Month #4

We are having so much fun being parents. Every day truly gets better and better. It's amazing how much Reid is changing. OVERNIGHT! He'll wake up doing something that he wasn't doing the night before! It's a mixed bag of emotions for me as he gets bigger. I am filled with joy watching him grow and develop and learn and discover. It's unbelievable. But it's going by WAY too fast. Sometimes I still look at him and can't believe I HAD A BABY...let alone that that baby is learning to grab things and laugh out loud!

Being back at work has been an adjustment, but God really laid this out for us so perfectly that it all runs very smoothly. We usually have to go wake Reid up in the mornings (which is the only thing I don't like). We get him ready and Jes takes him to Erin's for the day and I pick him up. My dad comes to get him on Wednesday mornings...which he loves...and my mom keeps him on Wednesdays. Jesse keeps him on Fridays. It's all been going so well. He loves being with Erin. She is such a blessing to us. I'm sure he thinks Piper and Sophie are his big sisters. More like little mommies, actually. They are so sweet to him and take such good care of him.

We took Reid camping for the first time and he LOVED it! We had a blast going on walks and looking at trees and people. Jes and I rode bikes and played cornhole. He got to go fishing! He's been wanting to do that for a while. Today we went and got Reid a new exersaucer. We bought it on craigslist. He had so much fun playing in it. We have to wrap a blanket around his waist because he's still a little too small for it, but he does great.

This weekend is Halloween and Reid is a lion! I was afraid he'd hate putting it on, but he had a ball and even giggle at himself in the mirror! We're going to take him "trick-or-treating" to his grandparents and great-grandparents house tomorrow afternoon :).

Reid is smiling all the time. He's so happy. He's even starting to chuckle a little. He is reaching out for things now, but still with closed fists. Just this week he's started to open his hands some. He's holding his head up pretty much 100% now. He loves to sing songs and sit up and look around. He really tries to push up and stand when you hold him. He "talks" all the time, but in the mornings especially. He wakes up ALL SMILES and loves to have conversations first thing when he wakes up. He loves to look at his tree and monkey on the wall while he's getting his diaper changed and he rarely cries while being changed. When he had his diaper rash we used a hair dryer to make sure his little bootie was good and dry. He liked this so much that we still use the hair dryer daily. We use it after his bath. He gets dried head to to with it. He smiles and coos the whole time! Speaking of his bath...still doing great. Still cries sometimes at the end when we wash his hair, but not very often. Still sleeping through the night *ahhhh*.

Blessed is the best word to describe our lives. We have survived this time of me being "unpaid" from maternity leave. God has come through boldly and strengthened our faith through HIS faithfulness. We've always had exactly what we needed when we needed it. We are priveleged to serve such an awesome God. Gearing up for the holidays and looking forward to celebrating with Reid this year. A whole new experience!

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!

I couldn't be prouder to post that Reid Bennett Hanks is sleeping 9-10 hours a night!!! My prayer has been that he would be doing this by the time I went back to work and the Lord heard our prayers!!! This will make the transition from full time mommy to full time WORKING mommy so much easier! It wasn't easy being so anal about Reid's schedule and I'm sure when I told people that we "have to go home now because Reid needs to lay down in the next 30 minutes" they thought I was crazy. I have truly been a stickler on this, but it has paid off!! He gets his bath between 7:45 and 8:00 and then takes a bottle and lays down (awake) at about 8:30. He goes to sleep on his own and doesn't wake up until between 6-7:00!!! Praise the Lord.

We have been doing Baby Wise since Reid got home from the hospital. He eats every three hours, plays, then takes a nap. And we stuck to it. It was hard especially as a newborn because he just wanted to sleep all the time, but we did our best. Then slowly those awake times started getting longer and naps a little shorter, but we stuck to the eat, play, sleep schedule as much as possible. Eventually Reid started only waking up one time a night which was HUGE! We were so excited to drop a night time feeding, but we felt that he really was ready to be sleeping all night.

I then read "Healthy Sleeping Habits, Happy Child" which said to start your child on an early bedtime schedule. We had been putting Reid to bed around 9 or 10 in hopes that he would only wake up once or not at all in the night. This suggests that the earlier you put them to bed the longer they'll sleep. Soooooo, I decided to try it. Reid did great! He was still waking up once, but was getting WAY more quality sleep and going longer and longer every night.

Then it happened...one Saturday night I was home alone with Reid because Jes was out of town and he went to bed at 8:30 and woke up at 4:00am! I got up and changed his diaper and decided to just try putting him back in bed. He went right back to sleep until 6:15!! He did that for a few days where he would wake up with a poo poo diaper in the middle of the night and we would change him and he'd go back to sleep. Now, he sleeps straight through the night and doesn't wake up ONCE!!!

