5 Weeks and Counting

Well, we had another appointment this week. Actually I had one yesterday and then noticed a little dampness that wasn't usually there before, so we went back today to make sure I wasn't leaking amniotic fluid. The post title for last week sure is fitting for our little monkey! The doctor did a sonogram just to make sure the fluid level looked good. It was great of course! She is head up again though! The little monkey! I thought I felt her moving around last night! We went to my mom's to spend the evening with her and help her out (she just had surgery). As I was eating my dinner (steakburger from Freddy's Frozen Custard), Jesstine was a wild woman! It is because she is head over heals for Grandma I think! Anyhow, still looking good. I am feeling a lot of bladder shots today because her feet are really moving. We also got to see her breathing again! It was so cool! I have actually felt it with my hand, I just didn't know exactly what I was feeling! I can even hear it a little on the sonogram. It doesn't sound like Darth Vader or anything, but it sounds different when mixed in with her heart beat. Oh the joys of pregnancy! At least I can find something comforting about being pregnant! I am getting to that point where almost everything I do is uncomfortable!

I wanted to share a picture of this blanket with you! I am so proud of it. I had this blanket from Babe B. It was a really bright green color. I have SO many blankets, but most are green or yellow. Not really many are girly for Jesstine. So I thought I would get her name put on this one to make it more girly. (What the pictures don't show is that it was a very bright green before I put her name on it. The purple kind of toned it down a bit.) There is a place close to my house that embroiders stuff and it only cost $8.50! It turned out absolutely beautiful! So, I guess Grandmom will be happy that Jesstine has a "show blanket" now! I think it is something she will cherish later in life too.

Well, until next time! Keep praying that our girl arrives safely no matter how or when she gets here!

Love,
Lacie, Stephen, and Jesstine

Our Little Monkey

Well, we had another appointment yesterday. I was supposed to have it today, but because Jesstine was not moving as much, we ended up having it yesterday. The doctor did a sonogram and she finally moved! It is so amazing what you can see on the sonograms now! Last time it was her swallowing and this time we actually saw hair on her head!!! It was so cool! She is fine. I was of course just worried. As soon as we left the doctor's office, she moved most of the rest of the night. Most of the time she moves so much, I have started calling her my little monkey! It really fits because her room has a jungle theme. We recently added her name sign above her bed! Look at the pictures below and see what you think! Just a heads up too, when we talked to the doctor yesterday, we discussed inducing. He said he would like to send us in for an amniocentesis and if it comes back that her lungs are ready, he will induce right then. We are planning that for the morning of August 8 unless she decides to come earlier! We hope everyone is doing well! Only six more weeks and you will be seeing REAL pictures of our little monkey, Lord willing!

Love,
Lacie, Stephen and Jesstine Hutchins

EIGHT WEEKS, AND COUNTING!

Well, we are only eight weeks away from getting to see our little Jesstine. We had an appointment today. We actually went in last Wednesday as well because she wasn't moving much. It turns out, she was moving. She was just laying in a position where I couldn't feel most of the movements. Today all of my measurements were great. I had even gained a little over two more pounds! I told the nurse that this is the one and only time that a woman is glad to see the weight go up! Some women may not like to see it go up, but I know it needs too so the baby is healthy! I have been having a lot of BH contractions today, so the doctor went ahead and checked my cervix. He said that it was still closed tight, but that he could feel the baby's head pushing up against it. He said that this is the time he would expect to feel that. So, she is head down (from what we can tell) and growing well! I can tell she is bigger because I feel feet in my ribs a lot more often and I now have the waddle! So, so far Jesstine is doing well and I am doing well. We are still taking it a day at a time. We are also slowly getting her room ready for when she comes back. I have picked up a few things here and there that I know will be essential. Thanks for your prayers! Please continue to pray for this little one and for my anxiety! I had a pretty good week this week, but I still have my good days and bad days! There are days where I check her heartbeat 3 times a day. There are other days where I check it 20! The doctor thinks it is harmless and is glad that I can find some solice.

We love you all!
Lacie, Stephen, and Jesstine

TEN WEEKS LEFT!

First, let me say that keeping the gender of this baby has been terribly hard! After spilling the beans to so many people, we have decided to just let everyone know. We are having a..........Girl! We have named her Jesstine Jonelle Hutchins.

Well, we have reached the third trimester! Yeah! I am still having sleepless nights and lots of BH contractions, but we are taking it one day at a time. The baby is growing just like she should. I have managed to only gain 10 lbs.! That seems low to me because I should be up at 15 by now, but the baby is growing which is what matters. We saw the doctor today. He did do a sonogram just to ease my mind. We had to use the ancient machine, so we didn't get any great pictures. We did determine that Jesstine is breach. Not only that, but her legs are extended and feet up high by her face. It looked like she was sucking her thumb. She is measuring at 27 weeks (which is what I am at now). I am feeling better about this for now. I was concerned all night last night because she usually is quiet during the day and then active all night. Last night she was quiet all night after being active a lot of the day. I was up every three hours checking for her heartbeat. Not to mention, the repair guys were out fixing our bathroom and roof from the rain damage. Our room smells of paint fumes, so I slept on the couch. I have found it to be more comfortable than the bed lately anyhow!

