Walls

Your room is always a work in progress because your mom changes her mind a lot. But here is a recent addition of BLIK wall art that will hopefully stay put for awhile. It will be interesting to see what you will want to put on your bedroom walls someday.

Between bathroom remodeling and animals everywhere, we took you on your first mushroom expedition to Jones Park this past weekend. Your dad said it would be a good time to go since we have had so much rain. He showed you all kinds and before we know it, you will be able to go with him and hopefully find some Morels and Black Trumpets for dinner! They are delicious!

Moving and Shaking

You have a lot to say, Ms. Yvette! We enjoy hearing you babble and scream away- it's so exciting hearing all these noises. You have also found your feet and use them to make yourself "swing" in your pack n'play by kicking them. You are really enjoying watching the animals and you talk to them, too. You can grab toys now and put them in your mouth- it's incredible watching you learn already. You also have a little temper at times- you clench your fists, your face gets all red, you hold your breath, arch your back, and then you let out a cat like scream. This might get interesting at the age of 2. (:

Aunt Renee

We love Aunt Renee (or Aunt Nay)! I met her in college on a trip to South Africa and she has been my best friend ever since. And boy does she love you, Yvette! She was one of the first people to come visit you when you were born and she was one of the first people to know when I was pregnant. We've been through college, trips, weddings, births, funerals, good times, and bad. She always knows how to make me laugh and she is my Gemini twin. She is a very important person in my life and I know she will be in yours too.

Bumbo

So you just love sitting in your Bumbo. You think you are the coolest thing when you get to sit there with us big people- and we couldn't agree more! And who needs matching socks??? Mom can barely find her own matching ones, let alone those tiny baby socks that always get lost in the washer. We love watching you grow and seeing your personality starting to shine through.

Maine

Well your first trip to Maine was an eventful one! You got to spend a lot of time with Aunt Patty, Aunt Jackie, and Gammie (Jane) . Aunt Patty can really get you to scream and Aunt Jackie loves to sing to you. Jane would watch you in your magic chair while your dad and I would swim in the lake. Patty and Jackie have friends named Mary and Angela that got quite a kick out of you, too. Mary loves babies and held you all the time. Nana and Bonesy came up to visit later on in the week and they got to see your first trip to L.L. Bean. You loved watching the ducks and all the kids next door. The dogs liked to lick you, but you were used to that from Freyja and Chubby.

Traveling Girl

So on Wednesday we are all headed to Maine to see Aunt Patty, Aunt Jackie, and Gammie. You have been to several places this summer including Annapolis, Skaneateles, Syracuse, and Ithaca. You are such a wonderful baby and so easy to travel with. In fact, both trips to Annapolis you slept the whole time in the car! Your dad can't wait for the days when you can go with him to pick mushrooms in the woods and I can't wait to see if you will love horses as much as I did and your Nana did. More importantly, we can't wait to see what you want to do and all of your interests. (:
Remember how much we love you.

Cousin Time

We have to first thank Matthew for introducing us to this whole blog thing... he's much better at it than we are, so he and his Dad are showing us the way. It's been fun this summer because you have spent time getting to know your Syracuse cousins- Matthew (who is only 7 weeks older), Kyle, Sage, and Wade. Matthew is showing you how to grab your feet and swim in the pool. Sage can teach you someday how to do Irish jigs- she's a great dancer. Kyle is learning how to play the guitar- maybe he can show you how to be a rock star. (: Wade has mastered eating Nutella on bread and loves the movie Spirit- he is only 3, but watch out world!

Big Firsts!

We are starting to keep track of all your big firsts- here are just a few:
At about 5 weeks- you started smiling
At 6 weeks- you started cooing
At 8 weeks- you are starting to giggle and melt our hearts every time you do (:
Your eyes just beam when you smile- must be that Irish shining through!
AT 12 weeks- you are "talking" away and telling us many stories. You have also mastered the art of sucking your thumb- you go, girl!

Baby Yvette Patricia

I got a positive pregnancy test on August 22, 2008 and nine months later on May 4, 2009 our precious baby girl arrived. I started having contractions on May 3rd at around 10:30 p.m. and by about 2:30 a.m., they were coming every 30 minutes. By 5 a.m. they were coming about every 15-20 minutes, so we called the hospital and they said to come in. When I was admitted and got to our room at 6 a.m., I was 4 cm. dilated and an hour and a half later I was 7cm...then half an hour later, 8cm...things were moving! I kept asking for an epidural, but they thought you were coming too fast- next time I will be arriving to the hospital 2 days early to get one! Your dad, Trevor was so amazing throughout my pregnancy and delivery- I could not imagine a more wonderful man.

I pushed for 1/2 an hour and then the greatest moment of our life happened- you were born, Yvette. "Hi little girl," I said. You should have seen the smile on your father's face! (: We couldn't wait to tell the family the news! I think everyone was surprised you were a girl since the Herrick side has not had one in 35 years! Nana, Bonesy, Grammie,Pop, and Paul came in first to see you. They loved you the moment they saw you. Someday you will know all about your Uncle Paul and how special he was and how much he loved you.

Thank you for making our lives so incredibly full of love and happiness, Yvette. You are loved and adored by your parents so very much.