For the past 6 weeks, Banks has been sleeping in our room in this very special family cradle/crib. It has been in Bryan's family for 130 years and dozens and dozens of Irby babies have slept in it. The cradle originally belonged to Bryan's Great-Grandmother, Ina McGriff, born October 31, 1883. She slept in it as a baby. She grew up, married, and had a son, Thomas McGriff Irby. Tom Irby and his wife, Maxine Melsheimer Irby, had 5 children, including Bryan's mother, Maxine Irby Johnston, all of whom slept in the cradle. Since then, dozens of Bryan's cousins have used it and it has been passed around the family. We have had the privilege of having this family heirloom at our home and having Banks sleep in it. It also rocks, which has come in handy many nights when Banks does his infamous "rooting". He is now transitioning over to his crib in the nursery, but the cradle still might have a few more nights of use...who knows! We will pack it up in the coming weeks and pass it on to the next baby in our family. The question is...who will it be?!!!
Today, Banks is 8 weeks old and I can hardly believe it. It really just seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital with this tiny baby. He is really coming to life! This past week, he started smiling and cooing and tracking toys with his eyes. He loves to look at his toys and his mobile in his crib. He likes to swing, but only side to side and he still loves to ride in the car. He has started to like his bath and likes the warm water flowing over his skin and head. He still hates when we put lotion on him though. I just am really loving watching all of the new things he does. It is so much fun! 