A huge helper in this has been those crazy swaddling blankets. The ones where the baby looks like a loon in a straight jacket! A friend gave me some and we've been using that in conjunction with all this and it is a miracle worker! Reid cannot get of it no matter what and therefore can't wake himself up with those hands that are ALWAYS moving!!

So, I am writing this as a rested mommy. It feels so good to get a full nights rest and wake up to a super happy, rested baby boy! Jesse is loving it too as he was the one who got up for the middle of the night feeds. :) Thank you, Lord for rewarding our diligence! I'm already excited about the good nights sleep I'll be getting tonight! Ha!!!

Month #3

It's hard to believe that Reid Bennett is three months old! Although I have loved every stage of his life thus far, month three has been my favorite. He is slowly developing his little personality. He smiles all the time and "talks" all the time. Just this morning I was laying in bed and could hear him in his room just "oohhing and ahhing" at his mobile (probably). I wanted to go in there, but didn't want to disturb his conversation! He is really holding his head up and loves to look around at everything. You can just look at him and tell he's taking in something new. His eyes get so big and he just stares and even smiles when he's seeing something he likes. He definitely knows who is who. He recognizes my parents now and of course me and Jes.

He plays independently now which has been super handy for me when I need to shower and get ready to go out. He loves his playmat and the songs it plays. He laughs at coos at the toys that hang down. His swing is still his favorite, but he's becoming more open to other things now. It won't be long and he'll be sitting up! I don't want to rush it, but I can't WAIT for him to sit up!

He has his first diaper rash and I am devistated for him. It looks horrible, though doesn't seem to really bother him. I am doing everything everyone has suggested to do and praying it goes away this week.

With month three brings the day I have been dreading. I go back to work this Friday. I can't believe the day is here. Where has the time gone? I am so blessed that he doesn't have to go to daycare and that he can be at a home with no other kids besides the ones that live there. My mom will keep him on Wednesdays and Jes will do Fridays when he's in town. It's the best possible situation and I am so thankful for that. But my heart hurts and I'm praying that Friday morning when I drop him off that God will just cover me in peace. I'm going to need his favor and grace. I know it'll be ok. God has laid this out for us so perfectly.

I never imagined I'd have this much time with him. Even if he'd been "on time" I would have only had 6 weeks. Three months has been a huge blessing and gift from God. I will always be grateful for this time. It has been filled with the most precious moments.

Jes and I celebrated two years of marriage this week. We went to Altanta for a quick trip (with Reid) and then last night we just went out for dinner. We sat and reflected on our 2nd year of being married and told each other what our favorite part was...amazing that we both said the same thing. We both agreed that the month that Reid was in the hospital was the best part of our 2nd year of marriage. Of course, because he was born, but not just that. We will forever cherish what God did in our marriage and lives in general. We grew closer to each other and to Him. We learned the value of teamwork and of truly trusting God when things were out of our hands. That month was the scariest, hardest time of both our lives and yet God, who's plan is perfect, took that and made it into a time we look back on with thankfulness and love. All the glory goes to Him. Jesse Hanks, you are a gift and a blessing. I cannot wait to be married to you on year #20 and #50!!!! I know God will still be doing amazing things in our lives.

Just To See You Smile....

...we'd do ANYTHING! Literally, anything. Our sweet Reid Bennett started smiling on September 10! He looked at me and smiled, but I wasn't sure if it was a "real" social smile or just gas :). But then, the next morning he was all smiles. My parents were at our house early because we were going to the Farmer's Market in Nashville and he was smiling at everyone. It was amazing! It still makes me tear up any time he does it. I say we'd do anything because we all but stand on our heads to try to get a smile out of him now and when he does, it is well worth the embarrassment!

SO many changes lately. Reid is REALLY holding his head up now. His favorite position to be held in is up on your should because he can hold that head up and look around. Its amazing to how much they change from one day to the next. I know I say that a lot, but its true. One day he can just hold his head for a second. The next day he's got it held up looking all around. So miraculous.

Other changes: He doesn't cry when he's getting his diaper changed anymore (well, sometimes, but rarely.) He also doesn't cry in the bathtub. In fact, he LIKES his bath now! If he's crying and you set him in there and start pouring water over him...ahhhh! He just starts looking around and relaxing. We love giving him his baths now. The witching hour is still here, but its getting better and not lasting as long now. Maybe we are just getting better at handling it? Probably.

We've been getting out with him a lot more which he likes! The kid adores being strolled. So we've been getting him out at least once a day in the stroller and in the fresh air. It seems to help him sleep better, too!

