36 weeks

So here's the belly at 36 weeks....whew! I'm amazed at how unbelievably HEAVY I feel right now! I just keep saying, "there's no way I can make it much longer!" But I think every pregnant woman says that at some point and it really doesn't predict anything:)

I went to the Ob at 34 weeks for a growth ultrasound. Harper was measuring 5lbs, 14 oz at that point. I realize that these estimates aren't always accurate, but they were EXACTLY right with Gabriella, so I'm putting some weight in them this time. At this point in the pregnacy, babies grow (again, estimate) about 1/2 to 3/4 pound per week....so, do the math! Harper should be in the 8-9 pound range when she makes her arrival. No surprise there as Ella was 8lb,11 oz at 39 weeks.

We will plan on induction at 39 weeks should she decide not to come on her own. I'm hoping not to get to that point, but will willingly induce if need be. I had way to much trouble and....well, trauma! with Ella being so large and coming so fast. A more 'controlled' delivery might not be so bad:)

Looks like the countdown is at 3 weeks or less! The nesting instinct has kicked in despite my complete lack of energy:) The nursery furniture is in place, as is the bassinet in our bedroom for the first few weeks or so. Ella's tiny newborn clothes are out, sorted, washed and ready. That's been the hardest part! Stephen and I have found ourselves in the middle of a huge pile of Ella's old things just looking at them and talking about all the memories over the past 19 months! Hard to believe Ella is so big already, and that we are getting ready to do this again! I am so humbled to see how the Lord has truely, truely blessed our little family.

Our cup runneth over...

Choosing a name...

We chose Gabriella's name immediately. We actually had it picked out before we knew if we were having a girl or boy. As soon as that ultrasound revealed girl, it was decided. We both loved the name and knew we wanted to use Grace as her middle name. We even knew we wanted to use 'Ella' as the shortened version if we ended up shortening it...which happened quicker than we expected!

Choosing a name for baby girl #2 has been so much harder! If a second name is this hard, I can't imagine the difficulty we'll have in the future, especially if we keep having girls!

Stephen and I liked the name Harper back when I was pregnant with Ella. We already had our name picked out, so we talked about saving it for the future. When we found out we were having another girl and started talking about names, it was one of many options. The only problem....Ella learned how to say it! haha! We'd talk about baby sister and throw around different options until one day she just started saying "Harper!" It was (and is still) the cutest thing! Once she had that down, there was no way we could consider anything else or even THINK about changing it. Now we know she doesn't really understand that she's getting a baby sister or that her name will be Harper. I'm starting to think she uses Harper as another word for Mommy's belly;)

So with that decided, we set out to choose a middle name. We had zero options, then 3, then 7...Every time we would narrow it down, one of us would think of something else! Last Sunday, I told Stephen that I really wanted to have Harper's full name decided BEFORE I go into labor! His response: "Ok, I have my favorite picked out." Just like that! I told him that we should just go with it, but he wouldn't tell it to me until I had my mind made up first. It's always a game with him! He told me that after church and my nap that day, I would know. He loves to make predictions like that.

The afternoon wore on and he asked me later if I knew Harper's name. I told him that, yes, if I had to choose RIGHT now, I could probably pick a favorite. So here goes. Only problem, the game must remain a game, so he made me write it down. I did. He then says, "Harper Olivia" I very dramatically turned over my sheet of paper which read: Harper Olivia:)

The whole ordeal was actually just funny, but at least we decided. We are on the same page 99.9% of the time so I wasn't really worried, but it's nice to be able to say her full name now:)

Happy 4th of July!

We try to take a family picture each year. Here is this year's, most difficult one to get so far! Gabriella isn't the best at standing still and posing for pictures at this stage;) Harper even kinda made it in the pic, that must be what Ella was pointing to! ha!

More fun by the pool on the fourth:

Watermelon was created for 4th of July cookouts! Ella had no problem diving right in!

The newlyweds:)

Kisses for Daddy!

Ella and Daddy taking a walk, waiting not-so-patiently for fireworks to start...she didn't last long! That girl LOVES her bedtime! (Note Teddy in her right hand, dead giveaway that it's time for sleep!)

Summertime Fun!

Ella's current (indoor) favorite: coloring! She just loves those big, fat crayons:)Ella is such a water baby! These pictures are a little out of order. We started off with the green float, but she quickly decided she was too big for that! She loves the new swim vest. I think she thinks she can really swim;)

Peek-a-boo, Poppi!!! Taking a little break from swimming:

Another great thing about summer: Popsicles!

Here's the green float-fun while it lasted! Hopefully Harper will like it next summer. Note the very pregnant mommy;) I feel like I complain a lot, but it's so hard being pregnant in the summer! Not only is it hot, but it's so hard to find clothes...AND you have to be in a bathing suit!!! Yuck!

First time at the pool this year. Checking things out:

How cute is she in her little swimsuit?!

32 week picture

I'm about a week and a half late posting this, but here's my lovely (read that sarcastically!) 32 week belly shot. I'm getting to the I-just-feel-huge-all-the-time phase which is fun!

Seriously, though, things are going very well with the pregnancy, and for that I am grateful. I go to the Ob Friday for another growth ultrasound. We'll see just how big this baby is getting!