We have a little pear :) (week 15)

This week was a busy one...lots going on! We ended up getting our baby furniture Friday (not really three weeks delivery time!) and opened it up to check it out. It is the perfect color and we love the wood - score! So now it is sitting in the extra bedroom with all the rest of baby's stuff until mommy gets her you-know-what in gear. I think cleaning out the nursery will become a much higher priority :) Once that is done, it is on to picking out the perfect nursery yellow for the walls...there are a lot of perfect yellow's so I am starting to look now.

Somebody once told me not to share baby names because everyone will have feedback to offer you. However, I have been getting lots of questions about names...and yes we have them picked out. Our names are not a secret...which means I will share them :) But, believe me...we really don't want feedback :) Thanks!

Boys: Oliver Preston Bales or Wyatt Edward Bales

Girls: Stevie Channing Bales or Leila Jean Bales

Sooo the baby...this week he/she is the length of a pear and weighs about as much as a grapefruit! I feel like the baby is getting HUGE! The baby's eyebrows are starting to grow in as well as hair on the head. I'm thinking that hair is red :)

As for me, I am feeling really good. I hate to say it (AGAIN) but I am still tired. I can tell that energy is coming back, just not as quickly as I would like it to. Another lesson in me not having control :) The baby bump is here, although I have heard from a couple people they can't tell I'm pregnant yet. It might be time to switch to more form fitting shirts...we will see. I am officially out of pre-pregnancy pants and into belly belts and sizes larger. Maternity shopping is just around the corner!

Other than that I have an inquiry in for maternity pics and newborn pics...looking forward to seeing how that process is and how much money it will cost us. Funny that I want to pay to have pictures taken of my huge belly and my naked little newborn :) I will let you know what we find out...now off to watch tennis :)

Love,

The Bales

SECOND TRIMESTER! (week 14)

We are in the second trimester!!!! WOO HOO! Today we went out for brunch to celebrate this big day and I ate everything in site...all is going well :) We are both so excited to be 1/3 of the way through our pregnancy and into the "getting bigger" phase. The chances of miscarriage drop significantly now which is a huge sigh of relief for us.

This week was a busy one, with Monday off and a work retreat for me in wine country, we were moving. It was nice to get away for a night with Nick and enjoy a great Inn out in Dundee. We did a little wine tasting and couldn't have asked for better weather. 

Today, we purchased our baby furniture and we LOVE it!!!! It should ship in 3 days which means we have a couple weeks to get the room painted and cleaned out. I have serious to do lists these days!!! :) 

Sooooo, the baby is now the size of a fist and weighs an ounce!!! The baby's brain structure is now complete although it is not all functioning. CRAZY!

I am doing really well - still a little tired but nothing compared to the first trimester. I am getting really excited about getting things ready for the baby and the house prepared...gives us something to do while the weather sucks :) Trying to exercise more, but have really only been walking lately. Maybe the energy boost will make me want to use the gym we pay for :)

This week is a full one - lots of work and fun evening activities so I'm sure it will be week 15 before I know it :)

Love, 

The Bales

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

Belly pic (week 11)

So I decided I really do have a baby bump now and am getting excited :) I have a before pic (which was on our honeymoon so I was really 4 weeks preggo) and one from this morning. Def getting a tummy! 

We spent New Year's at the beach with the Yee's and did a lot of relaxing - which was great for me. Also, we got to see the dogs interact with little Ella who is about 9 months old and they were GREAT with her! Put my mind at ease knowing they will be okay with a baby in the house :) 

I have been getting really tired again which is a bummer since I really thought it was coming back. Other than that though, I have been feeling really good - just pregnant :) We have started getting fun things for the nursery (like a rocking chair and a little rocking giraffe!) as well as a few pieces of clothing for the little bean :) I am getting excited to start thinking about the nursery and getting it ready.

Symptoms for me this week are just that I am tired and my appetite has been a little lower than usual. I am hoping it picks back up. I am feeling really good though - much better than a few weeks ago. Can't believe we only have two more weeks until the second trimester!

The baby is anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches (crown to rump) and have of the body is the head :) It is the size of a small lime right now and is continuing to grow, grow, grow! 

We are getting really excited to hear the heartbeat on the 14th - that will be a trip I'm sure! :) That is about it in our little world...signing off to watch more football (when is the Superbowl!!!) :)

Love, 

The Bales

Bring on 2010! (week 10)

Well, we made it through the Christmas madness (and many Wii tournaments!) and the most important phase of pregnancy - we are now into the fetal period!!! Yay! We are breathing a huge sigh of relief that everything has gone well to this point. Both of us are very excited we are already 1/4 of the way through the pregnancy and are ready for what 2010 brings. :)

Symptoms for me this week - still tired, but getting some energy back (woo hoo!) and clothes are getting a little tight. I think the belly belt (thanks Maria!) may need to come out in the next couple weeks. Feeling pretty good overall though...so nothing to complain about.

The baby is now the size of a Kumquat (or a small plum) and has thin nails on the fingers/toes (not webbed anymore) and is starting to get peach fuzz on the skin. The baby looks more human this week than ever before which is so fun and exciting! :)

We have started "the list" of things we want to do before the baby gets here...hopefully we are being as realistic as we think we are. For some reason I doubt that knowing Nick and myself :)

Have a wonderful New Year - we think 2010 will be great!
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