Happy Father's Day!!

We celebrated our First Father's Day together this year...Thank you Noelani. We spent a few hours in bed just staring at this gift from God we've been given and wondering how it is we got so lucky to have such a happy and healthy baby. I know they aren't all like this but I must've done something right to deserve this.

We introduced Noe to Hattie on Sunday morning in Seattle on Capitol Hill then headed south for my Dad's. We made a quick stop at the SuperMall so Ray could pick out his Father's Day present...he wanted a new pair of shoes so that's what he got.

When we got to my Dad's Ray wanted to wash the truck so he did and then washed Dad and Barb's and Teresa's van too...well I think Gabby may have gotten cleaner than the van!! Ray and Gabby used more water on each other than the cars.

Barb cooked a fabulous dinner and Teresa brought Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. It was a great day!! Noelani enjoyed spending the afternoon with her Papa.
What a wonderful day to be able to celebrate the great Men in my life...I love you both dearly!! Thank you Dad for all you do have done and continue to do for me and now us. It makes my heart smile when I see you holding your Granddaughter.

Thank you Ray for making my dreams come true...every day you find a new way to bring joy into my life. When I hear you sing to Noelani it makes me smile. You are a great Dad just like my Dad and your Dad!!! Oh yeah...and thank you for doing all the cooking...YOU ROCK MY WORLD!!

Week Two...It Only Gets Better!!!

Week #2 started out with Noelani's first Doctors appointment on Monday afternoon and everything is fabulous!! Noe's even gained weight which apparently doesn't happen often with babies. She weighed in at 7 lbs 6.5 oz. The worst part was when she hade to get her PKU recheck and have her little foot pricked so they could do some testing. I don't know who it was worse for...Noe or Mommy. I hated hearing her cry like that! Even though everyone warned me beforehand I don't think you're ever prepared for it. So begins the journey of wishing I can take away her pain.

Look at her smile!!!


My Dad and Barb came to help out on Monday and Tuesday again and then Ray's parents came into town on Wednesday.
The Grandparents bought Noe her first Basketball, Soccer Ball and the prettiest fishing pole you ever did see!! No shes not spoiled at all...

Ray cooked his famous Chicken fettucine for his parents on Wednesday night...he's hoping he'll stop hearing the french fry story now...
Noelani's favorite game at the moment is Peek-A-Boo...she loves peeking out her left eye.
I took Noelani to my work on Friday so she could meet her "other family". She was of course a perfect angel and they all fell in love with her. I'm so lucky to have such a great support system at work...it will make returning to work easier...but lets not talk about that yet!!


Friday night we ventured out to see Jacob's baseball game and then Dad and Ma took the whole family out to dinner at the Old Country Buffet. Noelani's first restaurant and she slept through the whole thing!!

Week One with our Little One...

Our first night home was a memorable one...I'd share the details but it might be a bit much for some of you to handle...let's just say it involves all three of us and a breast pump! Thank God we don't have that problem anymore...breastfeeding has taken off splendidly!
Ray unfortunately had to return to work (somebody's gotta bring home the money) on Thursday so my Dad and Barb offered to help us out for a few days and that was excellent. I enjoyed their company and Barb's hotdishes too!! What a blessing to have such wonderful parents!!! I still find myself tearing up when I see my Dad holding Noelani. My Dad and Barb made a blanket for Noelani that I'm sure will be forever attached to her hip. I think it's safe to say she's already got Grandpa wrapped around her finger.


I do believe all of the praying I did for a sleeper helped...Noelani sleeps for a good 3-4 hours and has only been waking up twice during the night. It really wouldn't matter how many times she woke up as that would just be more time I'd get to spend with her gazing into her deep blue eyes. I keep telling myself when she wakes up it's just more time we get to spend getting to know each other.
She's got the most beautiful eyes and has even cracked a smile for us a few times...I don't think it was gas!!
The McCoskery's came over on Sunday so Spencer and Scott could meet the newest member of the family. Spencer thinks his little Sister and Noelani will be twins...
Scott took quite a few pictures of Noelani for us to send out announcements. One more thing to add to my 'To-Do' list.

We haven't been able to give her a bath yet but she's getting a sponge bath and doesn't care for that much. In fact she prefers not to be naked...I think her little body is still adjusting to this chill outside the womb.
It hasn't taken long for me to find out why people with kids are always late...she's only one week old and everything is on her schedule not ours.

On Saturday we embarked on our first family outing...we hit Home Depot and Target. I'm surprised at how good I feel after barely one week after surgery. We had a fun time showing off our new addition to the family. I think Ray is still glowing!!

As you can see in the pictures she even sleeps like her daddy...It's easy to see she'll be 'Daddy's Little Girl' for sure!!!

A Star is Born!!!

The first day of the rest of our lives...Noelani Rae DeVore was brought into this world on Monday, June 2nd at 3:34 PM. She weighed in at a whopping 7 lbs 3 oz and was 19 inches long. Now I know I'm biased but she is indeed the most beautiful girl in the world!! What a surreal experience...we woke up early that morning and couldn't stop telling each other, "Today we're having a baby!!" We got to Swedish Hospital at Noon and soon after Tamera and both Ray's and my parents arrived to offer their support. By 2:30 PM we hit the road for the big moment...Can I just tell you how happy I was with my decision to do a C-section?