So, Jesstine is doing well. We are aware that she is breach and we may be looking at a c-section. We hope that everyone else is doing well!

Love,
Stephen, Lacie and Jesstine Hutchins

Another Sleepless Night

Well, I guess I am getting my sleepless nights with a baby in earlier than most! I have really struggled with sleep for several weeks now! It all started about the time that we returned from our cruise and the braxton hicks started to happen. It doesn't help that I am anxious a lot. The funny thing is that I can be completely relaxed and sleep for a few hours, then the contractions hit and I can't get back to sleep! Needless to say, it happened again last night. I have been told in the past to just take benedryl and go to sleep. That hasn't been working. So, I called the doctor this morning. I got in for an appointment this afternoon. I told him about not sleeping. I also told him that when I can't sleep, I worry. I told him about all of the things that I worry about. He was so nice about it. He gave me some medication to help me sleep with the caveat that I only take it when I need it. At the same time we discussed my lack of weight gain. It is obvious that the baby is growing. My bump is measuring 27 cm. I will be at 26 weeks tomorrow, so that is one cm ahead. He basically told me to eat whenever I wanted and whatever I wanted (of course besides the foods I am not supposed to eat). My regularly scheduled appointment was not supposed to be until next week. He said he wanted to go ahead and see me then and he would get a sonogram of Herm to ease my mind about everything. So, the good news is, my doctor is listening to me and helping me with my anxiety. The bad news is I am still very anxious! I am thankful that Herm is a mover. Herm moves so much at night we joke that he/she takes after Grandmom and is a night owl! (Herm also dislikes milk and only likes peanut butter in small quantities). So, next week (Friday), I hope to have more Herm pictures for you. Please continue to pray for Herm and I. We only have 11.5 weeks to go! Pray for Herm's health and safety and my health (mental and physical) to get to August! Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

In Him,
Lacie, Stephen, and Herm

Update on Herm....Taco Bueno

Okay, so I guess I need to explain the title. My nephews are visiting this weekend for Mother's Day/Late birthday present for my mother-in-law. When I was pregnant with Babe B., Noah (the older of the two) had to put in his two cents on what I should name the baby. So, we thought we would give it a try this time as well. He wasn't as into it this time, but finally settled on "Taco Bueno" as a name for this baby. When they said goodnight before going to bed, they each said good night to Taco Bueno. The funny thing is that I can't STAND Taco Bueno as far as eating it goes! Anyhow, so just for this post we will refer to Herm as Taco Bueno.

I sent out an email to a lot of you Friday saying that I wasn't sure on the results of Taco Bueno's tests. Some of you may have had a sneek peek at Taco Bueno's lates pictures. Well, after I had posted them, I realized that they put my social security number on them! That isn't something I want floating around the internet. I will do some editing and re-post the pictures later. For now I wanted to let you know that not even an hour after I wrote my last email, we got a call from the doctor! He said that he didn't expect them to be there for a week, but he had them the whole time. They were just filed differently than he was used to.

Drum roll please.....Taco Bueno has a healthy heart! There is no evidence of the VSD that Babe B. had! Not only that, there were no signs of any other major defects. There is a small possibility for minor defects that can't be seen even on that high resolution. For all purposes, Taco Bueno has a clean bill of health!

Praise God!
Lacie, Stephen and Taco Bueno Hutchins

Just a reminder!

Just a reminder to all of you that Herm and Mommy have a big test on Tuesday at 11:00 AM! This is the echocardiogram (sp??) to determine whether Herm has the same defect as Babe B. and to make sure there aren't any other defects. Mommy is really nervous! I know I have had several people tell us everything will be fine, but until I see for myself, I am not going to be any less anxious. Also, I am still really battling contractions! They seem to hit about every night! I have had one or two nights without problems and it seems to have helped that I kicked the body pillow (mine is flannel so we have dubbed it the Flanocanda) out of bed. I am just using a normal pillow to support my tummy and that seems to have done the trick for the most part. I just pray that I get some contraction free nights one of these days! Really they are just making me more anxious. My prayer is to at least make it to August! I know that Herm will be healthy and strong enough if born even August 1! I would like to make it to August 8 if at all possible though! So, keep this big test in mind! We also have the glucose test tomorrow too! I should feel Herm move a lot then!

Praying and hoping!
Lacie, Stephen and Herm