We have a heartbeat!!!!!! (week 13)

We got to hear the baby's heartbeat last Thursday...it was SO awesome and reassuring! The doctor said it was very strong and exactly what it should be :) The appointment was pretty quick, but I suppose we should be happy because that means everything is good. We set up the next appointment for mid-February but we are waiting to find out the sex until 20 weeks (mid-March). All in all, we are super happy to hear all is well and look forward to the next appointment.

I am REALLY excited next week we start our second trimester - looking forward to that energy that everyone says comes back. I can tell that I am starting to get it but I also started working out again...so it seems like they cancel each other out. I am feeling really good though - just getting bigger and eating more :)

The baby is about the length of a lemon this week - which seems like a big piece of fruit :) The baby now has his/her finger prints which is amazing to me! All in all, just growing and growing!

Today is MLK, so Nick and I have it off and it is actually a nice day! We are looking forward to a date day outside...fresh air will do us all good I think :) 

Love,

The Bales

The size of a lime! (week 12)

We are so excited...we get to hear the heartbeat of the little lime this week! So exciting to know we are in the 12th week and the baby is growing to much larger fruit :) This week was a long one - first full week of work after the holiday's and lots to do. 

We went to Pottery Barn Kids Saturday and got all of the nursery bedding and curtains (HUGE SALE!) with some of the gift certificates we received. It was SO fun to go pick something out and so nice to be able to get good bedding without having to spend a fortune. It is also a relief to have picked our colors so we can start painting the room :) I know what you are all thinking, "How can you get bedding and pick colors when you don't know what you are having?" - but we decided on a very neutral theme and color palette so that it doesn't matter. We still want to find out, but I don't want to wait until March to start getting things done around the house. I know that is a huge shock to you all ;)

So as for me, you can see in the pic above that "we" are growing...I have started a more consistent work out plan (approved for preggo's) and have watched what I am eating a little more. However, the BIG craving lately is gummy bears - I can polish off a whole bag in a matter of minutes. Nick thinks our baby will come out as a gummy bear :)

The baby this week is the size of a regular lime and has reflexes! He/she can suck their thumb and will move around if I poke at my tummy (although I can't feel it yet). The baby's eyes and ears are now where they should be so it looks like a little baby now :)

As I mentioned, we have our doctor appointment on the 14th where we can hear the heartbeat and make sure everything is progressing as it should. YAY! More to come on that next week...

Love, 

The Bales

Holiday Madness (week 9)

This past week was a crazy one...we may have slightly "overdone it" by having plans every night and then a packed (although very fun!) weekend. I am feeling the effects of it today - and I know we have a big Christmas week too! Tired does not even describe how I feel lately...it is insane how drained I am all the time. Can't wait for the second trimester...:)

So as of week 9 the symptoms are the same for me, however the baby bump is making an appearance! :) I can tell some differences in my body (less curve in my back, more curve in my front!) and am starting to "feel" pregnant. I think this is earlier than most people show/feel in the first pregnancy at this stage, but I am actually kind of excited.

Baby is now the size of a grape (woo hoo!) and has four chambers in the heart now. The tail is gone and the sex organs are starting to form although you can't yet see them. :) :) :) (I still think boy)

We have our next doctor appointment on January 14th so we have a few weeks of just getting bigger and more preggo before we hear the heart beat. Lots of fun things going on between then and now so I expect time will fly!

Happy Holiday's and Merry Christmas...we sure feel blessed this year! :)
The Bales

8 week ultrasound pic - our little bean :)

Baby is healthy! (week 8)

Well, we had our first OB appointment today (and we LOVE him - Davena it is the same doctor you had and he is wonderful!) and we got to see our little bean!!! I never thought I would think a little blob on a screen was so incredible or beautiful! We will put up a couple ultrasound pics soon...

The doctor said everything looks great - the baby is good and I am good. He told me I need to gain 30 pounds during the pregnancy and that I am thin...I am taking that as a compliment :) So cookies here I come! They did quite a few tests, which I expected, so we will be told if anything looks out of the norm in the next week or so. All so exciting and unreal...we are SO blessed! Oh...and Nick learned what stirrups are today...hahaha!

So symptoms for me so far:
Pretty much the same - tired, a little morning sickness and weird cravings (Salt and Vinegar chips are the BEST!)

The baby is the size of a kidney bean this week...so tiny! The brain has formed and the feet and hands have webbed fingers and toes :)

Other than that, we are just trying to be healthy and are learning how to be expectant parents. There is no rest for the wicked over here in the Bales fam :)

More next week...
The Bales

You guessed it...(week 7)

We are preggo :) It was quite a shock to us too...but we are having a baby! We are both very excited and can't wait to meet our little one in late July/early August. We are about 7 weeks along now and have our first OBGYN appointment next Monday. I am very anxious to meet the doctor and ask him my list of a hundred questions :) Not sure if we will get an ultrasound yet but I know that is coming up. It will be fun to see the heart beat and know that everything is good with the baby :)

So symptoms for me so far:
- REALLY tired (bedtime has moved to 7:30pm!)
- Weird food cravings (and when I want it, I want it!)
- Eating for two (even though I am not supposed to yet :)
- Some minor morning sickness (this is new as of week 7)

The baby is about the size of a blueberry this week...so tiny! Crazy that that little thing is causing so much crazy stuff with my body. Guess I better learn now that I have no control anymore...good lesson to learn now :)

I am debating pictures of the tummy on here as it grows...we will see. Not thrilled about the idea but I hear I will want to see those things later after the baby is born. Somehow, I doubt it :)

Anyway, that is all for this week...we will write next week after the doctor appointment and let you know how that all went. Think good thoughts for us!!!

Love,
The Bales (all three of us!)