baby galore!

i have mentioned before that g and i had opted to have a natural childbirth - medication free. yes, this means no induction, no epidural, pitocin, c-section or anything up that alley. we prepared for this adventure by taking a 12 week Bradley Method Birth Class. this class was suggested by a friend of ours who had completed the class a year before us and had a successful natural delivery. my mom on the other hand, who also had two natural (by natural i mean medication free) deliveries, thought the class was a waste of time as she said nothing would help the pain. i'll give her that, nothing would help the pain, but garrett and i were so glad we took the class as we learned so much about childbirth. i felt that i knew exactly what my body was going through and how i 'should' feel during each step of labor. this made me feel like i could tell myself that the enormous amount of pain i was experiencing was half-way normal and i wasn't going to die - yea, something like that.

well, it ends up we succeeded at our goal of a medication-free delivery and i would say it ranks as one of my most proud moments. it was an amazing experience as i felt so connected with the birth of baby Banks.

enough about that.

our class set up a reunion after all the babies were born so that we could share stories and meet all the cute babies! it was really neat to hear how different everyone's story was. i can vouch that no experience was identical to the next mother's.

here's a few pictures from our reunion. aren't they so cute!?

Banks and Everett - Everett's mommy, Lindsey, is a great friend!

From L to R: Coen, Calvin (he's a twin, so I hope I don't mix these two up!), Philomena, Everett, Banks, Kipton and Eli (other twin)

Banks and Everett

Peace Dude!

Mamas and Babies! From L to R (Mamas): Lisa, Sarah, Lindsey, Me, Christy and Martha

twenty-five.

happy 25th birthday to me!

it's been a fabulous week. i was able to celebrate with my closest friends and family - which in my mind is the best way to celebrate. Thursday my boys and I just 'chilled' and watched KU and WSU go home with wins and Friday my birthday buddy, Amber, and I celebrated our days of birth with a hot yoga, lunch, manicure and pedicure date before going out that night. Saturday, the whole fam, friends and co-workers (also friends) met up at Jersey's to watch the KU and WSU games while sipping on some beer - which was a way exciting moment as beer has been missed greatly by this mama for about the past year! We also went out that night to dance - which you all know is one of my favorite things to do!  It was really a great weekend with so many great people. 

So for the gifts... who can forget that part of birthdays? :)

my closest friends have probably heard me say a time or two (whenever one of them receives flowers) "I NEVER get flowers". That's okay - I know Garrett spoils me - but, really, I NEVER get flowers, so I was completely surprised to open the door to a flower delivery man on my birthday. WHAT?! I'll admit I got butterflies as this is a very rare occasion. Garrett was home, and he acted surprised, but I thought he was just 'acting'. So, I was a little emotional when I read the card that was attached to the bouquet that read "Sister, ...." I should have known. The flowers were from my hopeless romantic, sweet, caring brother! Thanks, Dennan! You are so sweet. Garrett, well, he didn't pull through with flowers, but I was SO excited when I opened my gift from G and my parents - a DSLR camera! So stinkin' excited!! I've been wanting one for so long, and now I feel that I have the perfect excuse for one - the cutest lil' boy ever!  So, if you thought I was a picture whore before, you betta watch out, because as soon as I figure out how to use this confusing, huge, intimidating machine with way too many numbers and buttons, I will be snapping away at every life moment. Steve and Kathy also came through with some fabulous KU apparel and decor (Rock Chalk!!)- does it get better than that?

 February 8 (well, 8-11 because of my extra-long celebrated birthday) i'm soo very thankful for being blessed with another amazing year - which i'm confident will be the best year yet as our family grew by 1 and we are loving every moment. :) as i look back on the past 25 years i cannot think of a more blessed life. so here are 25 things that i'm so very thankful for having been a part of my first 25 years of life!

1. my family

2. marrying my love, g baby

3. my precious baby boys, banks & hadley

4. my college degree

5. my job

6. buying a house and making it home

7. my basketball career

8. friends i've met because of moving from town to town

9. my health

10. a true best friend

11. jesus

12. summers full of basketball camps and tournaments - i loved my childhood

13. having grandma mickey live with us growing up - she's a special lady

14. college roommates 

15. our wedding

16. living with my father-in- law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, although they may not be as thankful as i am :) ... i feel that we got to know each other so much better and i'm thankful for that

17. accomplishing a natural childbirth - an amazing experience

18. learning from mistakes

19. my brother and our close relationship

20. my parents who never stop caring and take the time to do anything for their kids

21. role models

22. education

23. accomplishing goals i set for myself

24. the ability to believe in something bigger than myself

25. for another year

here's to 25!

Banks' 'crib'.

even though it's still not 100% complete, i thought i'd share pictures of banks' 'crib'. 

he has slept in his crib for about 7 weeks now, so i think he's okay with what i picked out. he also LOVES his changing table/pad. he's always smiling once he lays down on it.

we still need a rocking chair cover, ottoman/foot rest and some kind of window treatment... i'll get there!

2 months old!

That's right. We have a two-month old child! WOW, how time flies! We just got back from Banks' 2 month check-up at Dr. Holmes' office and we have a healthy baby boy! So blessed.