Our boy is growing like crazy and its wonderful and sad all at once. I already miss my sweet tiny buddy. Now he's just a sweet semi-tiny buddy. It's crazy to think that someday he'll tower over me! Blessings are abundant in the Hanks' Household. God is so good to us. We are so undeserving of his grace, but he showers it on us day by day, hour by hour. This lyric has been in my head all week and I hope to live it in my life....

"And when I'm doing well help me to NEVER seek a crown, for my reward is bringing glory to you."

Family Fun Day!

Today was the first day the three of us have really gotten out of the house together for an outing that wasn't church, grandparents house or the grocery store! We decided to take advantage of the PERFECT Tennessee weather today and go to the farmers market, dog park and the Greenway! Reid did great! I think he really loved being outside in the fresh air! Dylan had a blast of course and wore himself out. Then we came home, took naps and went to Target to stock the pantry. Today, I've really been reflecting on how blessed we are. I mean, I think about it every day, but just standing back and watching my little family...there are no words. Life is good. Every day is new and different and its so fun to watch Reid change and discover and grow. Love him.

Hello September

I can't believe it's already September! Where is the time going? We have been super busy here at the Hanks household. Reid has been having some tummy issues...which led to a doctors visit, which led to tests at Vanderbilt (*freak out*), which led to an ER visit, which led to acid reflux. Whew! We finally got it figured out and now R is on a new formula and is on some medicine for his reflux. All seems to be going well. I am so relieved that he seems to be feeling better. Talk about feeling helpless! :(

Apparently the "witching hour" has crept its way into our house. Like clockwork every night from 7-9ish Reid is fussy. He's not inconsolable, but we don't dare try to put him down. He's fine as long as one of us is cuddling him. It's hilarious. Then as soon as he has his 9:00 bottle, he's back in his bed passed out. It's so odd! But it could be worse. At least it's not in the middle of the night.

Reid is doing much better with his nights. He usually eats around 7, then we do a dream feed around 9 and he sleeps until 2am. Then Jes usually gets up to feed him and he sleeps until 5 or 6. Not too bad! There's light at the end of the tunnel!

He's really working on holding his head up. He loves to sit on his boppy and look around and get on his tummy on his boppy and try to move his head around. When I put him up on my shoulder he really holds his head up and it's like the cutest thing I've ever seen! Oh, how that child has us wrapped already! He's 10 weeks old this week, adjusted age 2 weeks. Still waiting on the first smile. It's all I want out of life right now :).

Sleep is overrated!!

Well, Reid is back to eating every three hours, which I like. BUT - I DO miss the nights when he was eating every four. :) I love my sleep, but I love Reid more so it's OK. He's totally worth the "drag yourself out of bed, stumble to the fridge for the bottle, diaper change in the dark, put the diaper on backwards, feed baby bottle with eyes closed" 3am feeding. I love him!

Yesterday was his due date! It's so hard to imagine that I would have had to wait that long to meet him! He'll be eight weeks old on Thursday! For some reason, hitting that due date was a huge relief to me. I think back to sitting in the NICU with him and hearing that he might not go home until his due date and thinking how far off that sounded and praying so hard that God would work miracles in his little body...that already seems like so long ago. The due date was always the day in my mind that we HAD to reach and even though we were home for 3 weeks when we reached it...it was still a huge accomplishment in my mind.

He has changed so much this past week since being a "full term" baby. He's holding his head up and moving it around a ton. I was burping him today up on my shoulder and instead of laying his head on my shoulder like he usually does he held it up and looked over at me and looked around. It was so cute!!! He's also making more baby noises. He is a LOUD eater! It's hilarious. He'll coo when I'm talking to him now. Not a lot, but sometimes. He is REALLY focusing on us now. He just stares me down. It melts my heart that he recognizes my voice when I walk into the room and looks for me. He sleeps like me according to Jesse. No matter how swaddled we have him at night, he is all sprawled out, arms above his head, legs everywhere when we go to get him for his bottle. He HATESSSSSS having his diaper changed. You'd think we were cutting his leg off by the way he cries. The second he hears the Velcro undo on the diaper he screams inconsolably. Then as soon as the new diaper is fastened...he stops. He looks around and is wide-eyed. We can't help but laugh at how dramatic he is. Bless him.


He loves music, especially worship music. He is a total church baby. He sleeps right through the loud music at church and his mommy holding him and jumping around during worship. Guess he got used to the loud music and me jumping around while he was still in my belly because he passes right out. Ha! Love that he loves it. I think he's going to be a lover of worship. At least that's our prayer for him since it's such a big part of our lives.

We are thankful to be under God's protection and favor. He showers us with blessings on a daily basis. Jes and I are in awe of all he's done for us. God of Wonders.....

Angry face... :)


Look at me lifting my head!!


Happy Baby!


So serious!


Getting love from his Grandmothers! SO spoiled!


Baby Dedication, August 8, 2010