Love Taps

As a first time mother, each day brings something new to think about, wait for, and sometimes worry about. If anyone else is like me, they can relate to the fears and worries of pregnancy. Regardless of ultrasounds and strong heartbeats, there is still something very surreal about the presence of another human inside of you. In reading about pregnancy and talking with other people, it seems pretty common to wait for that first flutter of activity and movement to truly confirm the fact that there is life in there.

The real trick is determining what is and is not the long sought after flutter of the baby's first movement. Although the baby has been moving, flipping and squirming for weeks now his bones have not been strong enough to make an impact that is strong enough to be felt....UNTIL TODAY. I had a slight feeling over the weekend that I wondered about, but this morning I felt it for sure. It is still very slight and actually a touch bizarre, but feels like a soft steady pulse. It happened about 7 times in a steady rhythm and then disappeared. It is a wonderful feeling and I will wait patiently for the next one.

May 27

Today, Shawn and I are celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe that just three short years ago, we said our vows and entered into this wild thing called marriage. We have truly had so much fun (except for the broken leg and surgery part just 4 months after we were married)...let me just say I didn't realize I would learn so much about " in sickness and in health" in those first four months. Although I knew a lot about Shawnie Boy at that point...we took our relationship to a WHOLE new level that day in the hospital and the many weeks on the road to recovery after that...what an experience that was. But nonetheless, we have truly been blessed with a wonderful relationship, good health, and the best family and friends anyone could ever imagine. If a trip in the ambulance with a broken leg is the worst...I'd say we are doing pretty good. Now today, we are both looking to the future. We have always enjoyed our time together just the two of us, but there is just something so complete about adding a baby into your life. We look forward becoming a family.

"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1: 16-17

Still a mystery....

Aunt Allison and Aunt Melody!


Mother/Daughter weekend in Jacksonville. Allison made a delicious brunch for us!



Wicked in Jacksonville



Well, we had out 16 week appointment yesterday and although we got great news and a healthy heartbeat...it was actually pretty uneventful. We did not receive an ultrasound..I almost resorted to begging, but I controlled myself. So...now we must wait another four weeks for the big ultrasound. As my mother often reminds me, patience is not my virtue, but I am going to do my best.


We are so excited to find out whether we will be having a son or daughter, but more importantly we are simply praying for a healthy baby! When you really start to think about it, it is actually quite amazing that any baby is born in one piece and with all of their parts. There are a multitude of things that have to happen just right and it simply amazes me. Our God is so amazing and shows Himself with each passing day of this journey. Shawn and I are just so thankful to Him for this sweet life and we are already eager to meet this little baby.


We did break down and buy our first box of diapers over the weekend. The newborn diaper is actually smaller than the palm of Shawn's hand and it is thrilling to picture a little behind in there and I cannot wait. Please keep praying for baby Hutcherson as he/she continues to develop. This week the baby is learning to breathe and swallow on its own...pretty cool

Here are a few cute pictures from our Mother/Daughter trip to Jacksonville! We saw Wicked and spent time lounging around. It was just what the doctor ordered!


-Leslie

Boy or Girl??

We are nearing the finish line to the mystery baby. In a few short weeks, we will find out whether we are having a boy or a girl. In the meantime, we have been receiving all sorts of advice on how to guess the gender of the baby. What do you think?

Any ideas or fun suggestions on how to guess the gender?

For now...this is all we have to go on...

Nosebleeds....really??

So, since I am just starting to blog now, I am a good 16 weeks behind. A quick snapshot to get caught up....We are currently 16 weeks pregnant. That whole first trimester went zooming by. Although I really wasn't all that sick in the first 12 weeks, it is a great feeling to be beyond the mornings with saltine crackers and the afternoons/evening on the couch. Poor Shawn...I am not sure what he ate for dinner for all those weeks, but I had no interest in cooking. Somehow, he managed to survive...he is definitley a trooper and so supportive.

We go back to the doctor tomorrow morning for a check-up. Although I would love to have an ultrasound, I don't think we will get one this go round. Just a quick listen to the heartbeat, but if we do have an ultrasound, we might be able to find out the gender! So, my fingers are crossed.

In the grand scheme...pregnancy has been a breeze, but as if the weight gain, fatigue, and acne aren't enough...this week I have been a nosebleed machine. What is up with that? Your body does some very bizarre things. Fortunately, as stated in the bible of baby (What to Expect When You Are Expecting), nosebleeds are quite normal and frequent during the second trimester. Yahoo!

Thank you to you all for your prayers, excitement, and support! November 3 will be here before we know it.....

To Blog or Not to Blog?

Although the idea of blogging has certainly become a reality for most people, I just wasn't sure it was for me. I always enjoy reading them and keeping up with friends and family, but I have wondered often about this phenomenon. We display the majority of our lives for all to see, oftentimes leaving very little for the imagination.

Nonetheless...here I am! Officially, a blogger. I have realized it is a great way to catalog the major events in our lives and will serve as a modern day journal. Although my husband is very disciplined in writing in a real journal and always keeping sentimental track of our lives and the world around us...I have not developed such a habit, so I thought I would give this blog a try. I know we will enjoy looking back on our journey into parenthood together and with our friends.

I do realize that the daily happenings with the Hutchersons will be a bit boring for most, but for anyone keeping up...Enjoy!

~Leslie