We can talk!

Ok - so not exactly talk, but Banks has started to coo at us a lot lately and the more we respond to him the more he coos back! It's like having a little conversation in baby language! I've been trying to capture this on video for a few days but he tends to clam up when the camera is rolling. This one is pretty good - although he is usually way more chattier than even this video shows!

And this next video is for my sweet Cindy - who thinks I'm lying when I say my baby gets fussy ;) I just felt I needed to prove that Banks is not always an angel - I just tend to post the angelic pictures!

Last night, he was hysterical. Why you might ask? Because we wouldn't pick him up. He wasn't hungry or wet. Just spoiled. All J and I were trying to do was clean the kitchen so we could leave town today! Seriously - I'd pick the baby up and silence. Lay him down - hysterical crying. Pick him up - silence. Lay him down - crying. It's like a cruel game. Needless to say - Banks eventually won out. His will is still stronger than mine! I'm working on that...

Easter weekend

We had a great Easter weekend! So many pictures to share! On Saturday we went to Beaufort for Chad's wedding and spent some time with Erin and Peyton. It was a beautiful day!

Easter was wonderful too. Banks made it through church and lunch afterwards, but then was exhausted and slept almost the rest of the day! Here are some pictures from Easter. Banks was pretty excited about his Easter basket, and there was lots of candy and prizes in there for dad as well!

Because He Lives

It's amazing to me that so many things in life can take on different meanings depending on what stage of life you are in. How many times have I sang the hymn "Because He Lives?" It was always special - reflecting on how we can face tomorrow because of the resurrection of Christ. But in church on Sunday, as we sang the second verse, I found so much more meaning... I realized that all of the fear I have about Banks growing up in a world that seems to be so uncertain is just unnecessary. Banks will be able to face uncertain days because of the sacrifice God gave and I can find comfort in that.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives.

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Good Friday

As Easter has been approaching, I've been thinking a lot more about the sacrifice God made for us when he sent his only son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Looking at Banks, I realize I have a totally different understanding of the sacrifice God made. I think about how I obsess over every breathe he takes, and how I stand over his crib at night trying to make sure he's still breathing, and I can't imagine my life without him. God loved his son just as much and yet he also loved us as much, so he chose to save us through his son. What a sacrifice. What love for us.

I hope that as you celebrate this special weekend, that you will know how fully you are loved by your Lord and Savior. I hope that you will mourn the fact that Jesus ever had to die because we are sinful people, but that you will also rejoice in his Resurrection and the life that you have been given becuase of Him.

2 months old

Yesterday we had our 2 month well baby visit and a trip to church to have our picture made with bunnies!

At our check up, Banks weighed 9 lbs 14 oz and was 22 3/4 inches long with a 16 inch head. He was a trooper through the visit. He slept through everything but the shots! But when the shots came, he was not happy - he screamed, then held his breath and turned red, and then screamed some more! Poor baby! He slept through most of yesterday and is still a little sleepy today. He is probably fighting off a little low grade fever but he is doing fine. We even had some really good play time this morning - lots and lots of smiles and coos!

How sweet is he with the bunny?!?! I can't believe I took him to church after he got his shots... but he seemed to be feeling fine and who could pass up this opportunity?

Sweet baby!

At the end of the night, he was just so tired! He and his daddy passed out around 8 PM. Poor baby had a long day!

Easter is on its way!

I'm in full Easter mode! We had a big day today! This morning, Banks and I baked an Easter cake for the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Liza - I posted this picture for you! You inspired me to bake a pretty cake after looking at all of your cakes!

Here we are at the Easter Egg hunt - Banks was a champion at hunting eggs! He put all those toddlers to shame...

After the Easter Egg hunt, Banks begged to go see the Easter Bunny. Of course, we had to take him since he was all dressed up in his Easter outfit!

And I just thought this picture was sweet. Banks just adores his daddy!

On friendship...

