Updates updates updates!

Quick updates! (Well, as quick as I can - you know me!)

We finished the walls in Isabella's wall - added pink trim. Also bought the frames for most of her wall art and printed the photos (we used our own photos). Just need to clean up, set up the crib, and hang the photos and I will post pictures of her room again!

We also got a new video camera with money and gift cards we got for Christmas from Mom and Nick and Uncle Bill! The Kodak Zi8 is similar to the new Flip pocket sized video camera. We're still learning how to use all of its functions, but so far it's pretty easy and intuitive. It's really light and about the size of a Blackberry Torch, so I think it will be really convenient for when Isabella is born. It turns on easily and is ready to shoot immediately and can be operated with one hand. It will be great for capturing short videos of her cute little moments. Below is a video I made practicing by recording Orange playing with his ball and getting agitated by the birds on our lanai.



We also went to Hilo (plane tickets were another gift from Mom and Nick for Christmas - thank you!) so the Dad and Nana and Cayla could see the Bella Bump and so Alex could meet my grandma and Aunty Felipa. We just went for the day (since we only have one day off together each week), and it was nice to spend time, talking story, catching up. We sure were tired when we came home at night though! One thing that was pretty hilarious - when my grandma saw me and asked if we had picked a name yet, and we told her, she made the most sour face! She did not like the name Isabella at all! I told her, "Grandma, you're the first person in the world that told us they didn't like it!" She couldn't really pinpoint why. And she wouldn't tell us what she would rather we name her - "No, no, the parents have to choose the name," she said over and over when we asked her. I suppose it would have been sort of insulting if she was more "aware" - she suffers from dementia. But because of her condition, we thought it was pretty funny.

We have another doctor appointment coming up soon, and lots to do to prepare for Isabella. I wonder if we'll get another ultrasound at all? I hope so! With so much left to do and so many things coming up (two baby class series start in March - Infant Care and Prepared Childbirth), it seems like the homestretch is going to go by quickly!

As much as I've ranted about random really tough things throughout the pregnancy, I do know that there is one thing I will totally miss about being pregnant: feeling her move all the time. It's this deep connection I feel every time I feel her move, even when I'm in the middle of doing something that takes almost all my attention, like at work for example. Feeling her move so often makes me feel like when she's born I won't want to be away from her ever! I know I'll be exhausted a lot, and probably will really crave some "me" time, but knowing me, I'll spend any moment away with at least half my mind on her - what is she doing, is she okay, how is she feeling, when can I get back to her...

And yet I can't wait till she's born and we start getting to know her! Will she be a girly-girl, or a tomboy? Will she be shy or outgoing? Will she like books and school as much as I did? Will she have as much attitude as I do (if she has half as much, Alex and I are in serious trouble!) or will she be easy-going? What other things have we not even imagined? It's exciting to wonder about, but we're also anxious!