Birthday week!!!

Yes...it is FINALLY birthday week :) My favorite time of the year (next to Halloween!)...woo hoo! Last night we celebrated with the Bales at Cafe Allegro and today at work we went to lunch and then to PIX for a birthday treat. It was delicious! Here are a couple pics of the yummy dessert I got...Amelie :)


PS - my weird hand thing above was because I thought the sparkler candle was going to set me on fire :)

Love,
The Birthday Girl

Bigger than a Ken doll! (week 27)

Let's see...we had a lot of fun this week doing lots of things :) We went to both of the Blazer playoff games, although Saturday's was much more enjoyable :) We also went over to Caryn and Jeff's to watch the Tuesday night Blazer game and get our "Luke fix" - it was fun to catch up and see them. Saturday night we went to dinner with the Fetrow's and had a pitch game night. The big winner was Nick, who didn't lose one of the ten games we played. Brad says this was because it wasn't for money ;) Sunday we cleaned the house and then headed out to find something fun to do in Portland on this sunny day. We ended up going for a drive all over the place, stopping to have a bit of wine in an orchard and then hit up the Medieval Fair in Forest Grove (good people watching) before going to Carlton for dinner. All in all, it was a great week and we are BOTH looking forward to my birthday week starting Monday ;) Poor Nick...he did know what he was getting into though before we got hitched :)

We had an exciting week with baby movements - our little man got his first case of hiccups (that I could feel) on Friday night at 1am. I felt so bad for him...there is nothing I can do and he was moving all over trying to get a comfy spot and make them stop. Luckily, it only lasted for about 10 minutes. Other than his hard and constant movements, I am still feeling really good. We are headed to Lincoln City for a couple days to celebrate my birthday and I am looking forward to just relaxing and hanging out.

Baby boy is now LONGER than a Ken Barbie doll and weighs over 2 pounds. He is growing like a weed and can now open his eyes and blink. His immune system is growing and getting stronger too...so hopefully no colds early on :)

Next week we start our 7th month and 3rd trimester...unreal! We have a dr appt on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!!!) so we will hear the heartbeat and measure my uterus. So far so good! :)

Love,

The Bales

PS - Since it worked last time, GO BLAZERS!

Spring is here!!! (26 weeks)

This has been a great (busy) week...we went to the Blazer game with the Sleeman's and Parker came with us. Nick was so happy he was the one who took him to his first game :) Then on Friday, I got a surprise delivery from our wedding florist, Lacy, with an adorable arrangement from my fabulous husband :) He is the best! That night we went to Matt and Kim Clark's wedding - it was such a nice evening and a wonderful celebration. Saturday night we went to the Timbers home opener with Tay and Brad and had a blast. Finally, today we had brunch with Kelly and friends to send her off to work for another 2 months. Fun and full week of events and activities!

Oh - and yes, I FINALLY planted our planters in the front of the house. They look so much better...it only took 3 years ;)

At 26 weeks I am feeling pretty good! Getting tired again - but we are almost into our third trimester so I guess that is going to happen. Other then the occasional hip pain, I really do feel awesome. I am so lucky to have such a nice pregnancy (I don't dare say "easy") so far...

Our little man is almost two pounds and is about 14 inches tall (think cucumber). He can now inhale and exhale small amounts of amniotic fluid - which is getting him ready for his first big breath! Apparently, his testicles are now "dropping" - this takes 2 or 3 days. I bet you are so glad I shared that ;) 

We are so excited the weather has been getting better and are taking advantage of it. Hopefully it sticks around so we can get out again this week. The dogs are loving being outside :) 

Love,

The Bales

PS - GOOOO Blazers!

Cookies, candy and cake galore!!! ;)

Just kidding...but I could if I wanted to! Just heard from the doctor today that I DO NOT have gestational diabetes! :) Very exciting and good to hear since my mom had it and it is usually genetic. All is well and healthy...time for a doughnut to celebrate ;)

The size of a rutabaga??? (week 25)

This week we were busy with work, friend dinners (thank you Yee's) and gatherings (congrat's again Sleeman's!!!) - as well as trying to finish the nursery and get the house into some sort of order. We both were in the yard and cleaning house/doing laundry. You know, the fun part of married stuff :) It has been a busy time, but we are getting so excited for our main man to be here in 15 weeks (this is me being hopeful!).