The entire process from the spinal to the recovery was incredibly easy - I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Ray and Tamera were in the operating room with me and at 3:34 PM we caught the first glimpse of our little girl!! A star was born and without a doubt she looked like a Noelani...Our gift from Heaven!!!

I'm not sure which Grandparents were prouder - Ray's or Mine. Noelani is my Dad's first Grandchild and she's won his heart over 100 times already. This is Ray's parents 10th Grandchild so without a doubt she's a Perfect 10!!



We are truly blessed to have such a healthy and beautiful baby girl!!! Thank you to our family for being there and giving us your neverending support - We could not have done this without you...Well we probably could have made it happen but it wouldn't have been nearly as fun. You all kept us laughing through the whole process and for that we Thank you. Noelani is so lucky to have you all in her life!!

On Wednesday, June 4th we were able to check out and head for home!!! I have never been so emotional than the moment we strapped her in the carseat and drove out of the hospital parking garage...we were going home with our Angel!!

It's been awhile...

Ok Ok...so It's been awhile...I've been asked to post pictures of the Nursery so here we go. I've been so swamped the past two months preparing for the little ones arrival I have had absolutely no time to update our blog. So I'll give you a quick synopsis now.


Tamera threw us a Baby Shower back on April 12th. We had the party at Alfy's Pizza in Lynnwood. It was a fun day! Mom and Dad came up from Oregon and my Ladies came into town from Idaho...My girl Cidney even flew in from San Fancisco! We had a lot of fun. Especially after the beer and wine started flowing...I felt so blessed as one of my best friends Chris Shoemaker and his Mom, Marilyn, even made a guest appearance as it was his very first baby shower ever!! I never thought I'd see that guy Scrapbooking in my life...but I thank you for doing so!!
Thank you Tamera for all the hard work you did and to Ray's parents for taking care of the rental of the space and all the pizza!!
And, Yes Chris...I will make sure that Noelani knows you bought her her first car!!

Then on April 18th my work threw me a Baby Shower which was also a ton of fun!! We gathered in the conference room after work and played some games and ate some food and cake. Again I had a few guys that came that had never attended a Baby Shower before...Thank you Russ and Peter for taking part!

Ray and I took all of our classes at Swedish hospital during the month of April and I think we both learned a lot....even Ray learned some things at the Breastfeeding class...Ray took lots of notes and will be there to remind me of everything I will have forgotten...My brain is shrinking daily remember?? :)
We toured the Swedish Hospital on May 3rd which was a lot of fun. There will be plenty of room in the room for everyone!! I'm still trying to find out if my 'Guests' can partake in the jacuzzi tub or not...I'll keep you all posted. :)

Also on May 3rd my Step-Sister Teresa and Step-Mom Barb threw me another Baby Shower at Barb's house. It was a fun afternoon. Ray got to meet a bit more of our crazy family and again I'm left feeling like he fits like a glove! Especially now that he's found a fellow Packer he can bond with...Thank you Jacob. As soon as I get some pictures from the this last baby shower I'll post them here for you. Thank you Barb and Teresa for all your support!!!
Noelani is going to be one very spoiled little girl!!!


Even Kea is ready for this little girls arrival...Ray installed the car seat in the car this week and Kea is already waiting for her arrival...



As of this coming Monday we are down to 3 short weeks before her arrival!! We have the time and date scheduled for Monday, June 2nd at 2:30 PM at Swedish in Ballard.
Thank you everyone for all your help and support these past 9 months!! We could not have done it without you.

I'll post some more belly pics this next week so you can all see my at maximum capacity...It's the only time I'll ever be proud to be this big!!

Here's the little lady!!!

Last week on March 20th we had another ultrasound and we decided to splurge and buy some 4D Ultrasound pictures and boy was it worth every penny!! You can see her beautiful little face so clearly! It's easy to say at the moment she's got Ray's nose and my lips and oh yeah...my long legs too!! She's gonna be tall! Ray has accepted the fact that not only is his woman but his little girl will be taller than he is too.
I did the gestational dieabetes test and got my RHoGAM shot on that day as well so it looks like we're in the home stretch now!!

I spent most of the weekend cleaning up the crib and dresser that Scott and Tamera gave us. Then spent the other half going through clothes and finding places for everything. I'll take some pictures and post them next week so you can see what the baby's room is looking like thus far. I couldn't help but imagine that soon our little girl is going to be here!!!

We set the date for the planned cesearan as well at our last appointment. Noelani's arrival date is going to be June 2nd!! Unless that is she decides to grace us with her presence earlier than that...I'll do my best to keep her in until then but as we all know women have a mind of their owns!!
I keep catching Ray and myself going into her bedroom and just looking around in awe of what's to come. We can't wait to meet her!!

New Pictures of the Belly!!!

So everyone has been dying to see pictures of the belly so here you go!!!

Tamera's husband Scott has his own Photography business and he took a bunch of pictures of Ray and I and Tamera and I as well. Hope you enjoy them as much as we are!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I'll get better I promise.

Not much new to report aside from Ray's 35th Birthday coming up on Thursday (6th).

I'll post some pictures of the birthday celebration next week.