We're back...

I apologize for not updating our blog the past few weeks. It's been a busy time for both of us. I've started a part time job at the YMCA and was busy fighting off a cold last week. It sucks being pregnant and sick...you just have to ride it out. But alas I am feeling better this week and am ready to do it all over again...as Monday is here already.
I can't remember if we told everyone but we've changed our mind on the baby's name...I said it could happen and it did. We've decided on Noelani (for those of you Hawaiian challenged people out there it sounds like No-eh-la-ni). This is Hawaiian for 'Gift from Heaven'. We decided on that name as that is what she truly is...a gift from heaven. We haven't decided on a middle name yet but at the moment we're leaning towards two middle names which would be Lola Aponi. Ray loves the name Aponi which is Native American for 'Butterfly' and I of course love the name Lola as it's a family name and my Grandma Lola was such a wonderful caring woman I'd love to pass that name along to my little girl. We will of course keep you updated with the middle name status but as of now Noelani is the first name and we're sticking to it.
I've been doing a lot of 'nesting' as they call it. Tamera and Scott are giving us a crib, dresser and changing table so I've been busy making room for all of that. I can't wait for the bedroom to start looking more like a nursery.
As of this week we are 23 weeks along...according to my website only 118 more days!! The belly is starting to pop out more and more every day. I love it and so does Ray! I've been enjoying bumping bellies with him. Speaking of bumping bellies...I was over at Tamera's house last weekend and if I have failed to mention Tamera (my best friend and self proclaimed Sister) is also pregnant and about 4 weeks behind me!! Tamera finds out on Friday (15th) what she's having...we're hoping for a girl...How much fun would that be??? It's great to have your best friend to walk this journey with.
Talk is in the air of a baby shower. Stay tuned for details. We've finished registering at Target and Babies R Us...that was fun and scary at the same time as there is so much out there that we need and don't have yet.
I'll post more pictures soon as we're actually doing a photo shoot on February 24th.
For Valentines Day Ray is going to cook me dinner...I'm looking forward to that!! Who am I kidding Ray cooks dinner most of the time but hey it's a holiday!!
On a side note I'm doing a bit of planning myself as Ray's Birthday is coming up on March 6th. He'll be turning 35!!!
Our next appointment is scheduled for February 21st. I'm looking forward to the appointment after that on March 20th as my doctor is going to give us an opportunity to take some 4D ultrasound pictures...if you haven't had a chance to see these before they're are very cool and extremely detailed.
We've also just scheduled an appointment to tour Swedish Hospital on March 8th. We'll be having Noelani at Swedish Hospital in Ballard. I'm looking forward to that as I'm told Swedish is the best place to have a baby in Washington!!