Wyatt's First Birthday Party (week 27 pregnancy)

**UPDATE: all pics of present opening are now available via the link below :)

We had a HUGE blowout birthday party for our little man and boy did he love it! :) We had about 90 people over for a backyard BBQ to celebrate Wyatt turning one - it was a blast. Nick worked so hard on the yard the two weeks before getting everything ready - it all looks wonderful. We had perfect weather, if not a little warm :) I think there were about 20 or 25 kids all playing and enjoying the yard which made it all worthwhile. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in our lives who love our little man like we do - thanks to everyone who attended and made that party so special for us and Wyatt.

Highlights from the party:

- Wyatt's hawaiian outfit :)

- The awesome turnout

- Wyatt attacking his Big Top Cupcake daddy made

- Daddy driving Wyatt out in his very own car!

- The kids all playing and blowing bubbles - so fun to watch

- Two kegs, several cases of beer and 8 bottles of wine...were we prepared?! ;)

- My baby laughing, playing and loving his day :)

Since we were not able to open gifts at his party (he is SO spoiled!) we had him open them today - a few different times :) We did get pictures of him opening them all so that if someone wanted to see his reaction they could :) You can view all of the party pics, including birthday present opening using the link below:

http://s1135.photobucket.com/albums/m631/alicianbales/

A HUGE thank you again to everyone for making this party so special - we had so much fun and hope you all did too!

Party hangover Bales :)

27 week belly pic

One more week and we are in our third trimester!

Bales Beach Weekend (week 26 pregnancy)

We had our annual Bales Beach weekend at Seaside and it was a blast. Although we were only there for Saturday and Sunday, we loved seeing everyone and celebrating the July birthday's. We took the kiddos on the Carousel and even down to the beach/into the ocean. The weather was decent and we had plenty of adult time too...lots of games, catching up and enjoying beverages (maybe next year I will get to participate!).

As for our big birthday boy, he came down with the flu virus last week and is just now recovering. Lots of fun diapers to clean up and throw up to take care of for Nick and I. We felt so bad for the little man, but he is definitely on the mend :) Just in time for his first birthday party this Sunday! We are praying for decent weather since it looks like we are having about 90 people (we go big in this family!). Nick has been a busy bee in the yard and everything looks great! Just need to finish the bark dust and we will be done - YAY!

Our other little man is doing great! He is getting big and therefore losing his room in the belly. He is quite the mover and loves to punch his mama :) It is so fun to see the difference between Wyatt and Nolan already - we cannot wait to meet him! Only 3 months until our due date...and one week until our third trimester. I need the next three months to get ready for baby boy, but mentally I am there. Bring on this little man :)

As we prepare for Wyatt's first birthday we are consumed with memories from this past year - it has been an emotional month for me especially (prob the hormones!). I feel like I just had this little baby and now he walks, talks, has quite the personality and makes me so incredibly happy. We are so lucky and blessed and we remember that every day...

Love,

The Bales

week 26 belly pic

As we get closer and closer to the third trimester, my belly grows more and more! If it is possible, I think this baby will be bigger than Wyatt was...oh joy ;)

Taylor's Baby Shower

As I mentioned in a blog post a few months back, two of my good friends are also pregnant right now and we are all due within a few weeks of each other. First baby up is the Fetrow baby, due September 5th. Taylor, who is my best friend and someone I met in college, threw my baby shower for me last year with Kim (another great college friend). So, now it is our turn to pay her back :) We had a great turn out and surprised her with a "book" themed shower, complete with book decorations, book shaped cake and books from all the guests to stock the baby's bookshelf. It was a fun day and the mom-to-be got plenty of spoiling :) Congrats Fetrow family!

This past week we had a dr appt to check on baby Nolan...he was very active so it was hard to track down his heartbeat, but when we finally got it it was nice and healthy :) The doctor said everything was great and that we both looked good. She also said she isn't sure we can have a cuter baby than Wyatt (who was at the visit) and I told her how could Nolan not be!? :) All in all, things are going very well and we are so very lucky. Our next appointment is August 4th and we will have our glucose test at that time...can't believe how close we are to the third trimester! Yikes :)

For the rest of the month we are really focusing on Wyatt's first birthday party and getting the yard/house in shape. We have some fun events between now and then, but the yard has become the new obsession :) Looking forward to a good month full of fun things.

Happy Summer,

The Bales

25 week belly pic

It is hard to believe my body is getting this big again...at least I know I can get it back ;) Oh - and look how big my other baby boy is...almost one! Loved his handsome clothes so had to get a pic :)

One proud mama,
Me :)

Bales Family Photo (week 25 pregnancy)

We got our family photos back from LO Photography already (they are so fast - yay!) and they did a great job! Nick and I love the ones below...it is hard to get all the little kiddos looking and smiling :) Thank you again to Teresa and Dan - we appreciate you taking these photos and doing such a wonderful job.

