Kuya

Sammy's going to be a kuya (Tagalog meaning older brother)! We're so excited! The due date is May 30, 2014.

Now that we've successfully taken over Anne and Rich's wedding anniversary and tried to go after Meme's birthday with Sam, we figured we ought to try taking over Papa Hutch's birthday (May 28) with this next kid. Or maybe Uncle Sky's birthday - gives us a bigger target to shoot for.

Sam was so excited he decided to walk to a tattoo parlor - he's bipedal now, at least for a few steps - and celebrate.

1st Quarter - Meet Samuel Asa

Samuel 1-3 months from Michelle Hutchings on Vimeo.

I didn't know

I have a friend who is getting her ultrasound today and finding out if her baby is a boy or a girl. I remember how excited I was to find out the gender of our baby. We were had a trip planned to Indiana to visit Spencer's siblings and my aunt promised that as soon as we got back, she would give me an ultrasound and tell us what we were having. I would be 14 weeks the day we got back from the trip, and while Indiana was awesome and I really enjoyed it, I couldn't wait to get home to find out if there was a little girl or a little boy growing inside me.

 Something about knowing the gender of your baby makes it suddenly more real and more personal. We saw the first images of Samuel on the monitor and the excitement in the room was tangible. I felt like my heart was beating so fast. I was amazed by his tiny toes and the profile of his face. And when she said, "it's a boy!" it felt so right. Spencer was beside himself with glee and I couldn't stop thinking about my BOY.  MY.  BOY.  I felt so much more connected to HIM, and over the next several months I loved imagining who he would be and feeling his kicks and movements. But I had no idea how much I would love him.

 I didn't know how his big smile with that little tongue sticking out would sweep away any anxiety or stress I felt. I didn't know that we would spend hours talking to each other in coos and other nonsensical noises, or that through those sounds, we would communicate so much. I didn't know how a wrinkled raised brow or a tiny fist opening and closing would mean the world to me. How could I have known? I didn't know what a big personality my tiny boy would have or how quickly he would change and grow. He is definitely his own person. And I am his mama. How did I get so lucky?

 I still don't know.

Nothing prepares you for being a mother, not tending other people's children, not watching your friends and siblings becoming mothers, not taking prenatal classes.  Because nothing will change you like holding your own tiny baby in your arms for the first time.  And you can never anticipate the wonder and complexity of a new person, with all their own emotions and needs and personality.  Getting to know that individual in such an intimate way, that I think only a mother really does, is seriously the craziest and more rewarding thing I have ever embarked upon.  I never could have known how much this would change my life.  I love it so!

The Blessing

I really can't believe I was able to say anything coherent today. I was super emotional. Then I was super exhausted. I hope it took. Samuel Asa looked all dapper in his bowtie, cardigan (knitted by Meme), onesie, and cute little green pants. See for yourself!

First Official Hutchings Family Photo

We had to wake Samuel Asa up from a nap for the photos. It only kind of worked.

"Uncle" Ryan got some good time with Asa.

Grandpa-great Ivan with granddaughter Michelle, grandson-in-law Spencer, and great-grandson Samuel Asa.

Another great shot by cameraman Ryan.

Like I said, Ryan and Samuel Asa had some good bonding time. Notice - they are enjoying our new home which we officially moved into yesterday! Now, if only the kitchen sink would get fixed...

My favorite

Officially Announcing...

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

One Month - Samuel Asa

Samuel is one month old now! What an occasion! Okay, we haven't really done anything to celebrate except go to Church. In commemoration, we want to share some photos of our Samuel Asa. (I got a hold of Katie's really nice camera and couldn't resist taking another few shots.)

One month ago today - 8 lbs. 11 oz. - What a chunk!

How his little feet have grown

Still a (c)hunk!

Zoe's favorite baby. He tastes good apparently - Zoe really likes to lick him.

Caught in the act!

Michelle looks so great!

Samuel Asa - just enjoying a nap on mom

In other news, we found out our dog is as tall as she'll be. I hope she doesn't fill out too much more; we like her the way she is.

Zoe has great taste buds apparently - she really likes her foot too.

Our new life as a trio

I've been putting off posting for various reasons, not the least of which is utter exhaustion, but I also feel like the change in my life that occurred two and a half weeks ago is altogether too big and grand and complex for me to put into words.  It is at the same time nearly impossible for me to wrap my head around and completely natural and familiar.  Being a mother is nothing more than irresistibly devoting yourself completely to another being who relies wholly upon you. For me there was no choice involved because my heart, mind and especially instinct have automatically given everything I have to this tiny new person in my life.  

Samuel is growing so fast.  He is a strong boy and loves to hold his head up and look around at everything.  I get the sense that he is frustrated by his limited body and wants to do much more than he is is physically capable of right now.  He is pretty adorable and I laugh every day at the funny faces he makes.  He's not shy about letting us know when he is unhappy about something, but he is also quite the charmer when he's happy.  

Well, a week and half later I am finally getting back to this post.  Finding time to do the simplest things is a real challenge with a newborn!  But here I am at my computer with a few precious quiet minutes on my hands so I'll hopefully get this posted today.  Samuel has been waking up to eat about every four hours at night for the past few days and most of the time goes right back to sleep.  The increased sleep has been great although I'm looking forward to the first time I can string eight consecutive hours of sleep together.  Samuel will be one month old on Sunday.  I can't believe how fast the time is passing and how much bigger he seems to me.  His physical features have changed a lot since we brought home that little swollen face from the hospital.  I was telling Spencer last night that I wonder what he'll look like as he keeps getting older.  I feel like I am still waiting to know what he will look like, but on the other hand I feel like I've always known what he looks like because he is so familiar to me.

It has been so fun to watch Spencer step into his role of father.  I love watching his face as he looks at his little boy and listening to him sing songs to Samuel as he holds him.  I feel like my heart understands love a little more deeply, and not only my love for Samuel is new, I feel a new and deeper love for my husband and best friend as well.  These two boys have captured my heart forever.