Hi there from KY

Today is July 27. My due date is August 8. That means I am ten days away from my due date. We are both ready to get the party started and for baby Haugen to arrive. :) His room is ready, the bag is packed, the car seat is properly installed and the diaper rash ointment has been purchased. Now, let the fun begin, right? :)

Mark/I have both been living in Louisville, Kentucky with my parents for the past three weeks. Not only are we living at my parents' home, we are also sleeping in my old room! Although it has no resemblance of the room I decorated with a Holly Hobby bedspread and basketball posters years ago, it is still, technically, my room, and I am quite happy to be here.

It's wonderful to be home with my parents and to enjoy the luxuries of air conditioning, Mark's Feed Store BBQ, half price books stores, better priced gasoline (!) and Red Box movies. As weird as it was for me to leave the Dominican Republic weeks ago, knowing that I would be gone for months, it's nice to be here and to have so much quality time in Louisville! I haven't really lived here since the summer of 1998, so it's awesome to see how the city has changed and just to catch up with old friends, eat lunch with Grandma, go to Derby Dinner Playhouse with Mom, pick out patio furniture with Dad, etc.

For having such a delightfully easy pregnancy, I will say that the last month or so is definitely tough. My new friend Laura is lending me her body pillow, so that has been a welcomed addition to my old room as well.

We'll keep you in the loop as things progress.... thanks for your prayers and support! :)

PS - In case you were wondering how Mark is doing, he has had a very full social life since he's here. Shocker, eh? (Sarcasm) He plays soccer with a bunch of Mexican guys at the local park 2-3 nights/week, went golfing and water skiing last week, is preaching at a small church this Sunday... I think he's doing just fine. :)