36 Weeks

Hi all! It's been so long since I've been able to blog and I even missed the 35th week. So here we are in the 36th week with lots to report! We have been working hard around the house for the past week and haven't had our computer up and running. Lots to catch up on ....

First of all, Baby is doing well. Moving and growing! Today I felt especially round. Baby has been getting hiccups for the last couple of weeks now. At least once a day lately we get the hiccups and it's amazingly adorable. My cousin Jenna felt my belly while Baby was hiccuping! I wonder if he or she will get hiccups a lot once they're born ....

• At 36 weeks, Baby is 6 pounds and is 20 3/4 inches in total length.

Tuesday is my next ultrasound and doctor's appointment. They will be able to estimate how big Baby is. The measurements I post each week are based on the book, so we'll see if we're similar.

August 30th was my Baby Shower at my Mom's house. It was a wonderful, lovely day. The weather was beautiful and we ended up having a little garden party, all sitting outside in my parent's back yard. It was so great to see all my family and friends. Everyone is thrilled and excited for the baby! Baby is very loved already. So many beautiful gifts, especially a handmade white blanket that was made by my Aunt Judy from the material and pattern picked out just for me and Baby by my Great Grandma Kuemmerle. She wasn't able to make the blanket herself, but it was finished by "helping hands". I was beyond touched and I will cherish the blanket always. We will take the blanket to the hospital for Baby's special "going-home" blanket. We also will use it for Baby's baptism day. My mom and Jessie planned such a special day for me and it turned out to be just that. I will always remember my first baby's Baby Shower.

I have pictures from the shower and need to post another belly shot for you. Will work on that this week.

Last week we had the wood floors refinished in the baby's nursery and in the guest/computer room. They look amazing and are so pretty. You wouldn't believe, however, the fiasco the refinishing process caused. Long story short - we completely under estimated the whole process, including the smell/fumes and work and time involved. I basically spent two entire days outside on the screen porch with my dog and cat due to the stinky polyurethane. The first day I had to be out of the house for 8 hours, the second day they recommended 12 hours. Needless to say, the animals nor I were very happy by the end of the ordeal. Thank goodness for my dear neighbors, as they so kindly let me use their bathroom during the day. The first night I didn't sleep well - fearful of the slightest smell and I basically chased open windows for fresh air and a breeze. The second night we spent in a hotel. A long two days, but a lovely ending with my nice new gorgeous floors.

The painting process is complete and the rooms look fantatic. Scott was up for two weekends total and Brent has been working hard almost every day since. We're looking forward to this coming weekend. My parents will be coming over and bringing the crib and changing table/dresser. My dad has really worked so hard on the furniture and it's beautiful. What a special gift for our baby. Can't wait to see the finished products in the nursery!

My cousin Alexia turned 1 year old on Saturday. And today, Mackenzie turned 10 years old. I had very good intentions of making it back to South Bend on Saturday for Alexia's party, however after the floor fiasco and everything else, I just wasn't up for the travelling. I got a full report from my mom and from Joan and they said the party was great and Alexia was a busy little 1 year old! Tonight my parents went to Mackenzie's baseball game and then out to Hacienda with everyone for a birthday dinner. Happy Birthday to Lexi and Mackenzie!

Mackenzie and Delaney think the baby will be a boy. They say they think it's Rowan. However, Delaney did tell me that if it's a girl she thinks we need another Delaney. (How ever could we have two Delaney's, I thought?!) But she was very pleased to know that if it's Anna, her middle name will be Marie. And Delaney knew why - she said "Because Grandma Bernie's middle name was Marie". And she's right - and I told her because lots of other special people have the middle name Marie, too - Joan, Jenna, AND Delaney.

As most of you know, my brother Scott and I have a great brother-sister relationship. I've always thought so. I just want to say that it's been really nice the past few weeks seeing him and spending more time with him. Brent and I really enjoyed his company while he was here for the painting extraveganza. Scott has been very supportive and attentive - always asking me if I need help with this or that. He offers me rides to the grocery store, offers to help dry dishes, and makes sure I'm not working too hard. I don't even know if he realizes it, but I sure have appreciated him. He's a great friend to me - he makes me laugh, lends me CD's, and we share funny words only we really understand (ie. sisso-sacer). He's a great brother and I love him for it.

The baby has hiccups right now!!

I think about the baby non-stop these days. I cannot believe we only have 4 weeks till the due date. Is it possible?! I practice writing the baby's name - Rowan Scott and Anna Marie. I write it in cursive, print, fancy, and plain. It's like when I was engaged to Brent - oh how I practiced writing Laura Hartsell. I dreamed about my wedding day for so long it seemed ... and that day finally came. Baby's day will come soon, too. I cannot wait. Brent and I are so anxious! We have newborn Pampers, the book "Goodnight Moon", and the baby swing all ready and waiting.

Will write soon and promise to have pictures up!

Love to all ~ Laura