Weight: 12lb 8 oz (75%)
Height: 23inches (50%)

Our baby boy still LOVES to eat. He is on a pretty good schedule, going down around 8:30pm til about 2am and then back down til 5am and sometimes we can get him back down til 8, but most of the time he is wide awake at 6:30 or 7a. Not too shabby lil' man.

He LOVES to stand up, and is very strong. He uses us for balance, but can stand on his feet and hold his own weight. Mama is impressed. He smiles more and more everyday and gets a kick out of being tickled. He definitely knows the difference between sitting and standing up, as he loves to walk around - which can make for a sore back! :)

Overall, I would say this boy is perfect and everything I imagined and dreamed about. He is the best. Happy 2 months baby Banks!

hello 2012.

it's a new year!  as 2011 was GREAT to us,  we have a lot to look forward to in 2012 - especially spending every day with Banks! as I enter 2012, i'm excited about all that is to happen and excited to see our lil' man grow. as we know, there is always room to work on ourselves each year, so here are my top 10 'resolutions' for 2012!

10 - Visit a state I haven't  been to before
9 - Learn HTML & start creating web site
8 - Live a healthier lifestyle (avoid PC fast food - it's the death of me)
7 - Become members at a church and attend regularly
6 - Become more organized
5 - Finish basement and all home projects (so that we can sit down and enjoy them!)
4 - Get back to pre-baby weight
3 - Run half-marathon #3
2 - Take a family vacation
1 - Be the very best mom and wife I can be

welcome 2012. let's do this!

One month update

Our boy is one month old! I can't believe how fast time flies, but we've been enjoying every second of our new life with Banks.

He smiles a couple times a day, especially if you give him lots of kisses.
He's now 10.8 lbs - one BIG boy! and wearing size 1 diapers and most of his newborn clothes are snug or too small.
He holds his head up really well and has his eyes wide open when he's awake.
He's a lot more interested in his toys and enjoys the swing a little more now.
He's an awesome cuddler. He loves to sleep on the couch with his mama!
He loves TV (opps!) and any sort of ceiling fan or light.
Car rides go quite well for the most part. He almost always falls asleep once we start driving.
He's a great eater!
His schedule at this point varies a little bit, but for the most part he falls asleep at 11pm-12am an sleeps til 3 or 4, eats, and then sleeps til about 6, eats and sleeps til about 9. He is usually awake from 9am to 1pm and then falls asleep from 1 to 5 and then stays awake most evenings and watches basketball games with mommy and daddy!
His hair hasn't fallen out and has become a little lighter/auburn colored. His eyes are a dark blue color and so handsome.

To sum things up, Banks is awesome.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Last weekend we celebrated the best Christmas yet. As Christmas has always been a special time of the year because of the birth of Christ, family functions and tradition, this year was even more special as we were able to spend it with Garrett and I's early Christmas gift from God, Mr. Banks Nolan Redding :)

Holidays, family time and just life have taken on a whole new meaning since his arrival. He is our world.

Dennan came to town and stayed with us for a good 8 days and Banks was so happy to spend quality time with his Uncle Dennan, as was I. My mom and dad also stayed with us for 4 days and we traveled to McPherson for Christmas Eve with my family's uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins! On Christmas morning we opened gifts at our house with my mom and dad and brother after a perfect morning breakfast complete with cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole and ham sliders topped off with mimosas - which I can now drink! Yay for that! :)

Later that afternoon we all traveled to Clearwater to have Christmas with Garrett's dad, Kathy and his siblings. We had a great time. More food, games, laughter, gift opening and just good family time.

Banks, of course, was spoiled by all. He has a closet to die for - way too many clothes! He now is the proud owner of 6 pairs of shoes - craziness - and yes, he got some Jordan basketball shoes from his Uncle Dennan, a basketball and basketball goal from his Grandma Julie and Grandpa Wayne - so he is now ready to become a baller :) We are already needing to expand his room as he has a toy store to put away.

My dad took on my grandpa's tradition and dressed as Santa. If you know my dad, this was a quite impressive move for him. His quiet self, took on the Santa role perfectly. He entered the house with a loud HO! HO! HO! dressed in his Santa outfit from head to toe carrying a bag full of toys for the kids. Seeing Banks sit on Santa's lap was extra special this year, as Santa was his own Grandpa... but, SHHH! We won't tell Banks that until he is much, much older :)

I'm so in love with my family. They are all great and we are so, so blessed to add a perfect little child, Banks to our holiday season. I hope you enjoy his newest, Christmas pictures! Oh, and Happy 4 weeks baby Banks!!

Santa giving Reese her present.

Santa/Grandpa and Banks!

Daddy and Banks!

Mommy and Banks!

Dennan feeding Banks.

Uncle Dennan

Grandpa Wayne and his favorite lil' man.

I take baths and don't cry! 

Our holiday decor for the year!

Hadley opening his stocking!

Banks watching us open gifts, his gifts :)

Dennan making Banks smile! 

Our family!

Baller gear.

Our lil' candy-cane.

Grandpa Steve and Banks.

Daddy loves you Banks!