I am doing well - we had our dr apt last week and I took the glucose test. It was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be - phew! We should have results this week, but the doctor didn't seem to think it would be bad news. I am still having quite a bit of hip pain...which is not fun. This is of course "normal" so there isn't much you can do for it. On the up side, I am still able to sleep through babies kicks all night...so at least I am getting shut eye.

I have no idea what a Rutabaga is, but apparently little man is now 13 1/2 inches long! He weighs about a pound and a half and now has his hair :) If we could see him right now, we would know his hair color! However, most babies lose that hair and grow in something else. He is also starting to put on some fat and lose the wrinkles...I bet he is getting SOOO cute :)

This week is looking a little more relaxed...so I will treasure that and just enjoy it :)

Love,

The Bales

Officially a Bales :)

That's right...I made it official! Today Nick and I hit up the DMV and Social Security office and made me Alicia Bales. :) About time...I know, I know. At least we did it before the baby is born ;)

Foot long, who's got the foot long?! (week 24)

We do!!! The baby is now about a foot long - which is roughly the length of an ear of corn :)

Let's see...this week was kind of low key, but picked up a bit towards the weekend. We are both busy at work (with my boss out for three weeks and Nick doing a couple deals), and then Friday night we went to dinner and the Michael Buble concert with a few of the Weber's :) It was a great night, great people and wonderful music. Saturday we had a couple birthday parties and then today is of course Easter :) We had church and breakfast with the Bales/Weber clan and are headed to a late brunch with the Lindquist side. Lots of good food and family time.

I am getting bigger and bigger (as you can see!) which tells me this "little" guy may not be so little. I can't imagine how much I will grow in the next 16 weeks. In fact, I just try not to think about it :) I am still feeling good, the shortness of breath is a little embarrassing at work sometimes, but other than that all is well.

As I mentioned, the little one is about a foot long! His lungs and taste buds are developing more rapidly now. His skin is still translucent, but that will begin to change over the next few weeks. He should start putting on some fat too...I will gladly give him some of mine! :)

This week we have our doctor appointment so we will let you know how that goes next week. Have a hoppy and safe Easter ;)

Love,
The Bales

Miniature baby (week 23)

This week was a really low key, relaxed week which was much needed. We just worked and watched March Madness. Not bad at all :) Never did make it into the nursery...so the pictures and fan are not yet up. However, we did her that the valance is done now too so we will put all of that up this week...or soon anyway :) We got a TON more clothes from the Sleeman's (woo hoo!) so this baby boy is set!

As for me...I am still feeling great. Had my first Braxton Hicks contraction this week which was crazy. We are officially in our sixth month - just insane. I am starting to get the little aches and pains, but overall am very blessed. And really, kankles don't look so bad on me ;)

The little man is officially right around (or just over) one pound! No fruit this week, as he now looks like a miniature doll. I really can't wait to see him. Crazy to think we have a real baby in there now - not a little shrimp or pear :) He is still quite the kicker (especially when it is time for mom to sleep) and loves to say hello to daddy :)

Our next appointment was moved up from mid-April to April 7th...so we will do our glucose test a little earlier. Better get all the cookies in now - just in case they get taken away :) Now for more March Madness...love lazy Sunday's!

Love,

The Bales

Spaghetti Squash!!! (22 weeks)

This week was again, a busy one :) We had our appointment on Wednesday and everything is right on track. The baby is right where he should be and had a heart rate of 150 - which is great. Next appointment we will do the glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes, so we will report more on that when we know. In other news, my mom has been busy getting things done for the nursery!!! We have had her make "custom" moon and star fan blades as well as the prints for the wall you see below. CAN'T WAIT to see how it all turns out :) So thanks mom! Also, we signed up for our labor classes...those will be in May. I know Nick can't wait ;) Ohhhhh - and today is Cooper's 5th birthday...so happy birthday to him!

