the birthday of our baby boy next week - I know dad is looking down from above and smiling.

I miss you pappa. Each day every day. I'm so grateful for these memories:






Sunday, October 31, 2010

Baby Showers


We're so grateful to our family and friends for the incredible baby showers and gifts we've been "showered" with! Thank you for all of your love and support - our baby boy is already so loved.

Here are a few of the wonderful memories from Baby Connor's showers...


Connor's first shower was at Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique!
Everyone made an adorable bib or burp cloth for Connor. They are so cute!



Connor's second shower was hosted by long-time friends Mary, Meredith and Carina!

They are all 'honorary aunts'.

Mary has a sweet baby boy, Robert and we can't wait for our two boys to play together and ride bikes like we used to :)









My mom (Nanna) and Aunt Kiks and Aunt Lexi are so excited to meet Connor!










Our last shower was hosted by friends of my MIL, Mary and Lynn. Lots of aunts and cousins from my hubbies family attended and family friends, too.

Unfortunately, I didn't get many pics from the shower.







My wonderful office of friends at TCH hosted a shower a few months ago for
the five preggo ladies in our department!
(everyone has had their babies - i'm the only one left to still have my Fall bubba!)


Connor received so many wonderful gifts from all of our shower and was so spoiled!

THANK YOU!













Sunday, September 5, 2010

29 weeks and counting!







I havent taken a belly pic recently, so here is my 29 week pic!
Happy LABOR Day :)




Friday, September 3, 2010

Blog Design

I have to give my wonderful friend Cassie a shout out. She is responsible for my super cute blog design. She's so talented and creates awesome invitations, announcements, etc. (on top of being an amazing mom to the sweet miss Avery) She will be designing Connor's birth announcements / our Christmas cards this year. If you're interested in having custom cards or invites made, contact her! Check out this invite she did recently... (pics stolen from her blog - thanks Cass)


First Bumpdate

This is my first "bumpdate"!

How Far Along: 29 weeks

How big is Connor? About 3 lbs and a little over 13 inches long.

Best Moment this Week: Getting the glider for Connor's nursery!

Movement: Constantly! But mostly at night when I'm trying to fall asleep.

Food Craving: Middle Eastern Food - hummus, lebanese salad

What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy.

Sleep: Not very well, since I get up every hour to go to the bathroom.

What I'm looking forward to this week: My first shower and getting the
crib and changing table into the nursery!


So far Connor has remained breech and facing forward. Our Dr. is going to check to see if he has turned in a couple of weeks. He's comfy in there, which is fine with me for now...

Keep baking away little bubba!