Most Optimistic

So yesterday Scarlett Graduated the 3 year old class. I can't believe her first school year is over all ready! I'm so thankful that we have another year before Kindergarten. Mama is so not ready, oh yeah and Scarlett probably isn't either. The ceremony was AMAZING. Not at all what we were expecting. Josh took off and Nene (my  mom), Paw Paw ( my dad), GuGu (Josh's Dad) were all in attendance.  Scarlett wore her cap and gown to the school and one of her Big Buddies took her from us when we got there. We went in and the High School band was playing an interlude of sorts. It was really nice. Then the 3 year old class got their "diplomas" and awards. Scarlett was awarded "Most Optimistic". I was a little surprised that the child who dramatically declares "I NEVER WON'T...(insert injustice here)" at least once a day was awarded such an award but whatever.  The Big Buddies also made a sweet montage that included a baby picture and class picture of each child. That was a tear jerker! Then Josh called me out for crying over pictures of other peoples kids. Way to ruin a moment. Then the Big Buddies presented the parents with a scrap book they had made for each child. It was full of projects and pics of Scarlett throughout the year. I was so touched!

After the ceremony we had a picnic lunch at the school. Then the real fun started! They had 4 moon bounces set up in the school gym. Every time we tried to scoot out Scarlett would say "Just 1 more time! No wait 3 more!" She was having a ball with her friends. Her buddy Jack Jack would run around the gym yelling "Scawlett! Scawlett! I wanna pway wif you!!" So sweet.

I'm so thankful we have found this program. Scarlett has formed some really special relationships with her classmates and Big Buddies. She's learned SO much! She can count to 40, write her name and knows her birthday. She learned about insect life cycles, recycling , and mixing primary colors to make secondary colors. Most importantly she learned about sharing, taking turns, and how to be a good friend. I hope her Big Buddies learned from her as well. I remember picking her up one day from school and asking her Big Buddy Darien how the day had been. He said it was busy since he had Scarlett plus another child to watch over. He said, " One needed one thing and the other needed something else at the same time. It was crazy. This class really makes me realize that I do want kids, just not until way, way, WAY into the future." I've always said the best birth control is other people's kids.

Big Days

So yesterday was a pretty big day in American history. Osama Bin Laden, mastermind behind the September 11th attacks, was killed by U.S. Navy Seals. It was an odd feeling when I found out about his death. My immediate reaction was one of happiness and excitement. Then it felt odd to feel happiness and excitement over the death of another human being, even one as evil as Bin Laden. So I thought and thought and thought about his death and what it meant. I'm not sure I came to any real conclusion. I just know that he was an evil man, his money and planning killed thousands of people both through the 9/11 attacks and the wars that resulted because of those attacks. He deserved to pay with his life for those crimes. I know that if I had lost a loved one on September 11th or in combat I would feel a small sense of peace that he finally got what he deserved. I think that's only human.

OK so onto happier topics. Delilah is 10 months old today! I'm so proud of my girl. Her list of accomplishments in the last month include: learning to clap, crawling up one stair, standing unassisted for a short period of time, and learning to sit down from standing position. She has to be over 20lbs now she is such a cute little chunk. I could literally eat her legs. She is still so strong willed. If you take your time feeding her food she balls up her little fists and screams at you. Cute  now, sure but I think it will eventually lose it's appeal. Speaking of food, she is all kinds of into finger foods now! She loves anything and everything you put on her tray. It's so much fun watching her learn new skills. I suppose I need to get started planning her 1st birthday party. I can't believe it's so close.

                                                                  Delilah 10 months!

Hippity Hoppity Easter!

Easter 2011 is officially DONE. It was Dee's first and Scarlett's fifth. Is that right? Fifth Easter? Let's count, Easter 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Woah. I guess so. Anyway we drug this Easter thing out all weekend long.

Friday afternoon we went to hang with the Easter Bunny at the mall. Scarlett was pumped, until she saw this huge bunny lap awaiting her. She was shy put posed for the picture none the less. Dee was very whatever about the whole thing. As long as big sis was there she was cool. After that we went to an egg dying partay with Scarlett's friend Lili. The girls were way more interested in playing with one another than they were dying eggs. They did a few eggs then just couldn't handle it anymore and ran off to play.  Lili had a nice talk with Scarlett about how it's not nice to hit Dads, we ate pizza and home we went. 

Saturday night something magical happened. A bunny came to our house. I'm not quite sure how it got in. But that's not important. He left some awesome treats for the girls. We're talking candy and socks and sippy cups ya'll. The good stuff.

After all of the Easter basket excitement we decorated cupcakes and headed over the mountain to Nene and Paw Paw's house. Gugu and Grandma were to meet us there for an Easter Day fish fry. Scarlett had so much fun riding in the golf cart, rolling down the hill with Nene, and planting flowers in the flower boxes. Dee had a great time swinging outside and eating whatever bits of food people would throw her way. I swear she is like a Hoover vacuum.  Daddy got wasted and mama got full. It was a good day all in all.

Caterpillars

For Scarlett's 4th birthday she received The Butterfly Garden. It's pretty neat. You send out for 5 caterpillars and they come in the mail with all the food and what not. Eventually they wrap themselves up in cocoons or chrysalis or whatever. And turn into butterflies or moths or whatever.  So 4 of the 5 are doing ok. I can't tell if one has gone to caterpillar heaven or if he's just the runt. Are caterpillars like dogs do they ALL go to heaven? Something for you to ponder today. You're welcome.