Love,

The Bales

24 week belly pic

Getting big...:)

Fourth of July and 11 months old! (week 24 pregnancy)

Last Monday our little man turned 11 months old...we cannot believe it. A year ago I was WISHING labor would come upon me and I could meet this wonderful little baby :) Now here he is, almost one years old and quite the little person! He has such a personality, with so many wonderful things to offer this world and our family (this is likely the hormones talking!). He is walking as much, if not more, than crawling now and loving his new independence. He is one of the funniest people I know...and his kisses and hugs are to die for :) He is just the best and we can't wait to celebrate his first birthday in 3 weeks!

This is also his first 4th of July and we are so glad we got to spend it with both sides of the family (and with nice weather!). Saturday we swam and played at Nick's parents with all the cousins and had a yummy dinner. Sunday we played at my parents house, let off fireworks and enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner. Monday we had family photos taken (thank you Teresa and Dan!) which were fun and something we will all cherish. Then, to celebrate Independence day we had a BBQ, swam and just hung out together. It was a wonderful weekend and it reminded us all how lucky we are to be American's and to thank our soldiers for allowing us to live here. We also celebrated Laurie's birthday (Bebe to the grandkids) with yummy red velvet cupcakes...Wyatt sure enjoyed it :)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed friends and family...that is what it is all about!

Cheers!

The Bales Zoo :)

23 week belly pic

With everything going on we missed the 22 week photo - but I think I look about the same this week :)

Cousin time... (week 23 pregnancy)

This past week has been a bit of a whirlwind - with lots of ups and downs. A few weeks ago Nick's dad, Mike, was having some stomach pain. He went in and discovered it was a tumor in his pancreas. The biopsy results revealed it was cancerous and scheduled him for a surgery to remove it. This past Tuesday he went in to have it removed and unfortunately when they started the surgery they found that the cancer had spread to his nodes. Unable to remove them, they decided not to operate and will treat Mike with chemo, radiation and a trial vaccine. We are all staying very positive (especially Mike) and are ready and willing to fight this cancer head on. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated - we can use everything we can get.

Even with the news of the cancer, we managed to have a little fun with the kiddos swimming, playing and taking new pictures :) It is incredible to see how much more Wyatt will try new things when he is around his cousins. He has walked on his own everyday for the last week and is getting closer and closer to giving up crawling all together. We can't believe how fast all these kids are growing and cherish every minute we get to spend with all of them together. Monday marks Wyatt's 11th month and we just can't believe that he will be one in just a few weeks.

This weekend is the Balloon Festival in Tigard and with Wyatt's balloon fascination we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take him. It was a great time (and early morning!) and he loved seeing all the balloons, people and stuff going on.

Nolan is doing well - kicking, growing and getting used to the sounds of his family. He is now over a pound and is as long as a banana. He is still pretty good at sleeping when I sleep, but I still wake up tired every morning :)

With fourth of July upon us, we are sticking close to home and looking forward to the Thompson's coming into town to celebrate with us. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend.

The Bales

First Father's Day (week 22 pregnancy)

It was Nick's first father's day this past weekend and we had a full and busy weekend. Saturday we went to see the Chesney's trains and Wyatt was enthralled. We had no idea how extensive the collection was and it was fun for all of us. The Barney's and Bales joined us so it was a fun filled day. After the trains we went back to our house and had a BBQ to celebrate with Nick, Jeff and Mike. Sunday we let dada sleep in and made him breakfast...he got to open his presents and have play time with Wyatt. We then headed over to my parents house for presents and cake and then went to Jim Callahan's celebration of life. It was a packed weekend and full of fun...a success all around.

Since Wyatt LOVES his bath time I had to take some video of him playing and having fun. He is so much fun for us and we are loving how mobile he is getting. On Saturday he took his first steps alone...to get his ball :) He is up to 13 or 15 steps at a time and is getting more confident with each day.

Nolan is moving more and more these days...and is growing a LOT. I am starting to have more aches and pains, which is way earlier than it was with Wyatt. The doctor said that this is normal with subsequent pregnancies because your body has already gone through pregnancy and delivery. Other than that, I am feeling really good though. I am excited to be moving through this pregnancy so quickly and to be feeling so good.

We are all really excited about the sunny weather on the way and the fun summer activities to kick off with 4th of July.

Happy Summer,

The Bales