News Travels Fast in These Here Parts

We were shocked upon reading the Herrin column in one of the local newspapers, THE INDEPENDENT. Sandra Conner, family friend, community servant, and library patron could not hide her emotions at finding out about the Banks Baby-to-be. We were quite flattered that our happy occation would be celebrated in the local news. Thank you Sandy. It just goes to show you there are a lot of folks excited about this baby!

Daddy Gets Some Practice

My best friend Roger loaned me his beautiful girl Jordan for a little parenting practice at Herrinfesta Italiana. Jordan's first birthday is November 16th, the very same day as Bobbie's due date. Isn't that ironic. This is what Daddy's gonna be doing Festa weekend next year! Jordan and I were good buddies. We both agree that our favorite pastime is aggravating Roger! Shawn gave Jordie Bird a kiss and she got depressed... She knew that was the best kiss she was ever going to get. The rest of her life is going to be a real let-down.

Animal Crackers in my Soup

Christy Allen must have got wind of the zoo theme and found this adorable giraffe that sings "Animal Crackers in my Soup." Bobbie says, "It is SOOO cute!" I continue to here it every time she passes it on the kitchen table. Grandma Linda says she will have to replace the batteries by the time the baby comes. You can see the original Shirley Temple version of the song by clicking here.

It's a Zoo Around Here

The zoo/jungle theme for the nursery is really starting to pick up some crazy, fur bearing friends. When I (Shawn) was a boy, my dad bought me a stuffed koala bear that I lovingly named "KooKoo." After dogs gnawing on it, me teething and drooling on it, "KooKoo" has seen better days. A couple of years ago we decided to get a replacement for "KooKoo" and went to Build-A-Bear Workshop and made "KooKooToo"... This is the first of the growing collection of exotic creatures we have amassed in the proceeding weeks. Irena Just brought us the delightful plush elephant named "Peanut." On my trip to the City Museum in St. Louis, I purchased "Trevor" the tree frog. Not too be out-done, Bobbie went to Nashville's Build-A-Bear with her students and made "Bananas" the monkey. Bananas has a dual meaning, that is what Bobbie's cravings started with. Today it was waffles!

Lick Creek Kids Put Their Two Cents In

Bobbie took her Junior Beta Club students on a overnight trip to Nashville on Thursday and Friday. While shopping at the mall, they came up and presented these to their favorite teacher. They want to help take care of baby Banks too! Daddy Banks was a little jealous of the "I Love Mommy" stuff so the kids went a bought a bib that reads "Daddy's Little Sport." It was very nice of them to be so excited and by these for the baby. It shows how much they like and appreciate "Mrs. Banks."

Miracles of Technology

Through computer enhancement, you can now make out some of the features of the young Banks edition. Daddy Banks says, "That baby's going to knock 'em dead!" "It's hard to believe it's growing wiskers at that age."

Hey Mom...Look at Me.

Mommy and Daddy went to the doc once again but this time for our first ultrasound. Dr. Tsung wanted to see exactly how far along Mommy was. By the measurements baby was at 13 weeks. We can expect baby Banks around November 16th. Daddy Banks used his photshop skills to label all the parts for those of us who can never quite figure out these things. Baby's heart rate was 152. We will know what the gender of baby is in June.

Spoilers Abound

Wally & Diane Lambert came back from their western adventures with a bag full of goodies for baby. This child is going to be spoiled beyond belief! We believe they hit every baby department from hear to Texas. We are getting such nice things and we appreciate all of it. Just remember, there is going to be a shower...

Down Home Package

Bobbie's complaints of a tight waistline made it's way down to Arkansas. Grandma Debbie sprang in to action and visited every maternity department in the greater Little Rock area to find the perfect outfits for their newest grandchild's carrier. Shortly thereafter a box came in the mail, chalked full of clothes for Bobbie. Where Debbie found such nice things and how she got them to fit in that box, we will never know. Here is Bobbie modeling one of the shirts sent by Grandma and Grandpa McClain.