Here they are about 3 days after arrival. That brown stuff is their food. Mmmmmm.

Check out that outfit Miss. Scarlett insisted on wearing today. My girl has style.

A girl and her pillars.

We'll keep you updated!

We're Baa-aaack!

I know! I know! Go change your depends mama's back to her blog! So it seems I've let blogging slip to the wayside. That's no way to be.

So what's been up in Hutchville since we last met? Well lots! First we bought our first house in Ye Olde Culpeper, VA. Then Scarlett turned 2. Then the country got it's first African American president. Woo! Then Josh knocked me up, again. Then Scarlett turned 3. Then sweet baby Dee joined the family. Then Scarlett turned 4. So I think you're all caught up 1, 2, black president, 3, fresh baby, 4,  and here we are.

So what's going on in the world? A whole bunch of crazy that's what. Gas is almost $4.00 a gallon. How are people supposed to afford that? It's a conspiracy I tell you.  The housing market still sucks. I'm estimating we'll be underwater with this house for the next 5-50 years.  People seem to be slowly but surely going back to work so that's good. Politicians are fighting like crazy. Wipe that shocked look of your face right now. If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'.  They almost shut down the whole operation a couple of weeks ago. Or so they say. I'm not so sure I buy that. Another Washington conspiracy if you ask me.

Now, onto the kids, Scarlett is all kinds of 4 years old and Delilah is 9.5 months. Scarlett is a sweet, sensitive little soul. She loves everything princess. Repunzel is her alter ego. She is a prima ballerina and all star soccer player. Although, she takes more pride in her "ballet moves".  She happens to be the best big sister this side of The Peper. She watches out for her little sister, alerting me to every stray piece of paper that makes it's way into Dee's mouth, blowing on Dee's belly to get a laugh, making silly faces to stop Dee's tears. She really has taken to this big sister thing like a champ. I'm so proud of my girl.

Then, there is my spunky little Delilah. She is loud, opinionated and strong. Traits I know will serve her well in the real world. I keep telling myself this as she challenges my every move. This girl has a smile that will light up any room though. I mean her eyes literally sparkle every time she smiles. She's freakin magical I tell ya. She's SO STRONG.  She's already trying to walk. She wants what she wants when she wants it and refuses to wait for anyone or anything.  Good think she's growing up in the digital age right? I'm so happy she's joined our family I don't know what I'd do with out my little Dee.

Josh and I are still trying to get a handle on this two kid situation. It's a challenge, no doubt about that. I thought one kid rocked my world. That was nothing compared to two. And people say adding another after two is easy. Another conspiracy.



So that in a blog shell is what's up with the Hutch.

Best Day Ever

So fast forward from that fateful day in July. It's March 28th a Wednesday again. I'm miserable and 50lbs heavier. Almost 200lbs!!!! I'm standing in the kitchen doing dishes and I feel something happening. I'm not all that sure what it is seeing as I'd never had a baby before. I call the so-called experts, my Dr. They tell me to come in that afternoon they will check everything out. I call your Grammy first..She tries to act like she isn't freaking out...she fails miserably. I call your dad he doesn't even try to act like he isn't freaking out.

That afternoon your dad and I head to the Dr.'s office. They tell me I'm leaking and need to get to the Hospital to induce labor and sometime tomorrow I should have a baby. I ask them if I can eat because I am oh so hungry. They tell me no. I am mad.

We get to the hospital they admit me and get me to my room. Once I am there they start poking me and strapping me down. A couple of hours later I start having contractions. They hurt really, really bad. The nurse tells me mercifully that I can have drugs to ease my pain. I accept readily. So things go fine from there. Then a few hours later the Dr. notices I'm not progressing anymore and your heart rate keeps going down. They don't think your going to fit through the birthing canal. They tell me a c-section is in order. I cry. That does not sound like fun. I tell your dad to run and get Grammy and Grandpa. They come back up. Oh no we forgot to get the camera!! Grandpa runs back down stairs and comes up with...ta da...a camera! They dress your Daddy in scrubs and take me in prep me for surgery. I was so tired I had been up for hours. I just wanted you out and safe so we could both take a nap.

4:00 am on Thursday March 29, 2007 they cut me open. 4:09 am you enter the world! I have never been so proud.

Extraordinary Beginnings

Scarlett, these blogs my dear, are for you! I'm sharing them with friends and family if they so choose to read them but my true intentions for the blog is that one day when we are far apart from one another you can read these and see how I'm feeling now. I'm a new mama. You are a beautiful mystery to me. Everyday you do something new and amazing. There isn't room in my head to remember it forever so this will serve as the answers to those inevitable questions. Where where you when you found out you were pregnant with me? How did you feel? How was my birth? Of course I'll tell you those answers but it's also nice to have stuff written down. You know for reference.

So to take it wayyy back (your now 6 months old) let me tell you about the day I found out my oven was indeed bun filled. I had just gotten home from a long day of work. It was a Wednesday in July 2006. I was on the phone with Shari catching up. Then I realized I've been feeling weird. So I took a test. I didn't for real think it would come up positive. But there it was in white and pink. 2 lines staring back at me saying "You're in for it now girl...your life will never be the same."