Dear Derrick,

This is the very first post of the blog I have started for you. I promise to post as much as I can when I can. It's my hope one day you will find this and read it.

You were a feisty baby when you were born. I remember the day very clearly. I had just eaten a ton of food: baked pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. I thought I heard a gunshot outside (it was only a truck backfiring) and as I got up to look, my water broke. Your dad was working late and was not home. Your Aunt Lisa called him to tell him what was going on. He came home, changed, and took me to the hospital. The pains weren't bad at first, but oh did they get bad. I was in labor for 12 hours from the time my water broke to the time you were born. It was one of many happy days in my life.

As I said, you were a feisty baby. So feisty, in fact, you did not want much to do with me. You were a bit of a pig when it came to breast feeding, a little glutton in my lap. You grew to have a great big appetite, even today.

Speaking of today, you did a very good job of cleaning up the living room and rec room. Thank you. We ate at the nearby Chinese/Mexican restaurant down the street. I think it will become one of our new favorite grab-n-go restaurants. Time will tell.

Well, I am keeping this first post short. I have so much to tell you, it's hard to know where to start. I will end this first post by telling you how much I love you. I am so proud of you. You are the best thing I ever did.
(posted last week of December 2007)

...It is now New Year's Eve. In less than an hour it will be 2008. Happy New Year sweetheart. I love you so much.

Love you,
Mom