Introducing Miss Lydia Grace Yuhas

Yes, we finally had our little GIRL. She was born January 31, 2013 at 10:47 am weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches. I know I'm her momma, but I still think I'm allowed to say that she is the most BEAUTIFUL little girl I've ever seen. I love her smile, her long eyelashes she got from her daddy, her button nose she got from me, and her dimples that we don't know where they came from. I can't stop holding her teensy hands, admiring her little feet, and rubbing her tiny bum. Just so precious.

 

 Everyday I look at her and think how blessed I am to be her mom. I still can't believe it. I knew it was going to be amazing - but really, I had no idea. She is the SWEETEST, most PRECIOUS, and constantly SMILING little girl. She is always patient with us since we are obviously still learning. Even her cries (at first) are dainty and very polite. I can always count on her to brighten my day. Seriously, she really is such a wonderful and easy baby. I feel so lucky. 

 

My favorite things are the quiet times in the mornings after she just ate when she's 100% satisfied. We usually just rock in my chair and look at each other. It's so incredible to see her experience the world for the first time. Everything is so exciting. She spent 5 minutes today just looking at the ceiling in one of our rooms. I wonder what she saw? 

 

I love storytime where I read her story after story from the books I loved as a kid in hopes that she will develop a love for books like I did. I love seeing her recognize who Anson and I am. Seriously melted my heart the first time I could tell she knew ME, knew MY VOICE, and MY FACE. That when she cried in someone elses arms and went to mine she KNEW she was safe and calmed down. That is amazing.  

 

I love playing dress up and buying her far too many clothes, accessories (headbands are my weakness), books, and room decor than she will ever need. I used to like shopping for myself, but it is true that shopping for your kids is so much more fun.

 

I love listening to her coo and try to talk to me. I love cuddling her when I really should let her sleep on her own sometimes. I just can't do it. 

 

I LOVE her more than she will ever know and already I would do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for her. I worry for her happiness and hope that I can be a good mom. 

 

I am so GRATEFUL to my Heavenly Father who has entrusted this gentle girl to me.  

A Babymoon Story

 anson and i L.O.V.E. the beach and try to go there every chance we get. My favorite beach is probably Hawaii (although St Thomas is a very close 2nd). We went there on our Honeymoon and hadn't been back since. Because I was sick for most of our Honeymoon, I really wanted a do-over before Wiggles got here (which ps, we know the gender and I'll post that soon!! i'm really behind). So Hawaii was my babymoon of choice. Sadly, it didn't seem like we would make it there since we are 1) in the process of buying a house and 2) if you haven't heard flights there are kind of expensive. But best surprise ever - Anson found a great deal and made it work! We were there 10 days and stayed 7 days on the North Shore (favorite by far) and 3 at the Marriott Ko'Olina Resort (also delightful). This is Anson on the view from our rental at Sunset Beach on the NS. Literally 10 steps from this beach waking up and falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean. really can't get much better than that.

 Our view

 Apparently the big wave season starts in October so we got to swim/look (couldn't swim most of the time) at some awesome waves and surfers

 Dole Pineapple Plantation - see my baby bump??

 Laie, Hawaii Temple

 Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

 Most disgusting fresh coconut EVER. do not buy them from road-side stands

 Matsumoto's Shaved ice - as good as i remembered

 Fia Fia Luau at Marriott

 Probably worst pregnancy moment to date. Went shopping at the swamp meet, overheated, felt nauseous/sweaty/dead and had to take a break in the shade

 Waikiki

 Loves:
- literally doing nothing and relaxing by the beach
- Farmers Market we found on our first night there
- Chocolate Hapai Pie from Ted's Bakery
- 4 door Wrangler we rented and drove around the island (i want one!)
- all the fresh tropical fruit
- bike riding through the NS
- walking the beach at sunset/sunrise
- waking up early with the sounds of the ocean
- breakfast at Hukilau Cafe, Halewai Cafe, Ted's
- Matsumoto's Shaved Ice
- Laie Temple
- Luau
- Relaxed atmosphere
- No schedule

Everything was really perfect. I try to explain it and you just can't. This trip was so relaxing and so fun to spend every minute with Anson. I love you baby - so glad we could go!

Hooray for Sisters (and lots of pictures)

 One of the many pleasures (ok, probably the only pleasure) of driving back from Utah to Texas (a grand total of 22 hours) is that you have room to take your sisters back with you!! Michelle and Erika stayed for 1.5 weeks and we. had. a. blast. (hope Anson did too! haha). The picture above and below is what happens when you get your sisters their own hotel room in Albuquerque, NM. It's like they're 5 years old again or something. Crazy thing is - we didn't hear a thing!

 What better lunch stop than good ol Rudy's. So delicious and so wonderfully Texan.

 Bear LOVED them. Usually she sits on my lap during car rides but she mostly hung out in the back with the girls.

 Dallas, TX temple - so pretty as usual

 Took them to the Dallas Farmers Market (their first time at a FM) and they loved it. We went back again and again. And ate more fruits and veggies than I knew how to cook.

 Bear woke them up every morning with kisses.

 The booties we wore on one of my favorite things we did - Late Night at the Nasher Sculpture Center. This particular exhibit was AWESOME - you could climb inside a ropes course piece of art. It's still there so GO!!

 I just have to say, yes this picture looks sooo awkward.

 Isn't the garden so pretty? They were even showing a movie 'Midnight in Paris' - too bad Anson wasn't a fan.

 Dinner at Jake's - yes, we do PDA well.

 Also one of my favorite things we did - Schlitterbahn!!! I know I've talked about this place before but it really is the BEST waterpark ever. We always make a point to go every year and my sisters couldn't miss it!

 Stayed overnight in San Antonio - Michelle's very favorite place.

 There was an awesome storm that night on our way to the best steak place in the world. AMAZING lightning, thunder, and pouring rain. My favorite.

 Riverwalk

 Had lunch with this beautiful lady (my adopted grandma Kenna) at our favorite Jewish Deli. So glad they could meet her!

 More fun at the Dallas Farmers Market.

 We made crepes - even Bear got one.

 To say thanks they made us the best breakfast on their last day. I have the best sisters!!

Not pictured are the THOUSANDS of times we went to the mall (haha not that many but it felt like a lot), Outlet shopping, movie time, seeing Spiderman, pool time, Rangers game, and we even had time to buy fabric for the new baby blanket I am hoping to make. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such wonderful sisters who take the time (and their own money) to come out and visit me. I miss them everyday and wish we lived closer (aka they moved to TEXAS! ha). Seeing as how much fun we had, maybe someday we will.

LOVE YOU MICHELLE AND ERIKA!