I was blessed this morning by some things that My Missy had to say about friendship and I wanted to share with you all. I hope Missy doesn't mind me directing people to her blog... but since there is already a link to it from my page and she has never complained I'm hoping it's ok :) It's amazing to me that God's word was as true then as it is now. I suppose that is why they call it the living word... the scripture she references sounds as if it was written for this day and time - and yet it has also stood true for many many years.

Thank you for giving me so much to think about regarding the way God intended for friendship to be Missy! LOVE YOU!

Long time no blog

Boy do I have some catching up to do! Banks was pretty needy this week so I didn't have many chances to get on my computer.

I'll try to catch up over the weekend. We are going to see the Easter Bunny this weekend (Banks is super excited!!) so I'm sure I will share pictures from that!

Last weekend we went to Greer so that Banks could meet the rest of his great grandparents and great-great grandmother! How many babies ever get a chance to meet their great-great grandmother!! What a blessing!

There are 5 generations living on Jonathan's mom's side - how neat!

5 generations

Banks and Jane

Banks and Grandpa

Banks and "Mom"

OK - for those of you confused about "Mom".... "Mom" is Jonathan's grandmother on his dad's side. We call her Mom. It's a long story and I never get it quite right when I tell it (according to Jonathan) so I'll leave it at that. :)

Good morning!

I just had to share this video of the sweet baby I woke up to this morning! Usually he wakes up fussing becuase he's hungry or wet, but today he was neither so I got a sweet little happy baby! If you pay attention you'll see him smile about 10 seconds into the video!

Weekend Update!

I finally got my weekend pictures posted and thought I would share!

The highlight of our weekend was when My Missy came to visit on Friday! This was Missy's first trip to the booming metropolis of Statesboro and we had a GREAT time! Missy - it was so wonderful to see you! It's so wonderful to spend time with those friends who have been there for you for years and years... how many years since 7th grade? Let's not count - we'll feel old then! We did miss My Cindy though... the day wasn't quite complete without her there, but we'll see her in a few weeks after her little bundle has arrived and we make a road trip to Gainesville! Yay! Gainesville is WAY closer than Italy! We hope to be seeing lots more of Cindy in our future!

Missy, Banks, and beautiful Bella!

Banks and Bella

This next picture is for Katie! Banks was all dressed up for church on Sunday and he was really precious! I took a ton of pictures and this is the best one I got... too bad I couldn't catch his eyes open! I loved the hat on him but Jonathan was not a huge fan. I have a feeling my days of being able to put a sweet little hat on Banks are limited but I will enjoy them fully while I can!

By the way, in case anyone was wondering... I won 3 of the 4 books yesterday :) I just had to let the 4th one go - I have to get control of this situation! ;)

I Hate To Lose

I hate to lose.

I guess I'm a bit competitive. Maybe it's all those years of being involved in sports and watching my brothers play ball. Anyways, I hate to lose.

So this is becoming a problem. eBay thrives on people like me! On Friday night, J and I went to the mall. While there, I found the PERFECT Easter outfit for Banks. I mean - PERFECT! It was exactly what I envisioned my baby boy wearing on Easter - smocked with bunnies. Problem is that it was $50. Had I been alone I would have marched out of that store carrying my prize, but J was floored at the price tag and told me I should look on eBay first to try and find a better deal.

So at 7 AM Saturday morning I start bidding on eBay and I find lots of the same types of outfits so I'm pretty pumped. I start bidding away. To make a long story short - now we have 2 Easter outfits. I didn't want to lose either of them! What am I going to do with 2 Easter outfits? At least I got 2 outfits for less than half of the price of the first one - and they are brand new too!

The bigger problem actually is that now I've tasted the sweet victory that comes with winning! Since then, I've won another Jon Jon for summer (seriously though, it was really cute!) and I'm currently winning 4 children's books (He needs books!)! I am going to have to put myself on eBay restriction again...