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

Wyatt and his big feet

Our son is already wearing size 5 shoes...it is insane! We had him in a few pairs this weekend since he will grow out of them before he can really get use out of them. At least we will have another little man who can wear them since they will practically be brand new :)

Last Friday we had our 21 week check up and found out that Nolan "looks perfect" and his ultrasound was great. So far so good...I am starting to really feel pregnant and the nesting is certainly setting in. Nolan is a total kicker now...off and on all day he says hi to me :) I love feeling him - it is such a comfort to know he is in there moving around and hanging out. Our next appointment is right after 4th of July...it will just be a check up, nothing big :)

This weekend marks Nick's first father's day and we are so excited to celebrate with him. The boys have a treat in store and we can't wait to spoil him :)

Have a great Father's Day daddies!

The Bales

21 week belly pic

Please excuse the self portrait in my PJ's :)

Wyatt Walking!

Last week Wyatt took his first "couple" steps and we were SO excited. However, in one weeks time he is now taking 7 or 8 steps and is "walking"! We cannot believe it...it is so much fun and so exciting :) He will be off and running before you know it and I will be off and chasing! I hope I am ready for this...and another little man on the way! It makes me tired just thinking of it...

Here is a video we took of Wyatt walking to dada :)

Off and running!

The Bales

Wyatt lounging :) (week 21 pregnancy)

I just had to post these pics...he was showing off for the camera :)

Jake's First Birthday

Our nephew Jake celebrated his first birthday on June 4th - it was a beautiful day and Wyatt had a blast seeing what a first birthday is like :) Jake slept half of his party, but was ready to rock and roll once up. He opened gifts, enjoyed bubbles, ate the frosting off of his cupcake and played hard with his cousins/brother.

Wyatt liked helping with the presents and sitting next to the birthday boy. He also went swimming for the first time and LOVED it! It was so fun to see his expression and delight once in the water. He is for sure a water boy and we are looking forward to swim lessons.

Although the weekend was full of fun, we also got some unfortunate news on Sunday morning. One of our great family friends (on my side) who is like family passed away from leukemia. Jim, who was like an uncle to my sister and myself, found out he had it right before Mother's Day and had been at Kaiser Sunnyside for the past month getting treatment and fighting this disease. We are so blessed to have known this man and to have been a part of his family. He will always live in our minds and hearts and the memories will live on. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

The Bales

Wyatt's First Haircut!

Yes, our 10 month old had enough hair that he needed a haircut :) He actually did very well - he sat in my lap while Kelley cut away (taking an inch off the back!) and styled his adorable "big boy" do. I think he looks a bit older and I love his shaped haircut.

Wyatt is just growing before our very eyes! He is officially in 18 month clothes, can stand on his own, likes to help feed himself with the spoon, can drink from a straw (and loves it!), can say Ball and Duck, and laughs all the time :) He is a delight and we love watching him grow. Only 6 weeks until he is one years old...I cannot believe it.

Here are a few pics of the hair cut...so handsome!

Love,

The Bales

Arizona Girls Trip (week 20 pregnancy)

Memorial Day weekend is "Lindquist Girls Weekend" in our family and this year we decided to go to Scottsdale, Arizona and soak up the sun :) It was a fun weekend full of laughing, catching up, eating, drinking (for the non-preggos), pictures and sun. We stayed at the InterContinental Montelucia and it was very nice. We had a great time and came back with some color...thank you to my hubby for watching Wyatt and giving me some much needed girl time :)

Wyatt is doing VERY well - he is 10 months old now (!) and is soooo close to walking. We took him to the park last week and he loved the swings :) He is so curious and so interested in new things...I love watching him. He is trying to talk all the time and he is constantly moving - it is hard to believe a few months ago he could only sit! Time flies and we are just having a blast with him. Ohhhh - his front two teeth are coming in and they are HUGE :) I can't wait to see that smile...priceless.

Well...we are half way done!!! I cannot believe it - only 20 weeks (or less!) to go until Nolan is here :) He is moving around like crazy - he is more the roll and flip baby, whereas Wyatt was a kicker. He is so good - he only moves during the day so far...no waking me up at night! He LOVED the sun in AZ and seems to be growing rapidly (see my 19 week preggo pic). We have our next dr appt on the 10th and are looking forward to hearing the results of the ultra sound.

This weekend marks our nephew, Jake's, first birthday and we are looking forward to celebrating with him. I can't believe he was born a year ago! It feels like yesterday...

Enjoy the week,

The Bales