I am doing well - feeling SUPER pregnant this week. The baby has really popped which is making it feel very real. We had a full Saturday - gym, clean the house, go to the mall, go to a concert, etc - and I am paying for it today. Hard to remember you can't do everything when you are lugging around a baby :)

This week our little man is the length of a spaghetti squash and weighs almost a pound! He now has teeth buds in his gums and eyes are fully formed but his iris' are not yet a color. He is growing like a weed and moving a lot. Which we like :)

We are going to take it easy this week and try to get a couple more things done in the nursery. Also going to finish our baby registry...seems like we just did all of this ;) Happy first day of Spring!

Love,

The Bales

PS - GOOOO Kentucky!!! (since Kansas sucks :)

Baby Boy Banana (week 21)

This week was a busy one...we found out he was a boy and had lots going on! We ended up getting our changing table early so it is now set up in the nursery. The Sleeman's gave us a tub of little boy clothes (think you again!) so we are set for the first few months of his little life! So awesome! Other than that, we were just going going going...so this weekend has been a nice low key couple of days. We have our next dr appt this week on Wednesday, so we will hear about the ultra sound results and make sure everything is good.

The little man is the length of a banana this week! His tongue is fully developed and his cartilage is turning into bones. I think those kicks I feel all the time are going to get a bit harder :)

I am feeling good still - I can feel the baby moving around A LOT which is great and lets me know that everything is okay. This week is also when you can start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions so I will be looking out for those. Other than that, I am just trying to stay active and get some sort of work out in when I can.

That is really all I have to report...more next week :)

Love,
The Bales

It's a....boy :) (week 20)

What a crazy week...and it is only Tuesday!!! :) Monday we got our new appliances and finished the nursery (for the most part). I love all of it...the new appliances are awesome and the nursery looks so cute. Now we get to add all the fun stuff - still waiting on the changing table though. Should be here March 22nd...

As for the baby this week - HE is the size of a small cantaloupe and weighs 13 ounces! We got to see all the fingers and toes and found out he is healthy as can be :) We also found out he is a he...SO fun! I had that feeling all along - but nice to have it confirmed. We had a family BBQ to tell the family and celebrate. We asked them all to come wearing the color they thought the baby was and they were all such good sports. Team blue won gummy bears since that has been my craving :)

I am doing great - so happy to have reached the half way mark. Feeling good and ready for the next 20 weeks to fly by...I want to meet my son! :)

Other than all of that (what else is there?!) we are just working away at getting ready for this baby! SOO excited and look forward to our dr appt next week...on St. Patty's Day :)

Love,

The Bales Clan

ONE WEEK! :)

I had to put up this post mid-week...we found out today that the quad test results are NEGATIVE!!! YAY! Healthy baby :) Such a relief...!

So, they scheduled us for the ultrasound at Newberg hospital on Tuesday the 9th :) I AM SO EXCITED!

Just had to share/get it on the blog! You will hear boy or girl from us shortly :)

The Bales

One more week....(week 19)

Well we are one week away from being half way through the pregnancy...so crazy! This has just flown by so I hope these next 20 weeks go a little slower. We still have so much to do! :) This weekend we got the nursery painted and I love how it turned out...very baby yellow :) Nick thinks it looks like Burgerville spread...haha. So now we are getting new carpet and then we will set it all up...so fun! I am so able to see our little one in there :)

I am still doing well...although I have had headaches for the last several days and haven't felt as well as I have the past couple weeks. I am hoping this all goes away soon so I can get back to feeling great. I went through all my clothes this weekend and put away all the "pre-pregnancy" clothes in the attic. Can't wait until the day I get to tell Nick, "Honey, bring down the skinny clothes!" :) Until then, it is focus on being healthy and gaining weight...

The baby this week is the size of a large heirloom tomato...the arms and legs are now proportionate to the rest of the body. The baby's brain is designating areas for the five senses; sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. In fact, the baby can now hear Nick and my vice so we will have to stop singing :) Poor little thing already knows he/she won't be a signer :)

So this week we should get our quad-test results and be able to set up the ultrasound for next week!!!! I will most likely not blog until we know what it is...so Maria, know it will be a couple days late :) Until then...

Love,

The Bales